David Aitken

> So does that mean that since they provided the option to play with no FOW that that is an official endorsment and we should all play with no FOW? I think not. There's a distinction to be made there. When playing without FOW, the game is still within its main scope, and can still be played optimally - it's just not as challenging. When playing in first-person, the game becomes tricky - not challenging, but tricky. In other words, you're not testing your tactical skills - you're trying to get to grips with playing the game in a way which it was not intended to be played. No-FOW is already fully supported, and is logical. First-person is not fully supported, hence my position as detailed in earlier posts. David

Last night I set up a Quick Battle with a 75mm US forward observer against two Wirbelwind's in a rural setting. (I wanted to try out a fighter-bomber, but I got the force balance wrong and couldn't afford it, but I played anyway.) I ran the FO right up into some woods at the German end of the map, but the Wirbelwind's spotted him and he was routed. After he retreated and recovered, he launched a bombardment on the last sighting of one of the Wirbelwind's, and quickly scored with an airburst. I couldn't see the other, so I ran the FO forward again. This is the weird bit: right at the end of a go, he was just about to reach the treeline. Beginning of the next go... one Wirbelwind materialises two inches in front of his face... exit one FO. The Wirbelwind couldn't have come out of the woods - and it's beyond me how my FO didn't spot it as he was running over open ground towards it. It just goes to show that in CM, all is not what it seems. David

> there is no need to change the graphics to make them "comparable to a first-person game". My argument was also to counter the more ambitious suggestions, such as: > I hope that they make enough money off this that they can improve the soldier animation and model resolution, however. And: > Allow views 3 and 4 if you purchase a "spotter plane" from the unit purchase list However, I still think it would be somewhat 'unprofessional' for BTS to make an official modification to CM which would allow you to lock it in first-person. I say this because, again, it is essentially a third-person game, and first-person play should remain purely for those keen enough to persevere with its shortcomings. As soon as BTS gave us a lock-in-first-person option, it would be tantamount to an endorsement of this mode of play, and then people would start wondering why it was so tricky to play in first-person. So then the pressure would grow on BTS to add first-person features, and I've already given my views about that. First-person should remain unsupported, because any first-person feature such as a 'lock' would only be the thin end of the wedge. Play in first-person if you like, but you do so entirely at risk to your electronic chums in uniform. David

> What "cost to other aspects of the game" do you perceive in the above? The fact that time and energy spent developing the first-person perspective would be of little benefit to the game as a whole. Special first-person features, and enhancements to make first-person look or play better, would be lost in third-person. David

For those who enjoy playing first-person, that's great. But I don't think any efforts on BTS's part should be invested in it. CM is essentially a third-person game. The control system is optimised for third-person - in first-person it is tricky and inaccurate. The graphics are optimised for third-person - to make them comparable quality to first-person games would (1) be a collossal waste of time, and (2) be totally impractical in terms of hardware requirements. Moreover, first-person play takes a ridiculous amount of time - for a game which was already very time-consuming. It also makes battles very confusing, which may be realistic - but only from the individual soldiers' point-of-view. CM simulates an overview of the battlefield - you lose many of the best aspects of the game by playing first-person. It's a tactical game, not a shoot-em-up. If you want the best possible experience from a first-person perspective, go buy a first-person game. CM is a third-person game which, wonderfully, allows viewing from any perspective - but anyone who wants BTS to enhance the first-person experience, at cost to other aspects of the game - do us all a favour and forget it. David [Concerned readers should note that David has been returned to his cage for the night.]

Looks like HM Customs' finest were unable to contain the Big Time bridgehead, and Combat Mission has now pushed deep into the British mainland. In fact, it's got further than the Romans did - all the way up to Linlithgow, near Edinburgh. As a matter of interest, what does the "CM000" label on the packaging mean? David