Where to begin....

Matrix Games Forums

Forums Register Login Photo Gallery Member List Search Calendars FAQ

My Profile Inbox Address Book My Subscription My Forums Log Out

Where to begin....

View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as: Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

All Forums >> [Current Games From Matrix.] >> [World War II] >> War In The Pacific - Struggle Against Japan 1941 - 1945 >> Where to begin....

Page: [1]

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

Where to begin.... - 2/1/2005 6:01:41 AM

OrionX

Posts: 82
Joined: 11/28/2004
Status: offline

Alright, Matrix can thank word of mouth on this sale.

I just bought (well actualy about 30 mins ago) WitP. I am a war gamer but...WitP looks like nothing I have encountered before. This game is just massive just exactly what I was looking for - although a world domination with this games concept would be mind blowing and amazing, which of course I would buy in one split second.

I need a few things answered before I get started learning WitP. I will be printing out the manual (I know its long but I have a high end printer and cpu) and I will be reading that first. I will list some things in random importance. I will also number the questions for easier feedback. I hope you guys do not mind me asking as WitP was nothing what I thought it would be, it's much...much bigger and better. Once in awhile I will add to this list of things. Ok, here goes.

1)- What is the latest patch for WitP? (Todays date 1/31/05)
2)- How is the patch installed?
3)- Which scenerio is best for starters/beginners?
4)- When installing mods such as maps, graphical updates and scenerios how does this affect the core (retail) version of the game? NOTE: I understand backing up files is a good thing to do. I have already done that.

5)- When installing mods for WitP I have heard that if not installed correctly this can cause a CTD (crash to desktop). How then do I know what mods belong for what scenerio?

Well, so far thats all I can think of. Excuse me for being anal with my questions. I hate screwing things up..lol. I want to thank this community for making me spend $70 on a game- which I thought I would never do & I thank you all for any help I get in advance.

< Message edited by OrionX -- 2/1/2005 4:04:20 AM >

Post #: 1

RE: Where to begin.... - 2/1/2005 6:07:31 AM

Tanaka

Posts: 4378
Joined: 4/8/2003
From: USA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: OrionX

Alright, Matrix can thank word of mouth on this sale. I just bought (well actualy about 30 mins ago) WitP. I am a war gamer but...WitP looks like nothing I have encountered before. This game is just massive just exactly what I was looking for - although a world domination with this games concept would be mind blowing and amazing, which of course I would buy in one split second.

I need a few things answered before I get started learning WitP. I will be printing out the manual (I know its long but I have a high end printer and cpu) and I will be reading that first. I will list some things in random importance. I will also number the questions for easier feedback. I hope you guys do not mind me asking as WitP was nothing what I thought it would be, it's much...much bigger and better. Once in awhile I will add to this list of things. Ok, here goes.

1)- What is the latest patch for WitP? (Todays date 1/31/05)
2)- How is the patch installed?
3)- Which scenerio is best for starters/beginners?
4)- When installing mods such as maps, graphical updates and scenerios how does this affect the core (retail) version of the game? NOTE: I understand backing up files is a good thing to do. I have already done that.
5)- When installing mods for WitP I have heard that if not installed correctly this can cause a CTD (crash to desktop). How then do I know what mods belong for what scenerio?

Well, so far thats all I can think of. Excuse me for being anal with my questions. I hate screwing things up..lol. I want to thank this community for making me spend $70 on a game- which I thought I would never do & I thank you all for any help I get in advance.

1. 1.4
2. digital download/members area
3. tutorial or coral sea
4. mods do not affect core game/they are separate scenarios (except art and sound mods do replace core files) (make backup)
5. mods usually have a scenario number

_____________________________

(in reply to OrionX)

Post #: 2

RE: Where to begin.... - 2/1/2005 6:10:05 AM

OrionX

Posts: 82
Joined: 11/28/2004
Status: offline

Very simple, thanks Tanaka.

< Message edited by OrionX -- 2/1/2005 4:10:22 AM >

(in reply to Tanaka)

Post #: 3

RE: Where to begin.... - 2/1/2005 10:46:27 AM

TheElf

Posts: 3870
Joined: 5/14/2003
From: Pax River, MD
Status: offline

As far as mods go, something simple like using my Planetops goes like this:

1. Go to the MatrixGames/WitP/ART folder. In the case of my latest allied planetop you need to replace two files

a)aptop.bmp
b)aptop_alpha.bmp

If you view them using thumbnails you can actually identify the file easily.

Now the new files HAVE to be named aptop.bmp & aptop_alpha.bmp. Just like the originals were. Else the game does not recognize them, thinks something is missing and Crashes to Desktop (CTD).

So...
2. Rename the original files aptop.original.bmp and aptop_alpha.original.bmp and leave them alone. This way the original files can remain in the ART folder, just under a new unrecognizable name.

3. Drag the two new files into the ART folder. Doesn't matter where they land, the game will sort it out. Now when the game wants to show you a combat replay it pulls the image from the new file vice the original file.

4. If you ever want to go back to the original files just give them their old name back and rename the modded files to something memorable and you're back to square one.

Walla! you have just modded AND backed up your game. Any good modder should provide a readme file with directions. If he doesn't he probably can be found lurking on the forum somewhere. Just ask him and he'll hook you up.

There are some mods out there however that require alot of thought, backups, and organization. if the modder is kind as mentioned it should be easy if not somewhat more involved to make it happen.

Welcome aboard and enjoy.

< Message edited by TheElf -- 2/1/2005 12:47:51 AM >

_____________________________

IN PERPETUUM SINGULARIS SEDES

(in reply to OrionX)

Post #: 4

RE: Where to begin.... - 2/1/2005 12:11:40 PM

CobraAus

Posts: 2322
Joined: 8/23/2004
From: Geelong Australia
Status: offline

quote:

I will be reading that first. I will list some things in random importance. I will also number the questions for easier feedback. I hope you guys do not mind me asking as WitP was nothing what I thought it would be, it's much...much bigger and better. Once in awhile I will add to this list of things. Ok, here goes.

If you have not played UV yet (the forunner to WITP) read the manual (4to 5 hours) then read again .to set up 1st move put aside about 6 to 8 hours thats for mission 15 1941 to 1946
then say goodbye to the rest of your life for the next 5 years no more work, girlfriends or sleep we are running 18 hour + days SLEEP WHATS THAT if married she may see you about once a week if lucky bad luck about the kids and dog. if you do get to work you will pac a laptop just in case of sparetime Oh and no more booze wont be able to go out and buy it (no time) and when the Super Combinded mod comes out I hate to think whats that going to do to us
before you start grab Andrew Browns map mod and use its a must full directions how to install
included lost of work being done with this mod
All mods are found at Spookies Site HTTP://Mathubert.Free.FR
and what out for War Plan Orange find all about in the forum + its got now got its on forum its an add on done one of our own TankaAce

best of luck

Cobra Aus

(in reply to OrionX)

Post #: 5

RE: Where to begin.... - 2/1/2005 12:52:22 PM

AmiralLaurent

Posts: 3351
Joined: 3/11/2003
From: Near Paris, France
Status: offline

Download the last patch and then begin a small scenario (Coral Sea, then Guadalcanal) to learn the mechanisms of the game. Coral Sea will learn you how to handle units and give them orders, Guadalcanal to manage logistics. Play both sides just to have an idea of what is possible.

Then start a long scenario against AI. Especially if you want to play Japan, the production system is not so simple. There are many advices available about it on this forum but the best advice I can give you is to do slow and minor changes. It's a strategic game with a very long length.

All of this is training sessions. You will learn many things and probably will restart. Then it is time to use mods and scenarios made by other players.

Once you will get fed up with the AI, start a PBEM.

(in reply to CobraAus)

Post #: 6

RE: Where to begin.... - 2/1/2005 1:34:51 PM

Andrew Brown

Posts: 5007
Joined: 9/5/2000
From: Hex 82,170
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: TheElf

As far as mods go, something simple like using my Planetops goes like this:

1. Go to the MatrixGames/WitP/ART folder. In the case of my latest allied planetop you need to replace two files

a)aptop.bmp
b)aptop_alpha.bmp

If you view them using thumbnails you can actually identify the file easily.

Now the new files HAVE to be named aptop.bmp & aptop_alpha.bmp. Just like the originals were. Else the game does not recognize them, thinks something is missing and Crashes to Desktop (CTD).

So...
2. Rename the original files aptop.original.bmp and aptop_alpha.original.bmp and leave them alone. This way the original files can remain in the ART folder, just under a new unrecognizable name.

Good advice, TheElf.

However since there are quite a few graphical mods for the game, I now use a quicker and easier technique for backing up original art - after the game is installed I make a copy of the entire ART directory (and rename it ART_ORIGINAL or something similar). That way if I want to restore the original game art I don't need to remember what I have replaced or rename any backup files, I just delete the ART directory and copy in the backup, being sure to change the name of the directory back to ART after I have copied it back.

_____________________________

Information about my WitP map, and CHS, can be found on my WitP website

(in reply to TheElf)

Post #: 7

RE: Where to begin.... - 2/2/2005 4:46:18 AM

Grotius

Posts: 5798
Joined: 10/18/2002
From: The Imperial Palace.
Status: offline

OrionX, welcome to the party! Feel free to ask questions.

(in reply to Andrew Brown)

Post #: 8

RE: Where to begin.... - 2/2/2005 5:24:36 AM

DrewMatrix

Posts: 1429
Joined: 7/15/2004
Status: offline

As a different view on "where to start":

I started in the Grand Campaing Game. But I set (at the start) eveything to Computer control and just ran a tiny bit of the game (the Philippines as the Allies where I tried to evactuate in some semblance of order).

This was a little confusing, in part because the AI will do things (grab units from you for example) but gradually I took over more and more of the map and the logistics fro the AI.

You _will_ have to start again after maybe a couple of months, but that is another way to get a graded intro into how to make things do what you want.

_____________________________