Darstand

Games I am waiting for, in no particular order. Reach for the Stars {it has been along time since a decent 4x game has come out} Neverwinter Nights {though I honestly don't think I am going to have time for this game} Warcraft 3 Wish lists are funny things though, at the beginning of this year I was waiting for Homeworld Star Fleet Command However I did not get them and bought Star Wars: Racer a game I though was going to be stupid. What I am playing now 1) Star Wars: Racer {a surprisingly fun and addictive game, the whole family likes this one} 2) Delta Force (occasionally) 3) Chain of Command (rarely)

I will start with a disclaimer; I am not an expert on China. Nor, am I to the best of my knowledge, Prejudice or Racist towards people of Chinese or Asian origin. The purpose of this post is to start a thoughtful discussion on the potential future. With the collapse of Communism is the USSR, the US is now the worlds only Super Power. However I believe that this situation will only continue for another decade or two at most. Here is why I think China will become the next super power Monetary: China has been a poor nation for a long time. However, thanks to a very liberal trade policy with the US, the Chinese are flourishing financially. In our greed to try and cash in on a consumer base of 1.8 billion people, we are supporting one of the most totalitarian governments in the world. Infrastructure: With this money the Chinese are building up their infrastructure. The PRC has committed 1 TRILLION dollars to building up their country. Military: Realize except for the rocket technology; most PRC army equipment is vintage WWII and Old Russian hand-me downs. Once again thanks to a large windfall of money; they are upgrading their military. Now currently under development is the X-31 a jet fighter equal to the F-14. Half of all money made from export to the US is believed to be spent on the military. Future Aggressors: a few of the major reasons I think they will be the ones to start the next major conflict. Water. They are running very low. All major cities are water rationing. Low resources; they are running out including farmland. Now look northward. Lots of land, tons of natural resources, plenty of water, ample room for an overcrowded populace. Please post your own thoughts here, on these subjects Is China the next Super Power? With China start the worlds next major conflict? "Writing posts to occupy my time while awaiting CM and the end of this very boring workday "-Darstand

A Few Thoughts I am far more concerned about our willingness to violate the Constitution and every Law in the land when we shoved US citizens of Japanese orgin into interment camps; Then I am about US GI's executing prisoners of War. War is the absence of morality. Trying to create rules for war is some strange European concept that never works. The real reason you want to treat prisoners well is that if you just shoot them or treat them terribly they are more willing to fight. Remember that Germans almost never surrendered to Russians. It is strange to me that religion which is supposed to be about peace and brotherly love. Is actually more about killing, maiming, and persecuting those who don't share your religion. And given in the Bible, Koran, and Torah the willingness of God to take sides and condone these actions only leads me to believe that Man has created God in his own image and not the other way around. [This message has been edited by Darstand (edited 10-06-99).]

This is purely an outside view but it seems difficult to keep track of what units have taken casualties, I believe you have to click on a unit to see if has taken a casualty. It also seems difficult to keep track of what units you have given orders to. And making sure that you don't have any units standing around twiddling their thumbs. [This message has been edited by Darstand (edited 10-06-99).]

Has there been any unit behavior that has suprised you? I guess what I am trying to ask is; has there been any times that you have leaned back in you chair and said "Wow, that was really cool, I didn't expect the AI to do that!"

What do you consider the three most tactical lessons you have leared from this game?

Are you out of arty now? That arty really tore up Moon. Good call. Glad to see you back. What do you consider the three most important tactical lessons you have leared from this game? [This message has been edited by Darstand (edited 10-01-99).]

"Since it is the same interface Charles & Steve have used to create Alpha scenarios, do you guys think the Beta testers are going to have a "full run" at scenario creation ???" From what I understand Charles and Steve are leting the beta testers create most of the scenerios for the game.

Smiley's What Smiley's I don't know what you are talking about ------------------ "Armchair Generals never lose any men"-Darstand

Another chance for everyone to express themselves. I am from Phoenix, AZ. The land of perpetual hot! We are still boiling through 100-degree temps. ------------------ "Armchair Generals never lose any men"-Darstand

I will state right up front that I have never owned a computer wargame. I have always enjoyed 4X games (explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate). My favorites Computer games. Civ 2 Master of Orion Mater of Orion 2 StarCraft (yes StarCraft) Before getting into computers. I did lots of role-playing. I was a serious role-player between 16 and 25 years old Favorite Role-playing games AD&D (of course!) WarHammer Fantasy Top Secret And a little known game called The Price of Freedom (Think Red Dawn) Wargames I have tried and liked but haven't played enough to call favorites. Star Fleet Battles (I was the master of single ship to single ship combat, but sucked with fleets.) WarHammer 40K (Fun, but the guys who owned the miniatures really took it too seriously) Civilization (an AH boardgame). CM is the first computer wargame I have ever been interested in. I think what attracts me most to CM is how real world tactics can be applied. I really like the 'we-go' system. And all seams to be packaged in an easy to use interface. edited for spelling ------------------ "Armchair Generals never lose any men"-Darstand [This message has been edited by Darstand (edited 09-27-99).]

Questions These are things I probably should know, but don't. I am a causal gamer who is interested in CM, so I don't know JACK. These questions apply only to the ETO Overlord Campaign. So please don't tell me about the Japanese, Russians, or early war. *What is the average US Army Squad and what did they carry? *There are three different types of German infantry, how are they different and what did they carry? *What is the composition of a US Platoon; how many men and what did they carry? Same question for the Germans. *What is the composition of a US Company; how many men and what did they carry? Same question for the Germans. *What is the composition of a US Regiment; how many men and what did they carry? Same question for the Germans. *What is a Panzerfaust? Did all German squads have one? How many rounds? What are the Specs? ------------------ "Armchair Generals never lose any men"-Darstand

" Most sceanrios will come from our testers. I know Fionn is cooking up Villers Bocage for sure, and that there will be several battles from the border battles. Martin also wants to do a bunch of scenarios from the Caen area if I am not mistaken. I will be doing a bunch of fictional battles as well. Oh, and Fionn is going to make up a bunch of "training" scearios. " This statement has me a little concered. It sounds as though you don't have a plan for the Single Player Game. A solid Single Player game is an absolute must. There should be a least 40 scenerios. Many of these scenrios part of Campaigns (a least 6). You have finished the hard part of building the mechanics of the game. Now a solid scenerio and campaign structure is required to showcase the game. ------------------ "Armchair Generals never lose any men"-Darstand

To keep myslef busy I have been playing Chain Of Command Fun and free, but after several months starting to lose interest. Delta Force My one and only FPS game, Fun but getting very tired of all the cheaters online. O Well fortunatly the Single player is fun, I just wish there was some sort of random battle generator. Homeworld I beta tested this one (its coming out Sep. 28), the game is visually beautiful, the interface is simply the best and easiest I have ever encountered. You fight in a fully 3D enviroment, SPACE! ------------------ "Armchair Generals never lose any men"-Darstand

I totally enjoy every AAR. I wish to extend my appreciation to Fionn & Martain for doing them. This demostration makes me want the game even more. Hurry up Charles and Steve I WANT THAT DEMO/GAME NOW!!!!!!!!! ------------------ "Armchair Generals never lose any men"-Darstand

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHhahahahahahahhahahahahah; ehem excuse me. That was funny. ------------------ "Armchair Generals never lose any men"-Darstand

http://www.cdmag.com/articles/021/039/combatm_preview.html This Preview is two months old; but those new to Combat Mission may not know about it. This where I first learned of CM. I think the Screenshots here does a lot more justice to the game than the ones found in the Battle Reports. I think it would be wise to put this link in the resources section. Preview and enjoy. Hmmmm looks like I deserve a stupidity award. This information can be found in the Reviews section of the site. I even knew that already, but forgot. I hope that excessive Zeal in the name of CM can be forgiven. ------------------ "Armchair Generals never lose any men"-Darstand [This message has been edited by Darstand (edited 09-03-99).]

Armchair Generals never lose any men. I think the defense of the town was done correctly. If you would have concentrated your troops too much in a few buildings; Martian would have simply put allot of arty fire into the buildings before assaulting (I am assuming this can be done). Your troops getting caught out in the open during Martians shelling was just bad luck. The only bonehead move I have seen is the counterattack you did as he assaulted the town. If Martian does seize the town, What is to keep you from using HE rounds from your FIVE Panthers, to level a few buildings. I am sure my ignorance is shining through here. ------------------ "Armchair Generals never lose any men"-Darstand [This message has been edited by Darstand (edited 09-01-99).]

Non Combat Mission related question. I have been researching the Close Combat series, looking for a game to hold me over until Combat Mission comes out. I can't decide between CC2 and CC3. I would like your opinion on these games. I want to get CC3 but I hear that the AI is incredibly weak do you know if this has been fixed (patched)?

Question Arty seems rather "POWERFUL". Is this mission an example of the amout of arty typicaly availible during a mission? I "thought" that Arty was more well known for suppressing troops then kiling them. On what referance material are the desingers basing the effectiveness of Arty?

Steve or Charles I have never seen a penetration chart before. Could you please take a little time to explain the chart.

Questions about programing The game seems small (in MB) Are you useing a low level of polygon counts? Or a low level of color such as 256? The email pakages seem very small, how are you guys doing this? Is there going to be a soundtrack, or is it just going to be the sounds of battle? I see that you are making this game for the Mac also. Are you using a lagauge that is some how common to both? Or writing two games at once? Or writing in one language then porting to the other?

Its discussions like this one that make casual war gamers like me, want to run for the hills

In the Tank battles Martian certainly seems to be getting the short end of the stick. Once is Happenstance, Twice Coincidence, Three time's enemy action. Maybe the bonuses for veteran crews are to high, maybe there is a bug, or of course maybe Reality is 3 Dimensional (Martian got really unlucky). I don't know the answer. Hopefully the programmer's with take another look at the code just to make sure every thing is correct.

Martian, This question comes under the heading of "Armchair Generals never loses any men". In the battle in which you lost the MG and then shortly afterward the whole rifle squad surrenders. In the picture it appears that there is a wall a few meters in front of your men. Why were not both units placed directly behind the wall, thus gaining cover? Especially your MG squad which seems to be hanging out in the middle of nowhere without cover.