Wild Bill Wilder

Things have been too quiet for far too long for the web site known as The Raider "Boots N' Tracks" site. We are still here, alive and well. We are taking a new step forward to make the site the top of the line. [url=http://www.militarygameronline.com/combatmission/] Currently the team includes Ted Quincey, Kevin Kinscherf, Tim "Rune" Orosz, Bill Valencia, Brian Rock, Craig Harvey, and Massimo Rocca. I also do what I can to work with this fine group. Kevin Kinscherf has done a spectacular job for nearly a year now. Commitments and many responsibilities outside of the gaming community have devoured his time, so he is stepping down as team leader. He will still be an active and supportive member of the team. Taking his place is Ted Quincey, known as Super Ted. We are about to find out if he deserves that call sign (G)! Ted is known and respected by all of you. He is especially known by the participants of the Newbies Tournament (who think he has two heads and the glowering red eyes of manaical evil :eek: ). He is now the new team leader for B&T. I know you will join me in doing two things. First, a special thanks to Kinch for his hard work for us. Next, please welcome and congratulate Ted in his new position. He has big plans for B&T. CMBB is moving ahead. We still have a lot of interest in CMBO. There are plenty of gamers out there wanting and needing tips, hints, scenarios, history, maps, even mods. We are as a team to be here to serve the gaming community. Congratulations Ted! Well deserved. Now, let's get to it. [ February 04, 2002, 09:37 PM: Message edited by: Wild Bill Wilder ]

Things have been too quiet for far too long for the web site known as The Raider "Boots N' Tracks" site. We are still here, alive and well. We are taking a new step forward to make the site the top of the line. http://www.militarygameronline.com/combatmission/ Currently the team includes Ted Quincey, Kevin Kinscherf, Tim "Rune" Orosz, Bill Valencia, Brian Rock, Craig Harvey, and Massimo Rocca. I also do what I can to work with this fine group. Kevin Kinscherf has done a spectacular job for nearly a year now. Commitments and many responsibilities outside of the gaming community have devoured his time, so he is stepping down as team leader. He will still be an active and supportive member of the team. Taking his place is Ted Quincey, known as Super Ted. We are about to find out if he deserves that call sign (G)! Ted is known and respected by all of you. He is especially known by the participants of the Newbies Tournament (who think he has two heads and the glowering red eyes of manaical evil :eek: ). He is now the new team leader for B&T. I know you will join me in doing two things. First, a special thanks to Kinch for his hard work for us. Next, please welcome and congratulate Ted in his new position. He has big plans for B&T. CMBB is moving ahead. We still have a lot of interest in CMBO. There are plenty of gamers out there wanting and needing tips, hints, scenarios, history, maps, even mods. We are as a team to be here to serve the gaming community. Congratulations Ted! Well deserved. Now, let's get to it. [ February 04, 2002, 09:36 PM: Message edited by: Wild Bill Wilder ]

In my book, you are all heroes! Hard to pick a winner. Really! not only skilled warriors but your endurance quality is commendable! so I would have to choose you all as winners. I'm glad they are going by numbers. It would be hard to put a number on the fine AARs. Some of you have created very stirring recreations of the fights you were in. They read like real history! The pressure you've been under is tremendous. Not knowing your opponent's skill or the ground or even your forces till you are thrust into battle...great effort by all of you. My helmet is off to each participant! Wild Bill

CDIC has made a couple of excellent points that need to be underlined. Good note! One is the replay ability. I would challenge every participant to play the battle from the "other side." Even though now you have some familiarity with terrain, forces, etc, you will now see what your opponent had to deal with. I think if you did, some of your thinking about what your situation the first time around was might change. A very good idea. Wild Bill

Well all right, King! I'll be reading all of the posts here with avid attention. I consider you guys who particpated in this bloody fight as veterans with the well earned right to speak. Be gentle. I'm very sensitive Just kidding! Speak your mind. I may not agree with you ideas, but I do agree that you should give me your thoughts on the experience. The winners are pleased. The losers are disgruntled. I have been in both corners. I know the feeling! Thanks to all of you for being involved...and those great reading AARs! Wild Bill

A well deserved honor for you Martin. I've enjoyed working with you in the past, especially our joint efforts on the CMBO tutorial. I wish you the best. I know you are qualified. BTS has a top-notch team. If you can just keep Madmatt sedated, it should all go well. A cheer for the Moon! Wild Bill

The scenarios will be posted before the weekend, Treeburst. I will advise as to when and where for those interested in trying them out. As to balance, I will only make one comment. I have looked over very carefully ALL AARs and all scores. Balance depends basically on two things in these scenarios. The first and most important is what I call,"fortunes of war." Everything can hinge on one moment, one shot. An example is the mention of a Piat team that did not fire on a flammpanzer when it could have. The results of this failure were painful and costly. No matter how well a scenario may seem balanced, the roll of the dice can change it all. That was true historically. It is true here. The second factor is player ability. All of us, including me, don't always want to face that. It is easier sometimes to shift blame than take the heat. Not all of us are as skilled as others. There can be no doubt about that. I for example, consider myself at best a mediocre player. I would certainly not challenge any of you "heroes" who participated in this tourney. I think you are all better players than I. And even a good player will make a blunder...one that could cost him the battle. Now if you think about it, if one mistake can cost you the battle, that indicates balance. Whether the mistake is the computer or from you, if the battle can hang on these things, it shows good balance. Now don't get me wrong. I've made some minor changes in some of these. None of them, however, would have made that much difference in the final scores. So don't feel cheated. You've learned from this experience. So have I. Its been fun. If we keep it fun, then we are enjoing the hobby. That is what it is all about. Wild Bill

Sic 'em, Big Dog! I respect a man who perseveres...WB ====================

Thomas and Von Lucke, my heartiest congratulations to you both. Win or lose, I'm glad you had fun with this. Now for a shower, a hot meal and some rest. The world is about the same since you disappeared some time ago. It has been my pleasure. I know Treeburst and Winecape, who did so much hard work on this are delighted that you've had a great gaming experience. To tell you the truth, I'd much rather have my job than theirs. They are my "flak jackets" So this WBRoW...give me a hint on this one, please? Wild Bill

Welcome to the mayhem, CA! Since I only did two of these, I put on my devious socks for the occasion! People are still moaning about Meeting of Devils, and perhaps rightly so. It is sad to be a commander and have almost no control due to the chaos around you. But then maybe that is the true test of a good commander. Me? I just wave 'em on..."Do your best." Or, "Go kill something!" Wild Bill

Aha! So this is where you went to, Mark? Aha, caught up with you! Mark and I have worked together on other projects and I'm pleasantly surprised to see his contribution here. You won't be disappointed with his work. He does his stuff well. Good job, bloke! Wild Bill

Well, John, after all I've put you through...still speaking to me? :eek: Congrats. You have been through a scenario maze of hell. That alone speaks of some good qualities...endurance being a big one. Same goes for any others who are at this point in the tourney... Wild Bill

In my mind scenario length depends on three things: 1. The real battle being portrayed. How was it? Short, long..you would want to capture that. 2. The size of the scenario. Some "Byte" size battles are playable in 15 turns, at least the ones I have seen and tried. 3. The intent of the designer. Scenario length is often a tool of the designer to represent some type of situation in the battle. No fixed rule here. There can be a place for one depending on the above factos and maybe others. WB

From one "old dog" to another, my thanks, BD. Woof woof! (He understands what I am telling him!) Nice to see The Wrong Hill made it. I even now personally enjoy it and it is one wild party. I still play just to shoot things! :eek: I just hate sneaky Tigers! And I don't care much for Panzermeyer (the historical one, not the posting one) either! Wild Bill

And how in the world did you know, Ales? I missed it. So much for old tired eyes. Thanks so much to you and all of you. Wow, now I'm gonna try to blow out those candles again. Oops, they all melted. How does cake taste with candle wax for icing ? Thanks to all of you! WB

Ah,shades of the ancient TV series by Walter Crockite, "You are There." I came out fighting, Michael. I'm glad I'm among dear friends and can direct the fighting toward the computer. My thanks to you and Ted and all my good, good friends involved in this great game! Wild Bill

The nice words are so moving that I sometimes think I don't know who they are talking about either, Croda! Oh, I know. I really know. And I think all of you guys are some great colleagues in the hobby. Thank you all! Wild Bill

Sorry for the delay in answering fellow warriors! It was a great day. Your greetings made it greater. That is about right Diceman. Though I find myself quite different from what I thought 65 would be at 30. Everything still works ! A man counts his blessings at this point in life. You gentlemen on this forum are among those blessings. Thank you all! And thanks to old Super Ted for remembering. I use the term "old" loosely here Wild Bill

Even if this were not done, some documentation in the manual and the CD could be included to sort out scenarios by date and place. Wild Bill

Amrdchair said it all. That is your problem, my friend...WB

The holidays again. During this time of year, That old song, 500 miles, has been going through my mind today as I think of servicemen and women from various countries thousands of miles away from home during this holiday season. Today I am enjoying the comforts of my home because they are thousands of miles away from their homes protecting mine. Thank you. All of us salute you and wish for you a very happy new year! Come home safe. That is our prayer! Wild Bill

Thanks for the work of the Admiral, Big Dog and other CM enthusiasts at the Depot. Another job well done! I'm delighted of course, to see a couple of mine included in the bunch. I feel quite honored. Wild Bill

Well, well, all ages and sizes. Treeburst says he is old but not as old as me. That is true. Not many people are. That is both good and bad. I'll be 65 on January 5th. 65! Think about that for a minute! I can remember when sixty five sounded like the age of Methuselah (actually he was much older - ), and now I am knocking on it's door. I'll be a senior citizen, a gray panther, an old fart! I can't believe it. Everything still works (sometimes :eek: ) so I guess its okay. But I'm glad I'm still here. Some folks didn't make it. Thankfully I did. I hope for at least a few more good years with this fine group of gamers. Knowing and working with you brings with it the refreshing winds of youth. You'll see things in the hobby in the future I probably won't and I'm happy for you and sad for me. I'll still enjoy every moment I'm given until the door closes. Happy New Year to all of you. One more under the belt. Hallelujah! The Aging Wild Bill

I'm preparing for the artillery barrages headed my way. My men are hunkered down I'm wearing my flak jacket, asbestos gloves, ear plugs, two helmets and a steel jock strap (that is very uncomfortable, may I add!). I'll be ready. I've had my turn. Soon you'll have yours ...ARGH :eek: The prepared Colonel

If you think that your scenario is the best around in a certain category, then by all means vote for it. Remember, though, vote for it because it is the best, not because it is yours. Now to do that, you should try some other scenarios too. That means playing someone else's stuff. I don't think you can fairly say yours is the best unless you compare with other challengers. If, however, in good conscience, you believe that you have done the best among many, then it would be hypocritical not to vote for it. In my mind it is only bad form if you are seeking to win or trying to impress the gaming community with a laurel on your head Wild Bill