coregames
Posts: 470
Joined: 8/12/2004 Status: offline
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I have played the Marrinaci computer beta as well as several campaign scenarios of various versions of WiF; I thought the beta take on CWiF was pretty good, but I didn't like the unified scale of the whole map for the purposes of this game. WiF has variable scale, and this is for a reason. The European maps emphasize a war of land maneuvering, whereas the Asian maps emphasize a war of naval maneuvering. India, Vladivostok, and even China when it comes down to it, are strategic sidelines for the Japanese, and do not require European scale. Moreover, the counter mix of WiF has so much playtesting behind it so that it works with the variable scales provided. China and Japan would need changes to the counter mix to reflect the European scale, and substantial additional playtesting would be required. I believe that what the Matrix version should provide is a very faithful computer version of WiFFE. Users should be allowed to play with only the basic maps, or use anything up to America in Flames for additional maps. Similarly, counter mixes to be used should mirror the expansions and options chosen, to effectively simulate the board-gaming experience and increase the customizability. A VERY hot feature that the beta lacked would be a pivot view option, so you could see the board from an angle (really enhance the boardgame feel). DoD3 could either be included, or (for marketing purposes) be released as part of a scenario editor expansion (and I would buy it).
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