View Full Version : Playtesting for next tourney begins!
Ok, here we go!
I'm going to start assigning playtests based on peoples posts in the previous thread. I'll list all the details of how I need the tests to go. I'm afraid I've got quite a bit of work for all involved, but I hope I can make it worthwhile. The experience should prove valuable if the scenario you test happens to be one that we're going to use!
Ok, to the details!
1) Games will be mirrored. (Sorry, but I absolutely need to rule out oddball results as best I can due to skill imbalances, or at least highlight the imbalance through the use of mirror games, so it can be considered accordingly!)
2) A VERY detailed AAR must be made, turn by turn, for both your moves, and your opponent's moves. You don't have to write a novel, but please write down anything of note, and any feelings you have about the progress so far!
3) Players are free to do anything they wish; however I would ask that people not attempt really crazy, do or die, all or nothing suicide strategies. I'm not saying to play exactly historical, that would undermine the value of these tests. But if you can help it, please don't base your entire outcome on the results of one move! :D
4) I'm awarding ladder points! Points will not be awarded in a typical manner, however. The total ladder points earned from both games, from both players, will be added up and increased by 25% as a reward for such detailed AARs. This total will then be halved, and both players will receive exactly the same amount of points for their time and effort. Specifically for this playtest, I am not rewarding 'victory'; all player's time and effort is equally valuable to me, and will be rewarded as such!
I'm going to start a second post and announce the pairings so far.
Ok, pairings!
Let's start with Keef and Tigersqn, I'd like you to play mirror games of Normandy/Rommel.
Triaxe and Viridomaros, could you please do mirror games of the latest version of 2 Weeks in Normandy.
jlbetin and Mad Cow, you get Bastogne 44.
Evileye_xc and Wolf, your scenario is Bluecoat 44.
Boromir and brother (name, please? :) ), you get Sealion 2.1.
HEAT and ER Chaser, you get Rethel 40.
Foggy and Dagger5, you get Market Garden from the CD.
Everyone, please be sure that you are patched up to at least 1.04, and that you are playing the same/most recent version of the scenario.
Pierre, can you please email me all these scenarios (they were your suggestions :D ) to mantis29a@shaw.ca? I'll write all the designers if possible, and see that we have the newest version.
Ok, everyone please check in here, and let me know if you're having any troubles getting your game going! I'll head off now and email all the players with a link to this thread to get the ball rolling.
Have at it!
One more thing; I'm sure that some people will be unavaliable, etc. I could certainly use more playtesters to fill in empty slots, and to start a few more tests!
Anyone willing will earn some great ladder points, regardless of your scenario's outcome! Just leave a message here to get involved.
I'm looking forward to the playtesting. :laola:
If there are still some places, I'm volunteer !
La Palice.
Oh Bugger - I get HEAT, you do realise that this will not tell you how balanced this is :hurt:
Siberian HEAT
12 May 03, 13:18
:freak:
You of course can decline. If there are other folks who want to play Wolf in Bluecoat please do so (yes, I realize I am probably ruining the hours of work Mantis did to set this up!). I am playing Richard in a mirror game of Bluecoat 44 right now...and I will have some thoughts on it once we are done.
We are about 2/3 done.
ER_Chaser
12 May 03, 13:34
Originally posted by Siberian HEAT
:freak:
You of course can decline. If there are other folks who want to play Wolf in Bluecoat please do so (yes, I realize I am probably ruining the hours of work Mantis did to set this up!). I am playing Richard in a mirror game of Bluecoat 44 right now...and I will have some thoughts on it once we are done.
We are about 2/3 done.
LoL ... HEAT, quite the other way around, do you have some room so that I can test something with YOU? ;)
Shane, I just send you email asking about the same thing... but anyway, I am reporting to duty here.
:love:
Odd timing... I just received a request from ER Chaser to be paired up against HEAT.
How about this, then?
HEAT plays ER Chaser in Rethel 40, and Wolf plays Evileye in Bluecoat? Wolf, if you agree, let me know and I'll edit the original post...
And then ER beats me to the post by 15 seconds... lol
LaPalice, I can virtually guarantee that there will be a slot for you soon. Thanks for stepping up!
I can still use a whole mess of people to round out my list - any takers?
Siberian HEAT
12 May 03, 13:38
Works for me! First game ever against Mr. Chaser.
:clown:
ER_Chaser
12 May 03, 13:38
cool for me :love: :devious:
Sorry to go off topic, but I got a quick question.
What is Bluecoat 44, I don't recall seeing that in the stock scenarios and I didn't see it in the scenario archive.
Once, again sorry to interject, but I'm new here (hey got to use that excuse for all its worth while its still true ;) :thumup: :PIMP: )
Originally posted by Siberian HEAT
Works for me! First game ever against Mr. Chaser.
:clown:
Originally posted by ER_Chaser
cool for me :love: :devious:
Good...it's about time that you two stopped picking on the newbies and started playing tougher opponents.:p
ER_Chaser
12 May 03, 13:44
Originally posted by JAMiAM
Good...it's about time that you two stopped picking on the newbies and started playing tougher opponents.:p
YOU read my MIND, James, LoL .... :D
That is exactly why I choose a TEST ONLY .... LoL:hog: :crosseye: :bandit:
lol, smartass! ;)
Well, I've asked Pierre to send me all the scenarios he suggested, and he's replied to 2 or 3 of my emails after that, but still hasn't mentioned this point... (pokepokepoke, lol!)
I'll get on it and forward it to you as soon as I come across it!
Does anyone else have it? If so, please send to me at mantis29a@shaw.ca, as well as any of the other scenarios on the list.
DOH! Had it the entire time... (Up to over 400 scenarios in the CoW directory alone, and that's not including all the TOAW I & II scenarios... :) )
Mes Seigneurs du Jeu (My game lords)
I'm Please to be the opponent of Mad Cow
Just a point as its become serious could you avoid acronym please since as a poor lonesome stranger far from home :D, I don't understand AAR please don't laugh THXS and be serious
Ready ! where is the start line tellmtellmetellme :laugh: LOL
DER Wanederer
AAR = After Action Report
Hey look at me...the newbie answering instead of asking a question. :laola:
I'm there.
BTW, which scenarios do you need ?
ER_Chaser
12 May 03, 15:00
obviously, I need
Rethel 40
:D
please send it to XLiu844834@aol.com
or simply post it here :) many many thx
:crosseye:
And here is Sealion v2.1 for those who don't have it.
I don't find Bastogne 44 !! either I'm blind or stupid may be both :confused:
could someone provide me light
Der Wanderblackout
Originally posted by jlbetin
I don't find Bastogne 44 !! either I'm blind or stupid may be both :confused:
could someone provide me light
Der Wanderblackout
same for me, I don't think I have this one.
That is ok with me - where do I find the scennario?
ONE VERY IMPORTANT POINT
AS A FRENCHMAN I WILL NEVER SURRENDER IS THAT CLEAR
I'm sorry sir where is the paint to write POW on my back, and could be kind enough to give me the path to the prison camp,
no I can get there alone with my other comrades, your are very kind
THXS
Der Wandsurrender ouarf LOL :D
Originally posted by jlbetin
ONE VERY IMPORTANT POINT
AS A FRENCHMAN I WILL NEVER SURRENDER IS THAT CLEAR
lol.
Originally posted by jlbetin
ONE VERY IMPORTANT POINT
AS A FRENCHMAN I WILL NEVER SURRENDER IS THAT CLEAR
I'm sorry sir where is the paint to write POW on my back, and could be kind enough to give me the path to the prison camp,
no I can get there alone with my other comrades, your are very kind
THXS
Der Wandsurrender ouarf LOL :D
LOL...
Originally posted by Mantis
And then ER beats me to the post by 15 seconds... lol
LaPalice, I can virtually guarantee that there will be a slot for you soon. Thanks for stepping up!
I can still use a whole mess of people to round out my list - any takers?
Ok, thank you. I'm going to wait patiently the opportunity.
La Palice.
ER_Chaser
12 May 03, 18:14
Originally posted by tigersqn
Here is Rethel 40.
Thanks a lot, man! :)
Ok, I edited the original pairings to reflect the change between ER and Wolf.
Triaxe and Viridomaros, I need you to hold off on starting your game of 2 Weeks in Normandy. Brett is making some changes to the scenario to ensure a better balance. I'm in touch with him through emails and the board, and will get you either an updated or test scenario as soon as possible.
Evileye_xc
13 May 03, 06:18
Could someone really nice post up the Bluecoat scenario for me please.
Evileye :freak:
I have started the first game of Bastonge '44 as the Germans.
Originally posted by Mad Cow
I have started the first game of Bastonge '44 as the Germans.
I've received Mad cow start turn, I will open too as German and reply him as US
Let's go, and pray for me
Der Wanderturn1
This question may very well be answered in the thread already but I can't be bothered to review the whole thing. :halo:
Where would you like the AARs of the playtests sent ?
On the forum ? Or e-mail directly to you ?
Also, would you like separate AARs for each turn ? Or just one complete AAR after the game is over ?
:confused: :hmmm:
I just finished up a slew of games, so I am available to playtest... alternatively I can toy with shock in 2Win.
Originally posted by tigersqn
This question may very well be answered in the thread already but I can't be bothered to review the whole thing. :halo:
Where would you like the AARs of the playtests sent ?
On the forum ? Or e-mail directly to you ?
Also, would you like separate AARs for each turn ? Or just one complete AAR after the game is over ?
:confused: :hmmm:
Good question.
PLEASE, gents! KEEP the AARS on your own computer, and only submit them after the game is complete! I really do enjoy getting game updates illustrating your progress, but that would simply be too much information, and too much work trying to put them all together! I averaged about 60 messages today alone for WFHQ business. (!) AARs from 16 of you per turn would finish me! :)
Please post them on the forum as a single AAR, and ping me to let me know that it's complete, and I'll go and take it from there. If you need to make multiple posts (for screenshots, etc), just keep adding replies, so that it will all end up as one thread.
Thanx!
Originally posted by MikeJ
I just finished up a slew of games, so I am available to playtest... alternatively I can toy with shock in 2Win.
If you're willing, I'm expecting something from Brett sooner or later, and there's the chance that there might be some shock experimenting coming through. If you're willing, I'd like you to PBEM with jlbetin when Brett has something for us!
Up to it?
Evileye_xc
14 May 03, 04:56
Another question which may have already been discussed on here....
Having done this sort of thing before I think I pretty much know what I'm doing but for those of us with less experience it might be helpful if it's addressed here.
The compilation of AAR's is an integral part of the Playtesting process. Is there somewhere on the web explaining how one should compile these reports?
Perhaps a Masterclass in AAR writing could be posted, either in the forum on or the TOAW page of WarfareHQ.
Evileye :freak:
Originally posted by Mantis
If you're willing, I'm expecting something from Brett sooner or later, and there's the chance that there might be some shock experimenting coming through. If you're willing, I'd like you to PBEM with jlbetin when Brett has something for us!
Up to it?
Sounds good.
General Staff
14 May 03, 06:18
Just for the record:
1. I've played Rethel 40 (both sides) and think it's reasonably balanced.
2. Bastogne 44 I'm in process of playing a game as US (T8/12) and can keep you posted. Seems reasonably balanced- maybe somewhat pro-German. BTW there are two version- 1 by Bill Wilder for TOAW I+, the other by Al Sandrik. I'm playing the former.
3. 2WIN I've played each side and think it favours the Allies some pre-changes. Overall I think changing the marsh hexes west makes it (much?) more pro-Allied. I'm not sure the reduction in Allied Air compensates.
Hope this helps.
Evileye_xc
14 May 03, 06:27
OK so I should have checked out the new AAR Forum before posting my request for Guidelines!! :hush:
My Bad
Evileye :freak:
Originally posted by Mantis
Good question.
PLEASE, gents! KEEP the AARS on your own computer, and only submit them after the game is complete! I really do enjoy getting game updates illustrating your progress, but that would simply be too much information, and too much work trying to put them all together! I averaged about 60 messages today alone for WFHQ business. (!) AARs from 16 of you per turn would finish me! :)
Please post them on the forum as a single AAR, and ping me to let me know that it's complete, and I'll go and take it from there. If you need to make multiple posts (for screenshots, etc), just keep adding replies, so that it will all end up as one thread.
Thanx!
Hey les mecs
Send all AAR with TGA screen copy at each turn you test directly to Mantis adress, bury him with information with this message:
THIS IS WHQ LIBERATION FRONT WE WILL STOP ONLY IF MANTIS DELIVER ALL OF US 100 POINT FOR LADDER :D
Der WanderLaugh :laugh:
Originally posted by Mantis
If you're willing, I'm expecting something from Brett sooner or later, and there's the chance that there might be some shock experimenting coming through. If you're willing, I'd like you to PBEM with jlbetin when Brett has something for us!
Up to it?
OK for me
but don't forget to send me my 100 ladder points otherwise I bury you under my AAR :rifle:
Der WAnderterrorist
Originally posted by General Staff
Just for the record:
1. I've played Rethel 40 (both sides) and think it's reasonably balanced.
2. Bastogne 44 I'm in process of playing a game as US (T8/12) and can keep you posted. Seems reasonably balanced- maybe somewhat pro-German. BTW there are two version- 1 by Bill Wilder for TOAW I+, the other by Al Sandrik. I'm playing the former.
3. 2WIN I've played each side and think it favours the Allies some pre-changes. Overall I think changing the marsh hexes west makes it (much?) more pro-Allied. I'm not sure the reduction in Allied Air compensates.
Hope this helps.
Thank you!
Yes, please keep me informed on how Bastogne develops. Bill designs some pretty good scenarios, so I'm not surprised it's a good game. Also glad to see it's somewhat pro Axis, as I'm not looking for absolute truth to history here. Balance in a tourney is quite important.
Updated version of 2WiN are coming out, tweaked from playtests and such. Hopefully we'll get a balanced version! I believe Brett is going to drop Allied shock, and that should help things somewhat!
Originally posted by Evileye_xc
OK so I should have checked out the new AAR Forum before posting my request for Guidelines!! :hush:
My Bad
Evileye :freak:
:laugh:
Originally posted by jlbetin
Hey les mecs
Send all AAR with TGA screen copy at each turn you test directly to Mantis adress, bury him with information with this message:
THIS IS WHQ LIBERATION FRONT WE WILL STOP ONLY IF MANTIS DELIVER ALL OF US 100 POINT FOR LADDER :D
Der WanderLaugh :laugh:
Hahahahahahaha!!
:D
Mad cow and I, are on turn 4 on both game
Der Wanderturn4
Originally posted by jlbetin
Mad cow and I, are on turn 4 on both game
Der Wanderturn4
On Turn 5 now
first comments for my own
As US hold as much as you can, avoid encirclement and retreat slowly to Bastogne. Do lot of conter-attack.
As German manoeuver, my tactic is try to poket eastern units and destroy them. Then with unit reinforce wing movement north and south
Mad cow as German move north north-west as a big wing. He seems not to pocket at all cost my eastern troops. I try to move them westward, if possible.
Here are my 1st feelings
Der Wanderturn5
CyberRanger
15 May 03, 14:55
Now I know why Mad Cow has slowed down in sending turns to me!
If you need any more playtesters, I'll help. I am a novice to TOAW but not to gaming.
Great, I can guarantee I'll need you pretty quickly.
Originally posted by Mantis
Great, I can guarantee I'll need you pretty quickly.
Think about my Friend Lapalice :D
Der WanderFrench
Originally posted by jlbetin
Think about my Friend Lapalice :D
you have your 2 oponents
Der WanderFrench
bloody F** Clavier de merde
Sorry, I got a keyboard problem :D
Der WanderNervous
LaPalice and WestPointer, I have a situation that will be resolved in 2 days. This might require one or both of you to replace someone (games that didn't start, so no worries about getting into something half over). If not, you can start one together at that time.
Does that sound workable for you both?
CyberRanger
15 May 03, 16:39
Sure, let me know how I can help when the time is right.
Originally posted by Mantis
LaPalice and WestPointer, I have a situation that will be resolved in 2 days. This might require one or both of you to replace someone (games that didn't start, so no worries about getting into something hlaf over). If not, you can start one together at that time.
Does that sound workable for you both?
Ok for me too, you decide, I'm at your service :)
La Palice.
Originally posted by WestPointer
Now I know why Mad Cow has slowed down in sending turns to me!
If you need any more playtesters, I'll help. I am a novice to TOAW but not to gaming.
Yes, I know that too. My yankees wait patiently around the Willderness in front of his troops :)
La Palice.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by WestPointer
Now I know why Mad Cow has slowed down in sending turns to me!
If you need any more playtesters, I'll help. I am a novice to TOAW but not to gaming.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes, I know that too. My yankees wait patiently around the Willderness in front of his troops
La Palice.
It is normal Gents, he is fascinated by the superiority of a French mature BRAIN, in Tactical fight :D
:laugh: LOL mort de Rire ahahahahahahah
Der WanderSuperBrain
Originally posted by jlbetin
French mature BRAIN
Oxymoron?
:D
Originally posted by Mantis
Oxymoron?
:D
French Mature Brain
No Pleonasm or Tautology as you want LOL
Der WanderSuperCounscious
Originally posted by LaPalice
Yes, I know that too. My yankees wait patiently around the Willderness in front of his troops :)
La Palice.
Sorry, I am just swamped with games recently.
but I should be able to get each game done in two days.
I have 7 TOAW pbem games going and one Combat Mission PBEM operation.
The 2 playtest scenarios are almost finished, though, so things should pick up soon.
Originally posted by Mad Cow
Sorry, I am just swamped with games recently.
but I should be able to get each game done in two days.
I have 7 TOAW pbem games going and one Combat Mission PBEM operation.
The 2 playtest scenarios are almost finished, though, so things should pick up soon.
No problem, no problem.
I don’t play always regularly, and I need delays sometime.
La Palice.
Siberian HEAT
20 May 03, 10:28
ER, sorry for the delays. I am trying to stay afloat with a bunch of things I am doing...so it may be a bit before I can start Rethel.
:D
Originally posted by LaPalice
Ok for me too, you decide, I'm at your service :)
La Palice.
If I don't hear from Dagger5 sometime tomorrow, I'll need you to replace him. He's playing Foggy mattc@datacablenetworks.com
in a mirror round of MG off the CD. I'll drop a line to you tomorrow to let you know.
WestPointer, that leaves you on deck.
Dagger5, if you're still interested in playtesting when you get back on, drop me an email.
Originally posted by Mantis
If I don't hear from Dagger5 sometime tomorrow, I'll need you to replace him. He's playing Foggy mattc@datacablenetworks.com
in a mirror round of MG off the CD. I'll drop a line to you tomorrow to let you know.
All right, I wait tomorrow.
La Palice.
Siberian HEAT
20 May 03, 17:26
A change of plan. I have been recruited to the Overlord multiplayer game as the supreme commander of the allied forces...so I no longer have enough time to properly playtest Rethel. Can someone jump in for me and play/report on Rethel 40?
Thanks!
:clown:
Dammit, rofl!
I'm the one you're replacing in Overlord, and you drop this one for that one, and now I still have a problem! Bwahahahaha!
:laugh:
CyberRanger
21 May 03, 06:15
Originally posted by Mantis
WestPointer, that leaves you on deck.
Ready if needed!
Siberian HEAT
21 May 03, 08:29
Originally posted by Mantis
Dammit, rofl!
I'm the one you're replacing in Overlord, and you drop this one for that one, and now I still have a problem! Bwahahahaha!
:laugh:
I know! It's crazy. :nuts:
La Palice, can you please take HEAT's spot in Rethel '40? His opponent is ER Chaser. Brian, do you have any files from ER to send? ER, perhaps you could forward your turn to La Palice, if you've started?
WestPointer, it should only be a day or so... ;)
Siberian HEAT
21 May 03, 10:31
ER sent me his first turn and that is as far as we got. :cry:
If ER can't get the file to him before tonight I can forward that on to La Palice.
Originally posted by Mantis
La Palice, can you please take HEAT's spot in Rethel '40? His opponent is ER Chaser. Brian, do you have any files from ER to send? ER, perhaps you could forward your turn to La Palice, if you've started?
WestPointer, it should only be a day or so... ;)
I sent an email th ER Chaser. If it's ok for him, it's ok for me.
La Palice.
ER_Chaser
21 May 03, 19:43
haha... but first of all, may I speak about a bit of my "complaint"? :) ... this idea of "sticky" threads works pretty bad on my machine... usually I cannot see the title clearly (vs. normally clear) ---- a group of messy unicode shows up instead. So I usually jump over thse topics... sicne i have no idea what they are talking about ....
As some frequently visited topics by the setting of the forum will show up at the top automatically, so is it ok for us to just leave those frequently used topics as normal? And only label those lesss responded by containing useful info for common references to be sticky? (as FAQ stuff..) ... thx.... :)
OK, ... due to that reason, I really spend a while to find this thread :D .... and see all what is going on ... indeed, I got emails from all of you and I already sent my turn back to our french friend :) (sorry for misspelling your name in my email ;p)
And Gen. HEAT ---- hey, see how easily I scared ya away? whoah.. :D ...
;)
Unstuck. 2 out of 3, as a matter of fact. ;)
Apologize for not keeping on top of the playtesting responsiblities that I'd volunteered for. Foggy and I have crossed LD/LC and the US Airborne, British Paras and German Panzers all report taking heavy fire . . . Speaking of AARs, what do folks recommend for taking screen shots?
thanks,
Dagger5
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