World in Flames (Matrixgames) looking for beta testers (multiplayer)

[steve58]

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3404457

http://www.matrixgames.com/beta/


...so how long has this been in development??  The forum goes back to March 2004!

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3405189

The computer version of Australian Design Group's (www.a-d-g.com.au) classic board game, covering both the European and Pacific Theaters of Operations during World War II is finally coming on your screens this November.

[mirth]

Wow. I figured it for vaporware.

[Nefaro]

I thought it was only gonna be pbem.  No single-player AI.  This is it, right?

[smittyohio]

Wow. I figured it for vaporware.

Well, no AI at the start.... Multiplayer only, either online or PBEM.  I believe the PBEM requires you to set "AI"-like settings for specifiying reactions to the other player's actions, to cut down on the number of file transfers.

[W8taminute]

Not knowing too much about the history behind the development of this game I have to ask this question:  "If there is no AI why has the game been in development for the past 7 years?"

[mirth]

Wow. I figured it for vaporware.

Well, no AI at the start.... Multiplayer only, either online or PBEM.  I believe the PBEM requires you to set "AI"-like settings for specifiying reactions to the other player's actions, to cut down on the number of file transfers.

Gawd, it sounds harder than playing a physical game of WiF :P

[undercovergeek]

Not knowing too much about the history behind the development of this game I have to ask this question:  "If there is no AI why has the game been in development for the past 7 years?"

Because the SOLE developer and by this I mean one man tried as hard as he could for 6 and a half years of those 7 besides many operations and a heart bypass - he should never have been left alone to do it

[steve58]

I've only been keeping half an eye/ear on this one since its been vaporware for so long.  I forgot that's its being released without any AI..so Fuggetta 'bout it.

[jomni]

$100 price tag?  The board game is super expensive.

Some board game rules do not translate well into computer games because they are complex, arbitrary and open to interpreta tion. While a human mind can easily enforce these rules and the deliberate once a vague situation arises the computer game need to step to all types of situations beforehand. Programming an AI that can take advantageof the rules is even harder.

[Ubercat]

$100 price tag?  The board game is super expensive.

Some board game rules do not translate well into computer games because they are complex, arbitrary and open to interpreta tion. While a human mind can easily enforce these rules and the deliberate once a vague situation arises the computer game need to step to all types of situations beforehand. Programming an AI that can take advantageof the rules is even harder.

Indeed. The detailed sequence of play plus the incredibly complex interactions between different aspects of the game have been a nightmare to get right.

Programming a new game from scratch would have been much, much easier, but then it wouldn't have been WIF.

[SgtRock]

You know the old saying, "What do you call a computer game without an AI?" a board game without cardboard or dead! :( Too bad Matrix couldn't have provided some more resources, they should have known early on the developer was going to need help with the computer AI, that was clear reading the forums early on.

[phredd1]

I had been hoping for a single player with computer AI. Although it won't be on my list, I do hope that the final product is solid for all those who have been waiting for so long.

[Staggerwing]

I'm deeply tempted to sign up for the beta despite knowing absolutely nothing about the board game it's based on. It just sounds so freakingly complicated that soon all WitP's lunch money are belong to WIF.

[jomni]

Computer games with no AI are all over the place. Especially the multilayer shooters.

Yeah.  they include  AI but it can't cope.   Then people complain. Never ending whining.

Actually without AI, would people buy this if they can do Vassal?
Maybe if you are lazy enforcing rules.

[Toonces]

I am very disappointed to read this won't have an AI.

I understand the reasoning, but I'm still disappointed.

If I was a boardgame player of this, I'd probably be interested in giving it a go for the multiplayer with rule enforcement.  But as a primarily SP guy, this is, unfortunately, a no-sale for me.