Neutral Party

I've noticed in a few recent threads the re-appearance of a lot of the arguments that went around many months ago. In principle this is a good thing as it is useful to revisit these questions from time to time, although taken to extremes can be a waste of everyones time. The question of squad representation is one of these endlessly fascinating subjects. I think there are a few points that it's worth bearing in mind. The basic unit of gruntness is the squad (or half-squad if split), individual infantrymen are not represented. This means the smallest unit that can have individual and adjustable behavior is the squad. The individual "men" in the squad all behave in exactly the same way because they do not, in fact, represent individuals at all. They represent the squad. Representing a squad by 9 or 12 or 15 figures would not IMHO improve the situation so long as the basic unit remains the squad. All that would happen is that you would have 9 or 12 or 15 figures behaving in exactly the same way. This would look silly, as some of the other posters have mentioned. In order for such a representation to be an improvement, the basic unit of gruntness would have to change from the squad to the infantryman. But not just that - the basic manouver unit would still be the squad except now it would be composed of individuals each of whom could panic, get pinned etc., Although this may be closer to reality, it would need such a major hike in the AI requirements that (I expect) it would require complete recoding and might not even be possible with todays technology. AFAIK very few computer wargames use a one to one representation of individual troops (CC and 101 - any others). Games that try to cover a larger tactical situation (SP, EF/WF, CM) do not. This is because giving orders to individual troops in an infantry company is an unmanageable task - even for computer commanders with nothing better to do. Getting the most enjoyment out of playing Combat Mission requires the "suspension of disbelief". I would guess that for many of us, it is the high level of self-consistency, the realistic physics model and the 3D environment that makes this "suspension of disbelief" possible. Joe

BorderBill thank you for that very informative post

I like the sound of the Refreshing Monkeys

He is clinically insane you know

Well I never thought I'd feel sorry for that old sod Maximus/OBG.

Go on punk - make my day

Dyslexics of the world untie!

Hard to say definitively about tcp/ip until we see it. For me the longest thing is set-up and the first move. Generally these take forever. Everything else happens pretty fast (sometimes too fast). I do know that when pbeming I get very frustrated waiting for the next turn to arrive - although icq can help this quite a bit. I would guess tcp/ip would be the closest we will ever get to real time (if timers are implemented) and will add another layer of fear. Fear and surprise. Our three main weapons will be fear, surprise and an almost fanatical devotion to Combat Mission. I know I'd like to try it - anyway Charles has got nothing better to do than laze around drinking wine. Joe

there's one leaving in five minutes

OK I'm ready. Where are the jokes?

Comiserations old chap but all is not black. I received the game and the poster today on the Upper East Side. I'm so happy I could urinate. Joe

Peng Almost all the Island whiskies are smoky or peaty or whatever you want to call it. Of these the Islay malts are smokier than the Skye ones. These include such brands as Laphroaig, Lagavulin, Bhunnahabhein (no idea how to spell this but its pronounced bunnahaven) and Bowmore. IMO MarkIV is on the button with his assessment of Laphroaig but be aware that it is a bit too "phenoly" for some. On the other hand drinkers of household cleaners may enjoy it. There is a Bowmore that is suspiciously cheap in the US at the moment (like 15 bucks a bottle in NYC). It is called Legend single malt, is of indeterminate age but tastes OK. PS stop fantasizing about whisky and send me your turn. Joe

"IT" is almost here. I noticed in some other thread that the subject of single malt Scotch came up. This reminded me of some advice that Ron Alderdice gave me after (naturally) he had ritually disemboweled my troops. His advice was basically to have a nice big Scotch to calm the nerves before battle. In my sad and pathetic little life I have pondered long and hard over this very question. What is the "perfect" Combat Mission "hit"? Ideally one requires something that takes the edge off the fear but provides an element of warrior spirit? Here are my suggestions in stream-of-consciousness order: 1. Lagavulin malt whisky - 16YO excellent Islay malt - hint of phenol but not so much as Laphroaig - peaty - gets you drunk - what more do you want? 2. Bombay Sapphire London dry gin - mucho ice + large slice of lime. C'est tres bien. However don't forget Cork dry gin - possibly even better - both are absolutely delicious and far too good for the likes of YOU. 3. Stolichnaya vodka - straight from the freezer - who cares! dosvidanya Mockba 4. Afghanistan black - suck in in blow it out and say a little prayer for Taliban. Still here? I hereby challenge YOU to battle (Ron if you're reading this be gentle with me man). Don't forget to drink large quantities of alcoholic beverages before accepting said challenge. -end-of-message-

I have a fantasy that involves Maximus, Manieri, a heavy sack, some rope, some lead weights and a very deep pond. A plague on both your houses.

Is this some kind of Appalachian thang ?

What indeed is the relationship between chronological age and behaviour. Is the ability to write stream-of-consciousness drivel and the required lack of self-criticism that ensures said drivel is immediately sent to this board restricted to the young. I think not - consider your own record Maximus. Age is a neccessary but insufficient condition for wisdom. One also requires the ability to feel pain and a functioning memory. It does not neccessarily follow that the older one gets the less enthusiastic one becomes. Joe (not the Joe but a Joe)

As my mum used to say "Stop picking at it - it'll never get better if you pick at it" But seriously .... bla bla bla Joe

Frau Goering Germany Before Goering's death What's the prize ?

Our main weapon is fear. Fear and surprise ... our two main weapons are fear, surprise and an almost fanatical devotion to the pope. Our three ...

I ordered 5 femtoseconds after the big bang.

Crocky I fart in your general direction.

pvt_ryan said <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>So is the only way you can adjust the level of dificulty in the game is to adjust the resouces? If this is the case we could all be playing with the opponent(computer) at like +50.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> If you are playing the AI and are finding it too easy you could retreat some of your units off the map. For example you could try playing CE as the Germans without stugs or if you want a harder challenge try VOT as the Americans without artillery. Remember that the scenarios will become dull if you play them over and over again in the same way. If they were endlessly fascinating you wouldn't have to buy the full version. You can also adjust the level of play by playing a human. Humans are nasty brutal things. Joe

Well let's see. 1. Just got a new presario 1800 laptop for $2500 paid for by work (thank god). Thought about Sony but was concerned that the crappy 2.5 MB graphics wouldn't allow me to play CM. 2. Just splashed out 85 bucks for a voodoo 3 2000 (so I can get transparent smoke on CM). It would therefore appear that the main criteria for my recent computer hardware purchasing is: 1. can I play CM on it. 2. will CM look better with it Given these sad and pathetic circumstances, I must conclude that I would have no alternative than to pay a ridiculous amount of money for CM. This is a simple matter of logical necessity. If I did not behave in this manner it is very likely that a self-perpetuating logical paradox would be created. This macroscopic quantum conundrum would then go on to negate the entire space-time continuum by giving rise to an avalanche of semi-nude quarks. So when I buy Combat Mission I am doing nothing less than saving the Universe and that, my friends, makes me feel good. Joe

THAT my friends is an acid flashback

Yeah I would like to see CM paintball. Have to get Charles to reprogram the tacAI to make deals though. Joe