Lobo

I haven't mastered the hull down technique, but here are some suggestions for what they're worth 1. Once you determine about where you want your armor to go, get down to the lowest level (1) and move to the area using that view. This helps you get a "lay of the land" (in the shoes of your men so to speak). 2. You might want to give the armor a "pause" command at first, this make them wait for a while to perform their action, thus giving you more time to get them out of trouble the next turn, if they're still alive 3. Probably the best way to get hull down, that I've found (if in fact the vehicles are hull down as there is no indicator of this "state") is to approach a small rise or variation in the terrain by using the "hunt" command and directing the armor to just below the high point of the terrain. Then, in additional turns, creep it foward as dictated by the circumstances. Some (or none) of that may help you Happy hunting.... [This message has been edited by Lobo (edited 07-10-2000).]

First, I received CM on Friday night (along with MRL). I have played only 3 or 4 games (other commitments ). But the game is wonderful so far (and beats the heck out of playing the demo for the 30th or so time). I am playing a game right now with heavy fog and a DYO battle. Creepy is the word and I love it.. Still seeing the AI do some wonderful and unexpected things.. Second, I'd like to offer a suggestion to everyone on the board. Only point out glaring bugs to the designers at this time. I know everyone will find flaws in the AI (It's AI after all) and with other aspects of the game. I would suggest giving Steve and Charles some "breathing" time (A couple of weeks anyway). I can only imagine spending 2 to 3 years on a product like this, a grognard product at that, made with the attention to detail that only someone with a true "love" for the theme around a game, can make. And then, once it's released, to hear a bunch of "belly aching" or rather opinions about "what should have been". I know, everyone is only trying to help improve the product and there's merit to that. And, I may be totally off base here, as Steve and Charles may love to hear all that people have to say on the product. I'm not putting anyone down (well, except those on the forum that cause their threads to be locked down, but enough on that ), just passing on a viewpoint. 2 to 3 years ago, I thought about the war game I'd make (If I knew squat about programing), a combination of the best of all of the wargames I've played and wished I'd played. I guess BTS employs mindreaders as well as programers Best of wishes to BTS.

I was so bored tonight, I added the ages in one of the threads and came up with an average age of those that posted, of 32 years (not responsible for errors in adding ). Actually just bought a palm pilot device and wanted to try out the calculator . I didn't add it up, but it appears most were married and have been playing "war" games for some time.

I have a couple of questions regarding the "mods" that are in the works. 1. Are there going to be compatibility problems with people playing email games when one has "mods" on and the other one doesn't? 2. I know "mods" are never supported by the game publishers, but I'm wondering if the game designers approve of certain "mods" for this game (The graphic mods. I know weapon mods will make the game move towards the ridiculous, or at least have that possibility .. ie.. rail gun on a Tiger tank). 3. How much would or will the mods slow down the game, interfere with the program, etc.. or is that just dependant on the mod? I assume graphic mods just replace a .bmp or texure file and shouldn't interfere, but possibly have a small hit (or more?) on frame rate if the graphics are more intense. 4. And last, tell us the game is being shipped Well ok, that has nothing to do with mods Thanks.

Playing games that aren't "blind" isn't so bad as long as both people know the set up and forces, to balance it. With the large entry areas in CM and the randomness of reinforcements, you still have surprises in store. As far as being "realistic", there were many times where one side or both knew the order of battle of the opposing side, sometimes fairly accurately. Now, having said that, there is a lot of gaming "joy" to be had in the surprises of a first encounter.

You need not look any farther than EA/Janes. For those of us that also like a good combat sim, the news is not good. EA has apparently cancelled Looking Glass' combat flight sim, which was renamed "Janes Attack Squadron". That sim has apparently been in development for 2 1/2 years. Man, it's a ruthless world out there (Which, of course, I already new). Isn't it amazing how they can let someone labor on a project like that for so long and then just cut it out from under them? I love the dedication and commitment to employees, customers and quality. I would assume (hope) the game will be picked up and finished by another publisher ("2 to 3" months left to completion, how about it Big time? ). Just make you appreciate Big Time and the people on this project even more for their commitment. (Also, just an interesting note; I have been following this game since way back. Unless I am mistaken, it started out with Avalon Hill?) Just keep letting those brilliant program/designers do their tactical things Big Time

Well, since I started this post, I guess I'd better give my stats.. 38 years old, married for 17 years (wow, been that long?), two kids, a bunch of pets (anyone want a couple of cats? shhh, wife's coming ). I am a Police Corporal (14 years) and served 3 years in the U.S. Army as an MP and K9 handler (didn't like Korea much). Been playing computer games and wargames in general since I was in high school (damn, was I ever in high school?), including the oldies; Kampgruphen (Not sure of the spelling on that, hmm where is that box?), Computer Ambush, all of the old SSI and SSG games along with others on up to "modern" war games.

I was reading the following thread; "My day as a CM addict" and laughed at most of the postings. This just made me re-think about the average CM player. I'm guessing by the posts that the average user is married (yes, wife on the backburner ), is around 25 YOA (I know this varies, with college age males in abundance), and from all walks of life (Although there seem to be a lot of, for the lack of a better term, "professional" people on the boards). Oh, and of course, we're all slighly addicted, overstressed (games not out yet), sore rear ends(sitting in our comp chairs too much), thin (don't get up or take the time to eat), balding (again, the games not out and we have to pull something!), and last (because I'm tired of typing) but not least, we've finally received a computer game (well, we will recieve) worth all of the money they charge for it. (One note on piracy. I'm not a fan of software piracy, but it would be even more of a crime, ney, immorale to steal from the creators of this game!!). [This message has been edited by Lobo (edited 05-24-2000).] [This message has been edited by Lobo (edited 05-24-2000).]

-When your wife knocks on the den door and you tell her you're doing work and she hears the frags going off and the little men screaming

Delays?! No! Bill me now, please! Bill me now !! hehe, anything to get the game ASAP (I also ordered the condensed military manual stuff on CD, don't recall the name of it. I hope it doesn't slow the order).

LOL, see now Steve.. There you go again How are we supposed to survive now after you worked us all up for the "Airborne drop" scenario?

Sounds reasonable to me Charles. Thanks for the reply.

Just curious, is it possible to shoot or frag a flamethrower unit and have it explode into flames? I assume this isn't simulated. I don't know how often it happened it "real life", but I know I've read accounts where guys that used this unit talked about it happening and their fear of having that strapped to their back. I think there has to be special circumstances for this to happen, as I believe two chemicals need to be mixed at the nozzle and then ignited for normal operation.

I was just reading some of the posts regarding the AI. I know people are just talking and making passing comments and that 99.99 or 100 percent of the people love this demo and will love the game. It strikes me as funny though, on how picky we become over time. We start off with only good things to say, then we start seeing little things that we would like to see corrected, then the AI is possibly cheating or not up to snuff. I know this is just from playing the demo over and over (hmm, think i'm up to about 10 on the gold demo . I also know this doesn't necessarily detract from our enjoyment or pleasure with the game. It just shows how tough it must be to make a great game (This is as close as it gets! in strategy/war gaming at least. Rougue Spear has it hands down in it's own category Can you imagine an AI that does everything we think it should? That, my friends, goes beyond Artificial Intelligence and into the "living being" category. We are light years away from something like that. Now, having said that, I am truly amazed at what they have accomplished with the AI in this game. I just love to see the AI use artillery, massed and individual assaults, popping smoke with tanks when they see a major threat and on and on and on.... Understand, I'm not belittling anyone for their AI comments, that's how the game makers get better and how things evolve.. It's just something I've pondered (heavy, ain't it?

And, when we all get those mega computers to handle huge maps, we will be into CM 2, 3 and 4 and they can and will change things : )