Please help me decide. Will AB 2 make AB obsolete? Is it really worth buying the complete collection of AB at this time, given the fact that AB 2 is going to be released in 2025?

I bought AB II in November but have yet to play it. It looks intimidating. I have noticed that the YouTube intro and tutorial videos for the first AB seem more geared for the total noob than the ones for AB II, so I am thinking of sinking time into the former's how-to play videos. Am I correct in assuming that most of the basic mechanics are the same in both versions and that I won't be wasting my time studying the AB tutorials?...

When I start up the game, I only see a black screen. I double-checked my graphics card, and it is currently updated. I also bought a new game, Armored Brigade 2, and I'm encountering a similar issue with it; it also shows a black screen when I try to launch it. Please advise...

Is it helpful to play and learn AB1 to help the learning curve for AB2?

The trailer is showing some pretty neat real life looking game footage. Is that part of the game or is it just not part of the game? A trailer should make it clear what is part of the game and what is not. We want to know what we are buying.