Matrix Games Forums

Hey everyone,

I know I posted asking about a discount not too long ago, but as a fun Birthday surprise, my girlfriend decided to hook me up with a copy of WitP:AE. I'm trying to get started with the current beta build v1127, and I was wondering on the Seabee extension, when it references beta is it referencing this build or the community beta? I'll also be posting other tech support requests here as I go if that's alright.

Best,
Icechuck

I suggest the 1126b . . .

Try the Coral Sea scenario first and then the Guadalcanal scenario, try both sides several times. I suggest that you start an AAR so people can give advice and answer questions.

Icechuck wrote: Thu Nov 09, 2023 5:03 pm Hey everyone,

I know I posted asking about a discount not too long ago, but as a fun Birthday surprise, my girlfriend decided to hook me up with a copy of WitP:AE. I'm trying to get started with the current beta build v1127, and I was wondering on the Seabee extension, when it references beta is it referencing this build or the community beta? I'll also be posting other tech support requests here as I go if that's alright.

Best,
Icechuck

What RJ said. Plus welcome aboard....GP

RangerJoe wrote: Thu Nov 09, 2023 6:06 pm I suggest the 1126b . . .

Try the Coral Sea scenario first and then the Guadalcanal scenario, try both sides several times. I suggest that you start an AAR so people can give advice and answer questions.

Once I get home and get everything set up on my PC and flip through the manual I'll definitely be doing that. I heard Coral Sea was a good starter, I imagine starting as the Allies for my first ever run is preferable given the historical outcome and the defender's home-field advantage? I'll also definitely be making an AAR to trail along with my probably poor handling of the forces.

Icechuck wrote: Thu Nov 09, 2023 7:02 pm

RangerJoe wrote: Thu Nov 09, 2023 6:06 pm I suggest the 1126b . . .

Try the Coral Sea scenario first and then the Guadalcanal scenario, try both sides several times. I suggest that you start an AAR so people can give advice and answer questions.

Once I get home and get everything set up on my PC and flip through the manual I'll definitely be doing that. I heard Coral Sea was a good starter, I imagine starting as the Allies for my first ever run is preferable given the historical outcome and the defender's home-field advantage? I'll also definitely be making an AAR to trail along with my probably poor handling of the forces.

Here is a good thread to read about the Coral Sea scenario which gives a lot of advice about how things work.

https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... 3&t=361051

Here is a thread about Guadalcanal:

https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... p?t=361982

Icechuck wrote: Thu Nov 09, 2023 5:03 pm Hey everyone,

I know I posted asking about a discount not too long ago, but as a fun Birthday surprise, my girlfriend decided to hook me up with a copy of WitP:AE. I'm trying to get started with the current beta build v1127, and I was wondering on the Seabee extension, when it references beta is it referencing this build or the community beta? I'll also be posting other tech support requests here as I go if that's alright.

Best,
Icechuck

Welcome, Icechuck!
To answer your questions:
- Seabee refers to 1126b as the Beta because it used to be. It was running so well that it was confirmed as an official version a couple of years ago. 1126a is the other version - identical to 1126b except for the naming of the folder they are in. Some swear there are some minor differences but Matrix said they are identical so I go with that.

- 1127 Beta is just that - a new version under testing and there are a lot of changes and a lot of glitches to be sorted out. I don't know if Seabee will handle its installation directory naming well, but everything else should be OK. I recommend you NOT play this version until the bugs are fixed, the manual is revised, and the community has had some time to see how it affects plans in the first six months of game time. For the Japanese, those six months are critical to establish their perimeter and clear out opposition within. For the Allies, they are critical to establish their strong points and get them supplied and fortified.

- the reason for not playing the Japanese first is the economy. The Allied economy is set up with supplies, fuel, arms and manpower arriving at scheduled times. All you need do is distribute it. For the Japanese, you must decide what weapons to build, how much you can expand your industry to do that, what models of aircraft to build or research to get better aircraft years later, and how much fuel your ships can be allowed to consume!

- and if you have read some of the AARs here and other threads commenting on the game you should know that the game takes an enormous amount of time to play. The size of the game map and the orders you have to give to thousands of units and Task Forces is incredible. The small scenarios show you how to use the various features for giving orders, but the grand campaign will expect you to know what you are doing. Your GF may regret having bought you the game unless she is also a detail addict and can participate as a partner!

RangerJoe wrote: Thu Nov 09, 2023 6:06 pm I suggest the 1126b . . .

Try the Coral Sea scenario first and then the Guadalcanal scenario, try both sides several times. I suggest that you start an AAR so people can give advice and answer questions.

As per your suggestion, the AAR is up for anyone interested in observing.

https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... 7#p5133397

Hey. They went down from 85 to 30 dollar or so again for a sale so I bought it. Playing the game, I find mysel bored with the various panels, and bored with learning how to get the game to output information I can act on, and show me typical ways to do so.

I, for example don't know how to order a carrier, a naval invasion or patrol of the sea of any kind.

Do you want to MP? I know it sounds unusual, but if we actually had a competetive reason to drive us we might be more motivated to learn.

Really, this post goes out to all new players out there. Dibs on Japan.

ElizabethRStevenson wrote: Mon Dec 04, 2023 10:28 pm Hey. They went down from 85 to 30 dollar or so again for a sale so I bought it. Playing the game, I find mysel bored with the various panels, and bored with learning how to get the game to output information I can act on, and show me typical ways to do so.

I, for example don't know how to order a carrier, a naval invasion or patrol of the sea of any kind.

Do you want to MP? I know it sounds unusual, but if we actually had a competetive reason to drive us we might be more motivated to learn.

Really, this post goes out to all new players out there. Dibs on Japan.

I suggest that you start playing the Coral Sea scenario a few times, trying each side at least once. Then move on to the Guadalcanal scenario, again from both sides.

If you do an AAR, you can ask questions there on how to do things or state what you want to do, what you have, and then ask how to accomplish your objectives.

But the first rule, is always make sure that your logistics are taken care of.

There's a few videos on the game authored by,,,,can't remember his name. There on the main page at the top. I think that you will find them helpful....GP

btd64 wrote: Tue Dec 05, 2023 1:12 am There's a few videos on the game authored by,,,,can't remember his name.

Jochen Heiden a.k.a. Banana Convention.

Strategy Gaming Dojo has 12 basic tutorials videos which are a good intro along with Kulls spreadsheet and the manual.

Platoonist wrote: Tue Dec 05, 2023 1:23 am

btd64 wrote: Tue Dec 05, 2023 1:12 am There's a few videos on the game authored by,,,,can't remember his name.

Jochen Heiden a.k.a. Banana Convention.

Thanks Platoonist. I completely forgot ....GP

ElizabethRStevenson wrote: Mon Dec 04, 2023 10:28 pm Hey. They went down from 85 to 30 dollar or so again for a sale so I bought it. Playing the game, I find mysel bored with the various panels, and bored with learning how to get the game to output information I can act on, and show me typical ways to do so.

I, for example don't know how to order a carrier, a naval invasion or patrol of the sea of any kind.

Do you want to MP? I know it sounds unusual, but if we actually had a competetive reason to drive us we might be more motivated to learn.

Really, this post goes out to all new players out there. Dibs on Japan.

Yes, the game has lots of 'boring' things - to reflect the logistics that are not exciting but are essential to victory or even good defence. I too bought the game to enjoy the battles, but soon found that, in the Grand Campaign, you cannot keep your ships and planes attacking unless you get them supplies, fuel, repair sites and good bases to operate from.

That is the essence of the whole Pacific Campaign. When I started to organize my logistics (mostly ships hauling troops and supplies to islands I wanted to develop), I found that you get a buzz from successfully getting a convoy to its destination so your goals advance a little. Dozens of these small victories keep the attention through the boring part.

And once you learn how to get some automatic deliveries set up the burden eases. The first few months of game time are brutal but after that it is a game of cat and mouse. Stick with it - it's worth it if you are the determined type.

Good post BBfanboy. Newcomers can quickly master the short scenarios, and those are valuable in terms of learning a small number of the required skills. But the Grand Campaign? Learning Cliff. There are no shortcuts.

Excellent post, thanks Icechuck and all who responded. This seems like a very helpful forum crew.
I'm in the same boat as Icechuck, having finally given in to learning this beast. On sale for US $16 and winter helped a bit.

Looking forward to being here!

Have fun....GP

I played Coral Sea as my first game to get used to naval mechanics, as American. I heavily damaged the Shokaku (almost sank her, 81% flotation damage). Her air groups landed on the Zuikaku, which had room because I decimated her air groups and ran away north. I lost the Lexington, and Yorktown was hit pretty hard. If you’re familiar with the RL results of Coral Sea, that’s almost exactly what happened. Tactical defeat, but strategic victory as neither carrier would be available for Midway, where even one extra Japanese carrier could have swung the battle.

All in all, the game seems to be a very realistic simulation of, at least, naval air war. Knowing Gary Grigsby’s games as I do, I expect that the rest of the game will be similarly excellent.






quote=Icechuck post_id=5133284 time=1699556557 user_id=206864]

RangerJoe wrote: Thu Nov 09, 2023 6:06 pm I suggest the 1126b . . .

Try the Coral Sea scenario first and then the Guadalcanal scenario, try both sides several times. I suggest that you start an AAR so people can give advice and answer questions.

Once I get home and get everything set up on my PC and flip through the manual I'll definitely be doing that. I heard Coral Sea was a good starter, I imagine starting as the Allies for my first ever run is preferable given the historical outcome and the defender's home-field advantage? I'll also definitely be making an AAR to trail along with my probably poor handling of the forces.
[/quote]

Bella, try playing as the Japs in the Coral Sea scenario now.

Remember, the strategic goal in this scenario is holding Port Moresby for the Allies or taking Port Moresby for the Japs.
The scenario is easier for the Allies. The Japs have their amphibious TF to cover.