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Matrix Games and Australian Design Group Seal Deal for World In Flames!

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 9:18 am
by David Heath
[font="Arial"]
[font="Times New Roman"]Matrix Games and Australian Design Group Seal Deal for World In Flames![/font]
[font="Times New Roman"]Matrix Games to Develop and Publish World Famous Wargame[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]Woodbridge, NJ, October 21st, 2003 - Matrix Games and Australian Design Group (ADG: www.a-d-g.com.au ) are pleased to announce that the international award-winning wargame World In Flames will be faithfully adapted for computer play. Unlike many other World War II wargames, World In Flames covers every unit in every theater of operations, making it possible to play out all of World War II in a single unified game system.[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]During its illustrious history, the World In Flames system has been honored with Game of the Year, State of the Art, Best 20th Century Game and Game of the Decade awards. Since its initial release, World In Flames has been supported by numerous updates, expansion and new editions incorporating countless hours of playtesting.[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said, "World In Flames stands as a benchmark for large scale World War II wargames – a system which puts the entire war in the player’s control without surrendering detail and historical accuracy. We’re very excited to have the opportunity to bring this classic to computer wargamers around the world."[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]Harry Rowland, Managing Director of Australian Design Group, said "We decided some years ago that it was time to bring World In Flames to the computer. Matrix Games has been working with us on an excellent adaptation of Empires In Arms and we are confident they will do a great job with World In Flames as well.”[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]World In Flames is a strategic level game of World War II. The major powers are played by 2-6 players who seek to improve on the performance of their historical counterparts.[/font]

[font="Times New Roman"]Game Features[/font]
[font="Symbol"]· [/font][font="Times New Roman"]Faithful adaptation of the latest Deluxe version of World In Flames[/font]
[font="Symbol"]· [/font][font="Times New Roman"]Network play[/font]
[font="Symbol"]· [/font][font="Times New Roman"]Play by Email support [/font]
[font="Symbol"]· [/font][font="Times New Roman"]Intelligent computer opponent[/font]
[font="Symbol"]· [/font][font="Times New Roman"]Many optional rules and game system enhancements[/font]


[font="Arial"]ABOUT MATRIX GAMES[/font]

[font="Arial"]Matrix games produces, markets and publishes historical wargames as well as other computer gaming products. We are based in Staten Island, New York. For more information, visit the company’s website at http://www.matrixgames.com/ . [/font]


[font="Arial"]ABOUT AUSTRALIAN DESIGN GROUP (ADG)[/font]

[font="Arial"]Australian Design Group was formed in 1982, by a group of Canberra gaming enthusiasts interested in publishing Empires In Arms. After success with its first venture into wargaming, ADG then went on to produce its international smash hit, World In Flames, winning Game of the Year, State of the Art, Best 20th Century Game and Game of the Decade awards. ADG games continue to be distributed, sold and played around the world. For more information, visit the company’s website at http://www.a-d-g.com.au/ .[/font]
[/font]

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 9:28 am
by Les_the_Sarge_9_1
OH MY GOD!! the game I thought would never see done right on the computer will exist finally.

What a cool thing to read just before going to bed.

What next, Advanced Third Reich done properly?

I am beginning to think David is god himself hehe.

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 12:37 pm
by Resisti
Ecellent news, David!

I started to spread the word in Italy ;) :D

At Last!

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 12:59 pm
by Recon_slith
Hey, I suggested this years ago. About time. It was in the running for the worlds longest vapourware title and that's saying something.

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 5:28 pm
by pmiranda
Excellent news! Better late than never!

About Advanced Third Reich: there's a computer version in development here: http://www.warplanner.com/

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 5:36 pm
by Les_the_Sarge_9_1
Well truth be known, Warplanner as much as I know, is a tool to employ the board game much as VASL is a tool.

I am thinking though, that cWiF will be an actual game. Although when I last saw work being done on cWiF, it was sans AI and was more a computerised solo experience that could be played against other humans.

What needs to be said though, is I have not heard any actual statements, that David and and the Ausy group are even refering to cWiF eh, I have merely made that leap of logic.

I am going to wait till it is officially stated to be the same software.

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 5:42 pm
by Fredflak
Had the same reaction when I saw the headline on the front page of the Matrix Site, a big "WOOOOO!!!!!"
Really really happy to read that and can't wait for more information on it.

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 5:42 pm
by pmiranda
Absolutely, there's no AI in warplanner to my knowledge. Computer WiF is admittedly far more ambitious.

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 6:27 pm
by Twotribes
The Game exsists now, just sans an ai. Doubt you will ever have an effective AI for such a game anyway.

It has some problems though, for example, the supply rules dont seem to work right. I have the Japanese out of supply ON rail lines in china, connected to ports with no connection problem. The supply unit doesnt seem to help, I moved it close enough to extend supply from where supply was still working and nothing.

It is frustrating when the supply rules dont work as listed and cant seem to extend them as listed. Another problem I had was the allies got inititive in jan 1940 and never lost it.

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 6:31 pm
by David Heath
Hi Guys

We will be working with the ADG team to move the project to the completed stage. We will be using what ADG has been done already by ADG. We will be making changes and adding some items to it but that will be kept private for now. We will not open a forum or even pretend on a release date at this time. We do plan on this to be a complete computer game and not an aid to playing the board game. So please consider this in the works and more details will come as we move forward.

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 6:51 pm
by Resisti
David Heath wrote:We will not <skip>or even pretend on a release date at this time.
Wise choice, David ;)

See what the ADG guys was saying on August 2001:

QUOTE

We are very close to getting WiF the computer game finished <skip> and still expect it to be ready within the next couple of months.

UNQUOTE

:rolleyes: :D

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 7:03 pm
by Les_the_Sarge_9_1
I am glad Matrix Games IS doing it.

Release date, heck I can wait :) Been unable to enjoy the board game properly for years (maps are a tad large). I am just glad it is off of a private effort and into a more polished attempt.

Just pleaaaaaaaaaase make the use of whatever AI a choice, not an inescapable option.

While both games have elements that suffer from the loss of an opponent (hard to keep secrets from yourself in solo mode hehe:) ), I would rather like to be able to use or not use an AI (as AIs go it will not be a simple prospect to make a good one).

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 7:15 pm
by WarLover
I'm glad to see such a wonderful mating for CWiF,
Matrix Games and Australian Design Group. :eek:

Curious tho,
"Faithful adaptation of the latest Deluxe version of World In Flames",
Will the Graphics be faithfully recreated for the computer version?
Aircraft and Ship silhouttes? 10 sided die displayed?
Will the Beta still be supported?
Will Chris, Still be a part of the team?

Just a couple of questions.
thanks
:)

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 7:17 pm
by Fredflak
I have to back Les on the solo play question. Tho I would find it surprising if hot seat play wouldnt be supported since they aim to have pbem, and I don't think it would be that hard to do if you have pbem support.

I myself never played WiF, but i've seen it, read AARs, and am looking forward to it a lot. I love strategic boardgames, and it's great that one is being made as a computer game. Heck, I still play the very old Third Reich PC game from time to time, actually played last night, only weakness it had was the AI, and difficult pbem, had to turn on the ennemy AI on your turn so that all interceptions were taken care of by the computer, save your game and send the game file to the other. Not being able to control your intercepts and defensive Air support could be a pain and lead to surprises.

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 8:18 pm
by Fallschirmjager
Ive never played the boardgame....I have seen it for sale...and its quite expensive
Any one have a weblink to the board game so I can see what to expect?

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 8:20 pm
by Resisti
Fallschirmjager wrote:Ive never played the boardgame....I have seen it for sale...and its quite expensive
Any one have a weblink to the board game so I can see what to expect?
Just click on the ADG link, showing in the first post of this thread ;)

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 8:35 pm
by Froonp
Fallschirmjager wrote:Any one have a weblink to the board game so I can see what to expect?
Can try your luck here.
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/froon/Links/Wargame.htm#ADG
Cheers,

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 9:10 pm
by ASHBERY76
I sure hope visuals will be a lot better than the ugly ADG computer version.

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 9:21 pm
by David Heath
Yes we will be improving the graphics.

David

Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2003 9:30 pm
by Charles2222
Good news. I have messed about with the AI-less version, and it was fascinating only in as much as you expect AI down the road. When I heard there wouldn't be any, or suspected it anyway, it was vaporware as far as I was concerned. Maybe this can supplant that HoI pretender.