Goanna

A BTS reply to this might be good to get us started off on a new round of slavering. How about a list of what's to be included when the game ships (# of scenarios/operations) and system requirements for the final. Also how about a little info from Wild Bill when he has a minute to tell how many scenarios he has whipped up so far in addition to those that will ship with CM. I know there is a DIY scenario thingy, but I am a lazy bastard and like scenarios made up by other devious individuals (Berli comes to mind) more than those I make myself. ------------------ desert rat wannabe

If you can imagine it, it will be done. My speculation is that if CM genuinely changes the nature of wargames in the way that I suspect, there will be many other games that follow (both by BTS and others) which will satisfy your desires. The manner in which this wil be completed will depend on what the CM "engine" looks like and how it can be adapted by those who want to make other things from it. ------------------ desert rat wannabe

I have a dancing tank problem that I have seen twice, one as the Americans and once as the Germans (both witnessed by the way by Berli, so maybe it has something to do with him). I have had tanks, when encountering an enemy that I knew was up in front, as they are moving into position start to panic for some reason I haven't been able to understand. They start to pirouette around in a circle in one position rather than attack or flee (which would typically mean just reversing away). Psychosis, or extreme bravery in drawing fire awy from their comrades? Edited by Goanna at the request of the pedants. ------------------ desert rat wannabe [This message has been edited by Goanna (edited 02-04-2000).]

If you are going to take that attitude, Ian, then everything should run on Netscape and nothing on IE since it came first. It isn't a matter of everything revolving around me and my mac, but rather making things cross compatable. ------------------ desert rat wannabe

Damn, and I was gonna just give Bauhaus the business about sucking. Something along the line of "Im going to teach my wife to play CM and intorduce her to Bauhaus". I like to generate bloodlust in my opponents. It makes for great whippings for masochists such as myself. ------------------ desert rat wannabe

The key to solving this problem is not to do it by that method in the first place. Use the Save As command instead to save PBEM files. I had corruption problems with files I saved using cut and paste previously, plus they eventually get to big for the text editor you are using, like they are for you. ------------------ desert rat wannabe

I have gotten beaten, and badly for all to see by Berli, but he never beat me psychologically. However, I agree with his original opinion and have also seen the opposite. I had him crushed and perfectly on the run in LD and had it all turn around in a manner of seconds (you know when). I have also clawed my way out of some pretty hairy situations in CE, so I am sure the players' morale, as well as that of his in game troops, has an effect. ------------------ desert rat wannabe

I find myself in major concurrance with much of that provided by Bill, Zigster and Dumbo from my own perspective. However, I think it is inflammatory to compare Bill Clinton with Adolf Hitler. Philanderer though he may be, his record will hardly be considered on par with one of the craziest, evil ****ers who ever lived. Perhaps one good thing has already come from the German period in the mid 20th century, their engineering success. Because lets face it, they made some very nice **** for the time. This is what I explore with games like CM. I can enjoy driving their tanks and operating their machine gun squads without having to be immersed in the evil at the time. And if playing a game like this also continually provides me with a reminder of the painful history, so be it. Lest we forget, right? ------------------ desert rat wannabe

Von Shrad, shouldn't you be getting ready to consume fatty food products and readying your hanky for when St. Louis goes down? ------------------ desert rat wannabe

I'm guessing no, Elvis. But did he ever use it before? Shouldn't you be stirring that chili, or sending me a turn? Kudos to the BTS boys for getting the board up and running when they are beavering away on CM AND watching the Superbowl. Talk about ambidexterous. ------------------ desert rat wannabe [This message has been edited by Goanna (edited 01-30-2000).]

I have had much better experience killing tanks with the panzerschreck than I have with the bazooka, albeit I have had some terrible luck at close range as described above. Can someone give me a little bit of analysis on the bazooka v schreck technical comparison. Was the schreck a shape carge too? Which had more blast power? Any statistical analysis available on what killed the Shermans/German Tanks in WWII? I assume that BTS is modelling these as equal percentage chance to hit based on experience level of soldiers. ------------------ desert rat wannabe

Scott C, I hate to disagree with a physicist, but I have to in this case. In fact, unless the vehicle is in a skid, the static coefficient of friction will be used for a braking vehicle since the tread is not in motion at its point of contact with the road. Only when a vehicle starts to skid is the much lower dynamic coefficient of friction used (which is proportional to velocity as you stated). The modelling difficulties I suspect have more to do with accurately modelling the deceleration of the heavy vehicles so the velocities are accurately displayed over time. But how I would dearly love to see the movie of 200 m of tarmac rolled up under a M18 stopping from top speed on a clean dry paved road. Goanna - CPEng ------------------ desert rat wannabe

Major Tom is referring to the fact that they have a large surface area of contact with the ground since the force of friction that will be allowable to stop the tank is equal to the force of gravity, the surface area of ground touching tracks, and the coefficient of friction between the tracks and surface of the earth. Provided that these all add up to a lot of stopping force (they do) the limiting factor would then become internal stress limits in the drive wheels, drive trains and gears in the vehicle. I can imagine there were a number of breakdowns in trying to stop Tigers or other heavy tanks on dry surfaces too quickly. It would also be possible to skid a tank pretty easily on mud, wet or icy surfaces (and would make some cool video). ------------------ desert rat wannabe

Oh, Bauhaus, I know buddy I know. I see your long term record against Berli somewhere in the 1000:1 range after that last one. However, I say put the boot in baby. PS: Check your office for trip wires ------------------ desert rat wannabe

The L company is named Lima in my recollection and I remember asking my DI (one of WAY too many questions I asked as a skeeter wing) why there was no J company and was told it was because it was too close to I company in writing. We used to print B's in chalk, paint and every other damn thing all over our gear during moves, and some of our guys penmanship wasn't the greatest (let alone their reading), so it makes sense. Marine's probably only go up to H or something like that since even A B C's are probably even optional.

Ja wohl. Not to mention the timely administration of this informative and entertaining BBS. ------------------ desert rat wannabe

No, let's stay with the idea in the original post, not just the title of the thread, which Rick meant to set up the main point of his post. Adding grunts is great provided you can house, provide a working environment, pay (given cashflow considerations) and lets not even get into workers comp and all that crap. ------------------ desert rat wannabe

I am with you Rick. What it really sounds like is needed is a few clones of Steve, Charles and some of their crew so that the polishing can be completed more quickly. However, that is just wishful thinking since managing more people might add to their problems rather than speed things up. I would only caution them in their labour of love to continue with their mantra of "It will be released when it is ready" but not shoot for perfection, lest they scrub the shine off of their gem with too much polishing. Patiently waiting with my old favourites. ------------------ desert rat wannabe

Do you mean I am the only one who can supply Berli with a little bit of that whoop ass he craves so dearly. Even when he beats me I do tend to bloody his nose, and I certainly make it until all my reinforcements arrive. Alas, I tend to taunt him during our games and piss him off just before the tide turns. ------------------ desert rat wannabe

I think you hit the nail on the head scarr. Thanks for your post ------------------ desert rat wannabe

Nice work Foobar. You should add a guestbook so people can leqave you feedback there ------------------ desert rat wannabe

Problem solved, Knaust. A business associate tried to send me a 9MB attachment which choked up the whole deal at this end. Feel free to send through your next turn now. ... and I definitely want to see the AAR from your and Berli's game ------------------ desert rat wannabe

OK, I get your point and agree Fionn, but how about Bemans other suggestion of the Move to a poition without shooting. This should definitely be a command and is one of the only severe weaknesses of the Beta Demo. I have stealth blown all the time by losers who cant just run to position w/o firing. I'm running out of SS Special Action squads to deal with them all. ------------------ desert rat wannabe

I can tell you from the multiple times I have played the LD scenario as the Germans that the M18s have a hell of a lot easier time killing the Tiger from their vantage point on the hill if he is in the valley than if he is on the opposite hill or both are in the valley

Hey Fionn - Can you post that picture you speak of or send me the .jpeg by e-mail. How about an overhead of the map showing the placement too with your characteristic coloured crayon markup. (someday they'll let you have sharp objects again) I will shout you a Shiner Bock when I ever see you. ------------------ desert rat wannabe