Newbie Startup

[db2000]

Hi Folks,

Just looking to get into witpae but wouldn't mind some help to a couple of questions if anyone's willing.

Looking to purchase admirals edition but for a game that is from 2009 is that the correct price £66.99?
Is the game still well supported by gamers/opponents? I see the forrum is very active but just checking.
Is the game still receiving updates/patches/new scenarios from the developer?
I see a Michael on the forrum does some beta development upgrades but does that require all opponents to be on same version or will one player be unbalanced if not using the beta?
Do opponents generally prefer email play or one sitting online play for smaller scenarios?
How long do you estimate the learning curve on this game. Looks very heavy on logistics?

Thanks for any input and looking forward to joining the community ;0)

[Blackhorse]

ORIGINAL: db2000

Hi Folks,

Just looking to get into witpae but wouldn't mind some help to a couple of questions if anyone's willing.

Looking to purchase admirals edition but for a game that is from 2009 is that the correct price £66.99?
Is the game still well supported by gamers/opponents? I see the forrum is very active but just checking. Yes

Is the game still receiving updates/patches/new scenarios from the developer? Yes
I see a Michael on the forrum does some beta development upgrades but does that require all opponents to be on same version or will one player be unbalanced if not using the beta? In PBEM, both players should use same version

Do opponents generally prefer email play or one sitting online play for smaller scenarios? Vs AI or PBEM

How long do you estimate the learning curve on this game. Looks very heavy on logistics? We call it a "learning cliff." I have been playing for 3+ years, and still have lots to discover. Yes, it is heavy on logistics.

Thanks for any input and looking forward to joining the community ;0)

Welcome Aboard! Fair Winds and Following Seas . . .

[DivePac88]

Hi db2000, and welcome to the game.

Looking to purchase admirals edition but for a game that is from 2009 is that the correct price £66.99?

Price reflects the fact it is a specialist game, but it is worth every penny in playability.

s the game still well supported by gamers/opponents? I see the forum is very active but just checking.

Yes.

Is the game still receiving updates/patches/new scenarios from the developer?

Yes.

Do opponents generally prefer email play or one sitting online play for smaller scenarios?

Is played against the AI or Pbem only.

How long do you estimate the learning curve on this game. Looks very heavy on logistics?

It should take you a couple of weeks to learn the basics, and I suggest you start with the smaller Scenarios. But it is a complex game, I've been playing since the day it came out and I'm still learning stuff.

Good luck, and if you put the time into this game, you will be rewarded. [:D]

[prototek]

sites.google.com/site/n01487477/

Some good tutorial videos there.

[db2000]

Thanks everyone for a very speedy response (great stuff). Will get my order in today, shame it's only online or I would probably just go to the store and pickup a copy today.

Didn't realise it was pbem or ai only, thought there was an online option but I guess you would have to go without food and water for several days straight to complete a sitting lol.

Will try and take a quick look at the tutorial section and mess on with some basic scenarios before any pbem plunge.

thanks again folks.

[LoBaron]

Welcome on board! If you got more questions just ask.

Besides the tutorial vids you might also check out Sardaukar's newbie AAR in the AAR section.

[Speedysteve]

There's also a couple of guides and reports written by members in the "War Room" section on what to do at game start in the Grand Campaigns etc.

Good luck.

[db2000]

Thanks for the info. Will take a look at the AAR's later today hopefully. Campaigns may be a while yet but will definately give the war room a look, sounds cool.

[Itdepends]

If you buy online - with the collectors edition you get a copy sent to you but can also download it immediately. Make sure you patch and update to the latest beta- many interface improvements over stock.

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: Itdepends

If you buy online - with the collectors edition you get a copy sent to you but can also download it immediately. Make sure you patch and update to the latest beta- many interface improvements over stock.

The manual is very, very out of date once you upgrade with current release patches and possibly consider beta patches. The game continues to evolve with tremendous support from the devs who keep tweaking and improving it. However, this often leads to much confusion over aspects that have ben added whose descriptions are either hard to find or whose only explanation is a short and sometimes cryptic "patch note".

You best bet for finding answers to confusing aspects yopu can't find explanations for is to first run a search on the topic here (some regulars can be quite short with people asking questions that have already been answered) and then asking for explanations here on the forum.

It's a great game that will draw you in until you are thoroughly obsessed.

[RogerJNeilson]

Like DivePac I have been playing this since it was released, and its predecessors.... and I still have got nowhere near an understanding of it. It is the most immersive game I have ever played and I only ever play this one - nothing else comes close.

The game is superb (though we all know it could be better) and the forum is fantastic...

Roger

[jeffk3510]

Welcome aboard.

This is about the only game I play anymore....the only game to make the cut.

You will get many hours out of this game that are very pleasing. You will also find that your knowledge of geography, ships, planes..etc will vasty improve (if it is not already high).

You will find a very good community here of people that all enjoy the same game that come from a variety of interesting backgrounds.

Be sure to check out numerous AARs.

Here are a handful of links if you haven't seen them yet...remember that playing the game is the best teach IMO. Take a small scenario, Guadalcanal, and play it and come here with any and all questions.

tm.asp?m=2260137 FAQs/Newbie Guide

tm.asp?m=2382494 LoBaron's Air Mission Coordination Guide

tm.asp?m=2576157 Useful Info for Beginners

tm.asp?m=2236936 (very good tool to help keep you organized. Not everyone uses it, but it is a great tool)

tm.asp?m=3219921 LoBaron's Guide to Orchestrating a Carrier Battle

tm.asp?m=2306421 Kull's Allied Set-Up Spreadsheet

tm.asp?m=2564541 (Sardaukar's Newbie guide)

I don't have a link for Alfred's repair guide, but this is a must to read.

Skyros also made some spreadsheets that are in the manual, but they're nice to have on a seperate sheet. There is also a a few other items. PM if you want..I've consolidated them into a few files.

Have at er' and enjoy. Very fun place here.

[Canoerebel]

Yeah, this game has left the realm of "normal" and entered the realm of "classic."  Until something better comes along, which currently there's no sign of, AE is the Elvis, the M*A*S*H, the Star Wars, the Olympics of strategic World War II gaming.

[Paladin1dcs]

Welcome to the addiction db2000. While I don't have the forum presence of most here, I can tell you that this is possibly the greatest strategy game I've ever played, be it on the computer or otherwise, and I've been playing strategy games of one sort or another for a little over 20 years. (Advanced Third Reich was my first strategy game and it almost broke me.)

Now, I'll grant you that it seems a little pricy at first for a game produced in 2009 but what you have to understand is that, not only is this a niche game but this is a niche game which has had a MASSIVE amount of work put into it by the developers and it shows through when you consider the shear number of different types of ships, planes and land combat units which are represented and the amount of flexibility that this level of detail brings. Do you want to see if you can reinforce the defenders of Wake Island before they're over ran? What about evacuating portions of the smaller Philippine Islands to help defend the main islands? Do you wonder what would have happened if the Prince of Wales hadn't sailed into a nest of land-based bombers? These are all things which you can change in the game by utilizing your units effectively.

Anyway, like others have said, ease your self into the game and reference the manual when in doubt. If that doesn't answer your question, the links above are a great help.

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: Paladin1dcs

I've been playing strategy games of one sort or another for a little over 20 years. (Advanced Third Reich was my first strategy game and it almost broke me.)

Interesting you should mention such and old beloved favorite. This will be my 40th year of wargaming and TR was my "go to" game for the first 20 years. So much so that I participated in the design of ATR as a playtester. If you still have a copy you will find my name in the design credits under playtesters. My real name that is (found under my profile here).

[catwhoorg]

Leap in and climb the cliff.

Its the best way to learn.

[Dante Fierro]

Hiya DB2000 - I'm a noob myself, having picked up the game about half a year ago. Looked at it, then put it away, then about a month or two ago started to really work on it. Here are a few noob tips I have to offer (so far):

-The online community is open and friendly. The forums are a gold mine to really learning how to play the game. It's probably good to think of the game rules as just a starting point.
-The game rules are extensive - and you will find in some areas can be vague with some details left out. Many of the details you will find in the forums. Search Term is your best friend.
-The links for Noobs and FAQ invaluable - definitely review. The AAR (After Action Reports) are not only fascinating reads - but you will learn a tremendous amount too.
-The game is super complex. Not just complex - super complex. You really have to be patient, like you're climbing a 10,000 foot mountain. You're not going to learn it in a day - or a week - or even a month. So - you really have to look at it as a long term project/investment - with comparable pay back assuming this kind of simulation is your cup of tea.
-Recommend starting with Coral Sea scenario, followed by Guadalcanal, followed by main scenarios with quiet China. Usually it's a good idea to start off as Allies as handling the Japanese Industry is a more complex task (although Allies in end-game do have much more to process than Japanese - if you make it to the later years that is.)

[Sardaukar]

As one can see, this is very lively and supportive community. Welcome aboard, db2000!

[gradenko2k]

I also wrote a tutorial to the game here:

fb.asp?m=3250108

[db2000]

OK Folks, no going back now. just placed a Wopping $102 order (ouch) so have jump in with both feet, let's see how deep the water is ;0)

Thanks for all the advice, links and welcome messages. looking forward to enjoying this over the weekend. Currently downloading with 9 minutes left. I take the point the manual may be well out of date now with all the patches/updates but it may be of use.