Wild Bill Wilder

Very nicely done, Heinz. Looks like you will do well playing this game. I had the same good fortune with one of my bazookamen when I was testing it. One of my Shermans got bogged down and I was especially glad to have his timely expertise. Screen shots look great! ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Good place to start Heinz That can be a very tough battle. I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm off to see your screen shots. ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Hey Kingfish! These are all very good questions. They're always good when you are not sure of the answer (and I'm not ) Madmatt has asked the higher powers already about some of these so he may come with a definitive answer from Charles and Steve. 1) I have never really tried this to speak from personal experience. My guess would be that if they do not make it off the edge then they would not be eligible for new vehicles or weapons. I do know this. As far as I have been able to tell, every disabled tank I have had in an operation has been put back in working order for the next battle. That has been my experience. 2. Here again, my guess would be "No, they would not be eligible, since they did not make it off the map. The portion deleted still had them on the map so I would assume that they would not. Exit means you take them off the edge of the map by clicking M or F and extending that off the map. That is how I do it. I hope this helps a little. I also hope to get a firm answer from Steve on this one for you very soon. ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

All right, Stefan. Very nice web site. Your approach is different and very informative. Don't forget to include the Wild Bill's Raiders BOOTS N' TRACKS Site in your observation section, please. I'd love to be there! http://wbr.thegamers.net/boots_tracks/index.asp Good luck with your site! ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Thanks, GRTZ (What does that stand for?). Those little touches when they can be done add a lot to the battle. Feel free to use the material as you think best for your needs. I'm going to visit your web site now. Glad to know its there... ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Both of these were done by very experienced and qualified designers. Dick "Warmeister" Reece did Ham and Jam. Darwin "White Rook" Barnes was the author of Move it or Lose it. I tested both of them and enjoyed both of them. Move it or Lose it I tested probably six times. The fight around those bridges is quite a battle... ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

We call that "motivation," Pathfinder ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

No, I haven't Andy, but thanks. I will try to find it. I think I did include Steel Inferno, by Reynolds. ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Dragoon, we are kindred spirits. Pour me a cup of java and let me share some more war stories till the CD arrives. Or we could still chase women, but my knees have gone bad on me ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

While answering a note from Andreas on PBEM scenarios, a thought occurred to me and I wanted to share it. Have you fought any battles or operations that you just had to play again? Have any of the battles you've fought earned a "repeat" status? You don't find those often. But they do happen, and like that old war movie where you know every line in it, but still watch it when you can, I'll bet there is a scenario or two that are on your, "I'll do this one again" list. ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

You have a valid point, Andreas. In my own work, I attempted to give each side a fighting chance in my scenario designs, always. To be candid, perfect balance is veritably impossible to attain, my friend. There are too many variables in play and the designer can add more. And some players are better than others. The best that any scenario creator can do is get close. I did not put any such warnings in the ones I did because I seriously attempted to balance them as closely as possible for play from either side. As Los states, not all designers had this in mind when they did their scenarios. I cannot speak for them, only for my own work. This is not a defense, but an explanation. Finally, you have a point. If the designer knows (and he should know if he is worth his beans) that the scenario is not winnable from one side, he should mention that it is best played from the Allied or German side. That warning, if it is there, should be enough for you. Perhaps designs in the future will carry that warning for you. I'll try to do that in the future. In the meantime, if you do find one like that, try varying the strength of the weaker side to give it a more powerful attack or defense for another play. And a good scenario should be worth at least two plays. Occasionally, rarely, you'll find one that you play again and again, because it affords so many options....but that is another theme. ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

No biggie, Doug! You're just giving the boys a fighting chance ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Hey Juardis, The bug has bitten you too, I see . Well, you've come to the right place. Welcome Everybody here has the same passion as you. CM is where its at right now and you are certainly in your element. So you got a squad of men out there on that field taking on the enemy huh? Now here is a man with imagination, guys! He'll do well here. We have lots of imagination here Juardis, some paranoia, and a few delusional, but all good guys Welcome to the mayhem of CM followers! ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Nah, BB, I am not that one. I'm just a diehard gamer like you with a bad reputation and an inordinate love for all good wargames, with CM right up at the top of the list. Glad you joined us. You'll find this to be a friendly group... , pretty friendly. Join us. Speak your mind Everyone else does ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Sadly that is the case. What is interesting is that some of the best authors on American military history are British Authors. A few of my favorites. Bryan Perrett, John Keegan, Max Hastings and George Forty (is he British...not sure). Your reference books have always overwhelmed with their depth and detail. Great authors and great books. God help me if I ever get over to the isles, I'll go broke buying books ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

My kind of people! Play with enthusiasm! That is where the fun (and the pain) is! Go CM'ers! ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

He could be right! You've heard of "Father Christmas." Well, I'm "Father Wargamer." With a few other names I've picked up along the way, "Grumpus," "Old Grayhair," "Grayhair 6," and some we'll leave to the imagination. ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Well, on behalf of the entire design team, let me express my thanks to you gentlemen with your very kind comments. One of the reasons people do design scenarios (not the only one!)is to provide a service for fellow gamers. Another is the recognition of our peers in the hobby. None of this scenario design team was paid. BTS was very kind to send us a CD and a physical token of thanks. For that we are all grateful. and for the opportunity to participate we are most grateful! The hours and hours of hard work in designing (AND TESTING - now THAT can be the hard part), revising for new builds, seeking balance and cohesiveness in the battle, researching, struggling with maps ("Rock Poop in a dirt pile"...gotta love that one, Pathfinder - I've designed a few of those ), its all part of the process. But IT'S ALL WORTH IT, when good hearted folks like you express your appreciation. Its like saying "sic'em" to a hound dog. Makes us want to try harder and do more. And as a note of encouragement, you will get there. We just went down that same road a little before you did. And one hint before I leave. Start small. Play with the map editor. Don't even try a final design until you have spent a whole day with it, experimenting, switching back and forth. Give yourselves a little time and you'll soon be outdoing us. As Darth Vadar so aptly put it, your words will be, "Now I am the master!" I do hope other scenario designers will see this and thank you themselves. It was kind of all of you! Go, my friends. Good luck with it! ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com [This message has been edited by Wild Bill Wilder (edited 07-12-2000).]

Hmm. I don't know. Sorry, I've never tried the battle generator. I would think that it would. If it doesn't, be assured I'll recommend that. Having some well made, well balanced maps can really create battle ambiance for CM. Let me check. I'll try it myself... ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Anticipated condolences to his friends and family. I feel the pain already ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

SNIPER! You are the man. The map is the one in the Nijmegen scenario, Amphibious Airborne. As for the maps, you certainly have permission to use all of mine. Just open the scenario, remove all the units, location names (if you wish) and resave it with the name you want it to have. Its very easy. Man, I'm looking forward to this dogfight. My two oldest boys (2 or 6 kids) used to fight every day...every day. They are 45 and 43 now so that could get dangerous for both of them Keep me posted on this upcoming intense battle. The scenario is very evenly balanced so it should work well for PBEM or however you choose to play it. ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

It's very rare for me to type one correctly, so I'm enjoying my triumph ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

I believe that, Steve. Try Amazon.com. If there are discount, they have them. If you are a serious collector, I do strongly recommend the US Army in WW2 series from the US Government. The National Historical Society offers them a volume a month for about $25. These are the classics, most written by Charles McDonald, official US Army historian for many years. He was also the author of "A Time for Trumpets"(The Bulge - he was there) and "Company Commander." And if you wish, I'll make you a smaller selection of "I need these to get going" books. Let me know... ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

I just clicked on it, Rob, and it took me right to the Raider page. I had no problem. If anyone else tries it and can't get through, let me know, please. It worked fine for me. ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Gentlemen! Just wanted you to know that new pages for the Raiders, Field of Fire (campaign Series), BootsN'Tracks (Combat Mission), and Steel Chariots (Steel Panthers) are up and running. You'll find new scenarios, new ideas for gaming and a lot more. Please join us. It all begins on the Main Raider Page and then go to the site you like best. http://wbr.thegamers.net Thank you Frank Donati, for your help as always. We could not do it without you....Wild Bill ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com