Two simple questions

[HMCSHalifax]

Hello, I just got the game and went over the manual. I have two questions which are probably real easy to answer for someone who played before.

Question 1) What is the meaning of exclamation marks over a base? I may have missed this in the manual. It is sometime red, sometime yellow. Is this just to prompt that "something" is short (whether supply, oil, support, etc.)?

Question 2) If I want to supply SUVA (NZ) from Wellington (NS), can I simply setup a TK or cargo TF in Wellington, set the TF to computer controlled then turn on autoconvoy in SUVA? The way I read the manual, it looks like the autoconvoy system works from San-Francisco, Colombo and Osaka only. Of course, I can do the whole thing manually, but I'm wondering about what can be done with autoconvoy and I'm not sure that I want to learn the hard way if it can be avoided.

If there is a FAQ covering these, please let me know. I tried to search around but didn't find answers for these.

Thanks,

Christian

[wdolson]

The manual was written for the first release and a lot of things have changed with the patches. There have been descriptions on the forum for what has changed, but sometimes it takes some searching.

1) This was added in patch 1. The red exclamation marks mean either the base is under garrisoned or virtually out of supply. Yellow means supply is low. Crossed swords means there was land combat in that hex last turn.

2) You can set a TF to run a route, then click Computer Controlled and it will keep running supply on the route until it runs out of supply to move or you change it. The auto convoy system worked kinda sorta in the original WitP, but the changes made in AE broke the system and it was removed. If the manual mentions it, it's an oversight.

Bill

[kevin_hx]

Is it also mean that the red/yellow exclamation mean the base lacked fuel?

[Tejszd]

The manual should be updated! Spend over $50 for the game today (sale price from $80) and get an inaccurate manual with your purchase....

While I'm impressed that 6 patches were released and it looks like an additional patch (code enhancements/fixes) is on the way it is too bad just a bit more effort/resources are not being put in to do it right....[:(]

Come on Matrix!!!

[Empire101]

ORIGINAL: Tejszd

The manual should be updated! Spend over $50 for the game today (sale price from $80) and get an inaccurate manual with your purchase....

While I'm impressed that 6 patches were released and it looks like an additional patch (code enhancements/fixes) is on the way it is too bad just a bit more effort/resources are not being put in to do it right....[:(]

Come on Matrix!!!

+1

[Alfred]

ORIGINAL: kevin_hx

Is it also mean that the red/yellow exclamation mean the base lacked fuel?

No.

Alfred

[wdolson]

I was only one of the team members in the development effort so I can't speak with any authority. However the development effort was and is a volunteer effort. Unfortunately there are not enough volunteers at the moment to update the manual.

I do agree the manual needs updating. Possibly some of the more expert members of the forum could step forward to help in a manual update project? This would only be able to happen with the approval of Joe Wilkerson (the project manager) and Matrix so no promises of anything. I can't speak for Matrix or as any kind of official of the game team. I'm just the guy watching the forum.

Bill

[JeffroK]

And maybe we who grew along with the game probably discarded the manual and rely on Alfred to read it for us.

The very fact that 6 patches (let alone a dozen modded scenarios) have been released shows that the game is continually growing and developing.

Your $50 will pan out to some decimal of a cent per game hour.

[obvert]

While the manual is helpful in many cases still, the forum is really the best resource for information on the game. Not only can you learn the basics in many threads designed to get beginners started, but asking questions as you've done here will often get more response than you were even looking for.

So it's a double-edged situation with the manual. Yes it could use an update. Using the forum to gain information to help you further, however, also brings you more support and gets you involved with individuals who can teach you things that never could be in a manual. The intricacies and function in the game are tied to how they can be used in game, and for this you also need to see them in action, learn what tactics and strategies are viable, and begin to see how psychology and personality affect playing at the PBEM level. It's more complex, and a more intriguing challenge, than anyone could imagine who is just beginning the game. It is also worth the effort.

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: wdolson

2) You can set a TF to run a route, then click Computer Controlled and it will keep running supply on the route until it runs out of supply to move or you change it. The auto convoy system worked kinda sorta in the original WitP, but the changes made in AE broke the system and it was removed. If the manual mentions it, it's an oversight.

Bill

To correct #2, auto-convoy wasn't removed, it was improved. Playing the last beta less three and I have it operating in my game. Michael has added filters so you can screen out either west- or east-supplied bases from the lists, very handy in figuring risks.

As always, auto-convoy should only be used for deep behind-the-lines bases. My personal preference is to never put tankers in the ships list, and it's necessary to provide some escorts. But bottom line auto-convoy is still there, and it works better than ever. I have three Automatic convoys tooling along in my PBEM game right now.

[geofflambert]

This is probably just personal prejudice, but I never, ever let the computer run anything (if I have a choice) and get mighty upset when it countermands one of my orders. Any time the computer does something, it ranges from making a bad situation worse to snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. [:-]

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: geofflambert

This is probably just personal prejudice, but I never, ever let the computer run anything (if I have a choice) and get mighty upset when it countermands one of my orders. Any time the computer does something, it ranges from making a bad situation worse to snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. [:-]

It is personal.

[Rainer]

2) You can set a TF to run a route, then click Computer Controlled and it will keep running supply on the route until it runs out of supply to move or you change it. The auto convoy system worked kinda sorta in the original WitP, but the changes made in AE broke the system and it was removed. If the manual mentions it, it's an oversight.

The Auto Convoy System was not removed.
It's still in the game and it works.


Sorry, post #10 already explained that.

[aphrochine]

Understand that this game requires far more knowledge than the Manual can ever offer. This is perhaps why the low priority to update it. Use the manual to get your feet wet and learn what to click and when. Beyond that, you'll need to become a frequent reader of the forum and become friendly with the search feature. [;)]

[Tejszd]

wdolson, I have nothing but praise for the volunteers who contribute to the game and mod makers who put in their own time for the good of the community/game.

My concern/issue is with Matrix the company which is getting $50-80 per sale for this game but will not pay someone a few dollars to update a pdf version of the manual (thus no printing costs). Have they also done the minimum in other areas?

- Does the AI use the new features in the Advanced Edition over the original?
- Does the AI use the new features added in the patches?
- Is the game really just for H2H play?

[Blackhorse]

Does the AI use the new features in the Advanced Edition over the original?

In the vast majority of cases, yes. There are a few areas (ship repair, fx) where the AI uses a simpler model.

- Does the AI use the new features added in the patches?

As above, again, mostly yes.

- Is the game really just for H2H play?

Emphatically, no. Many of us only play against the AI. IMHO, the first time you play most scenarios the AI will give you a good fight for the first year -- or longer, if you get walloped during that first year. Some scenarios vs the AI do not have a great replay value after you've played them once, although AndyMac, our resident stock scenario designer, has put in multiple variable openings for the Japanese AI in the campaign game.

Fortunately, there are a wide range of scenarios and variants available so you can always find a fresh challenge, even vs. the AI. Some of the variants are only designed for H2H, but there are plenty of opportunities to watch the AI kick your butt. [:)]

[msieving1]

The auto convoy system worked kinda sorta in the original WitP, but the changes made in AE broke the system and it was removed.

When did that happen? I haven't had time to play any recent patches, but I've used auto convoys quite a bit in AE. It worked considerably better than in the original WITP, which had a tendency to try to route convoys from India to Australia through Pearl Harbor.

[wdolson]

I recall removing it for the initial release. It looks like Michael restored it in one of the patches.

Sorry for the confusion.

Bill

[Tejszd]

Thank you Blackhorse!

I have some other Matrix titles and support for fixing bugs/crashes is good but things like AI updates seem to be barely changed.