Ron

And you want that to be different?? Your perception of what should occur is flawed or perhaps you need to expalin yourself better.

Said with the typical amount of British understatement as well I'm sure!

I ran all three tests Turn based-Iron for 30 minutes and the fortifications never appeared. I also ran them RT-Iron for 15 minutes and still no fortifications appears. OS - Windows 7 Professional 64 bit.

True, Wargamer is a bit of a misnomer as wargames per se get little discussion there compared to other more popular games and it is a very Matrix Games centric site (I believe Matrix used to or does own it?). However, always good to see some CMBN fans spreading the word.

Wargamer is gathering votes for the best wargame of 2011. Go cast your vote for CMBN here: http://www.wargamer.com/forums/posts.asp?t=582769

I don't get it at all. Simply click on the icon and wham instant feedback as to location. I find most times I know where the dudes are at a glance without a click. However, if I have to click then what's really so difficult about that? Enough to warrant the orignal rant lol? I find the comparison to Achtung Panzer simply incredible! What an exercise in UI frustration, non-intuitiveness and lack of feedback that was. So much so, it totally destroyed my tactical wargaming passion to learn a new game. I guess it comes down to personal perceptions and tastes, but I still don't get it.

Being the number one minion, I think you can best answer that question yourself. No, not all reviews will be sweetness and light for various reasons. However, this one was positive. The game is out there and stands on its own. An informed person can judge it for themselves, reviews or demo, and see some of the dismissive reader comments for what they are - petty axe grinding.

I would think survival would be the most important aim, period.

Yes got mine yesterday also and no extra charges for delivery to Canada, though that has always been the case with the BFC products I have ordered. I have to admit from this negative talk on the forum about the steel book, I was expecting some cheap plastic case. Not so, it is quite well done and I am very happy with it. I didn't really mind the color of the manual, but the size of the font does make it tiring to read, at least for me anyways. Overall, money well spent! Now on to the game.

These are vintage WWII training films for US Infantry weapons. I love the deadbeat style of the narrator and his sense of humor. Check out 4:50 for effects of a .30 cal through a tree and after through a 4" concrete wall. Check out 1:10 for effects on a tree and concrete wall. The mortars are pretty impressive as well, even when in a bunker. Check out 2:40 for effects of a 57mm AT on a pillbox. Later at 5:00 to see the power of a 105mm howitzer.

That Flashget is bloody amazing... and fast! Thanks for the tip.

Not that I need or want to know, but this sounds so outrageous I just got to ask. Why?

I recall an ad for BTS Software announcing the new 'Computer Squad Leader' in late '98 or early '99 I believe, and I thought WOW this is what I always wanted computer tactical wargaming to be. Steel Panthers was OK in some respects but a major disappointment in others, ditto for CloseCombat. I lurked for some time, following some very interesting discussions, before registering, as participating on forums and the internet were still a novelty. I pretty much became a permanent customer upon the release of the CMBO beta demo. Looking forward to returning to WWII with the new CMx2 engine.

Excellent AAR thanks. A couple questions or observations. 1. The tanks seem to be able to move-spot-acquire the target- fire in a very short time, seconds even. Are targets which are communicated through the platoon radio net picked up faster than targets which are previously unseen? 2. A lot of smoke is being repeatedly popped when in danger or rattled. Is that realistic for WWII? 3. The Germans used smokeless powder. I would think that's a significant advantage in many ways - remaining unspotted longer, maintaining the target etc. Is that modelled under the hood?

Searching for a heart of gold.

Please, no more 'not another CMSF release' quips. Here, try this on for size. Go away for a year or two, come back when CMBN has gone through the patch cycle and released all three modules, and then voila! you'll have 'perfection'. In the interval, the rest of us can read less drivel and be enjoying the game. It's a win-win for all involved. How does that work for you?

I think this desire for detailed stats to 'know' whether afv 'x' has a chance to pentrate afv 'y' is a regression to the boardgaming era, competively calculating the mathematical odds, and polar opposite with the spirit of CM, imo. I'm ambivalent about the graphical colored bars. I thought they were hokey in CMBB/CMAK. However, in CMSF I found them useful in a general way as I had no, or little, knowledge of modern armour and weapon systems and their capabilities. As a modern 'newbie', would I have been better off with more detailed numbers? No, I honestly don't think so. I am reading about the early Africa battles in '41 and currently Battleaxe. At that time the Matilda was impervious, the British knew it and the Germans knew it, yet many were getting knocked out in this operation. An interesting antedote from a captured Major(?) who asked to see the tank doing it, believing it to be a new MkIII or IV, was indignant upon discovering it was an 88 Flak, thinking it highly unfair. Trial and error.

a) Never had any issue with the camera views in CMSF, though I will admit I have no idea what a 'natural RTS' camera is! I agree, sounds add to the visceral immersion of gameplay. I'm not sure you realize that modders can alter the sounds - AKD and Oddball have done an incredible job with CMSF. I'm positive that will be the case with CMBN if the stock sounds are lacking. c) While I understand the appeal from a roleplaying POV, it is fun to watch and nuture certain units during a campaign, that has never been a part of BFC's design philosophy. Agree or disagree, but there you go. I wouldn't ever hold my breath on this one!

Wow, intense battle in the woods. This is very interesting, but I am wondering,does it feel like WWII??

Good stuff Elvis, am really looking forward to this. Thanks in advance for presenting the DAR.

I like it! I'm really looking forward to this. Thanks in advance for the DAR.

Yeah, I think the command delay in CMx1 added much more to the gameplay than it ever detracted. The inconvenience or unrealistic situations arising because of multiple waypoints were a fart in the wind compared to NOT having command delays at all. To be honest, I'm surprised this has been 'dropped' so readily. In my mind, some form of command delay would be a core requirement in any WWII simulation whether for C2 or training/experience.

Ok I'm not a beta-tester or a fanbois, so I'll dump my more relevant weight on noxnoctum for being a horse's ass.

Once you've gone playback, you'll never go back.

Yeah late evening June 6th/early morning June 7th kind of over.