Matrix Games

quote:

ORIGINAL: Cad908

Mo Reb,

Here is a link to the final edition rules with the examples included. The one on ADG's website for some reason does not include the graphics. It was done by a fan, and I would give credit if I knew his / her name.

http://manlig.org/wif/RaW-7mAug2004.pdf

This RAW forms the basis of the game.

Two other documents:

Rules as Coded (RAC) Some 98% of RAC is directly from RAW. It provides clarifications to the rules and the transition form a paper game to the computer one.
Players Manual (PM) Details sequence of play and all the forms used in MWIF, along with many other goodies.

are part of MWIF. The timing of their release is up to Matrix.


-Rob

quote:

ORIGINAL: Missouri_Rebel

quote:

ORIGINAL: Cad908

Mo Reb,

Here is a link to the final edition rules with the examples included. The one on ADG's website for some reason does not include the graphics. It was done by a fan, and I would give credit if I knew his / her name.

http://manlig.org/wif/RaW-7mAug2004.pdf

This RAW forms the basis of the game.

Two other documents:

Rules as Coded (RAC) Some 98% of RAC is directly from RAW. It provides clarifications to the rules and the transition form a paper game to the computer one.
Players Manual (PM) Details sequence of play and all the forms used in MWIF, along with many other goodies.

are part of MWIF. The timing of their release is up to Matrix.


-Rob

Much better. Thanks. I'll give them some time and see if it 'clicks'. I'm just hoping that a game of this scale can be self taught. Seems the best way is for an experienced player to teach someone face to face, which takes time, patience and commitment. Easier done amongst familiar friends IMO.

mo reb

quote:

ORIGINAL: Shannon V. OKeets

Communicating the rules to new players has been a concern of mine since I started working on MWIF.

I am not sure exactly what elements of my solution to this problem, if any, will be free prior to buying the game - that is up to Matrix/Slitherine to decide.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Shannon V. OKeets


Communicating the rules to new players has been a concern of mine since I started working on MWIF.

I am not sure exactly what elements of my solution to this problem, if any, will be free prior to buying the game - that is up to Matrix/Slitherine to decide.

Here are the pieces I've added to MWIF for new players. Each player can pick and choose from these various sources of information, depending upon their personal preference:

1. Ten Picture and Text Tutorials, 125+ pages. Each page shows a screenshot and has text describing the screenshot. The goal for these tutorials is to familiarize the player with the basic game elements (e.g., map and units). They also cover starting a new game, the sequence of play, stacking, zones of control, and supply.

2. Ten Interactive Tutorials (almost entirely done by Rob W.). Each of these starts by loading in a saved game and instructing the player on what to examine in the given game, with accompanying commentary. Basically the player moves the mouse, clicks on keys, etc., thereby exploring the player interface. Besides examining many of the 150+ forms, these tutorials let the player move units and conduct combat for land, naval, and air units. Also covered are setting up units at the start of a game, production, and politics (e.g., declarations of war, aligning minor countries).

3. Twelve Training Videos, which essentially cover the same material as the 20 tutorials described above. The difference is that the player simply sits back and watches a video of me narrating the tutorials. They don't include all the items in the tutorials, but probably about 3/4s. In total, these run for 6+ hours.

4. Rules as Coded (RAC). This is my minimal rewrite of RAW, not so much to improve upon the clarity of the text, but instead to insert recent rule clarifications and corrections from Harry Rowland and MWIF's deviations from RAW.

5. Players Manual. This is my magnum opus on MWIF. It runs to 350+ pages with 250+ screenshots. It details the sequence of play for each of the 150+ phases/subphases/sub-subphases/digressions. It includes screenshots of all the 150+ forms, with background information from RAC (i.e., why the form exists), descriptions of the form components, and how to use the form. For example, the form for setting up units describes how to select 4 fighters from a group of 8 that are available in the setup tray and how to transfer them to the map. Likewise, the Production form describes how to select which unit types to 'buy' using your build points.

quote:

ORIGINAL: pzgndr

quote:

ORIGINAL: Shannon V. OKeets

Communicating the rules to new players has been a concern of mine since I started working on MWIF.

I am not sure exactly what elements of my solution to this problem, if any, will be free prior to buying the game - that is up to Matrix/Slitherine to decide.

Will there be a demo, as there was with CWiF, with the Barbarossa and Guadalcanal scenarios? That would be helpful.

A beta demo, like now, would be sweet.

quote:

What makes WiF shine in you guys' opinion? What has been its secret of longevity especially compared to the obscure A3R?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Missouri_Rebel

What makes WiF shine in you guys' opinion? What has been its secret of longevity especially compared to the obscure A3R?

mo reb

quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1

quote:

ORIGINAL: Missouri_Rebel

What makes WiF shine in you guys' opinion? What has been its secret of longevity especially compared to the obscure A3R?

mo reb

warspite1

Mo Reb I never played Advanced 3rd Reich (although did try 3rd Reich). In my opinion, 3rd Reich and WIF simply do not compare.

There are a number of reasons for WIF being simply the best game ever.

1. I believe it has the right mix of playability and complexity.
2. It is fun without being in any way a "beer and pretzels" game.
3. There are no sure-fire strategies - variable weather, variable turn-length, a degree of luck when picking reinforcements plus of course good old fashioned dice, all go together to ensure that no two games are alike.
4. For those expecting a 100% accurate OB and unit factors, then this is not the game for them. However, what WIF does is give each player an accurate feel for their country's armed forces; the benefits and the problems that go with them - e.g. Commonwealth a small, mobile army - the Commonwealth army must be used sparringly; decent aircraft with a large variety of types giving a good degree of flexibility; and a lot of ships - by no means the best quality (except HMS Warspite of course) and massively overstretched.
5. The ruleset gives the game a proper historical context, but within that framework a player is not strait-jacketed in terms of players being able to try loads of different strategies.
6. A really important element for me with any game is the "look" of the game. WIF looks fantastic (except for the Final Edition maps ) but the superb MWIF map sorts that little problem out . The counters are exceptionally good - NATO symbols for the army, silhouettes for the ships, and full colour camoflagued aircraft. Playing with SIF and PIF is a must for me as these excellent counters really add to gaming experience.

quote:

ORIGINAL: SLAAKMAN
Game mechanics that integrate air, land & sea with the arms race on a global scale from 39-45. No other WWII game has achieved that so superbly. My life is complete now.

quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1

I look forward to it Empire. I can see the AAR now:

April 1942. The RN's Eastern Fleet, led by HMS Warspite, sorties into the South China Sea and quickly despatches Yamato, Hiei, Kongo and Nagato to the bottom of the sea. Yamato and Warspite fought a duel that lasted 30 minutes. Warspite's 15-inchers pummelled the hapless Japanese battleship into oblivion, while in reply, the Grand Old Lady required a new lick of paint when she returned triumphantly to Singapore after the battle.

quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1

quote:

ORIGINAL: Missouri_Rebel

What makes WiF shine in you guys' opinion? What has been its secret of longevity especially compared to the obscure A3R?

mo reb

warspite1

Mo Reb I never played Advanced 3rd Reich (although did try 3rd Reich). In my opinion, 3rd Reich and WIF simply do not compare.

There are a number of reasons for WIF being simply the best game ever.

1. I believe it has the right mix of playability and complexity.
2. It is fun without being in any way a "beer and pretzels" game.
3. There are no sure-fire strategies - variable weather, variable turn-length, a degree of luck when picking reinforcements plus of course good old fashioned dice, all go together to ensure that no two games are alike.
4. For those expecting a 100% accurate OB and unit factors, then this is not the game for them. However, what WIF does is give each player an accurate feel for their country's armed forces; the benefits and the problems that go with them - e.g. Commonwealth a small, mobile army - the Commonwealth army must be used sparringly; decent aircraft with a large variety of types giving a good degree of flexibility; and a lot of ships - by no means the best quality (except HMS Warspite of course) and massively overstretched.
5. The ruleset gives the game a proper historical context, but within that framework a player is not strait-jacketed in terms of players being able to try loads of different strategies.
6. A really important element for me with any game is the "look" of the game. WIF looks fantastic (except for the Final Edition maps ) but the superb MWIF map sorts that little problem out . The counters are exceptionally good - NATO symbols for the army, silhouettes for the ships, and full colour camoflagued aircraft. Playing with SIF and PIF is a must for me as these excellent counters really add to gaming experience.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Empire101

quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1

I look forward to it Empire. I can see the AAR now:

April 1942. The RN's Eastern Fleet, led by HMS Warspite, sorties into the South China Sea and quickly despatches Yamato, Hiei, Kongo and Nagato to the bottom of the sea. Yamato and Warspite fought a duel that lasted 30 minutes. Warspite's 15-inchers pummelled the hapless Japanese battleship into oblivion, while in reply, the Grand Old Lady required a new lick of paint when she returned triumphantly to Singapore after the battle.

Yes yes....I can picture it now.

Warspite: Suck on this Empire ( rolls 4 sixes )

Empire:- No..Noooo....NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! ( Yamato is sunk....Empire presses the eject button on his chair and is catapulted into the nearest heap of discarded 3rd Reich games )

Even now I can hear the screaming........

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ORIGINAL: Orm

quote:

ORIGINAL: Empire101

quote:

ORIGINAL: warspite1

I look forward to it Empire. I can see the AAR now:

April 1942. The RN's Eastern Fleet, led by HMS Warspite, sorties into the South China Sea and quickly despatches Yamato, Hiei, Kongo and Nagato to the bottom of the sea. Yamato and Warspite fought a duel that lasted 30 minutes. Warspite's 15-inchers pummelled the hapless Japanese battleship into oblivion, while in reply, the Grand Old Lady required a new lick of paint when she returned triumphantly to Singapore after the battle.

Yes yes....I can picture it now.

Warspite: Suck on this Empire ( rolls 4 sixes )

Empire:- No..Noooo....NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! ( Yamato is sunk....Empire presses the eject button on his chair and is catapulted into the nearest heap of discarded 3rd Reich games )

Even now I can hear the screaming........

His invasion is a success and by rolling incredible with the 10 sided die captures or sinks most of the fleet (close to half the rolls were 1's). CW lost all their carriers.........

quote:

Beta Tester Agreement

3. Confidential Information

quote:

ORIGINAL: Extraneous

I thought I might bring this to your attention (unless your NDA is different than mine).

quote:

Beta Tester Agreement

3. Confidential Information

You shouldn't be giving your opinions of the game (which could be considered a review). I would suggest you re-read your NDA.