Wild Bill Wilder

Hey Paul, nice verbal recreation of the fight Thanks for sharing. As to the question, I think they have to exit to get points. Of course, if you have eliminated the enemy, then the way is open and it would seem logical that you could get bonus points. Still, the time frame applies I suppose. The life of a commander is hard in this Theater of War Thanks again....Wild Bill ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Personally, I think it is a grand idea. I am sure Charles and Steve would agree They would want a "modern" version of course, but can you imagine how much fun this game would be on this level...modern warfare. No, I don't want to hear that it won't work. I think it will. Sure the kill factor is much higher in terms of missiles, better weapons, etc, but that works on both sides. Love to move through the Fulda Gap with a few Bradleys and a platoon of grunts looking for those invading Ruskies. Wow, got my adrenalin going just thinking about it. WB ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Thanks Leland! Yes, I'm not strong on computer computations, but Charles addressed that issue saying that the computer calculates on the basis of the battle completed what the start line is to be. The same thing occurs in the Arnhem Operation. It can be frustrating thinking you might have to retake it. That however is not the case. What you do is get set up anew by usually moving into the area and getting ready for the next attack. Agreed, it is kind of nerve shattering when you first start WB ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Thanks, Pathfinder. I was curious as to how it would play among you gentlemen as the British. Wittmann alone is still a tough hombre and he is hard to take out. I'm glad to know it played that well for you. WB ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Keep shooting everything in sight. Danger will appear from every angle. That ain't a spoiler, just a friendly warning Wild Bill ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Walter is quite correct. You can also set up zones for your units. Once placed in those zones, when the player begins the scenario, he can move those units within the lines of that zone. Units within the zone will have the same color base as the zone they are in. The designer can also "lock" units in place even within a zone so that some can be moved and some can't. There are a lot of options. Now if I understand correctly you are asking about setting up zones. You do that in the map editor by clicking on the zone button upper left of the screen. Then click in one of the three colors that each side has. So you can have 3 zones or less for each nationality. WB ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Are you speaking of operation design or play. I'm not sure which you mean... ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

You are aboslutely right, Jager. The decision making of a commander as to troop commital is about as tough as it gets. Learning how to improvise, how to make the best of a bad situation, all of this is a part of the gut-wrenching reality of Combat Mission. Seeing your men and tanks set out to obey your orders, watching as they encounter unexpected opposition or problems in executing your orders, all of it is geared to make the adrenalin flow freely. In my case, it evokes, moans, groans, whoops of joy and a continual peek-in by my wife to see if I have totally lost it. Usually I have ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Thanks, Oddball. Sorry I played a dirty one on you!...WB ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Let me know what you think, Buckeye. These comments do help us. Thanks Wild Bill ================= ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Not trying to toot my own horn here but may I recommend "Fear in the Fog." If you have a fog emulator in your display active it makes for an interesting study in the uncertainties of war. War has its own fog. When you couple that with a thick morning mist in the Ardennes and you are hunting for infiltrating German units, OR trying to sneak your way behind lines of the Screaming Eagles to open a corridor to Bastogne, it can become somewhat of a nail biter. It becomes a deadly game of hide and seek. Sometimes you find things you wish you hadn't Wild Bill ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Update: Got the scenario from Bobaroo. I unzipped, loaded it into the scenario subdirectory and I can see it just fine. It looks like a great scenario with a beautiful huge map. Waiting to hear from Bobaroo after a few tech pointers. More later. ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

I just wanted to advise you starting next week, you'll be finding the more unusual scenarios as an offering on the Wild Bill and the Raiders Web site in the Boots N' Tracks section. Some of these include "Ramelle, Saving Private Ryan," "Combat!" (from the two part episode, "Hills are for Heroes," "Manhay," three Panther tanks behind US lines trying to get back to friendly positions (a real happening in WW2), "Bruneval," the 1942 raid by British paras on a Radar installation on the French Coast (We fudged on the date, but its still fun ) and others. And some others, plus more to come. Now these won't be your standard battles. Some are quick, and some are longer. Some are not realistic perhaps but they are fun to play. So beginning next week, check us out for some "weird" or I prefer "unique" scenarios. PLUS, we tied Madmatt to a chair, sedated him and got a pretty decent interview out of him. You might want to read that too. Its not up yet, but should be by Monday. Check us out at http://wbr.thegamers.net (Boots N' Tracks) And if you have an unusual scenario and want us to check it out for possible posting (no promises!)send it my way. We'll take a look and let you know.Remember, we want the "unusual" kind. billw@thegamers.net WB ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Hey Greg! Let me recommend Madmatt's Combat Mission Headquarters, his scenario section. Now notice when you get there that Matt has formed a webring of CM sites. Here you can find places to get more scenarios for the game. Those of you with CM sites and scenarios might want to think of joining this webring. Write Matt and let him know. Madmatt can be found at http://combathq.thegamers.net There will be a couple of new scenarios or operations every week till the well runs dry Also try the Raider Boots N' Track site, where will be offering an occasional "unusual" scenario. Some of our upcoming ones include "Ramelle, Saving Private Ryan," "Combat" from the episode, "Hills are for Heroes," "Bruneval" the British airdrop into France in 42 (I know, but I did it anyway - ) to steal radar equipment off the French coast, "Manhay" when you must guide three Panther tanks through American lines to safety. And there will be other "different" types of scenarios plus editing hints on the Raider site. We are at http://wbr.thegamers.net (go to Boots N' Tracks) So there is plenty out there!...WB ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

One more answer. The only other objective you can give a unit is an "exit" side. If one side or the other gets points for exiting the map, they will try to do that. Objective flags are usually a higher priority, however. Get the flag and then get out of Dodge WB

Matt is quite right. The process is go into the map preview section. Find the flag, click on it. Then type "P" and click on the spot you want the map. Its that simple. Good luck with it, Pathfinder! ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

No problem, Buckeye! Wiltz is an ideal scenario to begin with, small, quick play. It gives you a feel for the game. Kind of like Tutorial #2. I'm glad you enjoyed it. That was my intent. In fact all of the scenario designers were very attentive to making the scenarios fun and challenging. Being in company with Bil H is an honor for me always. Did you know he was part of the Madmatt Madpack team. Bil is quite an artist himself. And Matt is right about the scenarios. There is some quality stuff that will be posted at TGN, both on the CMHQ and the WBR Boots N' Track section. By the way, in case anyone is curious. The purpose of two sites dealing with CM on TGN is (1) because it such a great game and (2) our focus is different. The Raiders will focus primarily on tips and hints for designing and editing your own scenarios. Matt is gonna do it all. I expect nothing less from him. So the Raider site simply supports the CMHQ site and that is as it should be. We'll keep you supplied "Steamy poo" Madmatt? Yes, he is mad, no doubt about that From a Cohort of the MadOne! ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Remember guys, there are two Wittmann contributions to the game. One is a scenario; the other is an operation. For those who want to fight the battle and move on, you can play my Wittmann scenario. For those who want part II of the battle, I recommend the operation by Los. It is an excellent operation. For those who like linked battles, I recommend it. So as Ray says, there are two Wittmans. And Ray, or any of you, please feel free to take the scenarios I have done, fix them up like you want. Clear the units and use the map. They were done for you. Use them as you will. We just want you to have fun with them. ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

I had not thought of that, Bullethead. And you are right. Thank you! As the designer, I should have remembered that part. There is a group of Germans on the US right flank that head over the hill. The best strategy...Oops, that is a spoiler. I'll stop there. Just remember, US player, you are responsible not only for Noville but entire west side of the map. I want to give a hint, but I'm biting my tongue! Wild Bill ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

That is because the game enjoys one of the most sophisticated 21st century AIs ever seen in a wargame. It reacts to given situations and makes the best of a non-thinking designer That is a joke, Zamo. Put down the bazooka. And can you imagine what you can do with the editor if you put some thought into it I'm just finishing up a new one where two American forces are at either end of the map. One is a rescue force fighting its way to the beleaguered US Rangers. Its fun to see what happens. Love this AI(computer intelligence)!...Wild Bill ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Sometimes we expect from a game more than it can give. Sometimes our perception of how things "should" be is not how things "are." We all have our concepts of realism. Only men who have been in combat REALLY know how things are. What do men do under fire? All kinds of things! And not necessarily the same thing. Some freeze; some run; some charge the guns. Expect the unexpected. Don't think that your concept of reality is reality. Be open to other possibilities. The game is one of the most realistic from my point of view of realism that I have ever played. Turn off fog of war in a game. Watch how the computer moves and uses its forces. Just watch! Now THAT, in my book, is realism. See a tank come under fire, slam into reverse and back out of the line of fire. Watch as infantry try to flank your guys. Realism is here. It is how we perceive it. ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

I don't think that should have happened, Oddball. It sounds very strange to me. It played all the way through again and again during the testing. Did you save any turns? I am especially interest in the last turns. If you did, send them to me via E-Mail and let me take a look. billw@thegamers.net From what you describe, you should have been able to continue. WB ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Hey Madmatt! Send it my way. I like 'em bloody! Bil H has two very good scenarios on the CD. I know. I played 'em all! In fact, they all had to meet certain standards before they were allowed to be on the CD. Quality indeed, Bil! And your work is quality! You have my vote! ...WB ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Standing by...WB ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com

Do you think he could give me lessons? One of our top testers, Tim Orosz, has a son, Chris, about your son's age and he designed a great map that I used for the first new scenario we'll be posting on the TGN Raider Boots N' Tracks Site. Tell him I said "Good going!"...WB ------------------ Wild Bill Lead Tester/Designer Combat Mission-Beyond Overlord billw@matrixgames.com