Suggestions for New Players

[Skeleton]

Two comments or questions; New to WIF, but so far, I am absolutely thrilled with what I see; brilliant stuff and it has exceeded my expectations ten fold! Any suggestions as to which I should begin with; the video tutorials or the text and interactive tutorials? This leads into my second question, for most games I am anxious to get my hands on the hard copy manuals, but, for this beast, I really cannot wait. What is the timeline for shipping the hard copies? Thank you Steve for your herculean effort, it has been worth the wait!

[Shannon V. OKeets]

ORIGINAL: Marcus the leper

Two comments or questions; New to WIF, but so far, I am absolutely thrilled with what I see; brilliant stuff and it has exceeded my expectations ten fold! Any suggestions as to which I should begin with; the video tutorials or the text and interactive tutorials? This leads into my second question, for most games I am anxious to get my hands on the hard copy manuals, but, for this beast, I really cannot wait. What is the timeline for shipping the hard copies? Thank you Steve for your herculean effort, it has been worth the wait!

Thanks. My joy comes from the joy players have playing the game. For a programmer there is no higher reward than having someone enjoy using the software he created.

As to where to start, it depends on what you like.

To read? Check out the Players Manuals as PDF files (until the hard copy arrives).

To listen? Check out the Video Tutorials.

To muck around with the mouse and keyboard? Try the Interactive Tutorials (but read the Picture & Text ones first).

To charge deep into the surf, way over your head, and dare the sharks to bite you? Try the Fast Start saved games.

---

Barbarossa, then Guadalcanal, then Global War.

Keep the optional rules to a few until you have a few sessions under your belt.

[FroBodine]

I would like to ask how detailed all the tutorials are? It sure sounds like you have plenty of them, video, text and picture, and interactive! This sounds excellent.

As someone like me who has never played the game, are these tutorials comprehensive and detailed? Does it explain all aspects of gameplay, all screens/interfaces, etc.

Will I really learn how to play this game competently by going through all the tutorials?

Or, are they vague and just show generalities while completely missing and ignoring huge parts of the game, like too many wargame tutorials, sadly. I sure hope it's not this.

I REALLY want this game, but I also really hope the tutorials are up to snuff for a game as complex as this.

Thanks!

[Shannon V. OKeets]

ORIGINAL: jglazier

I would like to ask how detailed all the tutorials are? It sure sounds like you have plenty of them, video, text and picture, and interactive! This sounds excellent.

As someone like me who has never played the game, are these tutorials comprehensive and detailed? Does it explain all aspects of gameplay, all screens/interfaces, etc.

Will I really learn how to play this game competently by going through all the tutorials?

Or, are they vague and just show generalities while completely missing and ignoring huge parts of the game, like too many wargame tutorials, sadly. I sure hope it's not this.

I REALLY want this game, but I also really hope the tutorials are up to snuff for a game as complex as this.

Thanks!

All the "help a new player learn the game" materials are solid.

- 125 pages for the picture and text tutorials.

- About the same for the interactive tutorials.

- 12 tutorial videos (~400 minutes total).

- 700+ pages in the 3 volume Players Manuals.

- 350+ separate in-game context sensitive help messages: one for each optional rule, one for each scenario, one for each phase of the game, one for each of the 90+ forms, ...

The tutorials do not cover everything; they would be boring if they did. But I'd guess about 90% is covered. Only some less commonly used optional rules are missing. And some of the more arcane subtleties of the game. The Players Manuals on the other hand are as complete as I could get them (250+ screenshots).

---

Bear in mind that I'm the author of most of these (Rob W. did the interactive tutorials) and I had a lot of help from many people along the way. So my opinion is surely biased. But my goal was to get as many people to buy and enjoy this game as possible. Without creating the best possible learning aids we would lose a lot of potential customers who had never played the board game World in Flames. So this work was clearly in my self-interest.

[FroBodine]

Excellent reply. Thank you, Steve. Now I just have to get approval from "She who controls the money".

[Titanwarrior89]

I think I read this somewhere yesterday but can't find it now.....so I have a new copy of WIF (Classic) but haven't learned the game yet....can I use those rules with the computer version?  The reason I ask, is I am not sure if I am up to working thru 100's of pages of rules that come with the computer game.  I am a long time wargamer(Board) but now that I am older, I'am not sure I want to work thru all those rules.  [:(]

[bo]

ORIGINAL: Titanwarrior89

I think I read this somewhere yesterday but can't find it now.....so I have a new copy of WIF (Classic) but haven't learned the game yet....can I use those rules with the computer version?  The reason I ask, is I am not sure if I am up to working thru 100's of pages of rules that come with the computer game.  I am a long time wargamer(Board) but now that I am older, I'am not sure I want to work thru all those rules.  [:(]

Hey Titan

Never saw the game until a year ago when I became a beta tester for MWIF, after a little while I was able to do the AAR's you see on page 6 Battle of the Coral sea and Steve just moved my Poland blitzgrieg to the front page, I have yet to read an in game rule, even though I know the optional rules, not saying thats the way to learn but I am showing you that you do not have to read all the rules, they are there if you get stuck. Learn the interface and the rest will fall into place.

Barbarossa is easy because its land warfare and not much different than many other land combat games, Guadalcanal is a shade more difficult because it is sea warfare but that will also come to you rather easily if you understand war games. I think the finest part of this game is to be able to find units anywhere in the world with ease. I call it Steves "google it" [;)]

Bo

[Shannon V. OKeets]

ORIGINAL: Titanwarrior89

I think I read this somewhere yesterday but can't find it now.....so I have a new copy of WIF (Classic) but haven't learned the game yet....can I use those rules with the computer version?  The reason I ask, is I am not sure if I am up to working thru 100's of pages of rules that come with the computer game.  I am a long time wargamer(Board) but now that I am older, I'am not sure I want to work thru all those rules.  [:(]

Yes, the WIF rules from the board game are the same as for MWIF, with a few deviations.

The WIF board games rules are commonly referred to as Rules as Written (RAW) which is why we refer to the rules for MWIF as Rules as Coded (RAC).

What that means is that the third volume of the MWIF manuals (RAC) is basically the same as the rule book you have from the board game. By "basically the same" I mean that the text in RAC is 95+% taken from RAW - literally.

[Skeleton]

Well Steve, you should be in total heaven then because I am absolutely awe-struck by this. I have been searching for that "perfect game" since TOAW came out and as an old, very old A3R player, without anyone to play with for the last 20 years, I really think you have created the perfect game so many of us have waited for. I was actually one of those people who purchased Chris's computer version of CWIF that ADG put out 6 or 7 years ago and wanted to enjoy it, but, without the tools that you have created for those new to WIF and which you have implemented, I had no hope of learning and enjoying. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I may purchase other games in the future, but, I genuinely believe I found the perfect game that will stay on my hard drive for years and years!

[Titanwarrior89]

Shannon & Bo, thanks for your answers guys. Ive been wanting to learn this one for a along time....So now, after the digital purchase, I have a even bigger reason to learn it. I have Eurofront2 on my table now....and have those rules down but I will probley set up the Wif(board game) and continue into MWIF. Ive heard the term applied to WIF before-"Its not game but a Way life", thats fine. At 63, I am just not up too 500 pages of rules as I was at 30. At least my purchase is not invain.....with my Old Brain Housing Group.[:)][X(][&o]

ORIGINAL: Shannon V. OKeets

ORIGINAL: Titanwarrior89

I think I read this somewhere yesterday but can't find it now.....so I have a new copy of WIF (Classic) but haven't learned the game yet....can I use those rules with the computer version?  The reason I ask, is I am not sure if I am up to working thru 100's of pages of rules that come with the computer game.  I am a long time wargamer(Board) but now that I am older, I'am not sure I want to work thru all those rules.  [:(]

Yes, the WIF rules from the board game are the same as for MWIF, with a few deviations.

The WIF board games rules are commonly referred to as Rules as Written (RAW) which is why we refer to the rules for MWIF as Rules as Coded (RAC).

What that means is that the third volume of the MWIF manuals (RAC) is basically the same as the rule book you have from the board game. By "basically the same" I mean that the text in RAC is 95+% taken from RAW - literally.

[Neilster]

ORIGINAL: Titanwarrior89

I think I read this somewhere yesterday but can't find it now.....so I have a new copy of WIF (Classic) but haven't learned the game yet....can I use those rules with the computer version?  The reason I ask, is I am not sure if I am up to working thru 100's of pages of rules that come with the computer game.  I am a long time wargamer(Board) but now that I am older, I'am not sure I want to work thru all those rules.  [:(]

In my opinion the combination of video, interactive and text tutorials with colour images are a much easier way of learning MWiF than wading through the board rule and scenario books. I did the latter many years ago and I'm finding the computer version radically clearer and easier.

Cheers, Neilster

[Titanwarrior89]

Well I broke down Eurofront2 from my table and sat up WIF(Classic).  I am Going to learn the board game and at the same time read and watch the videos in the evening.  When I finally learn the basics of WIF, I doubt if ill be going back to some of my other boardgames for long while.  Just to much work/investment to only play once or twice.[:o][:)]

[jhdeerslayer]

I know maybe a subjective or personal question but I wonder as I am going through the lengthy, but good [especially the background sirens ], video tutorials am I armed with enough training to start Barbarossa or Guad. without going through the other two tutorial types first?

125 pages for the picture and text tutorials.

About the same for the interactive tutorials.

12 tutorial videos (~400 minutes total).

[brian brian]

I think new players should really focus on the two introductory scenarios, and what is needed to play just those two. To play Barbarossa, you can completely skip all of the naval rules and play the whole scenario without doing anything involving the ocean. You can also completely skip the production rules and the various political rules. That is a good chunk of stuff you don't need to absorb at all to play the first scenario - you just need to learn the basics of any wargame - supply, land movement and combat, and air missions and air combat. World in Flames also adds a system for 'Offensive Chits' that you will need. The scenario length is so short that when building units, you can simply decide between instantly appearing but weak MILitia units, or the slower-to-appear, but better combat power INFantry units.

Moving on to the Guadalcanal scenario, only the naval movement and combat rules need be absorbed. Production and politics are still not needed.

After that probably the best scenario to try is actually Decline & Fall, which starts in May/Jun 1944. Production is included, but not all that important as the time frame is too short to worry about what mix of armed forces your countries need. The Axis need basic air & ground replacements, and the Allies will need the same along with some Offensive chits to crack the Axis lines. There isn't enough time left in the war to do anything but repair some naval units. All political questions in the game have already been decided as well of course.

[dougb]

ORIGINAL: Deerslayer

I know maybe a subjective or personal question but I wonder as I am going through the lengthy, but good [especially the background sirens ], video tutorials am I armed with enough training to start Barbarossa or Guad. without going through the other two tutorial types first?

125 pages for the picture and text tutorials.

About the same for the interactive tutorials.

12 tutorial videos (~400 minutes total).

My thinking is probably you can start with Barbarossa or Guad. after viewing the video tutorials. What I've done is just opened up Barbarossa and tried moving air/ground units around, trying out a few combats just to get used to the interface. There's tons of information and helpful forms to aid the player and I think in large part if you play around with it a few times before formally comitting to playing to the end of a scenario you should see good results. At the very least you'll come up with questions about things that you can then search the manual for more information.

Doug

[Shannon V. OKeets]

I. Game Basics
The first 5 tutorial videos cover the same topics as 9 of the 10 Picture & Text tutorials (#8 on stacking and zones of control is omitted). While the material is the same, there are slightly different descriptions (i.e., in the videos I don't read the P & T text word by word) and the video skips some of the pages in the Picture and Text tutorials. The choice really is between whether you prefer to read or listen.

II. Playing the Game (player interface)
The other 7 tutorial videos cover the same topics as the 10 Interactive Tutorials. Again there are slight differences. So your choice is between whether you prefer to work the mouse and keyboard yourself or watch and listen. The Interactive Tutorials will be more work because they require you to read and implement a set of instructions. The commentary is less than that verbal monologue too. But practicing pressing the keys and moving the mouse is a big plus in learning the player interface.

I think that all of I. above is essential. If you are already familiar with the World in Flames, you can skim this material rather quickly. #11 and #12 Interactive Tutorials or #6 Tutorial Video is also essential. They show you how to find information when you are playing the game.

#14, #15, #16 Interactive Tutorials, or #8 and #9 Tutorial Videos are needed to play Barbarossa. The other Interactive Tutorials and Tutorial Videos not so much so. But this assumes you are using the Fast Start saved game.

If you are starting a new game of Barbarossa you should go through #13 Interactive Tutorial of #7 Tutorial Video.

The tutorials on naval movement and combat should be used to prepare for Guadalcanal.

The production and politics tutorials are not essential for Barbarossa and Guadalcanal, but will be help you prepare for all the other scenarios.

The Players Manual goes into a lot more detail than the tutorials, but is a lot to read. I recommend reading sections of it when you come to something that you are unsure about or would like to gain a better perspective on. The RAC manual has technical descriptions of the rules, which can be dry reading unless you like to read that kind of stuff (I do). The first two volumes are somewhat friendlier. They include frequent excepts from RAC and numerous cross-references to RAC.

When playing the game, use the Help buttons on the forms often. The messages that appear are usually taken verbatim from the Players Manual. The idea here was to save you the effort of having to look something up in the Players Manual. For some of the more complicated forms the Players Manual uses numerous screenshots in describing how to use the form. Those are not part of the in-game Help messages. So you might want to read those sections as they appear in the Players Manual.

[jhdeerslayer]

Thanks guys. Makes me feel a I have a good plan now to jump into this game more efficiently. Too bad deer hunting season is starting soon or I'd have more time to jump in.

[Caesar_Augustus]

Yes, I'll most gladly add my heartfelt congratulations, Steve, to your extraordinary passion and dedication for bringing WiF to the computer...
I'm actually new to Wif, having played Third Reich (boardgame and PC version) and Stalingrad, which I suppose are the closest thing to MWif.
And yes, also the various Hearts of Iron series, but which is semi-real-time. But certainly, MWiF is rather deep, to say the least, and will take quite some time to understand an essentially new game system for me. Doubtless will mean countless hours of gaming fun!

So thank you and everyone involved in its development.

As a matter of fact, I may even propose to the Holy See to start a canonization process... in life, of course! [;)]

[Skeleton]

Okay, I have dabbled with the tutorials both the interactive and videos, but have I made it through the first turn of Barbarossa and despite the fact that I am completely drowning, I am in complete awe! This game is indeed the perfect monster game of WW2. I cannot wait to get my hands on the manual and start to comprehend all of the minute details and the rules. Steve, you are a GOD!!! Thank you!!!

[76mm]

For what is it worth, I am finishing up reading the manuals now, and I wish that I had started with the RAC rather than with Vol 1 and then Vol 2.

The RAC pretty clearly lays out the rules, with much of Vol 1 and Vol 2 describing forms which basically apply the rules, with Vol 1 also including some play tips, so for me at least it would have been useful to have read the rules first. YMMV.