Matrix Games Forums

Hi everyone,

we are doing an open beta on Steam to test new settings in multiplayer.

Here are the instructions to access the build:

1) Select Strategic Command WWII: World at War in your Steam Library and press on the ‘Manage’ cog on the right side.

2) Once you've clicked on this cog, you will need to select the 'Properties' option from the drop down menu. This should open a new screen in front of you with several tabs along the left side.

3) Select the ‘Betas' tab on the left of the ‘Properties’ screen.
 
4) The open Beta branch should appear in the dropdown list, select it.
 
The game should begin updating with the new build. Once that has updated, your game title should display as “Strategic Command WWII: World at War [OpenBeta]” Steam may require a restart to show this option or to update the game.

Have fun and don't forget to give us feedback.

Do you have a changelog or specific things that you'd like tested?

Hi Redrum,

It's a test of a new setup for PBEM++ where your turn will be periodically autosaved to the server during play.

This will help in those instances where a player has played a full turn and then lost a connection and lost their entire turn, if they haven't saved, and for a few other cases such as a game crash and losing your game play up to that point as well.

Ideally less of your turn will be lost this way going forward, which has worked quite well in our internal tests, and it would be good to have it tested out more widely at this point before we officially release it, thanks!

Hubert

Oh, this is a good innovation if it works as intended.
I can think of other reasons also why this periodic auto-save feature with MP matches would be beneficial.

Reading about the "Beta Branch".

It doesn't solve the problem.
It only helps an honest player, who doesn't reconnect.
(which isn't needed, just reconnect, after-manual-save-attempt which failed)
(It does help player's who game crashes. But they can be prevented by closing oodles of other running services)

ElvisJJonesRambo wrote: ↑Sun Aug 20, 2023 7:37 am Reading about the "Beta Branch".

It doesn't solve the problem.
It only helps an honest player, who doesn't reconnect.
(which isn't needed, just reconnect, after-manual-save-attempt which failed)
(It does help player's who game crashes. But they can be prevented by closing oodles of other running services)

I can see ways at least partly around it yeah. Maybe the save cycles could be on randomized times. And more often at the start of the turn. Otherwise one could try to suicide scout sticky situations and immediatly reload before the first save happens. Or somehow figure out the savimg intervalls and time the cheating accordingly

Thanks for the feedback and for some extra info, saving intervals are slightly randomized and there are a few other elements included that we are not publicly mentioning just yet, e.g. the more that is known, the more certain players have to work with to work around things.

We are hoping the changes will make it that much more difficult, or at least much less pleasant, to workaround etc., and that everyone can simply just go back to playing the game.

Only a gaming architect Legend like HC, would even bother with the finishing touches on this.
With no help from the server host Matrix, doing the best possible for a workaround.
If he pulls this off, this would take SC-WaW into a higher plane, of the Gaming Hall of Fame.

Money is temporal, glory is forever. Store your treasures where rust & thieves cannot destroy.
If this is pulled off, might be the greatest modern day post release addition.

Getting popcorn ready, this might get good. The game will be born again. Because I'm tired of reloading to compete.

Thanks, and has anyone by chance had some time to try a game under the Steam open beta with the new PBEM++ setup?

I haven't. I've been in chill mood. Have benched myself from action. Got some personal distractions.
I'll probably be back, eventually. Plus, never done Steam site.

To whosoever is testing this Beta branch: Have you tried disconnecting on purpose, yet keep game running. 1st thing I'd try.

1) Connect
2) Load turn
3) Disconnect internet
4) Play turn
5) then reconnect internet (when you're ready to save)
6) save

Is there anyone out there --Pink Floyd

anyone got a report on the Beta?

Testing the beta in solo mode (was going to maybe help bug check?). I found that I cannot put German units in Italy territories after Italy has mobilized and joined the war. Is this working as intended or a bug?

Update: It does appear to be a game bug. They are working on a fix.

This has not enough publicity I fear. Maybe post on the main forums?

I've been watching this thread closely but no recent updates regarding the new Beta patch. Any updates on when this may be released?

It's live in the Empires in Turmoil WW1 DLC and works fine so far