This new stand alone release based on the legendary War in the Pacific from 2 by 3 Games adds significant improvements and changes to enhance game play, improve realism, and increase historical accuracy. With dozens of new features, new art, and engine improvements, War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition brings you the most realistic and immersive WWII Pacific Theater wargame ever!
I'm absolutely thrilled for everyone, reading these posts - I know what a great new release feels like But I don't know what a great new release of this particular game/series feels like. So what does it take to get into it from scratch/zero context?
I don't know the history particularly well (but could find out of course). I enjoy games like chess to good depth (county level and hanging around in national selection events in my youth) but the nearest I've come to this game is probably CotA (which I enjoy but am a bit rubbish at all said LOL). I enjoy pitting against AI mostly, as an AI/cognitive scientist background nothing gives me greater pleasure than watching a great algorithm at work.
Sort of game I could bootstrap myself into?
Thx for any thoughts, I enjoyed reading the initial posts, have fun
ORIGINAL: Kabbers
I'm absolutely thrilled for everyone, reading these posts - I know what a great new release feels like But I don't know what a great new release of this particular game/series feels like. So what does it take to get into it from scratch/zero context?
Perseverance and a love of micro details and micro management. This is probably the most detailed and complex wargame ever produced, so be prepared for a steep learning curve (it's probably more like a cliff). But once you're over the hump, prepare yourself for a lifetime addiction to the enjoyment you can garner from this game.
ORIGINAL: Kabbers
I don't know the history particularly well (but could find out of course). I enjoy games like chess to good depth (county level and hanging around in national selection events in my youth) but the nearest I've come to this game is probably CotA (which I enjoy but am a bit rubbish at all said LOL). I enjoy pitting against AI mostly, as an AI/cognitive scientist background nothing gives me greater pleasure than watching a great algorithm at work.
Sort of game I could bootstrap myself into?
Knowing the history of the conflict isn't necessary of course, but it will GREATLY enhance your notion of what needs doing and why it needs doing. This game is an awesome learning tool for getting to know the Pacific conflict. But it will be a daunting and intense journey for a novice.
I'd recommend reading some of the AARs for WitP. If you find you enjoy them, then you'll probably enjoy the game. They can also give you some idea of the commitment involved.
I was in your shoes about 5 weeks ago. I made a commitment to get into this game. It has payed off immensely.
To be at a moderate comfort level has taken me many, many hours of learning and research, mostly on these forums.
I only just started playing yesterday of course but my transition from learning to playing has been better than I expected.
This is talking scenarios though...I haven't even attempted the grand campaign and probably won't do so for another few months yet. But just to think that it's doable is progress [:D]
Seriously, let yourself feel overwhelmed, it's ok. I've been with this since I found Uncommon Valor and became a minor tester/contributor for it, War in the Pacific, and WitP: Admiral's Edition. I am nowhere in the league of a lot of these folks, and often get creamed in PBEM, but I think it's a blast.
So, start slow with smaller scenarios like Coral Sea. Don't be concerned with what the AI is/isn't doing. Learn the mechanics of the game, how they work will help you toward why they work.
And remember even in WWII when the commanders wargamed their operations, they too sometimes said "hey! they can't do that!"
I don't know the history particularly well (but could find out of course). I enjoy games like chess to good depth (county level and hanging around in national selection events in my youth) but the nearest I've come to this game is probably CotA (which I enjoy but am a bit rubbish at all said LOL). I enjoy pitting against AI mostly, as an AI/cognitive scientist background nothing gives me greater pleasure than watching a great algorithm at work.
Sort of game I could bootstrap myself into?
Thx for any thoughts, I enjoyed reading the initial posts, have fun
Kabbers
You could head over to WPO forum, read the written Quickstart Tutorial and in addition consider the plethora of WitP AAR's. AE is basically the same, just on a larger level and with more features/details.
You are already doing okay getting into the game since the best learning place is here in the forum. When you buy the game, shot a small scenario to understand the mechanics. It think going or learning WPO or WITP before AE is a waste of time. If you enjoy being a supreme commander assembling forces and supply, supreme quartermaster supplying an army of millions, for Japan also supplying your industry and managing your ships and planes production and after all this strategic moves you have the operational and tactical levels with clear combat decisions.
Thanks for the hints, directions and headsups! Gotta admit, I'm reading with a mixture of intrigue and fear the discussions about monumental 20 hour first turns. How do you know what to er -- do? Would I basically have to start moving a few things around and just "work it out", or is there a sense of direction given? The modelling experience you folks are experiencing sounds wicked <g>
cheers again,
Kabs
Edit: Actually I should just go read those AARs sorry this is a lazysod question when you have given me perfictly good place to go find out mroe
FWIW, my first turn in my vs. AI test for the Gold version only took about 2-3 hours, same as WITP and my turns after that have been 15-30 minute affairs. However, I use auto Sub Ops and the Auto Convoy system (where appropriate) which tends to save me quite a bit of time. I also make heavy use of patrol zones, waypoints, auto-disband, "set all" etc. to make my life easier. I could see spending twice as much time on the first turn if I were being extremely careful, but one of the nice things in AE is that usually the time spent there setting things up just as you want them saves you time on future turns.
ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins
I could see spending twice as much time on the first turn if I were being extremely careful, but one of the nice things in AE is that usually the time spent there setting things up just as you want them saves you time on future turns.
That's very true.
Another thing to keep in mind (and this goes along with the concern over "what do I do? What is my direction?") Folks that are spending 10+ hours on the first turn are very familiar with the game so they are able to read ahead alittle bit into what they need in the future. If you want to plan that far out you can issue LOTS of orders in a short span of time. This can be good or bad as plans seldom work the way they were intended in war [:)]
A way to quick immersion and learning is to test many things by playing/restarting a scenario, say Guadalcanal
since a lot of actions can be experienced here, with each side alternatively, while reading history books about
the whole campaign to catch more precisely what is being simulated (constraints, operations, landings, carrier
battles, night surface battles, logistics, supply...).
Several weeks of game+manual+forum to undestand more+history...
If you survive you normaly get more exited even ! So...
... move to the grand campaign (US side simpler). Thanks to your readings you can now figure out what really
happened and what have been both strategic plans. The map clearly imposes some general waypoints for the
reqonquest, and as Eric said accurately, it is not necessary to micromanage anything. Except if you especially enjoy
or if, like me, you preserve some micromanaged units or bases as a role playing subgame - this is the ONLY game that
provides such a roleplaying aspect with such an intensity. So put forward all the material in the right locations according
to your initial long range plan and future invasions. A lot of variants possible. Whence the so called "20h first turn"
which of course includes a lot of long range planning and self recording to keep track of all you expect to do that
time (after you drop the previous game due to many mistakes - exploration phase in learning). Turn 1 is the heart
of the game for beginners ! So by no way a loss of time. Then just follow your own path (crossing the pacific is long...)
and adapt. The enemy will almost surely make you react at the most disppointing moment. Usually you realize some
of your mistakes, far later than in chess game, and this is the flavour of WitP !
This learning process is an explore/exploit type one !
So indeed we are all learning as AI do... A shame, but in face of extreme complexity what else !?
Not sure that a chess player can appreciate fog of war and uncertainty, BUT almost sure that an AI/cognitive scientist will !
Enjoy !
TZ
There is only two kinds of operational plans, good ones and bad ones.
The good ones almost always fail under unexpected circumstances that often make the bad ones succeed.
-- Napoléon.
With AE immortality is no more a curse.
-- A lucky man.
The direction when i played witp was Command Based. I had in my head the main missions. So i started with Invasion forces Commands then i run every Territorial HQ command(if they were not in fight there wasn't much to do). In the end since i played Japan i went to Industry and Transport.
I like the suggestion of reviewing existing AARs for 'big picture' operational tempo and decision making. Familiarity with the WITP/AE engine will only come with time, if my experiences are any indicator.
A whole boat load of patience, a good comfortable chair, aspirin and, in my case a beer or two! It also helps to read the manual, because this game is nothing like WitP! Speaking of the manual, it also helps to have some patience while reading that as well.
But I don't know what a great new release of this particular game/series feels like. So what does it take to get into it from scratch/zero context? 
! It also helps to read the manual, because this game is nothing like WitP! Speaking of the manual, it also helps to have some patience while reading that as well.