Wild Bill Wilder

Now he tells me! Just kidding, Berkut. Actually, though, the tests have shown that it does seem to play considerably better with some of the revisions I've done to it. A lot of times, folks can't win a scenario or an operation and think the problem is in the scenario. Sometimes it is. But sometimes it is just a hard scenario and frustration takes over. Trying to design a scenario that is challenging to all levels of players is no easy thing. What is too hard for one it too easy for another. And therein lies the rub. So you try to strike a happy medium. And then, of course, in a came like CM, with such a unique AI, the computer conrolled units don't always do the same thing...another challenge. I think by and large the gaming public pretty much plays the AI. There are prolific PBEM and online players too, but they appear to be in the minority. Life is geared that way today. We play when we can, however we can, because demands of job, family and personal life are so imposing. Well, how did I get here? Back to the subject. I liked the first one myself. I like the second one even better. ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Let me take a fresh look at it, Coralsaw. I don't want you to face an unwinnable battle. WB ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

These reviews are an excellent idea, my friend. I've enjoyed reading them. So far, I think your evaluations have been quite fair. A lot of people are reading these, you can be sure of that. Wild Bill ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Thanks Los! Coming from a master of scenario design like you, I am very greatful. I hope you are doing well and have recovered from your "desert experience." By all means, take out the Quad 20mm before it takes you out. That scene in the movie when that gun decapitates a paratrooper standing on the hull of that first Tiger is still very vivid in my memory! ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

I'll be passing it on to Madmatt for posting on his Combat Mission HQ site. It won't be in the depot, but actually in his listing of scenarios and operations so you should be able to download it quicker than if you went to the depot. Hopefully we'll have it up for you tomorrow. Thanks for asking... ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Gentlemen! your words are of great encouragement, like saying "sic em!" to an old hound dog. There are some more on the way and we'll keep at it as long as there is interest. My thanks to all of you! Wild Bill ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Valid point, Barage. Perhaps a note in the text indicating if the units are locked in place or not might be of help to those who don't like it or don't care. Some historical sitatuations demand that some or all units be locked. Others allow for flexibility. It depends on the battle being represented and the designer's intent. Thank you Manx. Is your site still up and running? I thought you were closing it down. I did not know. I'll head over that way. Wild Bill ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Go here, Getsome and you'll find it at the top of the top ten list of scenarios. http://combathq.thegamers.net There are some other very good ones from various scenario authors. It is a visit worth your time. I hope you enjoy it. Someone tried a Normandy scenario of that battle, but I don't know whatever became of it. I only saw an initial version of it, but it looked very interesting. Wild Bill ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Hey Ice. A hard fight indeed. You must have really been rolling to have gotten that far! The appearance of the German reinforcements causes consternation in both versions of the game, depending on which side you play. For a single player taking the US side, the first version might give you a better chance. But again, infantry and armor should be working together as they move forward. Were none of your Pershings close enough to help out here? One and a half is not too bad if the Tigers woke up hungry in your front yard. Its really hard to say which is the best though I think my initial advice here might help. Small comfort, Ice, but that is the way this game plays. You have good ones and ones you don't want to remember, and from the same scenario! Wild Bill ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Very good tactics, Scott. One would think with that meager force the Germans would be a pushover. You get a feel for the ugliness of hedgerow fighting in this one. You did well, my friend. ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

You are very kind and encouraging, fellas. You give me motivation to work at it just a little harder. I'm delighted the scenario proved to be so challenging and so much fun, Chris. Thanks to all of you for the good word. It is much appreciated. And we have more coming. I'm not through yet ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Good going, Maastrictian (I think I got it right this time!). I love that moment! It does not always happen but when it does, like you, the neighbors come to the door concerned about the screaming man in the house . This is one of my personal all-time favorites. I've played it dozens of times and then I always try to watch the movie again. Yes, the 20mm gun did appear and did do some horrific damage, including taking the head off of one hapless paratrooper as he stood on the hull of the dead Tiger. Thanks Guys! God willing, there are a couple of movies more that I would like to put into this game. Do you have any? Wild Bill ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

It depends, Stefan. Did you choose the scenario in the game or did you download the revision from the Combat Mission HQ web site. Both play well, except in the original version, the Germans had some problems entering the battle and coming under immediate devastating fire from the US Pershings. That is why I modified it. But go ahead, with either version, it is challenging but winnable. Wild Bill ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Some are; some aren't. A careful designer needs to pick and choose. Wild Bill ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Perhaps the designer will read these posts and modify the scenario a bit. That is the best solution. A lot of ASL scenarios will work well in the CM format. Some won't. But it is the challenge to the designer to find a way to make a scenario at least remotely winnable from both sides if he can. This is precisely why I have revised Elsdorf and am currently revising the Desobry Operation. If you can't win it, where is the fun? Otherwise, a strong note of caution should go into the test stating that the battle is unwinnable for one side (in this case the US) Wild Bill ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Me either, Chris, but here goes. I answered Mike on this one, and I have posted this list before but all of these books have proven to be of immense value in research for scenario design. Most are available for purchase. Many should be in your public library. Web sites on particular units abound and offer good maps, descriptions and ideas for scenarios. Books for Ideas for Scenarios – Combat Mission The US Army in World War II Series, publisher: US Govt Printing Office Cross Channel Attack Breakout and Pursuit Siegfried Line Riviera to the Rhine Lorraine Campaign Battle of the Bulge The Last Offensive GENERAL There’s a War to be Won, Perret Delivered from Evil, Leckie Heroes of World War II, Murphy Battles and Battlescenes from WW2 Daring to Win, Eshel Bravery in Battle, Eshel Tank Aces, Zumbro Tank Aces, Forty Iron Cavalry, Zumbro Tank Commanders, Forty Clash of Chariots, Donnely and Naylor D-Day Operation Overlord Series (4), Order of Battle, Christopher Chant, editor Swords and Plowshares, Maxwell D. Taylor The 101st Airborne at Normandy, Bando Band of Brothers, Ambrose Overlord, Hastings D-Day, Ambrose NORMANDY Panzertruppen II, Jentz Churchill’s Desert Rats-Normandy to Berlin, Delaforce Invasion! They’re Coming, Carell Panzers in Normandy, Then and Now, Lefevre Normandy, Essame Death Traps, Cooper Beyond the Beachhead, Balkoski Six Armies in Normandy, Keegan Steel Inferno, Reynolds The 12th SS Panzer Division, Walther The Blood Soaked Soil, Williamson Hell on Wheels, Houston Strike Swiftly, Jensen FRANCE The View from the Turret, Folkestad St. Lo, Us Army Historical Division The Clay Pigeons of St. Lo, Johns Against the Panzers, Karamales MARKET GARDEN-WEST WALL Operation Dragoon, Bruer Death of a Nazi Army, Bruer August, 1944, Miller A Bridge too Far, Ryan Division Commander, Miller THE ARDENNES A Dark and Bloody Ground, Miller Battle of the Bulge, Parker Bastogne, the First Eight Days, Marshall Hitler’s Last Gamble, Dupuy The Devil’s Adjutant, Reynolds A Time for Trumpets, MacDonald A Blood Dimmed Tide, Astor Bastogne and the Ardennes Offensive, Arend FINAL BATTLES Battle of the Ruhr Pocket, Whiting One More River, Allen

Yes, that is precisely it, Panzer Man. You know your history! I found it to be a fascinating fight. Barkmann will appear again in a short quick play scenario, Road to Manhay to come out shortly. Wild Bill ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

That is a nice little series, Raze. They also have volumes on ships and aircraft. They are a handy thing to have and only cost about 8 bucks a book. Wild Bill ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Exactly, Lucero. That will soon be only a memory with the new version. It is playing 100% better, believe me. This one is now the fun and challenge the first one should have been. Reports from testers are very positive. Wild Bill ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

I will say that the setup, including the three Panthers is quite historical, Germans trying to hold with little equipment and only a few tanks to rescue the besieged infantry. That is what makes it different from the usual fight from bocage to bocage type scenario. Wild Bill ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

You are very welcome, Goldfinger, on behalf of all designers out there including me. Yes, scenarios come in a mixed variety, much as a mysterious wrapped package, you don't know what is inside till you open it. And they do vary in playability, depending to a large extent on two factors: 1. The experience of the designer (you learn as you do) and, 2. As Manx mentioned, the amount of playtesting involved in bringing it to finality. Harold makes a good point too. Sometimes the designer has a situational setup that is historical but very frustrating, such as ambushes, etc. to add a note of historical realism. And of course, you can't be warned or it loses it's impact. How will you know which are good ones and which are not? Well you really won't till you try them. It is hard to say what is in the box till you take off the wrapping and look inside. Some are keepers, some are losers, but as you have done, all deserve a salute for making the effort. Let the creative spirit live! Your suggestions are very good and I hope they are read by all designers. Wild Bill ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Update: Some six top-notch testers are working their way through Team Desobry. None of them had a problem with a premature ending. The start lines for subsequent battles are much better. This should soon become a most playable and enjoyable operation. So hang on a bit longer and we'll have it up on Madmatt's CMHQ website (not the depot) for a quicker download. Matt will be announcing it when it is posted. Looking very good right now! Give it another try when it comes out. I think you'll be pleased. WB ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Yes, make it more playable and yet more difficult. Not as easy to win, but no more short endings...WB ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Give us a week or so to tidy this up and you'll have it. I dropped you a line, Gonzo...WB

Gentlemen, thank you. Madmatt, I did not know you and Kwazy were leaving your marks all over Noville. Take it from me fellas, Madmatt and his hosts come through a town, a veritable desert left behind. Look at the bright side. He is running out of places to hide And Mace, thank you. I appreciate that very much. I hope we can continue to work with BTS for the magnificent upcoming Eastern Front of Combat Mission. UYAH! Wild Bill ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester Scenario Design Team Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com