Where have all the WiF fans gone...

[YohanTM2]

Is it just the fact the game will be a bit of haul still to see the light of day or did the loss of the forum drain folks enthusiasm?

[Les_the_Sarge_9_1]

Most of us have likely said all that can be said for now Yohan.

I for instance just want the game on computer for convenience of the computer where storage is concerned. The AI is of secondary importance, because I likely plan to play it solo against myself in hotseat mode the same way I like to play a lot of entirely complex military startegy wargames. I am hoping the game is as true to the board game as possible, and would settle for the release being the basic game to some extent, as all the bells and whistles might just inflate the effort to much.

And all that said, I have heard all the counter arguments, all of which are important to their respective supporters. But after a point, it gets to be like posting to Combat Leader, Close Assault or Battlefields. Until the game is actually delivered, it is hard to get worked up about it.

Eventually, everyone has had their say, and we just have to hope the guys doing the work, don't have too many barriers.

As we speak, I have a handful of games "I would like" that are already on the shelf. But I already have a lot of wargames, and a lot of them, are fairly like the ones I am waiting for. Tends to limit a persons ability to ramble on day after day hehe

Must be others like me out there I would think.

[BumMcFluff]

I am excited by the prospect, but have learned to keep a lid on it, since I have now had to wait for years for the computer version to show up. [>:]

[Mziln]

I just hope they expand on the demo. I think there were several good ideas submitted here in the forums.

[:D] If Matrix needs any playtesters (hint hint)... [:D]

[pzgndr]

Although I never played WiF the boardgame, I've admired it from afar since it was released. The idea of CWiF with a decent AI opponent has been something I've looked forward to. But ADG spent years on this project and Matrix will likely spend considerable time trying to get everything to work well. I'm encouraged by the effort and hope for the best.

Recently the announcement of Grigsby's World at War has caught my attention. Here's a global WWII grand strategy game that supposedly works AND has a decent AI, and is ready for release this summer. The larger scale means some loss of detail that WiF provides, but WAW games should be more manageable and playable within a reasonable period of time. That's something to really look forward to, and I'm actually more excited about that than CWiF at this point. I'll continue to monitor CWiF efforts and hope for the best, whenever that may be.

[YohanTM2]

I likely plan to play it solo

I heard that about you Sarge [X(]

[YohanTM2]

The idea of CWiF with a decent AI opponent has been something I've looked forward to[/quote]

Keep dreamin' pzgndr [;)]

[Hoplosternum]

A reasonable single player game is going to be essential if this game is to sell more than a few copies to people like Les and myself who are happy with a solitare WiF that does not fill a whole room [:)]

I think that the AI will never match an experienced WiF player but the game itself has strategies that are not immeadiately apparent and a vaguely competent AI can probably give a Newbie a run for his money at least for the first couple of games. Quite frankly that is about as good as most AIs do in most games unless they resort to cheating.

It is important that the AI be good enough to mount contested invasions. If it cannot pull off a Sealion, Huskey or DDay once in a while then the game will be far to easy for the human player. As these invasions against an enemy held coast line are one of the hardest moves to pull off in WiF it will be difficult to do but I am hopeful.

Even with that an experienced player is going to win easily. But to keep their interest in the single player version hopefully Matrix will reach into the box of AI bonuses used by most computer games. By boosting the AI's production multiple at 'Hard' level - or simply making these editable at the start of the game even a good player would eventually be over whelmed.

[YohanTM2]

ORIGINAL: Hoplosternum

A reasonable single player game is going to be essential if this game is to sell more than a few copies to people like Les and myself who are happy with a solitare WiF that does not fill a whole room [:)]

I think that the AI will never match an experienced WiF player but the game itself has strategies that are not immeadiately apparent and a vaguely competent AI can probably give a Newbie a run for his money at least for the first couple of games. Quite frankly that is about as good as most AIs do in most games unless they resort to cheating.

It is important that the AI be good enough to mount contested invasions. If it cannot pull off a Sealion, Huskey or DDay once in a while then the game will be far to easy for the human player. As these invasions against an enemy held coast line are one of the hardest moves to pull off in WiF it will be difficult to do but I am hopeful.

Even with that an experienced player is going to win easily. But to keep their interest in the single player version hopefully Matrix will reach into the box of AI bonuses used by most computer games. By boosting the AI's production multiple at 'Hard' level - or simply making these editable at the start of the game even a good player would eventually be over whelmed.

I wish but it ain't gonna happen Hop. And even worse is an AI that 'cheats' to whup ya.

This game will only be for folks that either enjoy solitaire (not me) or want to play either TCP/IP or me preference pbem.

[Hoplosternum]

Yeah but there is cheating and cheating [;)]

I don't like the way UV 'cheats' on harder levels (it's bombers hit more often etc.). But I have no problem with the fantasy scenarios where the Japanese are given far more stuff to fight with. Just so long as a zero is a zero.

Likewise in WiF I don't have a problem with a difficulty level that lets my AI opponent build more but I would not like it if he was cheating on his dice rolls (never being surprised in naval combat etc.)

As for the AI I suspect it will be beyond matrix. It has been beyond most of the older WW2 games. But my point was an AI that can compete with a human is not required. Just one that can play all aspects of the game which includes the Invasions, Convoy War and Air War. Then I can crank up his builds to level the playing field.

[Les_the_Sarge_9_1]

I hope I am wrong, but currently, I am thinking, Gary's game will be a great success, and it will throw water on the fire of cWiF.

I for instance, will likely buy Gary's game, and if it delivers a good global wargame experience, will likely say cool, and go with that being my game of choice.

At which time, I suspect I will just let WiF remain WiF, and not insist on adding the little "c" to its name.

[YohanTM2]

ORIGINAL: Les_the_Sarge_9_1

I hope I am wrong, but currently, I am thinking, Gary's game will be a great success, and it will throw water on the fire of cWiF.

I for instance, will likely buy Gary's game, and if it delivers a good global wargame experience, will likely say cool, and go with that being my game of choice.

At which time, I suspect I will just let WiF remain WiF, and not insist on adding the little "c" to its name.

My gaming buddies and I will definitely buy WaW when it is released but cWiF is a must to have for us. We just can't get together for the time required to play anymore. I travel a fair bit as well and being able to send in turns from the laptop will be great.

[YohanTM2]

ORIGINAL: Hoplosternum

As for the AI I suspect it will be beyond matrix. It has been beyond most of the older WW2 games. But my point was an AI that can compete with a human is not required. Just one that can play all aspects of the game which includes the Invasions, Convoy War and Air War. Then I can crank up his builds to level the playing field.

I think your requirements are exactly what is likely to be built and would suffice for most experienced gamers.

[Greyshaft]

ORIGINAL: Yohan
Is it just the fact the game will be a bit of haul still to see the light of day or did the loss of the forum drain folks enthusiasm?

I'm on TDY over at Flashpoint Germany earning my Beta-Tester stripes.
Still checking in here now and again to see if Les the Luddite is shooting his mouth off...

[YohanTM2]

ORIGINAL: Greyshaft

ORIGINAL: Yohan
Is it just the fact the game will be a bit of haul still to see the light of day or did the loss of the forum drain folks enthusiasm?

I'm on TDY over at Flashpoint Germany earning my Beta-Tester stripes.
Still checking in here now and again to see if Les the Luddite is shooting his mouth off...

LOL

[David Heath]

ORIGINAL: Les_the_Sarge_9_1

I hope I am wrong, but currently, I am thinking, Gary's game will be a great success, and it will throw water on the fire of cWiF.

I for instance, will likely buy Gary's game, and if it delivers a good global wargame experience, will likely say cool, and go with that being my game of choice.

At which time, I suspect I will just let WiF remain WiF, and not insist on adding the little "c" to its name.

Hi Les

Yes we hope and pray that World At War is a major success for 2by3 and us as well. But CWiF is a completely different game and the style of game leaves more then enough room for both. Matrix LOVES strategic games and we publish as many as possible. [:D]

To be honest we are a little scared about this project. This is such a massive game and we want to do it right. We are taking this slow. We have already put together a great team. We will have more on this in the near future.

David

[DoomedMantis]

Only 30 more years to retirement, then I will really be able to spend some decent time playing all these great games that Matrix is bringing out[:'(]

[Mziln]

I went and surfed WaW. Since WaW is still being developed there isn't much information. It seams at first glance to be a zone based "Grand Stratagy game". While WiF is a "Strategic game" hex based with the exception of sea zones.

I prefer the flavor of a hex based "Strategic game" with individual units with their strengths and weaknesses. Over zone based games and standardized units.

I'm a big fan of War in Russia and Pacific War (thanks Matrix for the upgrades [:D] ). But I'm waiting for WiF to do the whole world at once.

Heh heh ye young wipper snappers.

[X(] 12 years till retirement. [X(]

[YohanTM2]

ORIGINAL: David Heath
To be honest we are a little scared about this project. This is such a massive game and we want to do it right. We are taking this slow. We have already put together a great team. We will have more on this in the near future.

David

Thanks for the update David. They are two completely different efforts and you can mark me down for both!

[SeaMonkey]

I'm wondering Mziln, 12 years=65, if so we're the same age and if so "YEAH RIGHT". In this day and age and possessed with so many fullfilling things to accomplish, come on let's face it, we'll never truly retire. Time will always be a premium,... ever noticed how much faster it seems to erode, ....hmmmm ....seems I remembering hearing something about that in my younger days from my elders. Anyway just a suggestion, check out SC at Battlefront if you like strategy, don't waste time waiting, play H to H now.