What is your playing mode (solo or multi)

[Duc_d_Heilsberg]

As lot of people here have always said : I'm playing alone versus the AI to master the game (because it's quite complex and there are a lot of things to manage ; lack of medium scenarii ? ).

As soon as I get used with the mechanisms (it's a long road because I don't play as much as I would, furthermore, I spend a lot of time readind the forum looking after all the informations that are not included in the manual ) I'll go asking for a human partner to friendly compete in winning the ACW.

[Hobbes]

I wonder at the longevity of the game (or any game) for people that play against the AI only. I know that in games where I am unable to play PBEM I only play for a couple of months even for the good games. When I play PBEM I can play happily for years as there seems to be so much more diversity; every opponent is a new and complex "AI" to try and out-think (and also out-bluff - something not possible with Athena). There is something so much more fulfilling about playing a human opponent, winning is sweeter, losing harder and the conversation along the way is certainly more interesting!

Cheers, Chris

[denisonh]

MP presents the player a much different situation from decision making process than solo play.

I like the feel it brings because of the effects of consequences on decision making and gameplay. Risk taking is more difficult, in that your human opponent is more likely to exploit your failures than the AI and adapt his strategy/tactics. Trying to discern your opponents intentions are part of the charm.

These interactions are what a major art of the appeal of the multiplayer game.

In my longest running PBEM, it is a lost cause. Been that way since the beginning when I made some gross errors (1862 was a fiasco). But it is interesting and am learning a great deal about the game after being schooled by a very good opponent. It is only a game, after all, but most certainly a fun one.

[simovitch]

Solo for now. I enjoy beating the Blue/Grey AI by '63 and continuing the campaign until the AI's NM is 0. No human would endure such abuse.

I plan to seek a PBEM opponent soon.

[DirkX]

i started vs Ai (which was pretty decent back then)
but when i started vs humans i didnt touch a single game vs the AI, it frankly cant compete with human opponents and the AI is , sadly, (pbem is rather slow and i usually like playing vs AI) boring me now

this means i am playing a lot less AACW than when i started it.

[RELee]

Although I haven't purchased the game yet, I can answer because the answer will not change. I burned myself out on MP games long ago, and I'm just too busy to try to venture back into that world. I will be purchasing and playing ACW solo very soon as I reckon time.

[Guru80]

I have only played against the AI thus far but plan on playing a lot of PbEM hopefully. Since I JUST got the game recently and only played about 10 turns in about 10 times trying to figure things out in the 114 turn campaign I think I will wait until I know what the hell I am doing, thinking I am getting there though!

This game is so simple yet so complex and large in scope and I LOVE IT. Favorite war game by far.

[Flashman007]

Did my learning against the AI but find that as good as the AI is, it is pretty pathetic when compared to playing against a human. Once you play against a human it is very difficult to go back to playing against the AI. I noted the poll showed 50% of the players are interested in multiplayer. This game has fallen short of its promises with regard to supporting multiplayer.

[Alias]

I started first playing against the AI, just few games, after I've played only in PBEM, human is much better than AI (most of the times)

[GShock]

As most of the habituees of the forums have noticed, after buying the game in august and experimenting on the scenarios so far, i've finally started my first campaign.

I will only play ONE vs the AI and I'm positive I will learn a lot, afterwards i will most likely only play MP and only test the AI to give what little contribution i can to help devs make it better.

I am very very intrigued by the Grand Campaign actually but i don't exclude i will also play some pbem.

[muddymonkey77]

I usually battle myself. Strange. I do LOVE this ability though!

[McDuff]

I play solo, 'cause it's not so easy to find someone available each time I want to play...

[GlobalExplorer]

SP all the way. I am after escapism when I play a game, if I want to be with people I go to the pub.

[GlobalExplorer]

But I admit that it must be challenging to play against a human. We tried that some times with Panzer General but we never finished. My mate was driving me nuts with taking endless time for his turns. When he learned that he could move the mouse over my units and see the predicted outcome he was trying out literally any combination.

[Rexor]

SP all the way. I am after escapism when I play a game, if I want to be with people I go to the pub.

Hear, hear!

[Hobbes]

But I admit that it must be challenging to play against a human. We tried that some times with Panzer General but we never finished. My mate was driving me nuts with taking endless time for his turns. When he learned that he could move the mouse over my units and see the predicted outcome he was trying out literally any combination.

I've played a few friends in PBEM games. If they take to the game there is nothing better than giving them a good beating and nothing worse than losing to them - especially if they are gobby sods and you have to see them in a pub the next day.

To find somebody with a similar turn rate and interest in history though I have had more success playing strangers who turn into friends. Not all but quite a few do over the years.

Cheers, Chris

[Hobbes]

I'm quite surprised by the number of people here who only play against the AI. I assume that people who visit game forums are more likely to play PBEM games so the number of players that play solo is probably even higher than this poll indicates.

Rafiki, wasn't there once a post where you said you would give PBEM a go even though you thought a game might take you years? I tried to find the post but I couldn't (I thought it was in this thread). Just wondered how it went?

One game I would love to play but have never bothered to try is War in the Pacific. I played Uncommon Valor but a full PBEM of WitP would take me about 8 or 9 years at nearly one turn a day. I still drool over it though and I'm sure I will get it someday. I suppose VgN could be seen in the same way but I see it more as a game system that can be used to simulate any period between 1850 and 1920 and if you really have a lot of time on your hands you could play the entire period. WitP is different I think because unless you play the full campaign you don't get to see the industry and resource management aspect of the game. If you plan to build a carrier it will take quite some time to make it to sea but playing VgN for a reasonable 5 or 10 year period will allow the player to experience most of what the game has to offer.

Cheers, Chris

[Rafiki]

Rafiki, wasn't there once a post where you said you would give PBEM a go even though you thought a game might take you years? I tried to find the post but I couldn't (I thought it was in this thread). Just wondered how it went?

[SIZE="1"]You probably didn't go far enough back.... and it's still pending..... [/size]

[Hobbes]

Pending meaning you haven't made turn 1 yet?

[Rafiki]

Yes please, rub it in, will ya!

[Hobbes]

Yes please, rub it in, will ya!

Where the hell was that post? I think you were right Raf, it may take you some time!

[Rafiki]

Since I'm always fond of outing myself for public humiliation; here's where you'll find arsan's first suggestion for starting it: http://www.ageod-forum.com/showthread.php?p=73959#post73959

[arsan]

Hey! When Rafiki and me say "extremist PBEM" we really mean it!!
First turn is inminent.... Any year now.
Second turn is expected to be played with AACW 2 (we will lobby for a save game transfer system between AACW and AACW2 just for this :king
Cheers!

[Rafiki]

OK, time to put my money where my mouth (keyboard?) is.

Shall we start a game with 1.11 (public beta), this weekend?

[arsan]

Hi Rafiki!

Sorry, bad timing for me leure:
I share my home computer with my girlfriend who need it for a work until 15 September or so. I only have a couple of hours a day to use the PC and i'm trying hard to end the WIA manual translation on these 2 hours/day.

Luckily i can post around here form the work PC and while my girlfriend goes to the bathroom But its not enough to do a AACW turn...

Could we postpone it a little longer, lets say... until mid September??
Cheers!

[Rafiki]

Naturallemente

Perhaps by then, I can persuade you to get into ICQ?

[arsan]

Naturallemente

Perhaps by then, I can persuade you to get into ICQ?

Humm... ICQ?? maybe, maybe... i will think about it...
But MS messenger, never!!

[Stwa]

I only play against the computer.

I have a few suggestions for "AI only" games.

1. Create an option where the AI can play itself. I think WITP could do this, and this should be fairly easy to setup. (I think)...

2. Create an option where the AAR against the AI is automated. Then these can be posted to the web for sharing with others. Probably similar to re-play, but shows both sides, and does not have to show the actual movement, (just the ending locations each turn). Allow a snapshot feature for screenies.

3. Imagine how much code could be deleted from the exe if MP was not provided at all.

4. Also, currently I suppose we have only Athena as an AI opponent, but perhaps some other AI "opponents" could be developed, with snappier, more aggressive names, like Thor or Meathead or something like that.

[razorbackjac]

Yes! I won't buy a game anymore unless I know the developer has a good track record for strong AI. My shelves are littered with promising games (many of them high-profile, big-budget titles) that are all but unplayable due to an abysmal AI. (Since this board is a congenial place, I won't list them here.)

I agree. I play solo mainly but will do multi/pbem here and there. Solo over all is it for me.

[jastaV]

I just played few game turns in my first PBEM: that was sufficient to let me reconsider things and opinions!

Athena is good for getting some hours of fun (without having to wait your PBEM opponent returning you files), for scenarios testing, for testing strategies and for learning......
When you call for a real challenge you have to play against BPEM opponents!