Carentan

hmmmmmm squared

hmmmmmmm

Craig, Leave my Shermans alone! Shame on you beating up on a newbie like this Joe

Kind souls in the CMHQ Annex chat room steered me to read Michael Doubler's Closing with the Enemy for insight into ETO tactics, and I have been tearing into it the last few days. So far, I'd have to report that it is definitely giving me food for thought that can improve my techniques once CM arrives. Has anyone else here read this book? I got mine from Amazon, and the paperback was very inexpensive. I also got Balkoski's Beyond the Beachhead, but haven't started it so far. Joe

I'm just speculating here, but since BTS has outsourced the shipping of the game, I'd doubt anything's going to come autographed. Heck, I'd enjoy a signed copy too, just to commemorate their achievement, but I think we'll have to be content with the sounds of battle Joe

Right-o, mate.

OBG, what I did was remove the drivers from Device Manager tab, shut down, change cards... THEN power-up and let plug n play take over. Joe

I d/l'd the Steel Beasts demo, but it just reminded me that modern combat isn't my bag. Am I the only one that can't get into the wars after WW2? jOE

I, like Bill, live on the Eastern Shore... but I'd go mobile or host if a bunch of CMaholics wanna gather. Joe

OT yes... but will E2150 have a random map/skirmish mode? Joe

29908375

In CE I try to get control of the middle houses when playing as the Amis, but sometimes 2 squads do strange footwork in the same building. Typically, one moves and the other seems to be trying to get out of the way by walking into open ground only to draw painful fire. Then they switch roles. But the net effect is that I can't control the situation as they're cut to ribbons. How do I avoid this? Never use more than 1 squad in a house? Carentan

I think it would be key to get Rich over at Gone Gold on the bandwagon. He does free giveaways, and I'd think Steve might want to spare a contest copy to get some play. Plus, Gone Gold's a helluva good site.

OH CRAP, I won't have it for vacation after all...

Lobo, I went for the Dell Inspiron 5000, and I would buy it again in an instant! My graphics card is an 8mb ATI, and it handles the latest games, including CM, with ease. Because I did a coupla upgrades tho, my cost came in at 2,100... but if you can drift off budget by a hundred bucks, you're gonna be one happy wargamer

Oh, she fairly well accomodates the addiction. What's interesting about this game is that I've been talking about how special it is since I discovered it last year. She's impressed by how I told her that Steve and Charles are self-publishing, etc. So, I think I'll have 2-3 undisturbed hours each morning to play, not to mention all the hours while she wants to tan on the beach. This is shaping up to be my best vacation ever. What about the rest of you guys? How are you prepping employers and family for this upcoming event?

A glance at the refrigerator calendar today reminds me that the wife and I leave on June 4th for a week's vacation in North Carolina's phenomenal Outer Banks. Imagine me now, out on the spacious deck, overlooking the stunning Atlantic. It's 7 a.m. and I have a steaming cup of coffee at my side - and my brand new Dell laptop is humming with Combat Mission. I know we're all pretty excited about the game's release, but can it get much better than that? No, I'd say that borders on divine intervention.

Outstanding idea, Lorak! I'm signed up and already hangin' out in the live chat room

I believe that the two questions here have remarkably divergent answers. As to why I personally enjoy wargaming, I'd guess that it's equal parts fascination with equipment (weaponry too) and a keen interest in how the players on the stage respond to the challenge. Outside of the occasional wargame, I consider myself quite civilized and one of the least aggressive folks I know. The question of why nations war is infinitely complex, but I can bet that it isn't for the same reasons that I enjoy an evening of West Front. No, I think the two issues are only distantly related. Boy, I sure hope so

Steve and Charles, we salute you for all the hard work and wringing of hands that you have put into this game. I'm not experienced in software development, so I keep my mouth shut when it comes to asking for release date projections, etc. It's capably in your hands, and I'm more than comfortable with that. Progress updates, like the one you just kicked out to us, are fun for us privates in your army. They let us know what's going on in your labor of love. They make us feel part of the operation, and give us objectives for which to root. I hope you'll do this form of offhand updating more regularly. It's a nice touch... one of the many special things that have allowed BigTime to outdistance its competition even before the game hits our hard drives! All the best, Carentan

I can't say enough great things about Cornelius Ryan's books. All are riveting, and I think he did good homwork. My favorite ETO tactical story is actually an Ambrose book, Pegasus Bridge. I recommend Ambrose more for his flair than his accuracy, but that can be good for a before-bed read, imo.

I'm 36 and my wife of 12 years is completely supportive of my habit for both wargaming and WW2 history. I retired from the finance field this year to become a full-time daytrader, and I have found this gives me alot more free time for my gaming passion. Consequently, I'm not getting my butt kicked quite as fast

I've been keeping my powder dry for just this discussion thread. I'm a dedicated buff of WW2 history, but I would hardly qualify for the title of "grognard." Therefore, most of the things that I benefit from in a wargame manual are fluffier than the penetration tables section. I think a logical (albeit unordered) series of chapters would include: Issuing Orders Viewing the Battlefield Tips & Techniques (including one or two tutorials wriiten with a Fionn-esque flair ) General discussion of effective use of unit types (Infantry, Armor, AT, etc.) Scenario design (I think very thoughtful discussions of operations, creation of a scenario/op from scratch and the wonders of the DYO would make me as happy as a pig in slop) I'm sure I will think of more headers/ chapter subjects worthy of inclusion, but off the top of my head I can imagine the topics that will offer me the least, too! Those would be: Tables of any obscure nature (my college major had to be re-written without pre-calculus just so I could graduate I'm math-dumb and some days making change is a struggle ) Historical setting (IMHO, this is the single most beaten-to-death manual stuffer known to the human race. Please spare me I already have Ambrose to tell me what I'm supposed to believe Pictures of guys operating an MG42 (seen a thousand already!) OK, that's my irreverant take on manual-dom. I am dying to make some self-gratifying contribution to this game that I have been awaiting. Alas, I imagine the wisdom of the already-assembled team puts my small offering to shame. Carry on! ------------------

Absolutely. Anyone email or ICQ me for a game. dowzup@dmv.com icq# 29908375

There are times when Moon, Fionn or BTS respond to questions with tidbits about features that actually send chills down my spine. And, there have been many times since October when I've cursed my wait for this game. There are days when I read forum posts for hours just to get my CM fix. But today it dawned on me. We are smack dab in the middle of some pretty intense foreplay here And I dig it!