Best Way to Learn AE
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Best Way to Learn AE
Haven't got AE yet. I do have the original WIP made back in the very late 90's early 2000's(???) - which, by the way, won't even install on my W7 64b system. Still got the box and manual laying around somewhere. Have Uncommon Valor laying around somewhere.
Been visiting this forum off and on for about a year. Just can't decide whether or not to take the plunge. I Used to love monster games. In my younger more energetic days micro-management was a challenge to my intellect and skills. Now in my 60's it is becoming more and more like a chore.
I've a feeling AE is micro oriented - right, wrong?
If right I've about decided I can deal with it if I just do a turn or two a day assuming I can learn it; which is - after all - the point of this thread. How best to learn what is probably heaven for micro-management focused players but not so much for those that prefer a more macro level experience.
So what say you? What's the best way to attack the micro level and learn it without having one's head explode? Are there options that make it possible to play at a more macro level (ex. HOI3)?
Been visiting this forum off and on for about a year. Just can't decide whether or not to take the plunge. I Used to love monster games. In my younger more energetic days micro-management was a challenge to my intellect and skills. Now in my 60's it is becoming more and more like a chore.
I've a feeling AE is micro oriented - right, wrong?
If right I've about decided I can deal with it if I just do a turn or two a day assuming I can learn it; which is - after all - the point of this thread. How best to learn what is probably heaven for micro-management focused players but not so much for those that prefer a more macro level experience.
So what say you? What's the best way to attack the micro level and learn it without having one's head explode? Are there options that make it possible to play at a more macro level (ex. HOI3)?
Freedom is not free! Nor should it be. For men being men will neither fight for nor value that which is free.
Michael Andress
Michael Andress
RE: Best Way to Learn AE
Werewolf1326, All I can say, from one old fart to another is, This game takes time to learn. I've been playing since the WITP days and bought WITPAE when it came out. I love this game. Yes there is a lot of MICRO managing, but once you learn the basics, it starts to get easier. Look at the threads for new players. Read the AAR's. Start with the smaller scenarios. And above all, ASK ALL OF THE QUESTIONS YOU CAN THINK OF. The only stupid question is the one you don't ask. There are A LOT of very dedicated players here, with lots of very good info and of course experience. Buy the game..... GP
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RE: Best Way to Learn AE
Jump right in by finding somebody willing to mentor you through the short scenarios and then go GC.
Todd
I never thought that doing an AAR would be so time consuming and difficult.
www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2080768
I never thought that doing an AAR would be so time consuming and difficult.
www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2080768
- nashvillen
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RE: Best Way to Learn AE
Remember, you don't need to do everything at once. Yes, there are some things that you need to do right away, but there are some great play aids by others to help with this. Also, having a tickle file or to do list to remind you that x is about to happen and you need to change y to make it work better helps.
A great place to start for allies is here:
tm.asp?m=2306421
It is not everyone's playing style, but it will get you started.
Unless you are a hard core masochist, I wouldn't even thing about doing Japan until you know the interface and how things interact first. But read the AARs, it will give you some clues on insight as to why you do certain things.
A great place to start for allies is here:
tm.asp?m=2306421
It is not everyone's playing style, but it will get you started.
Unless you are a hard core masochist, I wouldn't even thing about doing Japan until you know the interface and how things interact first. But read the AARs, it will give you some clues on insight as to why you do certain things.
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RE: Best Way to Learn AE
Thanks fellas...
Freedom is not free! Nor should it be. For men being men will neither fight for nor value that which is free.
Michael Andress
Michael Andress
RE: Best Way to Learn AE
And Werewolf, remember that thing you called "a life"? If you start this, forget that!
RE: Best Way to Learn AE
ORIGINAL: dr.hal
And Werewolf, remember that thing you called "a life"? If you start this, forget that!
Yup, Forgot to mention that.[:D][:D][:D] GP
Intel i7 4.3GHz 10th Gen,16GB Ram,Nvidia GeForce MX330
AKA General Patton
DWU-Beta Tester
TOAW4-Alpha/Beta Tester
DW2-Alpha/Beta Tester
New Game Development Team
"Do everything you ask of those you command"....Gen. George S. Patton
AKA General Patton
DWU-Beta Tester
TOAW4-Alpha/Beta Tester
DW2-Alpha/Beta Tester
New Game Development Team
"Do everything you ask of those you command"....Gen. George S. Patton
RE: Best Way to Learn AE
No No NO! Ignore them. Go BIG! Invade the West Coast! [:D][:D][:D]
Think Reno. [8D]
Think Reno. [8D]
Pax
RE: Best Way to Learn AE
Mimicking an earlier post, as one old fart to another, I'm no micro-manager fan either, but the game management in WitP-AE is worth it. It takes a while to learn the ropes, but old addled brains like ours can do it. When you learn the details of how to play reasonably well, this game is a blast. Give it a go, you won't be sorry, but your wife might..
RE: Best Way to Learn AE
ORIGINAL: Werewolf1326
So what say you? What's the best way to attack the micro level and learn it without having one's head explode? Are there options that make it possible to play at a more macro level (ex. HOI3)?
Specific to the question above, there are a number of things you can do:
- Put your subs on "auto" (the AI will use them poorly, but it's one less thing to worry about)
- Don't bother training pilots (other than maybe set all air units to 10%). The amount of time most players spend micromanaging this area is phenomenal, but you ARE playing as the Allies and the opponent IS the AI. You will lose more aircraft than you should, but it's a long war and you'll win in the end, anyway.
- Set all units to upgrade automatically. Some will do so at the most inopportune times and places, but again, one less thing to worry about.
- Use all historical settings (PDU off)
- You can theoretically even use the auto-resupply/convoy system but I blanch at recommending this level of hands-off-ed-ness. Still, it would save a lot of time (which will probably be offset in other areas, particularly in time spent looking at your convoy routes and destinations and repeatedly asking yourself, "WTF? Really?? WTF??!!")
There's probably a few other areas that can be automated, but that IS one way to offload varying levels of micromanagement.
But here's the thing. Even if you start doing this, I highly doubt you'll be able to keep doing it for long. Invariably your understanding of the game mechanics will improve, and with it will come an urge to tinker....and yes...micromanage! LOL.
RE: Best Way to Learn AE
Some of the annoying micro management in the original WitP has been fixed, but there still is a degree of it. As Kull said, there are things you can do to reduce the micromanagement.
WitP AE - Test team lead, programmer
RE: Best Way to Learn AE
w/ all due respect to Kull, I disagree w/ his advice. He's trying to 'lighten your load', but this is not a light game. It requires strategic thinking, advance planning, logistics movement, base construction & risk-assessment.
IMO:
- auto sub-ops won't give optimal results.
- a robust pilot-training program is essential.
- setting Airgroups (& LCUs & ships) to auto-upgrade is not the best option.
- the Auto-Convoy system will work reasonably well, but using the "CS" option for manually-created convoys is more reliable.
If you decide to purchase AE, I strongly recommend you also d/l & install & use the latest 'beta' - it includes interface-upgrades which improve playability, it installs to a separate dir that does not alter your installation of the purchased game.
As you are familiar w/ earlier versions, you know what you're up against - this game is not primarily about combat operations, one must integrate front-line combat operations w/ planning, production, logistics, intel & recon to acheive a tactical or overall victory.
Yes, there will be a lot of micro-management. But you can start w/ a few of the small-scale scenarios (Guadalcanal or Burma campaigns) to learn the game.
IMO:
- auto sub-ops won't give optimal results.
- a robust pilot-training program is essential.
- setting Airgroups (& LCUs & ships) to auto-upgrade is not the best option.
- the Auto-Convoy system will work reasonably well, but using the "CS" option for manually-created convoys is more reliable.
If you decide to purchase AE, I strongly recommend you also d/l & install & use the latest 'beta' - it includes interface-upgrades which improve playability, it installs to a separate dir that does not alter your installation of the purchased game.
As you are familiar w/ earlier versions, you know what you're up against - this game is not primarily about combat operations, one must integrate front-line combat operations w/ planning, production, logistics, intel & recon to acheive a tactical or overall victory.
Yes, there will be a lot of micro-management. But you can start w/ a few of the small-scale scenarios (Guadalcanal or Burma campaigns) to learn the game.
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- Posts: 515
- Joined: Sun Jul 31, 2005 8:11 pm
RE: Best Way to Learn AE
Well...
I took the plunge and now own AE. Superficially it is a whole lot like Uncommon Valor - so the mechanics of AE are not unfamiliar. I'm reading and about half way thru the main manual.
Dove into the Guadalcanal scenario since the scope is limited, industry is off and other than (I think) keeping the invasion supplied the supply lines detail won't be overwhelming. So in that scenario I should be able to concentrate on combat operations and learn that 1st. Had a lot of fun last night running the 1st week of the operation.
That said I do have a number of issues that you guys may know work arounds for:
I've found that the various after turn Combat reports are pretty useless unless one has an eidetic memory since reading a line telling you that something happened in hex x,y is worthless 'cuz you can't go to hex x,y with the report open to see where it is. Ended up spending a lot of time learning the map geography so at least when a named place is mentioned I have an idea where it is. Kind'a sad really - the signals report would be a wonderful way to monitor suspected enemy task force movements but not without being able to go to the map while it is open (and I'll be darned if I am going to hand write stuff like that down).
I had thought that since AE was released in 2009 that it would be compatible with W7 and wide screen graphics. NOT - at least not without using command line switches that are not well documented. TG for the forum search function.
No map ZOOM! WTF??? I'm running it at 1920X1080 - tht text is small and the resolution on my monitor so fine that you can see the individual pixels in most of the text. Gotta be a way to fix that.
I'm satisfied with AE so far though and considering posting a total NEW GUY AAR in the AAR forum. Do it up like a daily journal written by the area commander. We'll see.
I took the plunge and now own AE. Superficially it is a whole lot like Uncommon Valor - so the mechanics of AE are not unfamiliar. I'm reading and about half way thru the main manual.
Dove into the Guadalcanal scenario since the scope is limited, industry is off and other than (I think) keeping the invasion supplied the supply lines detail won't be overwhelming. So in that scenario I should be able to concentrate on combat operations and learn that 1st. Had a lot of fun last night running the 1st week of the operation.
That said I do have a number of issues that you guys may know work arounds for:
I've found that the various after turn Combat reports are pretty useless unless one has an eidetic memory since reading a line telling you that something happened in hex x,y is worthless 'cuz you can't go to hex x,y with the report open to see where it is. Ended up spending a lot of time learning the map geography so at least when a named place is mentioned I have an idea where it is. Kind'a sad really - the signals report would be a wonderful way to monitor suspected enemy task force movements but not without being able to go to the map while it is open (and I'll be darned if I am going to hand write stuff like that down).
I had thought that since AE was released in 2009 that it would be compatible with W7 and wide screen graphics. NOT - at least not without using command line switches that are not well documented. TG for the forum search function.
No map ZOOM! WTF??? I'm running it at 1920X1080 - tht text is small and the resolution on my monitor so fine that you can see the individual pixels in most of the text. Gotta be a way to fix that.
I'm satisfied with AE so far though and considering posting a total NEW GUY AAR in the AAR forum. Do it up like a daily journal written by the area commander. We'll see.
Freedom is not free! Nor should it be. For men being men will neither fight for nor value that which is free.
Michael Andress
Michael Andress
RE: Best Way to Learn AE
I hardly ever read the in-game reports while playing WITP:AE. Instead, the reports can be found in the SAVE folder in the WITP:AE folder, saved as .txt files. Open one and CTRL+F it to find places, ships, LCUs etc. Edit itif you want.
When I started playing WITP:AE I was also against taking any notes - I wanted to have all the data stored and tracked in-game and suffered. Now, I have Tracker and dozens of Word and Excel documents and I outsourced my WITP:AE memory to them.
When I started playing WITP:AE I was also against taking any notes - I wanted to have all the data stored and tracked in-game and suffered. Now, I have Tracker and dozens of Word and Excel documents and I outsourced my WITP:AE memory to them.
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RE: Best Way to Learn AE
ORIGINAL: Yaab
I hardly ever read the in-game reports while playing WITP:AE. Instead, the reports can be found in the SAVE folder in the WITP:AE folder, saved as .txt files. Open one and CTRL+F it to find places, ships, LCUs etc. Edit itif you want.
When I started playing WITP:AE I was also against taking any notes - I wanted to have all the data stored and tracked in-game and suffered. Now, I have Tracker and dozens of Word and Excel documents and I outsourced my WITP:AE memory to them.
Thanks - I'll give those a look. Is tracker the java utility that came with AE?
Bye the way what the heck is an LCU? I see that abreviation used often. Quite often. Must be important. too important to be Landing Craft Unit.
Freedom is not free! Nor should it be. For men being men will neither fight for nor value that which is free.
Michael Andress
Michael Andress
- HansBolter
- Posts: 7191
- Joined: Thu Jul 06, 2006 12:30 pm
- Location: United States
RE: Best Way to Learn AE
Tracker is a separate utility you can find a link to somewhere here on the forum.
LCU is Land Combat Unit, basically all land unit types.
LCU is Land Combat Unit, basically all land unit types.
Hans
RE: Best Way to Learn AE
Hello Werewolf1326. There are a number of military professional play groups out there that don’t use any of the micro stuff, and do very well, thank you very much.
Kull has the right of it. Start out ‘clean’. After a while, you can start digging into the details of this-and-that. Do not listen to the forum ‘gamers’ that say you ‘must do this’. They are guessing and have no clue how things work and will send you down the path to “It’s Ooon-ly Teeeen-age Wasteland”.
Do what Kull says. Get it right, internalize your results, think and make rational decisions, and proceed from there. Ciao. John
Kull has the right of it. Start out ‘clean’. After a while, you can start digging into the details of this-and-that. Do not listen to the forum ‘gamers’ that say you ‘must do this’. They are guessing and have no clue how things work and will send you down the path to “It’s Ooon-ly Teeeen-age Wasteland”.
Do what Kull says. Get it right, internalize your results, think and make rational decisions, and proceed from there. Ciao. John
Nous n'avons pas peur! Vive la liberté! Moi aussi je suis Charlie!
Yippy Ki Yay.
Yippy Ki Yay.
RE: Best Way to Learn AE
ORIGINAL: Symon
Hello Werewolf1326. There are a number of military professional play groups out there that don’t use any of the micro stuff, and do very well, thank you very much.
Kull has the right of it. Start out ‘clean’. After a while, you can start digging into the details of this-and-that. Do not listen to the forum ‘gamers’ that say you ‘must do this’. They are guessing and have no clue how things work and will send you down the path to “It’s Ooon-ly Teeeen-age Wasteland”.
Do what Kull says. Get it right, internalize your results, think and make rational decisions, and proceed from there. Ciao. John
THE WHO
RE: Best Way to Learn AE
Who? Maybe Mr Baba O'Riley. Best one I found yet; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SH60OQN8Lzc enjoy. Turn it up. JohnORIGINAL: zuluhour
THE WHO
Nous n'avons pas peur! Vive la liberté! Moi aussi je suis Charlie!
Yippy Ki Yay.
Yippy Ki Yay.
RE: Best Way to Learn AE
brings back some memories...................................................for me, Debbie Ives, yes, I still remember her name, swirling, twirling, and reeling to the crisp riffs and counter culture response to Viet Nam, squares, and "the man". Her lithe figure and pert bosom torturing the sh&t out of me. She was 17, I was like 14. So far away, then and now.[8D]