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

[Ubercat]

....this might turn out to be too big of a monster for me in the end.

I wouldn't give it up that fast. It's always been my experience that it's much easier to learn a new game from an opponent that already knows how to play. I'd guess that you can probably get by with merely skimming the rules rather than giving them a concentrated study if you hook up with someone that doesn't mind teaching, or even enjoys it.

I'm not volunteering (yet) I'm still a newb myself, and Netplay doesn't appear to be ready for prime time.

[Grim.Reaper]

I think the people that bought this ought to get the AI add-on for free...I really do.

I tend to agree....but I doubt that will happen.  It will be interesting enough to see if they actually ever release one in a reasonable time frame.

Keeping my fingers crossed for eventually becoming a classic for me...

[Grim.Reaper]

....this might turn out to be too big of a monster for me in the end.

I wouldn't give it up that fast. It's always been my experience that it's much easier to learn a new game from an opponent that already knows how to play. I'd guess that you can probably get by with merely skimming the rules rather than giving them a concentrated study if you hook up with someone that doesn't mind teaching, or even enjoys it.

I'm not volunteering (yet) I'm still a newb myself, and Netplay doesn't appear to be ready for prime time.

Not giving up yet:)  I can't imagine playing this game against an opponent based on the time commitment and the need to have a live opponent....my schedule is way to unpredictable to handle most MP games and can't even remotely see how it would work for this game.

I'll read all the manuals and tutorials and go from there...part of me is excited to learn it this way, as long as it doesn't turn into rocket science:)

[jomni]

It may seem daunting based on the manual but once you play by yourself, the program actually holds your hand and clearly says what you can and cannot do at a particular impulse / phase. But there are many strategic decisions to make and that is one that makes the game hard.

[JudgeDredd]

I think you've just got to look at some of the threads over there to realise how big a task this game is going to be.

For example - this
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3509974

I mean - WOW! Headache!  :D

[undercovergeek]

I don't sympathise with matrix - they said they could deliver the game and now its their promise but having read an aar or two and the thread about allocating ship damage I simply cannot see how you can implement a pbem engine for the game

[jomni]

I don't sympathise with matrix - they said they could deliver the game and now its their promise but having read an aar or two and the thread about allocating ship damage I simply cannot see how you can implement a pbem engine for the game

I think the plan is that there will be a mini-AI where the non-phasing player gives pre-set reactions and priorities instead of actually switching players per reaction.
This will only work once the AI code is finished.

[JudgeDredd]

^ I thought they were looking to implement PBEM waaay before the AI was complete?

If so, then I'd guess they would be modularising the AI, creating AI routines that can be called on in PBEM but can also be re-used when the full AI is being implemented. That's how I would code it anyway.

It still looks to be a huge pita - even if they do get PBEM going. I just can't see how it's going to be any good. Even if modules are created where the phasing player can make selections and decisions based on certain scenarios, I can see huge cries of how it's not flexibile enough.

You've only got to look at Empire in Arms for, from what I gather, a failed attempt to implement a board game using the computer. It may have come on since I last read (going over to check now) but on release and for years after, things just weren't playing out well...partly because of bugs, partly because of limitations in what could be implemented and partly because of the complex way the board game played.

[Grim.Reaper]

Yep, I don't think these will be small undertakings and I was cautiously if they can pull it off...and if they can pull it off, how long it will actually take them to do it.  With all the bugs on release, it surely has delayed things even more.

[jomni]

^ I thought they were looking to implement PBEM waaay before the AI was complete?

If so, then I'd guess they would be modularising the AI, creating AI routines that can be called on in PBEM but can also be re-used when the full AI is being implemented. That's how I would code it anyway.

Yeah may be done that way too. 

[Grim.Reaper]

Looks like maybe an announcement this week about the physical copies and such....according to this should be discussed this week.

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3506033

[JudgeDredd]

Thanks GR.

The game is nowhere near worth the asking price. From what I've seen on the Tech Support thread, it's contains comprehensive problems. Almost 400 threads in 2 months? On top of that, Netplay was touted to be fixed (they hoped) within a week of release iirc.

I know the game had long been in development. I know it was important to get some money in for the dev. But a better way to do that would've been to offer people "early access" beta version, with a reduced cost. Then perhaps make the manuals available to people who wanted them.

For me it was always the initial layout of £130...I just couldn't stomach it. I may well have bought the game at say £60 or £70 and then picked the manuals up at a later date for another £30 to £50.

I'm not buying. Not now at the price they're asking, not until it's fixed and certainly not when there's an expensive AI waiting in the wings - which will come with it's own issues.

I'm watching with interest - but I simply cannot see how they're going to prise the money from my hands. Which is kind of sad (for them) because if they had priced it more sensibly I'd have blown up to £80 on this on release (but they know best  ???).

[undercovergeek]

Thanks GR.

The game is nowhere near worth the asking price. From what I've seen on the Tech Support thread, it's contains comprehensive problems. Almost 400 threads in 2 months? On top of that, Netplay was touted to be fixed (they hoped) within a week of release iirc.

I know the game had long been in development. I know it was important to get some money in for the dev. But a better way to do that would've been to offer people "early access" beta version, with a reduced cost. Then perhaps make the manuals available to people who wanted them.

For me it was always the initial layout of £130...I just couldn't stomach it. I may well have bought the game and say £60 or £70 and then picked the manuals up at a later date for another £30 to £50.

I'm not buying. Not now at the price they're asking, not until it's fixed and certainly not when there's an expensive AI waiting in the wings - which will come with it's own issues.

I'm watching with interest - but I simply cannot see how they're going to prize the money from my hands. Which is kind of sad (for them) because if they had priced it more sensibly I'd have blown up to £80 on this on release (but they know best  ???).

we'll never see them but id love to see the sales figures

very, very infrequently i get an urge to go over and see how its going, for whatever reason playing solitaire appeals to me, but i dont think id be too happy to get my head around some of those major rules only to find the process didnt work

[Grim.Reaper]

Thanks GR.

The game is nowhere near worth the asking price. From what I've seen on the Tech Support thread, it's contains comprehensive problems. Almost 400 threads in 2 months? On top of that, Netplay was touted to be fixed (they hoped) within a week of release iirc.

I know the game had long been in development. I know it was important to get some money in for the dev. But a better way to do that would've been to offer people "early access" beta version, with a reduced cost. Then perhaps make the manuals available to people who wanted them.

For me it was always the initial layout of £130...I just couldn't stomach it. I may well have bought the game at say £60 or £70 and then picked the manuals up at a later date for another £30 to £50.

I'm not buying. Not now at the price they're asking, not until it's fixed and certainly not when there's an expensive AI waiting in the wings - which will come with it's own issues.

I'm watching with interest - but I simply cannot see how they're going to prise the money from my hands. Which is kind of sad (for them) because if they had priced it more sensibly I'd have blown up to £80 on this on release (but they know best  ???).

Yep, in hindsight I wish I didn't ask for it on Xmas, but at least not out of my gaming budget:)  although I have installed it, haven't looked at for more than 5 minutes and haven't read the books yet.    Too many apparent issues that unmotivate me.  I hope it turns out good someday, has been a personal short term bust for me.

[Grim.Reaper]

Looks like the announcement is set for next Tuesday, 1/14/14......no idea why the drama....just spill it!  Although likely means very little to me since I already own it...unless current owners get some goodies, depending on what the announcement is:)  I guess the announcement could be they aren't changing a thing:)

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3506033