Madmatt

Yup.

You are correct, but this is also the first time that its been *pushed out* as part of a formal patch, or demo release. So in that regard, its new. Madmatt

All Inclusive Uber Patch (v1.10.0.81) We are thrilled to announce the release of the highly anticipated Theatre of War Uber Patch. This add-on/patch not only adds two new campaigns (total of 18 new battles) to the game, but also includes a full Map Editor, Battle Generator, a new single player mission, new Multiplayer game modes and features as well as 11 new Multiplayer missions and maps plus many game fixes, improvements and performance optimizations. This Uber Patch will update your game to version 1.10.0.81. Please read below for important information about this patch. This patch is ONLY for the Battlefront.com release version of Theatre of War. It will not work with ANY other version! Performance and Stability Note: This patch includes various improvements to the game code to increase performance and stability for regular, hyper threading and multi-core CPU's as well as vast improvements and welcome changes to the Multiplay functions. License Helper Utility: If you have had problems with the eLicense program locking up on you in the past when you have tried to enter your license code, please browse into your game folder and double-click on the file called "ToW_Helper.exe", that should now allow the license system to function without freezing. You can also find a shortcut to this file located in the Start Menu under "Programs>Battlefront>Theatre of War>Utilities>License Helper Utility". Previous Patches Note: Previous Patches Note: This "All Inclusive Uber Patch" is indeed all inclusive (cumulative) and includes the same fixes and game content that was featured in all of the earlier released patches. This patch can be applied to ANY previous version of the game that was purchased DIRECTLY from Battlefront.com. It is not intended for the any other version of Theatre of War that is available (Russian language version, the versions published by Kalypso Media, Friendware or Anuman etc…)although patches for those versions will be released shortly as well. Old Save Games: Due to the changes in this patch, older save games will not work. You will have to restart any in-progress campaigns/battles. Vista Compatibility: Windows Vista is not officially supported in Theatre of War, however the 32 bit version of Vista does seem to run the game. The 64 bit version of Vista however will NOT run the Mission-Campaign Editor nor will it run the Battle Generator program. Patch version 1.10.0.81 List of changes New Components: </font> Map Editor with total capabilities of editing landscapes, roads, elevations, full object placement and more. Mission-Campaign Editor (improved for multiplayer missions and can be used in tandem with the new Battle Generator). Battle Generator (allows for easy creation of single and multiplayer missions with a minimum of effort). New Internet Game Browser functionality available from within the game (shows all currently hosted games on the internet and allows you to join them).</font> New Campaigns: </font> Battle of Moscow Campaign - 10 missions (newly updated) Battle of Normandy Panzer Lehr Campaign - 8 missions</font> New Missions: </font> New "Commando" single player mission</font> Multiplayer Gameplay Changes: </font>Countdown (time limited) missions added. Attack/Defense missions added. Added ability to play with both Human and AI controlled enemies. Added ability to select different "alliances" in the attack and defense areas. 11 Multiplayer missions added. Troop selection system changed. Now you can choose different units from a list of up to 20 different pre-assigned "armies" (force pools) instead of only getting one set of unites per side for each nation. 11 new Multiplayer maps added. Automatic attack or defense behavior introduced for the AI forces (when using the Battle Generator to make new battles). Now the player can play against several different AI's in multiplayer mode. Indicator of area selection introduced for a selected army. Loading and execution of multiplayer missions stabilized. Loading time reduced for multiplayer missions. Improved functions of the "Smooth Unit movement" option on client PC's during multiplayer games for less lag. Other known errors fixed.</font> General Changes: </font> Line of Sight system upgraded: Line of sight is now affected in a more realistic fashion by objects such as small shrubs, tree trunks and leaves among many other elements. Line of Sight tool implemented when giving "Attack", "Assault" and "Area Fire" commands. Green line indicates a clear area with unobstructed line of sight where the flora does not hinder fire; a red line shows an area of good sight without serious (but some) blockage; while a black line indicates places your units can’t see at all. Difficulty level system changed. At NOVICE level, the precision of enemy fire and damage inflicted by AI units were reduced slightly from previous levels. At the REGULAR level, your troops do not differ at all from the AI units and at VETERAN levels, the enemy units benefit from increased precision. All missions were modified to account for the newer Line of Sight system. An error related to the reloading of small arms fixed. Small arms can now be reloaded from all postures. An error related to uncontrollable coaxial machine-gun after breakdown of main weapon fixed. Non-destroyable coaxial machine-guns error fixed. Guidance system considering movement of object changed. Damage calculation system changed for impacts of rounds with base detonating fuses. Secondary damage calculation system updated. Errors related to game objects fixed. Size of Daimler Mk I and animation of its crew changed. Crew of Is-2 reduced to 4 men. Calculation of commander cupola hits modified. Some material of vehicles and other additional components changed from armor steel to metal. Gunnery damage pattern corrected. Damage pattern changed for armor shields and additional parts of the vehicles. Infantry ammunition load errors fixed. Model of the DShK mounted machine-gun amended. Vehicle burning time increased. Dependence between aiming accuracy and Gunner skill (for gunnery) and Accuracy (for small arms) changed. Freezing animations errors fixed. Errors related to losses of detachments and combat units when progressing through a campaign fixed. Infantry behavior in trenches improved. Air support behavior improved. Aiming at various parts of vehicles or infantry by AI-controlled combat units added. An error with Wz.34 armored car fixed. The game sound system has been improved. Movements of the vehicles and infantry in defense improved. Units are visible according to their reference data. Difficulty of several missions was adjusted. Some minor AI bugs corrected. Fire sectors for combat snow mobile NKL-26 and Polish Vickers tank were changed. Streamlined organization of various document files and utilities via new multi-tiered "Theatre of War" Program Group entry. Addition of new Battlefront.com Internet Browser Community Toolbar (installation optional, see below for more details on this new tool). Many other corrections and improvements throughout the game.</font> Earlier fixes from previous patches also included: * Map Editor Added (accessed via the builder.exe program or in the ToW Program Group shortcut "Map Builder") * A new 10 mission "Battle for Moscow 1941" Campaign Added. Accessed via the "Extra Campaigns" option in the Campaign List page * Various fixes and changes to earlier campaign missions * Improved logging functions to help with determining the causes of certain crashes * Hot keys for Unit Formations, Movement Modes, Hold Fire and Hold Position commands added * Better handling of the Reverse Command for vehicles, tanks, SPG's, armored cars and Artillery units * Various AI behavior changes to units implemented * Expanded sound system (hear sounds further away and louder in some cases) * Improved sounds * Waypoints added for units (hold 'shift' key when issuing movement orders to place waypoints) * Units no longer stop when they receive a new order * LOS tweaks - The visibility conditions through forest were changed * AI Targeting behavior tweaked so that they can better fire on Hull Down targets * Game speed acceleration/deceleration feature added (accessed via the "Change time speed" hotkey currently) * Fixed bug with the units boarding certain vehicles * Some Multiplayer load bugs during client loading were fixed (more fixes will be coming in future patches) * Fixed AT Guns not being able to have commands issued in some situations * Fixed Load Game/Save Game errors * Towsetup 'Autodetect' functions improved * Mission Editor "wrong application version error" bug fixed * Improvements to the gun towing process implemented * Units now better at holding position when they are in defensive positions * Various Mission Editor errors corrected * New "License Helper" utility (called ToW_Helper.exe) added to help those that had issues with the eLicense program freezing or locking up in the past (see note below) * New manual "Unlicense" short cut added to game program group (to unlicense game without uninstalling) * Extensive improvements to Performance and Stability Battlefront.com Internet Browser Community Toolbar: This new game patch includes the optional install of a new, and we think, exciting tool. This tool seamlessly attaches to your internet browser (currently Microsoft Internet Explorer and Firefox supported) and gives you instant access to Battlefront.com game news, patches, demos, chat channel as well as other popular browser toolbar *gadgets* such as realtime weather reports (unique to your hometown!), a spell checker and pop-up blocker. Fully user configurable and expandable, your new Battlefront.com Community toolbar unlocks the full potential of your internet browser to keep you connected with the ever-growing world of Battlefront.com games and resources! You can find more details on this new free utility here: Battlefront.com Community Browser Toolbar *** Download the All Inclusive Uber Patch from a variety of Mirror Sites here! *** [ January 28, 2008, 12:54 PM: Message edited by: Madmatt ]

All Inclusive Uber Patch (v1.10.0.81) We are thrilled to announce the release of the highly anticipated Theatre of War Uber Patch. This add-on/patch not only adds two new campaigns (total of 18 new battles) to the game, but also includes a full Map Editor, Battle Generator, a new single player mission, new Multiplayer game modes and features as well as 11 new Multiplayer missions and maps plus many game fixes, improvements and performance optimizations. This Uber Patch will update your game to version 1.10.0.81. Please read below for important information about this patch. This patch is ONLY for the Battlefront.com release version of Theatre of War. It will not work with ANY other version! Performance and Stability Note: This patch includes various improvements to the game code to increase performance and stability for regular, hyper threading and multi-core CPU's as well as vast improvements and welcome changes to the Multiplay functions. License Helper Utility: If you have had problems with the eLicense program locking up on you in the past when you have tried to enter your license code, please browse into your game folder and double-click on the file called "ToW_Helper.exe", that should now allow the license system to function without freezing. You can also find a shortcut to this file located in the Start Menu under "Programs>Battlefront>Theatre of War>Utilities>License Helper Utility". Previous Patches Note: Previous Patches Note: This "All Inclusive Uber Patch" is indeed all inclusive (cumulative) and includes the same fixes and game content that was featured in all of the earlier released patches. This patch can be applied to ANY previous version of the game that was purchased DIRECTLY from Battlefront.com. It is not intended for the any other version of Theatre of War that is available (Russian language version, the versions published by Kalypso Media, Friendware or Anuman etc…)although patches for those versions will be released shortly as well. Old Save Games: Due to the changes in this patch, older save games will not work. You will have to restart any in-progress campaigns/battles. Vista Compatibility: Windows Vista is not officially supported in Theatre of War, however the 32 bit version of Vista does seem to run the game. The 64 bit version of Vista however will NOT run the Mission-Campaign Editor nor will it run the Battle Generator program. Patch version 1.10.0.81 List of changes New Components: </font> Map Editor with total capabilities of editing landscapes, roads, elevations, full object placement and more. Mission-Campaign Editor (improved for multiplayer missions and can be used in tandem with the new Battle Generator). Battle Generator (allows for easy creation of single and multiplayer missions with a minimum of effort). New Internet Game Browser functionality available from within the game (shows all currently hosted games on the internet and allows you to join them).</font> New Campaigns: </font> Battle of Moscow Campaign - 10 missions (newly updated) Battle of Normandy Panzer Lehr Campaign - 8 missions</font> New Missions: </font> New "Commando" single player mission</font> Multiplayer Gameplay Changes: </font>Countdown (time limited) missions added. Attack/Defense missions added. Added ability to play with both Human and AI controlled enemies. Added ability to select different "alliances" in the attack and defense areas. 11 Multiplayer missions added. Troop selection system changed. Now you can choose different units from a list of up to 20 different pre-assigned "armies" (force pools) instead of only getting one set of unites per side for each nation. 11 new Multiplayer maps added. Automatic attack or defense behavior introduced for the AI forces (when using the Battle Generator to make new battles). Now the player can play against several different AI's in multiplayer mode. Indicator of area selection introduced for a selected army. Loading and execution of multiplayer missions stabilized. Loading time reduced for multiplayer missions. Improved functions of the "Smooth Unit movement" option on client PC's during multiplayer games for less lag. Other known errors fixed.</font> General Changes: </font> Line of Sight system upgraded: Line of sight is now affected in a more realistic fashion by objects such as small shrubs, tree trunks and leaves among many other elements. Line of Sight tool implemented when giving "Attack", "Assault" and "Area Fire" commands. Green line indicates a clear area with unobstructed line of sight where the flora does not hinder fire; a red line shows an area of good sight without serious (but some) blockage; while a black line indicates places your units can’t see at all. Difficulty level system changed. At NOVICE level, the precision of enemy fire and damage inflicted by AI units were reduced slightly from previous levels. At the REGULAR level, your troops do not differ at all from the AI units and at VETERAN levels, the enemy units benefit from increased precision. All missions were modified to account for the newer Line of Sight system. An error related to the reloading of small arms fixed. Small arms can now be reloaded from all postures. An error related to uncontrollable coaxial machine-gun after breakdown of main weapon fixed. Non-destroyable coaxial machine-guns error fixed. Guidance system considering movement of object changed. Damage calculation system changed for impacts of rounds with base detonating fuses. Secondary damage calculation system updated. Errors related to game objects fixed. Size of Daimler Mk I and animation of its crew changed. Crew of Is-2 reduced to 4 men. Calculation of commander cupola hits modified. Some material of vehicles and other additional components changed from armor steel to metal. Gunnery damage pattern corrected. Damage pattern changed for armor shields and additional parts of the vehicles. Infantry ammunition load errors fixed. Model of the DShK mounted machine-gun amended. Vehicle burning time increased. Dependence between aiming accuracy and Gunner skill (for gunnery) and Accuracy (for small arms) changed. Freezing animations errors fixed. Errors related to losses of detachments and combat units when progressing through a campaign fixed. Infantry behavior in trenches improved. Air support behavior improved. Aiming at various parts of vehicles or infantry by AI-controlled combat units added. An error with Wz.34 armored car fixed. The game sound system has been improved. Movements of the vehicles and infantry in defense improved. Units are visible according to their reference data. Difficulty of several missions was adjusted. Some minor AI bugs corrected. Fire sectors for combat snow mobile NKL-26 and Polish Vickers tank were changed. Streamlined organization of various document files and utilities via new multi-tiered "Theatre of War" Program Group entry. Addition of new Battlefront.com Internet Browser Community Toolbar (installation optional, see below for more details on this new tool). Many other corrections and improvements throughout the game.</font> Earlier fixes from previous patches also included: * Map Editor Added (accessed via the builder.exe program or in the ToW Program Group shortcut "Map Builder") * A new 10 mission "Battle for Moscow 1941" Campaign Added. Accessed via the "Extra Campaigns" option in the Campaign List page * Various fixes and changes to earlier campaign missions * Improved logging functions to help with determining the causes of certain crashes * Hot keys for Unit Formations, Movement Modes, Hold Fire and Hold Position commands added * Better handling of the Reverse Command for vehicles, tanks, SPG's, armored cars and Artillery units * Various AI behavior changes to units implemented * Expanded sound system (hear sounds further away and louder in some cases) * Improved sounds * Waypoints added for units (hold 'shift' key when issuing movement orders to place waypoints) * Units no longer stop when they receive a new order * LOS tweaks - The visibility conditions through forest were changed * AI Targeting behavior tweaked so that they can better fire on Hull Down targets * Game speed acceleration/deceleration feature added (accessed via the "Change time speed" hotkey currently) * Fixed bug with the units boarding certain vehicles * Some Multiplayer load bugs during client loading were fixed (more fixes will be coming in future patches) * Fixed AT Guns not being able to have commands issued in some situations * Fixed Load Game/Save Game errors * Towsetup 'Autodetect' functions improved * Mission Editor "wrong application version error" bug fixed * Improvements to the gun towing process implemented * Units now better at holding position when they are in defensive positions * Various Mission Editor errors corrected * New "License Helper" utility (called ToW_Helper.exe) added to help those that had issues with the eLicense program freezing or locking up in the past (see note below) * New manual "Unlicense" short cut added to game program group (to unlicense game without uninstalling) * Extensive improvements to Performance and Stability Battlefront.com Internet Browser Community Toolbar: This new game patch includes the optional install of a new, and we think, exciting tool. This tool seamlessly attaches to your internet browser (currently Microsoft Internet Explorer and Firefox supported) and gives you instant access to Battlefront.com game news, patches, demos, chat channel as well as other popular browser toolbar *gadgets* such as realtime weather reports (unique to your hometown!), a spell checker and pop-up blocker. Fully user configurable and expandable, your new Battlefront.com Community toolbar unlocks the full potential of your internet browser to keep you connected with the ever-growing world of Battlefront.com games and resources! You can find more details on this new free utility here: Battlefront.com Community Browser Toolbar *** Download the All Inclusive Uber Patch from a variety of Mirror Sites here! *** [ January 28, 2008, 12:52 PM: Message edited by: Madmatt ]

The version for sale by Battlefront.com should never been found in a PC shop so its unlikely that the version you have is either legitimate or one that uses the elicense system. We only support versions purchased DIRECTLY from us online. Madmatt

Well kinda depending on what you mean by a MP lobby. The game itself now offers a Theatre of War Game browser function that allows to you review all the currently hosted ToW games on the net, but you have to join one to get into that specific games lobby and chat with the players for that battle. You can also install the new Battlefront.com Community Toolbar which adds a customizable toolbar to your internet browser. One of the embbed apps with that toolbar is access to our new global Chat room. While there is not a dedicated ToW chat lobby as yet, we are looking at adding new functionality to the aforementioned Toolbar add-on and we hope to add all sort of new chat functions. So what you ask for is a possibility and something we do want to do. Madmatt

Oh, and it was kinda fun playing the game as two players at once. I am luckly that my monitor has Picture in Picture ability so i could keep track of both *games* at once. Handling two mice and two keyboards on my desk at one time was a little more difficult. And for those wondering about the technical details of the MP match JMayer speaks about, he was hosting and even though I was connecting from two of my home PC's at once via the same internet connection, I didnt getting any game lag at all on either system and neither did Elvis (who was also playing). You guys really wont believe how much better MP matches are now! Madmatt

Heheheh, that was too much fun! I want to point out a few details as well that we haven't really spoken about yet either. All of the new MP battles have been updated to now allow you to select from a variety of different "force pools". What that means is that while in the past if you played a specific battle and played as for instance Germans, you always were offered only the same set of units. Now, each MP battle offers up to a total of TWENTY different taskgroups for you to choose from! And with the Battle Generator Program, you can now make your own new MP battles and create your own taskgroups for players to choose from. Lets not forget that with all the other updates to the Multiplayer gameplay, you can now combine AI forces with human players. With the Battle Generator you can even assign units from the same "alliance" (friendly to one another) different objectives in a given battle. By combining the Battle Generator with the Mission - Campaign Editor you can unlock even more advanced features and when you get tired of playing over the same 50+ maps or so already included with the game, feel free to use the updated Map Editor to modify and create your own! Okay, I could go on and on about the new patch and what it offers, but I need to finish getting this baby ready for you. I know the wait has been long but its almost at an end! Madmatt [ January 27, 2008, 02:59 PM: Message edited by: Madmatt ]

Battlefront is my full time career and my internet is compensated for, but paying for a higher tier for uploads has rarely ever been needed and is considerably more expensive than my current level of service which is suffecient. Madmatt

Sadly, one of the reasons that the patch probably won't surface until Monday as opposed to tomorrow is due to my woeful upload speeds. I can download like a bat outa hell but uploads are slower than snot and when dealing with files in excess of a gig in size, things move about as fast as a glacier... Also, I appreciate some of the comments above. You are correct, I am the Project Lead from the Battlefront side but when it comes to stuff like patches and finalizing releases my word is law and I am given great latitude to do things as I see fit and even 1C listens. I would like to add that they have been great to work with and my enthusiasm for Theatre of War has never faltered and is strong now as it was when I first heard they were shopping around for a new publisher and we all thought it would be a pipe-dream to get to work on a game like this! Be nice if 1C would let me get a sneak peak at Oleg Maddox's new Battle of Britain flight sim though.... Oleg? Can you hear me? Please?!???? Madmatt

Looks like I might have spoken out of turn about the Vista compatability as 1C mentioned in the docs that only XP was supported, but that was only mentioned in the Map Editor manual. I know that the old Mission Editor did work in Vista 32 but I need to check to see if the new Map Editor and Battle Generator programs work under Vista 32 or not. Also, looks like we aren't going to make a Friday release after all. Everything is basically done with the patch files, but getting the installer made and synching up with the various file mirrors is probably going to mean the patch won't be available until Monday. I am going to keep working on all of this tonight and tomorrow though so anything is possible. Rest assured though, the patch will be out to you just as soon as humanly (or madmattedly) possible. Madmatt

It works with Vista fine, it just doesn't work with Vista 64, and thats because MS hasn't yet (and its unclear if they ever will) fixed their 32 bit .Net Framework support in Vista 64. Madmatt

I have been posting updates in one of the other threads on the forum, but here is the latest news for those that missed it... Good news, looks like we got the Internet Game Browser working as well and that was the only thing I wanted to fix before the patch was signed off on. Now I just need to give the docs a final once over and then build the patch installer itself. Does this mean the patch will be released tomorrow? Well, its certainly possible but due to the large size of the file itself and the normal time delay between when I send the files and info to the mirror sites and when they actually announce the patch, its probably more than likely that if I can finish up everything on my end tonight/early tomorrow (which I am busting my butt to do) the patch will probably not start popping up on sites until Monday although some mirror sites have people that work late on Fridays so it could be up by then as well. Now, thats all based on prepping the final files today and since its already after business hours in Moscow and I want 1C to have one last look it could take a couple more days. BUT, the good news is that everything looks to be working fine and any delays now are purely logistical ones, not technical. More news as I get it... Madmatt

Good news, looks like we got the Internet Game Browser working as well and that was the only thing I wanted to fix before the patch was signed off on. Now I just need to give the docs a final once over and then build the patch installer itself. Does this mean the patch will be released tomorrow? Well, its certainly possible but due to the large size of the file itself and the normal time delay between when I send the files and info to the mirror sites and when they actually announce the patch, its probably more than likely that if I can finish up everything on my end tonight/early tomorrow (which I am busting my butt to do) the patch will probably not start popping up on sites until Monday although some mirror sites have people that work late on Fridays so it could be up by then as well. Now, thats all based on prepping the final files today and since its already after business hours in Moscow and I want 1C to have one last look it could take a couple more days. BUT, the good news is that everything looks to be working fine and any delays now are purely logistical ones, not technical. More news as I get it... Madmatt

We had a slight delay while we were waiting on a few files back from 1C but we got those over the weekend and my testers are once more looking over the patch before I sign off on it and compile the final patch installer program. The uber-patch WILL include the Mission Generator and will also include the new "internet game search" function although that may not be fully active at the time of the patches release. Let me clarify, what this new system does is basically search a Master Server for a list of all currently hosted and joinable ToW games. Now this list is hosted on one Master server so every time you begin an internet based game you send this server a quick notification to say "Hey! I got a game here!". Now, the problem is that we may not be able to have this Master server online before the patch is released. So if you try and search for any games the list will just say it couldn't locate the Master Server. This doesnt keep you from PLAYING, HOSTING or JOINING an IP based game at all, just like you always have. You can still enter in any IP address of a hosted game. It just means that the handy-dandy search function that would allow you to SEE all the available games currently on the net won't be fully active until we get the Master server online. So, if all goes well, the patch could be ready by the end of the week. For now, let my guys hammer away for a few more days and you should have it soon! Madmatt

While individual scenarios and campaigns are balanced for enjoyable play, the stats for individual units and vehicles are not and are kept as historically accurate as we could make them, given the confines of a game. The game does have three difficulty levels though. With the new upcoming patch, if you play at Easy level, your units accuracy and damage is increased slightly compared to the AI. At Normal, everything is the same and at Veteran level (because some people seemed to be beating the game rather easily at this level) you will find the AI has become, by and large, more accurate at gunnery. Madmatt

It looks like we should be able to include the Battle Generator for a delay of only a few more days. As such, we are hoping that we can release the patch NEXT week as opposed to this one BUT it will have the Battle Generator included. If we find any issue between now and the weekend though, we will just release the patch without the Battle Generator and then add that later. This is all tenative, but figured you would like to know where things are at the moment. Madmatt

Quickie Update: It looks like we are going to try and release the patch WITH the Battle Generator and hope to have it ready NEXT week. Since it only means an additional delay of a few days for a HUGE gain in overall patch contents, we think its worth it. I will know more in the next 24 hours or so. Madmatt

Yeah, we can do that. Here is a rough draft of the patch feature list. I haven't proofed and edited the text fully yet (its still in 1C-English) but it contains the main items. We are still trying to decide if the patch release will include the all new Battle Generator program or not, thats why the feature list below doesn't mention it yet. List of changes New components: 1. Map editor with new capability of editing landscape, roads, etc. 2. Mission editor (improved for multiplayer missions) New campaigns 1. Battle of Moscow (was presented in second edition, now updated according to new line of sight system); 2. Battle of Normandy (battles including elite German armoured division Panzer Lehr). MULTIPLAYER 1. Countdown (time limited) missions introduced. 2. Attack/defense missions introduced. 3. Choice between PC and ally enemies introduced. 4. Selection of alliance in attack and defense areas introduced. 5. 11 multiplayer missions added. 6. Troop selection system changed. Now you can choose troops from up to 20 armies list instead of countries list. 7. 11 new multiplayer maps designed. 8. Automatic attack or defense generator introduced for computer armies. 9. Now one player can play against several AI in multiplayer mode. 10. Indicator of area selection introduced for a selected army. 11. Loading and execution of multiplayer missions stabilized. 12. Loading time reduced for multiplayer missions. 13. Smooth movement of units for client PC. 14. Known errors fixed. General changes: 1. Line of sight system changed: The line of sight farther then several meters from the player, can be blocked by bushes, trees, etc; 2. The indicator for line of sight implemented when giving orders "Attack", "Assault" and "Fire position". Green line indicated clear area, where flora do not hinder fire; a red line shows an area of good sight without obstacles; while black line indicates places your units can’t see. 3. Difficulty level system changed. At easy level precision of enemy fire and damage inflicted by enemies were reduced. At normal level your troops do not differ from enemies and veteran level provides increased precision of enemy fire. 4. All missions were improved for correct work with new line of sight; 5. An error related to reloading all small arms fixed. Now it can be reloaded regardless of position. 6. An error related to uncontrollable coaxial machine-gun after breakdown of main weapon fixed. 7. Non-destroyable coaxial machine-guns error fixed. 8. Guidance system considering movement of object changed. 9. Damage calculation system changed for impacts of rounds with base detonating fuzes. 10. Secondary damage calculation system changed. 11. Errors related to game objects fixed. 12. Size of Daimler Mk I and animation of its crew amended. 13. Crew of Is-2 reduced to 4 people. 14. Calculation of commander’s cupolas hits changed. 15. Material of vehicles and some other additional components changed from armor steel to metal 16, Gunnery damage pattern corrected. 17. Damage pattern changed for shields and additional parts to the vehicles. 18. Infantry ammunition load errors fixed. 19. Model of DShK mounted machine-gun amended. 20. Vehicles burning time increased. 21. Dependence between aiming accuracy and Gunner skill (for gunnery) and accuracy (for small arms) changed. 22. Freezing animations errors fixed. 23. Errors related to losses of detachments and combat units when progressing through a campaign fixed. 24. Infantry behavior in trenches improved. 25. Air support behavior improved. 26. Aiming at various parts of vehicles or infantry by AI-controlled combat units introduced. 27. An error with Wz.34 armored car fixed. 28. The game sound system improved. 29. Movements of the vehicles and infantry in defense improved. 30. Units are visible according to their reference data; 31. Difficulty of several missions was changed; 32. Some minor AI bugs corrected; 33. Fire sectors for combat snow mobile NKL-26 and polish Vickers tank were changed. 34. Other corrections and improvements. Remember, this is a RAW list, but its pretty close to final. Madmatt

Me too! But we will know for sure by next week and I will be sure and let you guys know the plan. Madmatt

Okay guys, here ya go! Enjoy! The doc file is just 3 megs in size and does include some pics of the Battle Generator in action and what it will look like as you play with it! Click the link below to download the doc file. http://www.battlefront-store.com:8080/u.php?24 Madmatt

I know I know I know, I promised to make the docs available and then I disapeared! I'm sorry. I will have these docs ready for you by end of day today. I am still not sure if the Quick Battle Generator will be included in the Uber-Patch or not but we will be making that decission this weekend. It's REALLY cool though but I don't want you guys to wait much longer and since the files needed for that Quick Battle Generator are actually small, we might just release the Uber patch (hopefull as early as next week) without it, and then release the Quick Mission Editor (along with at least one other cool new feature) shortly after. Okay, enough chatter, let me get the docs uploaded to a place you can all see them and then I will post a link for you all to see them in THIS thread. Standby! Madmatt

One of the many new features added with the latest v1.05 patch were all new Dynamic Lighting effects. While they are shown at all times, the effect really makes night combat an all new experience. To help show off the new effects, we have prepared seven different short videos which highlight how these new visuals appear with armored vehicles, missiles, explosions, small arms fire and even burning tanks! The seven videos are all in .wmv format and vary in length and size. Combat Mission Shock Force Video Gallery Madmatt

I have a quickie update for you. Right now I am busy editing the new documentation for the Map Editor and some other text that 1C is providing with the patch. We are also trying to iron out some other last minute details as I mentioned before the holidays but things are going very well. You know how we don't like to post definite dates on patch releases, but it should not be too much longer. I realize thats really not anything new, but you guys have said before that you prefer to hear "something" rather than nothing, so there is my "something". Let me ask you this question though.. Although I can't say for sure yet if the program itself will be ready for the "uber-patch" release, how would you guys at least like to see the docs for the new Battle Generator program (with screenshots of it in action)? I could probably make that availble to ya quickly.... Madmatt

Once the new patch is released, I will open up a forum dedicated to mission building and design. Actually, I will probably just make it a joint MAP and Mission Editor type forum since the patch includes the awesome new Map Editor too. Madmatt