Discord Channel?

[Zovs]

Is there an official MWIF discord server?

[Angeldust2]

Not that I am aware of. There is the one World in Flames discord, which you already know. MWIF is not very much liked there nor are MWIF related topics. It is my impression, many active WIF players and convention participants have never liked MWIF, just because the unified scale of the map was too much of a deviation for them. Since release of WIFCE, several actual improvements of MWIF over WIFFE are even less relevant for them.

I firmly believe, MWIF including it's unique text and interactive tutorials plus the explanatory videos plus the introductory scenarios are the perfect tool for beginners to learn the game system. I believe as well, MWIF is far superior than the plenty of official and semi-official VASSAL modules of WIF. The strong emphasis on enforcing the rules is well worth all related costs, including even the painful limitations/shortcomings/bugs of the ressource convoy system.

What I am missing most in MWIF are the already several years ago promised features:
- both one-map scenarios functional
- two or three important optional rules still missing like Guards Banner Armies
- on-going bug solving

As much as I am thankful to Steve for his ongoing contributions after 20 years, I am disappointed by the significantly decreased efforts over the last 3 years. This is easily recognisable already on the less and less detailed monthly reports before they stopped completely. The decision to spend time on a very much limited AI instead on fulfilling the promises made by both developer Steven and publisher Erik in 2019, leads in the wrong direction.

[Zovs]

Thanks for your post.

Yeah I picked that vibe up from the board WIF discord.

I used to have the board game a long long long time ago but traded it to a friend for Advanced Third Reich.

I picked up MWIF a long long time ago, got into it a bit and then went off in another direction (mainly JTS/WDS) but I just reinstalled last night to give another go.

Like you I love the video tutorials from Steve and the interactive tutorials lets you get up to speed pretty quickly.

Its a shame about the lack of progress on the game, I understand Steve had some health issues, and I do get it (I experienced a massive heart attack on August 20th, but have since recovered by the grace of God and diet and exercise feeling better then I have in 4 or 5 years), but at one point you have to pick up and move on and get things done.

I sort of get it about the AI but agree the bugs, optional rules and convoy system should have been completed long ago.

Hopefully, the community is still active here, hence y query on the Dischord channel to chat on things.

There is a thread on Hex! for MWIF but not seen much activity there (well I have not looked there lately I should say).

https://discord.gg/drpMNGbr

[warspite1]

I experienced a massive heart attack on August 20th, but have since recovered by the grace of God and diet and exercise feeling better then I have in 4 or 5 years), but at one point you have to pick up and move on and get things done.

warspite1

Sorry to hear that Zovs. I am pleased to hear you came out the other side.

Best wishes.

P.S WIF and Advanced Third Reich - there really is no comparison.... WIF is the greatest strategic WWII game ever. And that is not my opinion... that is FACT

[Zovs]

Yeah I think I came out on the wrong end of the trade, except I also got KG Pieper for ASL with ATRC.

I am really liking the tutorials and the depth and breadth of MWIF.

[pzgndr]

MWIF is not very much liked there nor are MWIF related topics. It is my impression, many active WIF players and convention participants have never liked MWIF....

I'm shocked! This certainly is not the case with Empires in Arms. Yeah, right. LOL

[Zovs]

MWIF is not very much liked there nor are MWIF related topics. It is my impression, many active WIF players and convention participants have never liked MWIF....

I'm shocked! This certainly is not the case with Empires in Arms. Yeah, right. LOL

LOL I love board wargames but as I age, I just don't have the stamina, mental energy or drive to keep all the rules in my head anymore and welcome the PC wargame adaptations very much. The beauty is having the PC do all the ground / leg work and I can just play the game.

[lucliu]

The decision to spend time on a very much limited AI instead on fulfilling the promises made by both developer Steven and publisher Erik in 2019, leads in the wrong direction.

+1

[Angeldust2]

I'm shocked! This certainly is not the case with Empires in Arms. Yeah, right. LOL

Bill, it seems, you have succeeded in your unthankful task to develop the unfinished code of MEIA to a playable and enjoyable level, congratulations! How about you joining us to do something similar with MWIF? As far as I can assess it, the task is less daunting, this game is playable, but could still be improved in some ways. Some individuals have started to tackle the most pressing issues, you would not have to carry the responsibility alone.

[pzgndr]

Bill, it seems, you have succeeded in your unthankful task to develop the unfinished code of MEIA to a playable and enjoyable level, congratulations! How about you joining us to do something similar with MWIF?

Thank you for the kind words but I still have a ways to go with EIA and looking forward to a break. It literally took me years to figure out Marshall Ellis's source code for EIA and get savvy enough to make the enhancements and improvements necessary to move forward. I think Steve and his playtesters are on track with his LAIO scripting and what they want to do with it all to move MWIF forward. It just takes time. And I'm going to need more time to play MWIF when I do get a break and the computer opponent becomes available before I'm in any position to offer help.

I think a Lesson Learned from these two game projects, trying to adapt complex boardgames to the computer, is that it is very challenging to get all of the rules (or most all of the rules) coded correctly and then get a competent computer opponent coded to the satisfaction of most experienced players. It's a tall order and takes a long time to get right.

[Courtenay]

I tried MEIA once, and was staggered at how bad the AI was. I couldn't help but think of Shannon's first computer chess program. (Hint: it made random moves.) Has MEIA actually been made somewhat playable?

[pzgndr]

I tried MEIA once, and was staggered at how bad the AI was... Has MEIA actually been made somewhat playable?

Yes. I invite you to check out https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... 7#p5091877 with the laundry list of AI improvements and enhancements I've made. I need to update this with what I've done with 1.26.00 and 1.26.01 lately. My goal for v1.26.02 is to deep-dive into some more AI grand strategy ideas and how to implement them.