Fred

Mr, Hankey, not a different problem, but I have dozens of game saves to send, if someone needs some evidence of this bug. All we ask for is that a "t" order is a "t", and not a "k"... Fred

*** bumpity bump ***

... and I still think that this topic is more important than the rediculous "PENG" or "Hamsters" threads... Fred

Madmatt, first of all, I say "thank you" for answering. But, that was not very satisfying. "This is difficult to change", is , at least, difficult to believe, because this bug was invented in the last patches; it worked like a charm in the first versions of CM. We do not talk about the enemy AI uses of smoke; we talk about the own(!) unit use of smoke. If I want to HE shell an enemy inf unit I use the (t) "Target" order, and if I want to "smoke", I use the "K" ("smoke") order. So whenever I give a "t" order, why should my units use the "k" order instead? Charles was smart enough to invent a "k" order for smoking, and a "t" order for shelling. So, when I order a "t", as a player, I expect a "t", and not a "k". And, Madmatt, nothing against you (I LOVE CMHQ), but I realy would prefer to discuss this topic with someone that really designs the game, aka Steve or Charles... Fred [ 04-11-2001: Message edited by: Fred ]

Scooter, absolutely right, and so it is quite strange that Steve does not find the time to comment on it (even saying that it will not be fixed would be more than the silence). Btw, my solution worked; before playing a scenario, I now edit all tanks and guns/mortars on my side to zero smoke rounds; and now everything works like a charm and the enemy does not get any more help from my "smoke loveing" tanks and guns... Fred [ 04-09-2001: Message edited by: Fred ]

Juju, I hope you do not mind it, but what you think is not this important because this behavior is def a bug(read the other postings). And just saying "CMBO IS FINISHED" does not do the trick, at least not until someone from BTS explains why this bug is still in the game after a lot of bug reports from different customers...(BEFORE v 1.12)... And so I bump it again, and again...like it or not... Fred

**bump** more important than hamsters or the v0 of a 75 L/43

***bump to jump***

you are right russel, but the question if (or if not) this bug will be fixed still needs an official answer. Maybe Steve finds the time for at least a short note. Fred

It happened again. This time I just gave orders to a platoon to flank a enemy position in a small town. One US .50 cal MG (in a building) overwatched my approach path, but I saw no problem, because I gave 3 Pz IVs (around 400 m from the building) the order to HE shell the MG (all had clear LOS and no enemy engaged them). Guess what; ALL Pz IVs fired smoke rounds at the MG, round after round, so that the MG was obscured from the PZs view. My valiant platoon approached as ordered and then the shiny new .50 cal opened up...the assault failed, my platoon was annihilated and I lost the scenario. Thanks to a well known, often reported and nasty bug. Any words from BTS (at least a word why they did not fix it) so far? Before playing the next scenario, I will load it in the customizer and edit all my tanks and guns to zero smoke rounds. What a BS... Fred

*** bump ***

*** bump ***

Dittohead, but reducing the number of smoke rounds will not help; there are situations when you really need some smoke. I think, BTS should better fix this bug. Fred

Hello BTS, I'm surprised that the "firing smoke when not ordered" bug is still in the game. I've reported this bug 3 times; two times on this board and once via email to Steve. At least 8 or 9 other customers reported the bug too. I'm using v 1.12 (PC, PIII 800, GeForce 2 GTS, 128 MB RAM) Type of bug: Severe Frequency: Every scenario played, whenever an order to HE shell infantry is given Reproducable: Yes, in every scenario with tanks and/or guns. Description: 1. A veteran Pz IV was ordered to HE shell a british squad in a light building, 300 m away. The Pz IV was unbuttoned, has a clear LOS and no enemy was engaging the Pz IV. Execution: The very first thing the Pz did, was to cancel my order and fire 2 smoke rounds into the building; then, suddenly, he indeed used one HE shell (with good results) vs. the squad. Before firing the next shell, the smoke (that he fired before) obscured the vision to the squad, so no more fire happened. The smoke helped the enemy. 2. A crack 75 ATG (foxhole in woods) was ordered to HE shell a US MG some 400 m away. The ATG was not engaged by any enemy. Execution: The very first thing the ATG did, was to cancel my order and fire 3 smoke rounds into the building; then, suddenly, it indeed used one HE shell (with good results) vs. the MG. Before firing the next shell, the smoke (that he fired before) obscured the vision to the MG, so no more fire happened. The smoke helped the enemy. It goes on, and on, and on... Two major problems arise: a) The smoke almost always (90%) helped the enemy. When in real need(!) of smoke rounds later in the game, they are all gone for these nonsense fire missions! Conclusion: This is neither "smart AI behaviour", nor is it "war is hell and **** happens"; this is simply a serious bug in the Combat Mission code and should be fixed as such. This is the fourth time that I (and others) report this problem, and I really hope that this (the last severe bug in a now nearly flawless code) will be fixed soon. Fred (P.S. I post this message in the technical CM board and in the main CM board). [This message has been edited by Fred (edited 04-04-2001).]

Hello BTS, I'm surprised that the "firing smoke when not ordered" bug is still in the game. I've reported this bug 3 times; two times on this board and once via email to Steve. At least 8 or 9 other customers reported the bug too. I'm using v 1.12 (PC, PIII 800, GeForce 2 GTS, 128 MB RAM) Type of bug: Severe Frequency: Every scenario played, whenever an order to HE shell infantry is given Reproducable: Yes, in every scenario with tanks and/or guns. Descreption: 1. A veteran Pz IV was ordered to HE shell a british squad in a light building, 300 m away. The Pz IV was unbuttoned, has a clear LOS and no enemy was engaging the Pz IV. Execution: The very first thing the Pz did, was to cancel my order and fire 2 smoke rounds into the building; then, suddenly, he indeed used one HE shell (with good results) vs. the squad. Before firing the next shell, the smoke (that he fired before) obscured the vision to the squad, so no more fire happened. The smoke helped the enemy. 2. A crack 75 ATG (foxhole in woods) was ordered to HE shell a US MG some 400 m away. The ATG was not engaged by any enemy. Execution: The very first thing the ATG did, was to cancel my order and fire 3 smoke rounds into the building; then, suddenly, it indeed used one HE shell (with good results) vs. the MG. Before firing the next shell, the smoke (that he fired before) obscured the vision to the MG, so no more fire happened. The smoke helped the enemy. It goes on, and on, and on... Two major problems arise: a) The smoke almost always (90%) helped the enemy. When in real need(!) of smoke rounds later in the game, they are all gone for these nonsense fire missions! Conclusion: This is neither "smart AI behaviour", nor is it "war is hell and **** happens"; this is simply a serious bug in the Combat Mission code and should be fixed as such. This is the fourth time that I (and others) report this problem, and I really hope that this (the last severe bug in a now nearly flawless code) will be fixed soon. Fred (P.S. I post this message in the technical CM board and in the main CM board).

I'm just in the middle of the "Groesbeek" Campaign by Eric Tilley. This is a very good campaign ("Destroy" type), as it was built to keep the tension high. But, Hauptmann Kinkel (3. Sicherungskompanie), as Commanding Officer of this front, can tell it better... 17. September 1944, 14:00 My company had the task of securing the Nimwegen-Arnheim road. The Dutch underground was quite active in the last few weeks, and we are here to keep this important (and only) main road in this area free for traffic. Things do not look this good for us; we've seen column after column of beaten units pouring back into the Reich. If the Tommies and Amis keep up this speed, the war will be over on christmas. Suddenly Lt. Rannenberg came into the "Company HQ", the former Post Office of this little hamlet. "Herr Hauptmann! Paratroopers have landed! Americans,...we're surrounded!" Rannenberg was quite young for an officer, and he was assigned to my company only one month ago. His greatest fear was "to die, one day before the war ends". Unteroffizier Enders, commander of a HETZER tank destroyer, turned around. "What happened Herr Leutnant?" "A mass landing! Must be a whole division, two or 3 kilometers sw of here! They are coming! Division confirmed even more drops around Arnheim and Zon! I was at the radio, when the message came in!". "Leutnant; spread out the company in the houses near the road, Unteroffizier, board your tank...looks as if we have to keep them at bay..." I only had some 120 men, most of them green troops, a HETZER, a Pz IV tank destroyer and some Flak and Infantry Guns. I grabbed my MP40 and ran to the radio post. "Mueller, I need a connection with Regiment HQ or, better, Division HQ..." Five minutes later I talked to Oberst Rebmann from Div HQ, while outside the HETZER started its engine and moved into a covered position, 200 m away from the raised road. "Herr Oberst, we have confirmed enemy landings here, at least one regiment..." "Yes, I know this Herr Hauptmann. We have landings at every major road section and around important bridges. What a mess." "Herr Oberst, we need reinforcements, I only have an understrength Sicherungskompanie here, and this paratroops are the elite of the allies." "Calm down, Herr Hauptmann Kinkel! How comes, that all our officers are crying for reinforcements? HQ assigned a HETZER and even a Pz IV to your troops, not one week ago! What do you think we will send; a Panzer Division?!" "I'm sorry Herr Oberst, I..." "Enough! Listen; your task is to keep and retain control of the Groesbeek Heights, that overlook the main highway to Nimwegen, until you are relieved by forces of the 10 SS-Pz Div! And do not ask me, when they will be there!" I heard small arms fire, and it sounded quite near... "Herr Oberst, we will hold until relieved...they are here...over". I ran back to the company hq. "Situation, Obergefreiter!" "American paratroops are coming from the west, they already crossed the road Herr Hauptmann". I heard the sound of MG42 and 98k carbines, then the HETZER opened up fire... We ran on the streets, always covered by buildings we moved to the outskirts, where our squads in the houses were engaged with american troops on the raised road. Hell! They moved fast, even under the withering fire of a whole platoon they approached our position! How could I stop elite forces with these men? Brave they are, but unexperienced and short of ammo... "They are going for the ridge!", Lt. Rannenberg shouted. I ordered the Kuebelwagen to the house, as a loud sound made me look...the HETZER was immobilized; some Anti-Tank team destroyed its tracks. "Incoming! Take cover! Two seconds later, mortar rounds exploded all over our positions and silenced our right flank MG nest. Another squad retreats from the front houses to the rear, and their NCO was nowhere to see. "Stop! Keep your postions! Keep your positions!" The young private, maybe 17 or 18 years old, looked at me; I will never forget the look in his eyes...how could we win this war with kids! But they rallied and moved back to fight the Amis. Meanwhile the Pz IV 70 joined in and fired round after round of HE into the advancing paratroopers. I entered the Kuebelwagen and drove to the righ flank, only held by another kid platoon led by Lt. Uldall. It looks as if an american platoon, supported by numerous MGs, assaulted here. I left the Kuebelwagen outside the fire lanes and crawled to the foxhole, where Lt. Uldall just inserted another magazine into his MP 40. "Situation, Lt.", I asked him. "Herr Hauptmann, enemy soldiers tried to advance, but we hold them at bay!", he said proudly. Before I could answer, a bullet hit him in the head and he dropped down, his MP 40 still in his hands... I took cover and asked myself; ...will this never end? After assigning an NCO as the new platoon leader, I drove back...the american paratroopers were advancing all along the front...and I have nothing to counter them...the last message was, that my Flak gun was silenced by enemy mortar fire. (from notes found on a dead body, October 1944, near the city of Aachen). I can recommmend this operation, it is tough, tense, and a lot of fun! Fred [This message has been edited by Fred (edited 03-25-2001).]

bah, ya'all wrong... there never was a tank named Tiger II or King Tiger! That was all propaganda and psychological warfare! The truth is, in late 1944, Hartmut Tauf, a former carpenter and at this time working for the Propaganda Ministerium had an idea...all allied troops feared the Tiger (another hoax, as it was a Pz II with a wooden gun). His idea was to camouflage a Pz III as an Uebertank. The very first thing to do was to paint signs..."Uebertank" written on it. The allies were impressed. Next came the idea to use a lot of wood to cover the Pz III and to make it look bigger. So the legend of the Tiger II (or as Private Hitler called it "King Tiger") started. And it worked; all allied gunners were so impressed that they missed most of the time...no gunner would ever say he MISSED so it must be the 150mm armor...voila...le KÖNIGSTIGER.... Just another myth... Fred

yeah, Jeep rushes...I do like them! My veterans are not even able to say "wazzat", before Jeep after Jeep brews up...I do like those gamey moves. I remember when 2 of my Volkssturm squads hidden in woods annihilated 7 or 8 jeeps before the Jeep drivers even know how to spell "Volkssturm"... I like gamey moves...usually whenever one tried some of those smart tactics, they lost... Fred

Club, I see...but as long as everyone bows at every move some wannabee masters made, nothing will change. Someone could make a .ru website with ASL scenarios. What will Hasbro do? Trial in russia? I doubt it. They have WINDOWS beer in Minsk... They simply suxx...megacorps like Hasbro nearly made wargames vanish (take a look at SL...better known as SAW 2). And BTW Club....I have every Skorzeny scenario you ever made..hope there will be more ! Fred

hmm, maybe some polite(!) emails will show MMP and their masters from the lower planes what we think about their army of lawyers... for the people... Fred ------------------ "I got signals, I got readings, in front and behind of us!" - PFC Hudson on LV-426 mission

I have the same card from ASUS and after checking the detonator driver I switched back to the Asus driver. Even with 3D-Mark 2000 it only was about 1% faster with Detonator drivers. I only use the lowest FSAA setting (a compromise between speed and quality); if your setting is too high the text gets blurry. Fred ------------------ "I got signals, I got readings, in front and behind of us!" - PFC Hudson on LV-426 mission

this sounds like a copyright issue...thanks to whatever megacorp holds the rights... Fred ------------------ "I got signals, I got readings, in front and behind of us!" - PFC Hudson on LV-426 mission

AHs Squad Leader and Zargos Lords from IT. Fred ------------------ "I got signals, I got readings, in front and behind of us!" - PFC Hudson on LV-426 mission

It's very simple what Talonsoft tries: making some quick bucks by making a game that looks(!) like CM with (maybe?) better graphics. But, hey, it's RTS (Real Time Schrott) so like most 3-D RTS games (even some nice ones) they will fail. Once there was a time, when Talonsoft delivered wargames (nearly all Battleground games are on my shelves), but after being bought by some suits they chase the twitch crowd (and they will fail the same as Hasbro with their "Soldiers at War in disguise" named SL). ------------------ "I got signals, I got readings, in front and behind of us!" - PFC Hudson on LV-426 mission

This does not look like competition for CM. It's just another 3-D RTS (in Germany we call it Real Time Schrott) game. When I first read about Hasbros Squad Leader I named it "junk", and guess what ... This looks like another attempt to make two factions happy: wargamers and mouse-click-fests-fetishists. But being everbodys darling means sitting between all chairs. As rediculous as Hasbros Squad Leader...BTS can take its time to develop CM2...no competition on the horizon. Fred ------------------ "I got signals, I got readings, in front and behind of us!" - PFC Hudson on LV-426 mission