guachi

I like the Allies, America specifically. CM is the first game where I enjoy playing the Allies. I am TRYING to get to like the British, but it isn't easy. And it is just SO COOL to see your own name (McGrody) as a unit name. Jason

Can I be the first to do this?!?! Read the FAQ. It isn't very good or complete yet. (I don't mind saying that because I wrote most of what is available so far) It is available at: http://cm4mac.tripod.com It is a work in progress so far, but it at least has THIS question in it. Jason It feels SO GOOD to say, "Read the FAQ"

Teutonicc, you are now a member of the Searchonauts. The thread that Teutonicc posted also includes a link I posted to an earlier thread. Thanks for taking the time to do a search and post the link. Jason

I'll just have a handy look-see at my unit database.... Crap!! I haven't added in artillery or on-board guns yet! But the weekend approaches and I've got some nifty additions in store for the database... Jason

Man, if only getting laid was as easy as setting up a CM PBEM game. Jason

Yes, as BTS stated many moons ago, the alternative could possibly leave the batlefield littered with unit markers. And besides, how would the AI know which markers could be taken down and which couldn't? For example ,if the enemy has one Tiger and it keeps going into and out of LOS, you would generate multiple unit markers - none of which would be of any use except as screen clutter. Jason

The first, you've played too much CM thread... http://www.battlefront.com/discuss/Forum1/HTML/001447.html Colin, you mean like this? Jason

Fionn, a minor nitpick about your mention of American war 'heroes' I am a Montanan and the Little Bighorn Battlefield is practically in my back yard. You are the first person I have ever heard describe Custer as a hero. The same goes for Sherman. Assuming there are any Americans who would recognize the name, I doubt many would consider him a hero. Certainly not many Southerners would. In the 19th century perhaps people might have thought the above men were heroes, but last I checked that was two centuries previous. Jason

Building representation has long been regarded as 'sub-optimal'. Steve kept mentioning over and over back last millenium (I like the sound of that) that building graphics would be changed for CM2 where a good representation of close urban combat is a must. Jason

I'd go for a full company whenever possible, preferably at least one veteran company. Companies are SO worth it for the 5% point cost reduction over a platoon and for the Company HQ. It almost works out that the reduced points of buying units in a company PAYS for the Company HQ. It is also cool buying a company and getting the support units at a 10% cost reduction. I also like to mix the forces - one vet company with one regular company as backup. The vets do the heavy lifting and the regular troops are reserves. Jason

I'm not much of a mod person, but I got the new radio icons. I was kind of amused that it was zipped. I don't think I had ever seen a 1K zip before. Thanks, DeanCo and Madmatt. Jason

I assume the duplication could only be avoided if Colin can update the question and answer list with the name of whomever is answering the question. This might require frequent updates by Colin and, as he intimated, he might not have the time to be that dilligent. Yeah, Simon, you did offer your help a month ago and now I am asking for it. Someone like you has obvious knowledge of WWII and this forum and the FAQ can only be better from having more people contribute. And I hoped you liked the database. You might want to check out Col. Klotz's web site as I think it has a more up to date version. Jason

Operations don't have victory objectives. They have an overall objective that is given in the operation briefing. Mortars are good for suppression or for taking out static guns. They have a very hig rate of fire, so use them carefully as they will run out of ammo in a few turns. Another bonus is that they can be fired indirectly as described on page 88 of the manual. Jason

No one has done so to my knowledge. Why not give it a shot yourself? I have no doubt that modders everyhwere would appreciate the effort. Jason

I'm playing a QB versus Robert Hall. Settings are 1250 pts combined arms, overcast, Sept. 44, moderate hills, moderate trees, and town setting. The map is a bizarre arrangement of densely packed block houses in the center surounded by open areas with good LOS. I like the map as it is a good contrast of close in combat and the possibility of long range duels. Jason

I sent off a FAQ to Colin I wrote a month ago. In it I answered this question and I was hesitant in answering it because I was unsure if my answer would seem reasonable. Turns out my answer is identical to what the responses here have been. My only suggestion would be rather than three men per squad, have each 'soldier' represent three men. The net effect isn't much different, but it does give some variability in number of soldiers shown. As it stands now, a 7 man British Airborne squad has three men as does a 13 man sturmgruppe squad. 2.33 men per icon in the former case and 4.33 in the latter. VISUALLY, the squads look to be the same size, but this isn't so. CM is built on providing as much information VISUALLY as possible. But as it stands, a sturmgruppe squad at 7 men would have two icons and a 7 man airborne squad would have three! VISUALLY, the airborne squad looks bigger, but they are the same size. Under my proposal, a 13 man sturmgruppe squad would have 4.33 icons (rounded up to five) and and airborne squad would have 2.33 (rounded up to three). Not only does the sturmgruppe squad have more men, it would LOOK like it had more men. This would provide valuable info for the player. Also, while it would mean more infantry icons, the increase isn't that great. Jason

Thanks guys!! And this didn't really take time away from playing CM, I just reduced unnecessary things like eating and sleeping. I now have an understanding why some people like Madmatt, etc. put so much work into fan sites, or scenarios, or textures. There is no pay, but the compliments sure are good to read! I would have submitted this to CMHQ, but Matt was away and the Col. was kind enough to agree to host it. NOW you see why I haven't been working on the FAQ for the last month. Planned additions (which may or may not ever appear) are the REST of the units with pics; historical pics (if I can ever find them); a rarity chart; brief text descriptions of the units; firepower and armor penetration charts; arty with arrival times; average ammo loadouts for vehicles and guns; average HQ bonuses (for things like command and morale); average squad allotment of panzerfausts and rifle grenades; command delay and morale recovery times for infantry; a list of the sound and graphics files for each unit (for ease of modding) WITH links to the sounds. SOME of these additions are purely fanciful and likely will never appear, but some, like the unit rarity, are easy to add. And just think. Since it is an Excel file, you can look at it while at work and your boss may actually think you are working! Jason Oh, I need to give a big thank you to Robert Hall who has given me GREAT feedback. He was the one who suggested those cool pulldown menus and a bunch of other features. Some which may see the light of day, such as an additional menu screen to be able to compare units side by side.

You guys rock!! My first post in this thread was my last right before I went to bed. I got back from work and dwonloaded my e-mail and logged in to the forum. I have warm fuzzies from the positive response here and in e-mail. I guess I should get my ass in gear and write up some more answers. If anybody needs links to discussions for help in writing answers, I've got TONS! I have over 2000 links indexed by topic for people who want to delve for that 'official' Steve response. Check out Colin's site as he now has a list of Qs that need an A. http://cm4mac.tripod.com/ Jason [This message has been edited by guachi (edited 08-15-2000).]

I assume you have the answers I sent you? After my call for help yesterday, there are some volunteers. The volunteers so far consist of: Holdit Germanboy Bunchout Martyr Elvis Ben Galanti Germanboy agreed to write up about campaigns. I think the others are just waiting for a go ahead on what questions to write. I'll send them on over to your site. You are one step ahead of me! I was going to drop you a line after work and ask if you could do just the thing you are doing now. Jason

I think the recent spate of 'meta' discussions about dealing with newbies has reached a critical point. We've needed a FAQ for a long time. But now we REALLY need one. A GOOD one. Interesting that people TALK about needing a FAQ as if it will magically create itself. ANYONE who wants to help, PLEASE send me an e-mail. This goes for you, too, Mr. Simon Fox , as well as for all the people who have been frustrated at one time or another by a newbie's question. I think we owe it to the newbies to provide the same welcoming atmosphere that greeted many of us when we first arrived. Remember that many of you asked the SAME questions that many of the newbies ask now. Newbies are a GOOD thing. It means more popularity for CM. Let's make their introduction to hte forum a good one. All I ask is 15-30 minutes of your time to write up and answer ONE question and do a search for a few good links. If enough people pitch in, it should be easy to get to 100 questions in no time. Remember we can keep answering the SAME questions OVER and OVER or we can do it once and do it right. A FAQ is too large of a chore for one person, which is why I gave up. And also because Simon was right in another thread that I get things done 80% - so I need help on the other 20%! But what I have done so far is still more than many of you have done! Jason And, Simon, my database isn't 'fanciful' it is actually quite cool, but you haven't seen it so how would you know? [This message has been edited by guachi (edited 08-15-2000).]

You probably won't be surprised to hear that this question came up a long time ago (like a year ago). There weren't any plans then and there aren't any plans now for AI vs AI play. AFAIK, it isn't even on 'The List' of things to include. Jason

This seems to be a much better thread to discuss this. Here is what I wrote in another thread. <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> I have a Word doc I wrote up about a month ago which covers some of the basic questions. But who am I to say my answers are the only ones? The questions I currently have answered are: What is CM? Where can I get the demo? Where can I buy CM? How much does CM cost? How long does CM take to ship? Does CM come with a box and a manual? Are there any reviews I can read about CM? Are there any CM websites out there? Will there be any add-on packs for CM? What theaters will CM2, CM3, CM4, etc. cover? When will CM2 be out? I didn’t notice a CM: Pacific Theater listed. Can I modify unit data? Can I modify the textures and sounds? There are no winter textures in CM. Where can I download scenarios? How do I take a screenshot? What is the latest version of CM? Are versions 1.00, 1.01, 1.02, 1.03 compatible with each other? When will TCP/IP play be added? Why wasn’t TCP/IP play included in the original release? My (video card, sound card, mouse, etc.) doesn’t work. Help! I want an OOB screen! (I think this is funny, because I had the answer written up long before the most recent OOB discussion) Why do squads only have three men displayed? Can I watch all the movies together? A REALLY good answer would also include links to juicy discussions (preferably with an 'official' response by Steve. Jason<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Gerbilboy, I think it would be great if all the 'old-timers' pitched in. Anyone who remembers me proclaiming WAAAYYY back at the begining of April that I was going to do a FAQ qualifies as an old-timer. Obviously, I never finished it. Started, yes. Finished, no. My time the last month has been spent playing CM and doing a unit database (which turned out really cool!) So I am calling all old-timers to pitch in and answer ONE question. I have answered the above questions. Colin has my answers in doc format and he is absolutely correct that it needs updating as it was written before 1.03 came out. The 'other' person working on the FAQ is Doug Beman. I suspect he is still having computer problems, otherwise I would have heard more from him by now. All I ask is that you answer ONE question and perhaps provide some links (although not absolutely necessary as I have about 2000 links already indexed). You write the question and answer, I provide the link, somebody else does the formatting/editing/web hosting. I regret not having the FAQ done earlier as it would have saved us lots of headaches with newbies. My abilites are geared more towards numbers (which is why I have spent so much time on a database and so little on a FAQ lately). The CM forum is a GREAT community and I think Steve and Charles would REALLY appreciate if we all pitched in and made a FAQ. Think if it as giving back for the great game they made and all the time they spend reading our posts. You can send the Q & As to me or perhaps Germanboy would like to help as well? He obviously has a better command of written English than I do and the more help the better. With a full scale community effort we could have this thing done in a week or two. SO LET'S GET TO IT!! Jason

How about BTS has a contest with all the money they have now. They could have prizes giving away BTS and CM hats, shirts, and mugs. The Grand Prize could be a trip to BTS Global HQ and a ride in the Weasel! Sound silly? I bet a bunch of us would jump at the chance to meet THE Steve and THE Charles. Jason

I have a Word doc I wrote up about a month ago which covers some of the basic questions. But who am I to say my answers are the only ones? The questions I currently have answered are: What is CM? Where can I get the demo? Where can I buy CM? How much does CM cost? How long does CM take to ship? Does CM come with a box and a manual? Are there any reviews I can read about CM? Are there any CM websites out there? Will there be any add-on packs for CM? What theaters will CM2, CM3, CM4, etc. cover? When will CM2 be out? I didn’t notice a CM: Pacific Theater listed. Can I modify unit data? Can I modify the textures and sounds? There are no winter textures in CM. Where can I download scenarios? How do I take a screenshot? What is the latest version of CM? Are versions 1.00, 1.01, 1.02, 1.03 compatible with each other? When will TCP/IP play be added? Why wasn’t TCP/IP play included in the original release? My (video card, sound card, mouse, etc.) doesn’t work. Help! I want an OOB screen! (I think this is funny, because I had the answer written up long before the most recent OOB discussion) Why do squads only have three men displayed? Can I watch all the movies together? A REALLY good answer would also include links to juicy discussions (preferably with an 'official' response by Steve. Jason

You are right. It needs more than shiny Soviet tanks. It needs burning wrecked Soviet tanks! Destroyed by valiant Hamsterminen and courageous Gerbiljaegers! Jason