Von Fauster

Right. The stuff "that leads outwards from the battlefield to the sky".

Sorry for the silly question, but... I've got a bunch of mods loaded, and the game itself looks great. But the "horizon" is still an overly vibrant green. I've looked through the bmp folder, but honestly can't figure out which files are the non-battlefield horizon colors. I'd like to tone them down in Photoshop. Anybody know their numbers? Thanks in advance, and good hunting!

Thanks for the great news BTS. I know the industry has awards for best game (should be Combat Mission), but they should also acknowledge: Best Support for a Game: BTS Most helpful website for a game: Battlefront.com Most demonstrated dedication to improve a gamer's experience with their product: BTS Company most likely to succeed by virtue of their superior commitment to quality: BTS ...You get the idea. Thanks BTS!

Agreed. I'm a huge SPR fan and have the Motion Picture Academy screener (the one they use to decide their Oscar picks- don't even get me started on THAT); the pan-and-scan VHS; the wide-screen VHS; and the DVD. The only one I ever actually watch is the DVD. Personally, I think you have to HEAR it through a Surround Sound system to really appreciate it. Sound is half the movie in this case: If you don't feel shell-shocked after watching it, you weren't watching it right. Interestingly, I watched the DVD on my friends computer and noticed that although the sound certainly wasn't as good, the picture was substantially better on his computer monitor than my TV. Happy New Year (soon) from Oregon! Von Fauster [This message has been edited by Von Fauster (edited 01-01-2001).]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by iggi: They still have a free section. There's too many free gaming sites to pay to read thier reviews. How many of us actually buy gaming mags now? In the past yes but today with the internet with DSL and cable you can download a demo in 5 min? Reviews are not the best way to learn about a game anymore. The demo is the clearest way of knowing if you like the game. There are so many places to get info, why pay?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Actually, I like to read print gaming mags- sometimes when I'm going to bed, sometimes in the early morning shower trying to wake up. I thought about bringing the computer into the shower with me, but I was afraid I'd drop it and scratch the tub. Too bad about ComabatSim though. Part of me hopes it works for them, the other part would hate to see this develop into a growing trend of some sort. Personally, I can't help but think it was just a case of poor marketing. That many hits monthly and they couldn't generate enough ad revenue? Couldn't get an investor? Hell, talk to the DoD and get the Army to advertise there or co-sponser it! Oh well... Gotta wish Doug and Gail the best. It's been a great site. [This message has been edited by Von Fauster (edited 12-30-2000).]

OH NO! Can't believe I didn't see this one coming.

Thanks for the info Wayne. I think we should send out the fleet for these guys.

2 years active back in the mid eighties with the 4th Infantry Division when it was at Ft. Carson, Co. 11 Bulletstopper. Still miss my old M-113A2. Her name was "Prudence".

Thanks Wild Bill. You're one of the folks (in fact, the Main Dude) whose scenarios and associated works I incorporate into my gaming experience without hesitation. "Oh, its Wild Bill's". CLICK - Download. Next.

Best wishes to you and your family pzvg.

No particular order: SPR The Beast Glory Bridge Too Far Braveheart Stalingrad Das Boot Run Silent, Run Deep Midnight Clear The Patriot (with Gibson. Good battle scenes-but the whole form a line and walk towards each other seems a darn silly way to fight though).

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Bullethead: And it is a demon for pulling well-orchestrated single envelopments and counterattacking out of nowhere. It coordinates its grunts with its tanks rather well, too. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> That pretty much summarizes my recent AI Wonder Experience: Playing a QB with the primary victory flag on the left flank, and one smaller objective in the center of a village in the middle of the map. I had a fairly strong (2 Tiger, 2 half-tracks, truck and AT gun + Infantry) force, so I divided it up into two "task forces": (1) to move straight up toward the secondary victory location and (2) to sweep the left flank (securing the Primary) then coming to aide the the 1st TF. My reasoning was that the Allied force would surely come through the village(computer AI's like buildings, right?) then (if they actually managed to get through my (1)Task Force)move toward the larger Primary Objective, and run smack into my (2) Task Force. Fine. And I was almost right. The AI did in fact push toward the (1)TF holding the secondary objective in the village. In fact, it made a real strong push. I figured it had fired both barrels, so I quickly rolled my (2)TF toward the village in a sort of pincer move. What I noticed, but failed to recognize, was that the AI had actually pulled back when it couldn't take the village and swept wide around my left flank. In short, it flanked my flank- and hard. I've lost both Tigers (to M5's no less. Hit a "weak spot" in the frontal turret armor both times. That hurt. I was leaning a little heavy on my Tigers) and am currently falling back in an effort to regroup around the Primary objective. Frankly, its not looking good. The AI in this game is a delight and has earned by (grudging) respect. Good Hunting!

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mike Oberly: Actually,Utah was an absolute cakewalk(relatively speaking,of course).Omaha was by far the worst beach,but all of the British/Canadian beaches were much tougher nuts than Utah. Mike<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> A fair point, though I'd hesitate to describe any scenario wherein troops are asked to wade ashore under fire a "cake walk". As I recall (and its been a while since I read about this) the Americans took something like 179 casualties at Utah, compared to something like 3,300 at Omaha. Its no cakewalk if you're one of the 179. But I know you meant no disrespect, and your point in context is valid. In terms of how this relates to the topic, one wonders how the Germans would have faired had Sea Lion been carried out, in comparison to the Allied effort 4 years later. Personally, I don't think they could have done any better- and probably a lot worse. Additionally, a lot of the Axis troops at Normandy were scrub troops collected from the far corners of the Reich who had little interest in seeing Germany win the war, let alone hanging on to France, whereas a German invasion of Britain would have faced a determined people, familiar with war, and bent on fighting to the last man for their nation and freedom if need be. My .02 for the day.

32, Married, 1 kid (4 months!), BA in English.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by JWorthing: ../just would like to hear if anyone else feels the Americans always get a bad break. I apologize if this has been discussed before. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I don't think they always get a bad break. IIRC, one of the major premises of Stephen Ambrose's in "D-Day" was that the American soldier in general, and American non-coms in paticular, were actually quite good at what they did and that the democratic principles of the U.S. produced, in the long run, a better soldier than the fascist state ever could. If that's not the book you are referring to, I would highly recommend it, as he does a pretty fair job of supporting his thesis. Good Hunting!

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Magua: ...No CM does not need better graphics but any improvement could only enhance our play experience even further. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> That seems well said.

I think Frag has a valid question, but I think most would agree that if the answer is "no", not a whole lot of CM fans are going to be disappointed. Personally, I'm more interested in the exciting gameplay CM2 is going to offer, and will be quite satisfied if BTS keeps the same graphics engine. Also, to those who would argue for a new engine, I would point out two facts: 1) The current engine is VERY stable. This is not to be overlooked or taken lightly in this day-and-age; 2) The current system allows some really creative and impressive modifications by third-parties. This is a big bonus. To be able to pick-and-choose how the vehicles look, what the terrain looks like, etc... Personally, I couldn't ask for more (well, except more time to actually PLAY CM, but short of divorce, there's not much that can be done about that!) Good Hunting!

If you have the time and ability, popping smoke helps too.

As a charter member of the WWII Memorial, I offer my 2 cents: 1st: I encourage everyone who has not already donated to do so. I felt obligated to do so both because of my grandfather's service, and because it seemed only right given the amount of time I spend playing games and building models based on the real life sacrifices of others. 2nd: This design, like any, was a compromise and though I personally like the squad with the Sherman tank idea, I think it was necessary to find a design that would be inclusive of all branches of the service and of all races- and rightly so. Lastly: I feel the design, at this point, is slightly less important than actually getting the thing built while some of that Greatest Generation are still around to feel our appreciation of their sacrifices. Thanks for the sounding board. von Fauster

Scouting is a necessity in any military endeavor, but it has its consequences. Chech out this screen shot from A Day in the Cav campaign: http://members.fortunecity.com/efoster1/images/ouch.jpg

Great News! Congrats! I love it when good things get even better.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by dalem: What's all this talk about tanks? Give me a platoon of good infantry in some cover against a tin can any day. That's when the small battles really shine. I love taking all infantry against armor. -dale<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I salute you or fear you. Not sure which. von Fauster formerly 11 Bravo Bco 2/8 Inf, 4th Inf Div.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Tiger: What if...Japan had invaded Russia fromt the east in conjunction with operation Barbarossa in 1941? Would they have given Russia much trouble? -johnS<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I was under the impression that Germany declared war on the U.S. after the bombing at Pearl Harbor as a result of a non-binding understanding with Japan that they, in turn, would declare war on the USSR thereby draining forces from Germany's eastern front. The Japanese, much to Hitler's displeasure, did not follow through with their end of the deal. Yes no?

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Jeff Heidman: I also have moved almost exclusively to PBEM. Quite frankly, the AI sucks.... Jeff<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> IMHO, I disagree with that. I find playing against the AI very enjoyable. I usually win, of course, but it still gives me a run for my money- certainly more than any previous game has. It may well be that you are simply a better tactical strategist than I am. Be that as it may... you gotta do what works for you. The other thing I like about the AI is the QB generator. Frankly, I am often amazed at the complexity it demonstrates when creating a fresh and random battlefield. It often comes up with terrain combinations I would not have thought of. This game is brilliant. Good Hunting!

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by KiloIndiaAlpha: I still a newbie and I don't know if this has been asked before but why can't the crew of a heavy machine gun (eg MG42) run. Thanks in advance for your answers.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Good Question KIA. It has to do with the footware that the Heer issued to their gunners. Essentially light gerbil-skin moccasins, the gunners simply couldn't get enough traction to run. CM models this accurately by only allowing HMG crews to "move" not "run".