SeekStrikeDestroy

The more I have played Panzer Elite, the more I like it. There is a lot going on in each scenario. The learning curve is steep, but most of it is learning to be aware of what is going on around you, to think and to react like a (good?) tanker. This game seems to be the first first person tank game where the parts have gotten sufficiently good, that the whole is truly amazing.

Didn't the Comet have a 17 pounder (77mm)?

My quick, very short comparison. What is the same: Individual Tanks and heavy weapons, squads of infantry. Insane attention to detail. What is different: PE - Real time CM - Turn based, Simultaneous turn resolution PE - detailed terrain with individual trees CM - more abstract terrain PE - First Person (you are a platoon leader and can only give orders to platoon members) CM - Third Person (Typical wargame role blurring, can give everybody orders) PE - American vs German in Africa, Italy and France (1942-1944) CM - Western Allies vs Germany in France, Germany CM owes much to it's wargaming legacy and is the next great step forward in wargaming. PE is a "flight simulator" for tankers. I have played wargames for years from "outside the map" and enjoy being able to jump into the turret with PE.

For some tutorial information on Panzer Elite (among other things) check out: http://www.simhq.com/simhq3/sims/turret/turret.shtml

Have you seen the book? Winter Storm : War in Northern Alsace, November 1944 - March 1945 by Lise M. Pommois It contains a couple of chapters on the Hatten-Rittershoffen battle, along with more on the 42nd Rainbow Division.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>I'm at the point where I'm rendering simple objects through code but I can't imagine doing a game like CM that way.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I suspect they are using a program like 3d Studio Max to create their models. All one needs is a routine that can render the polygon output from the program then you have one subroutine that can render any object you create.

Just a (not so) short note. I don't want anyone with a strong interest in armor to lightly dismiss Panzer Elite. No it isn't a buggy incomplete program. Some people couldn't run it out of the box, though in the chaotic microsoft/pc world that happens. Panzer Elite gives the PC a work out and up to date drivers are necessary. I don't blame Wings for that and no they aren't out to get anyone. As for interface, much pleasure can be had in this game with a few commands. Ctrl-5 to select all wingmen. Ctrl-F to have them fire at will. Arrow keys to drive your tank. Click on a target Space bar to have your gunner shoot at that target. Hold down the right mouse button to look around. It does take an hour or so of playing to develop situational awareness. Much of the steep learning curve is learning to think and act like a tank commander. It is a great game/sim. It complements Combat Mission nicely. Sometimes I want to control the whole battle and sometimes I want to dive right into the thick of things. [This message has been edited by SeekStrikeDestroy (edited 01-13-2000).]

I also like to see designer's notes in manuals. Included should be the underlying philosophy of the game and a justification for the major design decisions that were made (ie why features are included or excluded).

I believe the main reason was to give an edge to TD's in observation over regular tanks. Many recon vehicles tended to be open topped. It also had the benefit of making the vehicle lighter and hence more maneuverable.