Wild Bill Wilder

I can't imagine a more frustrating, heart-rending moment than that. It has never happened to me. I told those pilots to read the script! It does kind of spoil your day, Blackwood. Sorry ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Crossing the Waal was the tense moment for me, seeing those bodies pile up! It is not for the faint-hearted.., Thanks PF.. =================== ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

To a point you are right, Super T. Shortened scenarios are a tool to put pressure on the commander. This is not ahistorical at all. Too many times, combat leaders were pushed to the point of terrible losses. "You're behind, Round-top! The other companies have taken their positions. Move up, take your objectives, or by God, your company will have a new CO tomorrow. No excuses, move!" While not quite fair in gaming, it was even more unfair and ruthless in real war. Patton told one of his generals in North Africa, "Put more officers on the line. I want more officers as casualties. It looks bad for the men to have so many enlisted men as casualties and an improper ratio of officers. I want officer casualties." Inspired (I guess) by loyalty, the general himself took to the front lines and suffered a serious face wound. So this is the madness behind the method. It can be argued both ways. But in combat, time has always been a factor. Given enough time, the enemy would fall, perhaps with less casualties, but commanders had a time table. Sad, but apparently true. ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Looks like the bar ate us, Jgdpzr Somebody else makes the rules; I go by 'em Still, I'm glad you got some pleasure out of the battle. I understand your frustration, I really do. ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

I'll vouch for your sickness. Yes, he is SICK! ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Shades of SPR! After I play it, I want to go watch the movie again. Thanks, my friend. Glad you enjoyed it... ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

No comment ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

"Splish, splash.." Enjoy the fireworks... ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

I was hoping for a report on the crossing of the Waal River by Julius Cook's battalion in the capture of the bridge at Nijmegen. Has anyone tried that one? It is a little different and I found it kind of hard, but that could be my playing of the battle. If you're looking for a change of pace, this is definitely it. And Market Garden is well represented in these scenarios, Arnhem (operation), Nijmegen, Zon (near Eindhoven) and the Guards Advance up the highway. So that is at least four on Market Garden. It seems to be a start. Of course, you can add more ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Gentlemen, I thank you. I'll be writing you shortly, after I shoot my firecrackers If I can be of help, I certainly will. Do just what I can. Thanks. ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

I'm honestly not sure, Iconclast, just what any penalty might be. My understanding was that you were not penalized for not exiting but got extra points if you did. Let me check on that, or some of the other team may have an answer before I get back. I will investigate. As to PBEM, I think the scenario still tends to favor the US side IF the US player uses the right strategy. Here it is a matter (as in most battles) of who gets the objectives first and then let the enemy come to them. ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Miles, I missed your earlier post, sorry. Yes, that was intentional. There were some sharp slopes on the high ground around Noville and traveling across country was perilous for tanks at best. This I attempted to demonstrate. That is why the Germans need Bastogne so desparately. The tanks did not do well in open country in the Ardennes because there was not much of it. Bastogne was a road hub that would allow faster movement for the panzers. So yes, I did not want to make it to easy or overpowering on the flank. It would have been an easy victory for the Germans with that edge. Hope this helps... ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Actually, nothing is broken. In an operation, the goal if you are defending is to keep the enemy from penetrating to a point where he either does or can without you stopping him reach the edge of the map that belongs to you. Conversely, the same is true if you are the attacker. That is just the way the game and the operations are set up. Now if it is a destroy operation, that is different, because you win by killing. So really, I can't feel badly about using the setup for operations as it comes with the game. You use what you have. Historically, the goal of the German forces was to reach and take Bastogne. For the Americans it was to keep them out. Team Desobry had the task of holding Noville in such a way that the Germans could not get to Bastogne. Be that as it may, I am glad you enjoyed the battle and I am sorry if you were disappointed. Win some, lose some. And some enjoyed it, I'll have to settle for that. Thanks for the input Dalem and Jgdpzr...WB ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

You can change the names of the scenarios with the file manager with no danger, Bill. Why not simply put a CM-name of scenario in front of all scenarios that came with the game. Check dates also. All CM scenarios are dated 3-27-00 I think. Anyway, you know later dates indicate extraneous scenarios. It's one way of doing it. And you can use other coding to help you according to your tastes. Better start now though, before the pile gets too high ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Not rare, Actor, but Special, yes! Thank you. Watch your mailbox. On the way. And if you got one, I'll test yours ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

You will find, as I have found that there are always more designers than testers. Testing scenarios requires a special kind of guy. I compare him to the lineman on a football team. He does the dirty work and the quarterback gets the headlines. So testers are a special breed, and essential to a successful scenario. I thank God for every tester on the CM team. Those are the guys who really make it happen! May I make a suggestion to all of you seeking testers? Do some testing for someone else. Trade off. "I'll test yours, you test mine." Get your hands dirty. Testing is a great experience. You learn from it. During my time here at CM leading the Design Test team, I tested scenarios too. I made sure that for every scenario I designed, I tested two. Some of the other designers did the same (Not all, I fear!). But the ones that did ended up doing better on their own scenarios by the learning process. It works better that way. So find someone on this forum who is looking for testers. Write him. Agree to swap scenarios and test for one another. You might get some good results and it will be a most rewarding experience. By seeing how to improve another's scenarios, you'll learn more about improving your own. ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Give yourself a little credit too, Dan. You had a perfect setup for taking on the encroaching enemy. Hard for even a more aggressive enemy to overcome that. Getting to the RR station first and in time to set up some staggered defenses was a smart move. I had one of my bazookas in the buildings and he was the key to my success taking out the SP gun and a Panther. And he lived to tell about it! Nice tactics!... ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

You guys are the best! On the way right now, Mike ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Buckeye, yours went through. Mike, yours was returned. The E-Mail address of yours does not work. Just so you know. I tried... ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Its coming to you and Mike directly now via E-Mail. This should work much better. As soon as I can find a home for it, I'll post a note here. Thanks for helping with a little "testing." Sorry the lesson was so bitter I think I got your E-Mail address correct for both of you. Let me know if you receive it. Hey, no shame. If we have patches for the game, why not for scenarios. Who says they can't be made better WB ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com [This message has been edited by Wild Bill Wilder (edited 07-02-2000).]

I've just replayed as the Germans, Buckeye and I think you have a valid point. I was able to salvage two of the four, but it does not make sense to reinforce into an ambush. We'll fix it up and I'll post it somewhere. I'll let you know. Good job guys. Thanks for catching this. WB ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

When you go to save, Owen, the first place that is opened is Saved Game folder. I usually refuse that and save mine in the scenarios folder. Saving them there, I have no problem finding them. Why don't you try that and see if it works? ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

My experience, Pawbroon, is that women like to play games. I wonder why they don't like to play wargames? Now I'm cracking myself up ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Not at all, Buckeye! You may have a point. This did not happen to me when I played it. I was fortunate and able to move out in force. I did come under attack shortly after moving. One alternative might be to set up even another reinforcement hex and split those forces. Initially I had them all come in at once but that did not work well at all, which is why I changed it into two reinforcing groups. Tell you what, let me play it a little more today and see how it goes. If I see that it does need to be changed, I will change it and post the modification on Madmatt's CMHQ scenario list (if he will let me...you know how he is ) If that is the case, I'll post a note here for you all. Fair enough? Thanks for letting me know this. Wild Bill ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Thanks Bill and the rest of you guys for supporting this in the scenario design. I try very carefully not to OVERDO this. I don't want unpleasant surprises to be overwhelming. Now THAT would make me angry Just a little unpleasant :frown: or pleasant surprise (Martyr's case) to make the adrenalin flow a little faster ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com