Ron

Here is a link with some gun comparisons: http://www.mobilixnet.dk/~mob75281/ga/guns/gunstats.htm Ron

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>I don't see how people would be interested in a game over 1 year old.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Yes, but each of the planned CMs will cover a different period of the war. It isn't as if each CM will be the same old with a new twist, they will each be unique in their own right. Assuming BTS supports their products, which I'm confident they will, implying a game is inferior or not worth the full price simply because it's 2-3 years old would be false. From what I've seen good wargames and perhaps good games in general have a much longer life than the latest trend on display in a retail store. Ron

To see with a still being is.....not consciously creating conflict... Ron

Good idea, a few more things that may be mentioned: the file procedure for PBEM, TCP/IP will be released in a patch, explanation of HQ bonuses, Hunt/Move etc. Ron

Hey. In one of the screenshots in the GamesDomain preview of CM there is an orders menu with the 'target next' command. This may be what you are looking for, though I don't recall any discussion on this board explaining it in detail. Ron

You guys are overlooking the fact that it is a free demo, made to give us a taste of the full version. BTS has been generous in offering 3 good scenarios already. Wait for the complete game and I'm sure you'll have plenty of scenarios and operations to choose from. Ron

Semi back on topic regarding berserk/berserker, loosely quoted: In Scandinavian mythology Berserk was the grandson of the eight-handed Starkadder and Alfhilde. He was famed for his reckless fighting fury, always going into battle without armor. Berserker is the name of the 12 sons of Berserk, from the 'sark' or shirt of bearskin worn by them. Later berserker was also applied to the bodyguards of several Scandinavian heroes and there is some association between berserker and lycanthrophy. Ron

Since I have the dictionary out already: 'Berserk' - Old Norse berserkr, bjorn-bear and serkr-shirt.

From Webster's Seventh Collegiate Dictionary (1970): 'Berserk' - an ancient Scandinavian warrior frenzied in battle and held to be invulnerable. 'Frenzied' - a temporary madness. 'Fanaticism' - behavior marked by excessive enthusiasm and intense uncritical devotion. A clear definition is moot anyway as there is enough room for scenario designers to interpret it in a given battle given BTS's definition of troops who won't panic or surrender. Ron

Pragmatic: "It's dead." NeverDie: (grunting) "If I beat it, it'll live." Pragmatic: "It's dead." NeverDie: (eyes gleaming) "I know! I'll get my friends and they'll get their friends, and we'll beat it like it's never been beaten before. Then it will live!" Pragmatic: (amused) "No, I think it's really dead." NeverDie: "Never!"

This post isn't serious, it is juvenile. AH64D and the others whose mania for 'more realistic' visuals to make the game more immersive is puzzling. They seem to be missing the point of the whole project. BTS has stated clearly several times their intention in making this game - to create a realistic WWII combat simulation. They have gone to great lengths explaining how the mechanics of such a system taxes the hardware, leaving less for the visuals. They have stated the underlying mechanics are much more important than the 'eyecandy'. If you have followed this board for any length of time, you would have had some understanding of this. BTS is creating this game not simply to make a profit or appeal to the mass of gamers, but because they have a passion to do so. They have a vision, it is their work. They have shown to be open to suggestions from rational people on this board, they are under no obligation to do so. Again it is THEIR work. The bottom line is 99% of us don't have the guts, the ability or desire to do what they're doing. We are the users not the creators, it is an insult to think otherwise. Saying things like 'MUST change' or 'try to think before you create' is contemptuous of BTS. What about 'thinking before you post'? Ron

Hey Bullethead, you forgot another motive: Fear.

Dan, if you replay the movies you'll see the stug wasn't buttoned when it fired its shots. Also there was a 12s interval between the first and second shots for the sherman, a 10s interval for the stug. [This message has been edited by Ron (edited 01-22-2000).]

I'm playing Dan in the game in question. I think there are factors involved other than simply a straight tank duel and reload time. There were a lot of german infantry and support moving towards the sherman during the duel and whether it could see them or not, the stug could see no enemies other than the sherman as it hunted forward. Plus the area was covered in smoke which might have temporarily affected LOS. [This message has been edited by Ron (edited 01-21-2000).]

Regarding Tobruk's question: you mention both times your vehicles behaved this way against a building. Is it possible the vehicles were too close? I have noticed when plotting paths too close to obstacles they cannot normally traverse that the vehicles will replot to get around them. Maybe this is what is happening.

Yes, seen it several times.

A book called 'The Guns of Normandy' by George Blackburn(?) describes briefly the use of a body armour vest worn by Canadian troops. I don't have the book handy but I recall the author saying most troops, finding the vest cumbersome, dropped them within a few weeks after the landing. There is also an interesting first hand account of a FO wearing the armour who is sprayed across the chest with fire and only suffers deep bruises.

Mr Peng, I just finished a game against your taunting nemesis SS Panzer. He targeted my stug with his mortar(s) and scored 4 or 5 direct hits to no effect other than causing the crew to button up. He heard the hits and I had him convinced, albeit briefly, that I was down to 1 crew member! Of course the game was up when it drove away

I think this has been addressed before and all the building types are the ones we are seeing in the beta. Though I could be mistaken. ------------------

I think, in addition to what Steve said, one of the limitations of rt is the interface itself. Yes, battles are conducted in rt but the people involved are there, physically and mentally, actually living it. They are aware of the situation in a way that isn't possible from playing a game. There is no getting around the fact that we, playing the game, are sitting in front of a flat screen, taking a moment(or more) from our regular life. IMO, simultaneous/turn based allows the involvement of the player, albeit with more control than an actual commander had. I can live with that. ------------------

Regards Shrodi's post, the bazooka team was still OK and had a 2% chance to hit, it fired on its own initiative. My own observations after many games: I have seen bazookas make several hits/kills over 100m in LD to my regret. I have yet to see a PS/PF make a hit let alone a kill even at ranges under 25m. I still remember one instance in Riesberg where a SMG fired a PF at a Sherman under 7m and missed. I don't know if this is all within the realm of realistic chance or something does need to be looked at. In my PBEM game with Shrodi I have targeted another Stug with the same bazooka team at 2% chance to hit. Let's see if he's on a roll. ------------------

Just a thought. I am reading 'Panzer Commander' by Hans Von Luck. He mentions several times the employment of motorcycle escorts in the recce battalion taking part in the battles to recapture the Orne bridges, in and around Escoville soon after the D-Day landings. Though as to their number I don't know as I am not very familiar with this subject. ------------------

Just curious Gary as to where you got that excerpt from, is it available on the net? Thanks ------------------

Naw I think BDW had another none too subtle purpose in mind ------------------

Hey Jason, to be most effective as the US send all four Shermans loaded with a platoon down the road straight into the village and start blasting. That'll overcome any German designs on a sound defense. Seriously though, the Germans are weak on their left flank. The 88 on the hill is blind there and the platoon/HMG WILL fold under moderate pressure. A passive defense may work if you're lucky, but anyone playing wouldn't base their plans on luck. The Germans need to plan their attacks and firelanes carefully because they are green/regulars who don't stand up to pressure very long.I would follow Fionn's advice and try an unconventional defense. I'm currently playing two email games as the Germans. The one with Jason is just starting to develop. The other against Beamup is at the critical point and has seesawed back and forth. I've felt strongly twice that it was all over then something happens and I'm back in it. He has gained a foothold in the village and I am busy manouvering and counter-attacking trying to push him out. It has become a brutal, bloody slugfest. Contrary to what has been written on another post the SMG squads are very effective at close range, they've kept me in it so far. By the way BTS, great game! ------------------