CKibler

Fantastic demo! Disappointment? I was just a bit let down to see that the ubiquitous Russian Maxim MG was not being hauled around on its wheeled carraige (and instead appears incorrectly on a tripod).

re Stuka "sirens": I believe that the infamous scream of the diving Stuka was caused not by any siren, but by the air rushing over its prominent non-retractable wheels when it dove. What should be in CM2? (some of these have been mentioned before, but what-the-hey...) * It sure would be nice to be able to dig foxholes during play. Russians were acknowledged masters of digging in by the Germans. * Inter-connecting trenches * The Brummbaer, aka Sturmpanzer IV (in fact, why wasn't this in CM, yet the MUCH rarer jagdtiger is? I guess the Grizzly Bear just wasn't "sexy" enough... 298 Grizzlies were built; yet only 77 Jagdtigers were produced. Go figure.) * The Sturminfanteriegeschuetz 33B (ok, only 24 produced, but quite a few saw action in Stalingrad). One *could* substitute a Brumbaer for this, but it'd be nice to have the real thing! * Objectives markers in campaigns missions!! * Better drawing of demarcation lines between campaign missions * A new Quick Battle mission-type (perhaps called "Breakthrough") with exit zones, requiring attacking side to exit a certain percentage of his starting points to win * Molotov Cocktails * Factory/Industrial buildings (much larger buildings) * Better (3D) Rubble * 3rd level steeple/tower locations eh, that's long enough to keep Charlie and the gang busy for a while.

The German tanks' optics (sighting equipment) was much superior also.

"Firepower", published by Avalon Hill in the mid to late '80's, was a man-to-man & vehicle-to-vehicle boardgame of (70's & 80's) modern combat. Had a very comprehensive forcelist, allowing for many nationalities. It's out of print I believe, but you might be able to pick up a copy. Can't say that I've played it though (at the time I was into ASL more).

Having some differences between the various nationalities could be done and is, I feel, a very valid suggestion. The precedent has, of course, been already set in other wargames, both board and computer. Now, I'm not suggesting that you need to hardcode the morale values of a side; the way the game models that now is fine (where the units can range from conscript to elite). The scenario designer (or the person purchasing his units in a DYO) can get the quality type that is realistic to the situation. What could be done, however, is to try to model some specific *trait* that a nationality is perceived to have had. For instance, (as has been pointed out) perhaps US units should rally faster than others. One way this could be modeled is by the program giving the Amis more leaders with the rally bonus "heart" -- or hard code it otherwise so that recover from Panic status faster. Maybe some British troops should be stealthier than normal? Give more leaders with the Stealth bonus -- or internally tweek the numbers that govern steathiness & becoming spotted. Perhaps German troops should have better attack power. Again, the game could award certain German troops types more leaders with an Attack bonus. Maybe this could only be for June-August of 1944... Too, a bonus could be given to (dreaming here...) Russian troops to allow them to dig in faster (oh -- but I guess we first need to actually be able to dig in -- but that's another request!). So, trying to model nationality-specific traits could, I think, be done -- *if* the designers of course really wanted to (and had time to program it). In fact, such a "rule" could be turned "on" or "off" (if all players in a multi-player game didn't agree to it) by it being optionally available. One thing to keep in mind though -- positive benefits or traits should be balanced out by negative benefits or gamers will be very loath to play a nationality that has all-bad traits. just my thoughts, charlie

re: no snow camo versions for PzKw VG & PzKw VG "late": "You are right - it´s not just you!" Well, that's nice to hear I'm not going crazy. For a bit there I was wondering... Jochen, thanks very much for the reply. Now, it sure would be nice to get some snow-camo 'skins' for the Panther G and "late" G models. <hint, hint> ck [This message has been edited by CKibler (edited 10-19-2000).]

I'm 200% behind a great big "Thanks!" and a massive "Huzzah!" for all the ModMakers. A really, really great job on all the revised art. It so helps make this game even more of a winner than it already is. Now, a question: Is it just me, or is there yet no snow-camo for the PzKw VG and PzKw VG "late" (i.e., the two G-model Panthers)? After first noticing a non-camo Pz VG in a Quick Battle in the snow, I did a "test" scenario with snow, put in one each of all the German vehicles, and the Panther G and Panther G "late" are the only German vehicles with no snow camo! Very peculiar. I figured I must have goofed on my mod download or unzipping, so I started investigating. I double checked all the officially released Mods with German vehicles on TGN's site, and none of them have the files for Panther G's. There are several mods with snow camo for the Panther "A" model; but I found none for the two "G" models. ...is it just me?? Am I missing it somewhere? If it's not just me, can someone tell us *when* we might have snow camo for the two PzV G models? any help would be appreciated. C.Kibler