Slitherine

At the risk of sounding stupid: how do I start an online game playing as Allies? When I host a game I seem to become the Wehrmacht by default.

There is a switch to the left of the Scenario list, labelled "Allied/Axis" -- that should do it!

Thanks, it worked. Still a bit weird that I have to do it under single player settings though.

After some more multiplayer I have to say I'm still a bit perplexed about how this works.

First, in order to change the settings for a hosted multiplayer game (automatch via Gamcenter) you have to enter the singleplayer settings dialog, which means any saved singleplayer game will be lost.

Second, while the axis/allies switch has worked without problem for me the scenario choice seems to be random. I'm fairly sure I got "Luck of the Draw" (which was fun, but not my choice) when I selected something else, and "Race for the Meuse" doesn't seem to work in multiplayer at all.

Are these bugs or strangely implemented features? Apart from the above I'm loving it, great multiplayer experience with very chesslike feel.

Ah, sorry, I misread your first post.

The way automatch is implemented in Game Center is that IF someone else has already started an automatch game and is waiting for an opponent, you are automatically matched with them (you can't choose side or scenario, because they have already done it). If no one else has started play, then you get to choose the side/scenario (but then you have to wait for someone to pick up the other end).

If you invite a friend, on the other hand, you have complete control over the side/scenario.

Apple did add the capability in iOS7 to be more selective about game parameters in automatch (i.e. you could say you only want to play a particular scenario) - wasn't possible before. We are using this capability in Drive on Moscow and future games in the series which require iOS7 -- no way to retrofit to Bulge without excluding people on non-iOS7 devices.

Suggest playing with a friend (so you can agree on what to play) or finding someone on our forums -- lot's of people are looking for opponents!

Best,
Nick

Ok, I understand now. Thanks for the reply!