The updated version(s) of the board game are basically ready, if I recall previous updates correctly; this is an update today from Randy at Playdek, who are doing the PC, Mac, and iOS versions.
QuoteI'd like to give you a quick update on how development of Twilight Struggle: Digital Edition is going. Online multiplayer is pretty solid now. Gary & I have asynchronous games going all the time. Although the game also runs as a standalone application on both PC and Mac, we mainly play on our iPads so we can continue to take our turns after work hours. We haven't found any serious bugs for a couple of months, so our games almost always reach a conclusion. As a result, games have gotten very competitive. Now and then we must make a change to the game server that invalidates the current games. When this happens, we are usually in the middle of an intense game and always try to quickly finish it rather than abandon it.
The UI is gradually improving. Our artist, Ron, has developed some visual prototypes and elements from these have been plugged into the game's UI. We have a proper map now, with improved country graphics to replace the programmer art that you saw in the last update. The deluxe edition cards have been implemented. We have an interface in place for designating how you play your cards that feels intuitive. We are currently trying out a new game log that operates like a news ticker - items (each one an action round) scrolling across the bottom of the screen. So far it feels good and it doesn't take up too much screen space. Making the best use of screen space is always the biggest challenge in implementing a digital board game interface.
Our AI development is well underway now. An initial framework is coming together that will allow the AI to think about the possibility that its opponent holds certain game-changing cards (like, say, Blockade or Decolonization). At the same time, it will also consider what plays its opponent is likely to make using Ops. Of course, AI development will be ongoing from now until the end of the project. Like an artist's painting, an AI is never truly finished. Our current goal is to get the UI polished enough so that we can release an online-play-only PC build to our backers. We're excited to get it into backers' hands as soon as we can.
- Randy
As I bolded, the news here seems to be that they're shooting for a PvP release first, solo play later.
We shall have to exploit this when the promised time comes. :)
(I bought it already on Kickstarter, so this doesn't run up against my resolution to mostly avoid buying new games this year. ;) )
I look forward to some head-to-head games with this. Eventually. I didn't Kickstart it or anything so I'll be waiting awhile perhaps.
That's awesome! We could get a GH game going easily.
Quote from: Banzai_Cat on January 27, 2015, 12:42:09 PM
That's awesome! We could get a GH game going easily.
I thought Twilight Struggle was only a 2-player game.
I was speaking more of collaboration, like we did in our Forum game. But that might indeed be more efficient. :-[
I knew it. I can imagine that programming an AI for this one is really hard.
Quote from: Nefaro on January 27, 2015, 02:55:59 PM
Quote from: Banzai_Cat on January 27, 2015, 12:42:09 PM
That's awesome! We could get a GH game going easily.
I thought Twilight Struggle was only a 2-player game.
Nope, the digital version always stated having ai opponents and single player scenarios.
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on January 27, 2015, 06:28:04 PM
Quote from: Nefaro on January 27, 2015, 02:55:59 PM
Quote from: Banzai_Cat on January 27, 2015, 12:42:09 PM
That's awesome! We could get a GH game going easily.
I thought Twilight Struggle was only a 2-player game.
Nope, the digital version always stated having ai opponents and single player scenarios.
Yes, I knew it was to have AI. I meant regarding multi-player. 2 players maximum.
Quote from: Nefaro on January 27, 2015, 07:03:12 PM
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on January 27, 2015, 06:28:04 PM
Quote from: Nefaro on January 27, 2015, 02:55:59 PM
Quote from: Banzai_Cat on January 27, 2015, 12:42:09 PM
That's awesome! We could get a GH game going easily.
I thought Twilight Struggle was only a 2-player game.
Nope, the digital version always stated having ai opponents and single player scenarios.
Yes, I knew it was to have AI. I meant regarding multi-player. 2 players maximum.
Gotcha...my bad
While I really liked the collaboration game we ran (though I wasn't a player), a tournament might make more sense.
TS is such an easy game to learn to play and the VASSAL module automates quite a bit for you so I don't see the real benefit of waiting for the PC build to start playing multiplayer now.
Got email update today, digital version is delayed until at least summer 2015.
So is physical version, due to labor/management shipping problems, which have necessarily meant printing and maybe construction of units has barely begun yet (if at all) since naturally the manufacturers don't want to have stock sitting around waiting to go.
Word is July, maybe end of July, seems safe. Right now. It's coming, it's on the way, but the delay is real.
We wantsss it.
Definitely something I'll want to do multi-player.