Slitherine

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ORIGINAL: Centuur

So I'm a mosquito now? Personally I like to crush those buggers...

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ORIGINAL: Easo79

Steve,

I find the tutorial videos very interesting in concept. I hope, though, that when recording them, you have had into account that some of the users of the video tutorials are not going to be native English speakers. I am not exactly begging you something along the lines of ...Francis Mathews' BBC course lesson 1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGiNjI1j2P4 , but between that and Travolta and Samuel L Jackson interchanges in Pulp Fiction (the only part I really understood is the “f**k” thing all over around ) there must be a solid middle point. Some clear declamation skills as Kenneth Branagh’s before Agincourt 1415: “We, few...we happy few...we band of brothers”....is what comes to my mind...

As a substitute, some subtitles could suffice. But, as I have arrived late to offer my suggestions, as a compromise I would suggest a subtle hint about what the Hawaiian accent sounds like. That way I could train my listening skills before the training videos themselves arrive .

Mmmm, Barak Obama was born in Hawaii USA (the Birthers have yet to arrive at Mallorca )....but, has he a Hawaiian accent?...a "YES, WE CAN" speech,...errr... would do the trick of getting me into it?

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ORIGINAL: Easo79

I have read in another thread that WiF is scheduled for November (sooner than expected by me), but it has not been mentioned here, in the WiF specific forum. Perhaps to provide Steve with some degree of plausible deniability?

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ORIGINAL: ioticus

I see this tidbit on the description in the store:

"IMPORTANT NOTE: This title does not include an AI player in the initial release. It is designed as a computerized, automated and online multiplayer-capable World in Flames."

Are there plans to release an AI later down the road? Because for me no AI = no buy.

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ORIGINAL: Numdydar

quote:

ORIGINAL: ioticus

I see this tidbit on the description in the store:

"IMPORTANT NOTE: This title does not include an AI player in the initial release. It is designed as a computerized, automated and online multiplayer-capable World in Flames."

Are there plans to release an AI later down the road? Because for me no AI = no buy.

It has been repeatedly stated by Steve and Matrix that an AI will be provide free as part of a patch for anyone that buys the game. I for one plan on buying right away as I have no issue playing both sides . I did that with Decision Games War in Europe which does not have an AI either. And unlike WiF never plans on having one. Even without an AI, WiE is still an awesome game imho. So I have no doubts that WiF will be any different, with or without an AI

Of course coming from a long background of growing up around people that had no intrest in playing strategy board games, I may be more used to playing both sides than others

quote:

ORIGINAL: Shannon V. OKeets

February 1, 2009 Status Report for Matrix Games’ MWIF Forum

AI Opponent
I decided that one way to reduced my task list for creating the AIO is to limit the number of different scenarios that it can play when the game is first released. I’ll do 4 of the 11 scenarios for first release and then add the other 7 as patches in subsequent months. What this removes from my task list is figuring out alternative setups for thousands of units in the 7 scenarios that start late in the war. Each of those scenarios has hundreds, if not thousands, of units on the map at the start of the game. If the AIO always uses the same setup, it becomes too predictable and easy to defeat. But to do a respectable job of designing alternative setups for thousands of units will take time and effort.

The 4 scenarios that will be ready for first release are the ones that will be played the most: the two introductory scenarios (Barbarossa and Guadalcanal) and the Global War scenario (which is virtually the only scenario ever played in over the board games). The fourth scenario is Fascist Tide, which is the European half of the Global War scenario, so it can use the same setups.

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ORIGINAL: Numdydar

quote:

ORIGINAL: Shannon V. OKeets

February 1, 2009 Status Report for Matrix Games’ MWIF Forum

AI Opponent
I decided that one way to reduced my task list for creating the AIO is to limit the number of different scenarios that it can play when the game is first released. I’ll do 4 of the 11 scenarios for first release and then add the other 7 as patches in subsequent months. What this removes from my task list is figuring out alternative setups for thousands of units in the 7 scenarios that start late in the war. Each of those scenarios has hundreds, if not thousands, of units on the map at the start of the game. If the AIO always uses the same setup, it becomes too predictable and easy to defeat. But to do a respectable job of designing alternative setups for thousands of units will take time and effort.

The 4 scenarios that will be ready for first release are the ones that will be played the most: the two introductory scenarios (Barbarossa and Guadalcanal) and the Global War scenario (which is virtually the only scenario ever played in over the board games). The fourth scenario is Fascist Tide, which is the European half of the Global War scenario, so it can use the same setups.

The bolded section definately implies that at least for 4 scenerios AT RELEASE was to have an AI since in a previous report you stated that Netplay, PBEM, and solo (against an AI) were the three methods that WiF was going to be able to do at some point. PBEM has been eliminated. Now you are saying that we will have to pay an additional cost for an AI? Are you serious?

I was REALLY exicted to see this game have a release date since I have been following it for a while now. However, I definately will not be buying this at release (or anytime soome with or without an AI) if this is the path you and Matrix are now taking. I have no problem paying for the full game WITH an AI that is part of a FREE patch. But I have NO interest in paying for a game twice. Whomever thought this STUPID way to sell should be sent back to school to figure out marketing. Because in case you could not tell, you have royally pissed off a long time Matrix customer and supporter with this stupidity.

I cannot wait until people find out the game is realeased for X amount, but without an AI. Then if you want an AI at some future point (1 year, 2 years, etc.), later you have to pay more if you want an AI? Do you honestly think this is going to fly? You just lost one buyer. I wonder how may more you will lose?

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ORIGINAL: wodin

I must admit having to pay for the AI looks to me like a kick in the teeth to those who bought the game early and pre AI..really they should be given it free in a patch..just up the price of WIF once the AI comes along.

I'm not even buying it pre AI but I think this is wrong. Really not looking after your most loyal and faithful customer.

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ORIGINAL: Shannon V. OKeets

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ORIGINAL: Numdydar

quote:

ORIGINAL: Shannon V. OKeets

February 1, 2009 Status Report for Matrix Games’ MWIF Forum

AI Opponent
I decided that one way to reduced my task list for creating the AIO is to limit the number of different scenarios that it can play when the game is first released. I’ll do 4 of the 11 scenarios for first release and then add the other 7 as patches in subsequent months. What this removes from my task list is figuring out alternative setups for thousands of units in the 7 scenarios that start late in the war. Each of those scenarios has hundreds, if not thousands, of units on the map at the start of the game. If the AIO always uses the same setup, it becomes too predictable and easy to defeat. But to do a respectable job of designing alternative setups for thousands of units will take time and effort.

The 4 scenarios that will be ready for first release are the ones that will be played the most: the two introductory scenarios (Barbarossa and Guadalcanal) and the Global War scenario (which is virtually the only scenario ever played in over the board games). The fourth scenario is Fascist Tide, which is the European half of the Global War scenario, so it can use the same setups.

The bolded section definately implies that at least for 4 scenerios AT RELEASE was to have an AI since in a previous report you stated that Netplay, PBEM, and solo (against an AI) were the three methods that WiF was going to be able to do at some point. PBEM has been eliminated. Now you are saying that we will have to pay an additional cost for an AI? Are you serious?

I was REALLY exicted to see this game have a release date since I have been following it for a while now. However, I definately will not be buying this at release (or anytime soome with or without an AI) if this is the path you and Matrix are now taking. I have no problem paying for the full game WITH an AI that is part of a FREE patch. But I have NO interest in paying for a game twice. Whomever thought this STUPID way to sell should be sent back to school to figure out marketing. Because in case you could not tell, you have royally pissed off a long time Matrix customer and supporter with this stupidity.

I cannot wait until people find out the game is realeased for X amount, but without an AI. Then if you want an AI at some future point (1 year, 2 years, etc.), later you have to pay more if you want an AI? Do you honestly think this is going to fly? You just lost one buyer. I wonder how may more you will lose?

It took too long to get everything ready. You are quoting a post from over 4 and half years ago (when I was young and naive).

Rather than have everyone pay full price now (i.e., as if the AIO and PBEM were included) for the initial release, a reduced price was decided upon.

As I understand it, customers who have already purchased MWIF (i.e., the initial release) will get full credit for that purchase price against the price of the second release - which includes the AIO. PBEM may or may not be part of the second release. I will try my best to make that happen, but time rules over all.

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ORIGINAL: Numdydar
So we have the following choices as customers under the current plan
1. Buy a copy of the game at release for X dollars for a game without an AI.
2. At some indetermined point in the furture which is still undefined, the game will be re-released?, Version 2.0? for Y dollars. Anyone who bought it for X dollars will still need to pay Y-X dollars for the 'new' version with an AI. An AI that many people here feel very strongly that should be part of the initial release.
3. New purchases will then from this point forward will now cost Y dollars

Considering the time it took the get the game ready to release WITHOUT an AI, why should ANYONE here buy this at the initial release when no one can say with authority when the AI version even will be ready? Even if you say the AI will be ready in a year, why should we belive that versus what you stated in 2009? After all you state very clearly that things changed since 2009 so there is nothing to prevent things from happening that delay the AI even after you provide a date for it to be ready.So if you say a year or less, it could take 2 becasue 'things change'. If the AI takes longer that planned where is our (the customers) revenue stream for any delays?

What SHOULD occur (if everyone is worried about revenue streams post a non-AI release) is just suck things up until an AI is ready. Even if it takes another year to get it done. This way everyone involved still has an incentive to get the game working AS IT SHOULD from the very start. Instead of the absoultely BS way things are set up now.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Numdydar

So we have the following choices as customers under the current plan
1. Buy a copy of the game at release for X dollars for a game without an AI.
2. At some indetermined point in the furture which is still undefined, the game will be re-released?, Version 2.0? for Y dollars. Anyone who bought it for X dollars will still need to pay Y-X dollars for the 'new' version with an AI. An AI that many people here feel very strongly that should be part of the initial release.
3. New purchases will then from this point forward will now cost Y dollars