Nothing really profound to say here -- just wanted to voice my tremendous appreciation to Calvinus and everyone at AGEOD who created this amazing game.
I actually bought WW1 Gold back in early 2010 (!). I've tried on several occasions since then to get into it, but I never managed to succeed. There is a *steep* learning curve with this game -- probably the hardest game I've ever tackled (including Grigsby's War in the Pacific and titles of similar complexity, and other Ageod titles as well). WW1Gold is a beast, no question.
Anyway, having some free time on my hands, I thought, "I'm going to give this game one more serious go" -- and for whatever reason, it's all come together. I feel like I finally "get it" -- still very much a newb, of course, but for the first time, I'm enjoying the game, feel like I'm in control of what I'm doing, have a sense of what to do, rather than just feeling baffled by what's going on, as in the past.
I find myself constantly amazed at the sheer ingenuity of this game. The scope and depth alone are incredible -- daunting to be sure, but incredible. But it's one thing to create a complex game -- it's quite another to create a complex game that allows for real flexibility in approach, that keeps you engaged and challenges you in ways that are interesting rather than just tedious. WW1Gold succeeds on all these fronts, and then some. The novel battle-resolution system is brilliant just in itself.
And I must say how impressed I am to find Ageod still supporting this game -- with just a new patch not too long ago. Just amazing commitment to your customers.
Well, if this post serves no other purpose, I hope someone out there who is interested in giving this game a try, but hasn't decided to do so yet, reads this and thinks, "OK, sounds good." I assure that person, it's worth the investment! (It will take time to figure out!! But it is definitely worth it.)
So, to Ageod -- Merci!