Caesar

October 20, 2005

I suspect a lot of early campaign battles are going to be fought by both sides in exactly the same way that they have always fought them. The losses will be relatively similar and the result will be a radical shortage of manpower in later battles.

Should be quite amusing!

October 13, 2005

Some questions for you;

- How do you handle artillery? And how do you handle massive pre-engagement barrages?

- How do you handle supply? Can units get cut off?

- Do you model breakdowns, i.e. if you are moving tanks, do you get some form of attrition?

- Do you model repairs, i.e. do some casualties (talking mainly vehicles here) reappear in later battles?

October 8, 2005

Yeah I like this idea too. I've had a number of games where a tank has suddenly died or a squad has taken casualties that I have either not noticed at the time or not known where it has come from. It would be great if we could see a list of both forces in the game and 'drill down' into them to see when they took hits, casualties etc and from whom. Links to the movie file would be very cool (though I suppose that is asking a bit much). Being able to review the movie file with the fog of war turned off (obviously you would need both passwords) would be good too.

September 15, 2005

What an excellent idea. I can remember a number of games in the past where both myself and my opposition have been disappointed it didn't go on a bit longer. So long as it requires agreement from both players (or should we now be saying 'all players) I see no drawbacks to the idea.

September 15, 2005

Well, I'd say if you want an individual to rout - just let him run straight to the map edge

And if there is impassible territory in the way, or opposition, buildings, a steep hill (should it really take the hard path?) or a road right beside the deep snow that is directly in its path should it ignore the snow? Should it just run right over a nice safe trench instead of dropping into it and lying there cowering?

I think you are trivialising the problems.

September 15, 2005

I am a programmer who has used developed software using dongles over the last 6 years or so. In my opinion, dongles are expensive and unreliable and utterly unsuitable for low cost software such as games. Claims that they are difficult to defeat are unfounded. It can be done and, while it is not a trivial excercise, it is not all that difficult either. The software I developed was ideally suitable to the use of dongles but we moved away from them due to their problems with reliability and cost. Our software was on a server with the dongle undisturbed and even in this circumstance we suffered frequent failures. It is a pity really as they are actually a very convenient security method for higher priced software.

There is simply no way to secure software completely. You can make it more difficult (and should IMO, as it puts off the casual thief) but realistically, while there are people about who do not acknowledge that piracy is simply a popular euphemism for theft, it is not going to be stopped.

August 28, 2005

The files are already compressed. Winzip will not make the tranmission shorter, in fact it will make it slightly longer

August 26, 2005

I can see it becoming a standard opening procedure.

Deploy your units NOT where you want them, and then a mad scramble to reach those positions "where you DO want them" in the opening moves.

That just doesnt make sense and if it holds true,
many players would strongly dislike the pre-intel stuff because of the situation it leads to in the first few turns.

Of course I may be misundestanding the whole idea.

And the second you do that you lose the cover bonus you get for not having moved. You also run the risk of being spotted as you move. I suspect that some players will do this and find it is generally not such a good idea.

The idea sounds quite realistic to me, that some of your units would be already known about when you are defending.

August 16, 2005

Jason,

do you not think that your formula theory is a bit too simplistic. If for example, you produced a 100 AA guns that protected something important (factory, tanks, whatever) and due to their presence the other side could not effectively attack this target, you can have a weapon system that never really kills its own value's worth but is still of economic/strategic/tactical benefit as it prevents losses of material/territory/whatever. How many rifles/MGs/bullets etc ever killed anyone, but how well could anything be defended or attacked without them.

Still, I agree with your read on damage caused by the aircraft on tanks. When you are shooting down a plane it is rather obvious when one is damaged or destroyed (the falling out of the sky is a bit of a give away really ) and yet pilots claims are demonstrably false to the point of at times being ridiculous. So if the same individuals are doing the reporting of air to mud effects where it is going to be much more difficult to measure results, then IMO, their reports are not worth the paper they are written on.

August 3, 2005

The game uses DirectPlay and that has basically been dropped by MS in their latest stuff so the 2.0 .Net framework probably doesn't support it.

August 2, 2005

He he he, I didn't realise just how much crap it dumped out before I posted it. It is a tad over the top.

August 1, 2005

No I have Dx 9.0C

My system as reported by DxDiag

------------------

System Information

------------------

Time of this report: 8/2/2005, 01:51:51

Machine name: CRAIG-LORI

Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)

Language: English (Regional Setting: English)

System Manufacturer: NVIDIA

System Model: AWRDACPI

BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 Processor 3000+, MMX, 3DNow, ~1.8GHz

Memory: 1024MB RAM

Page File: 306MB used, 2154MB available

Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS

DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)

DX Setup Parameters: Not found

DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

------------

DxDiag Notes

------------

DirectX Files Tab: The file d3d9d.dll is a debug version, which will run slower than the retail version.

Display Tab 1: No problems found.

Sound Tab 1: No problems found.

Music Tab: No problems found.

Input Tab: No problems found.

Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------

DirectX Debug Levels

--------------------

Direct3D: 0/4 (retail)

DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)

DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)

DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)

DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)

DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)

DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------

Display Devices

---------------

Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT

Manufacturer: NVIDIA

Chip type: GeForce 6600 GT

DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC

Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0140&SUBSYS_11911554&REV_A2

Display Memory: 128.0 MB

Current Mode: 1280 x 1024 (32 bit) (60Hz)

Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor

Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200

Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll

Driver Version: 6.14.0010.7120 (English)

DDI Version: 9 (or higher)

Driver Attributes: Final Retail

Driver Date/Size: 12/2/2004 15:21:00, 4031104 bytes

WHQL Logo'd: n/a

WHQL Date Stamp: n/a

VDD: n/a

Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys

Mini VDD Date: 12/2/2004 15:21:00, 3329344 bytes

Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4200-11CF-346D-9B3103C2CB35}

Vendor ID: 0x10DE

Device ID: 0x0140

SubSys ID: 0x11911554

Revision ID: 0x00A2

Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_B ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D ModeWMV9_B ModeWMV9_A

Deinterlace Caps: {212DC724-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive

{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch

{212DC724-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive

{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch

{212DC724-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive

{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch

{212DC724-3235-44A4-BD29-E1652BBCC71C}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive

{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch

Registry: OK

DDraw Status: Enabled

D3D Status: Enabled

AGP Status: Enabled

DDraw Test Result: Not run

D3D7 Test Result: Not run

D3D8 Test Result: Not run

D3D9 Test Result: Not run

-------------

Sound Devices

-------------

Description: Realtek AC97 Audio

Default Sound Playback: Yes

Default Voice Playback: Yes

Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0059&SUBSYS_AE011458&REV_A2

Manufacturer ID: 1

Product ID: 100

Type: WDM

Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS

Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5750 (English)

Driver Attributes: Final Retail

WHQL Logo'd: n/a

Date and Size: 11/17/2004 23:05:38, 2297664 bytes

Other Files:

Driver Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.

HW Accel Level: Full

Cap Flags: 0x0

Min/Max Sample Rate: 0, 0

Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 0, 0

Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0

HW Memory: 0

Voice Management: No

EAX 2.0 Listen/Src: Yes, Yes

I3DL2 Listen/Src: Yes, Yes

Sensaura ZoomFX: No

Registry: OK

Sound Test Result: Not run

---------------------

Sound Capture Devices

---------------------

Description: Realtek AC97 Audio

Default Sound Capture: Yes

Default Voice Capture: Yes

Driver Name: ALCXWDM.SYS

Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5750 (English)

Driver Attributes: Final Retail

Date and Size: 11/17/2004 23:05:38, 2297664 bytes

Cap Flags: 0x0

Format Flags: 0x0

-----------

DirectMusic

-----------

DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\GM.DLS

DLS Version: 1.00.0016.0002

Acceleration: n/a

Ports: Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port

Realtek AC97 Audio, Software (Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal

Microsoft MIDI Mapper [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal

Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal

Registry: OK

Test Result: Not run

-------------------

DirectInput Devices

-------------------

Device Name: Mouse

Attached: 1

Controller ID: n/a

Vendor/Product ID: n/a

FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: Keyboard

Attached: 1

Controller ID: n/a

Vendor/Product ID: n/a

FF Driver: n/a

Poll w/ Interrupt: No

Registry: OK

-----------

USB Devices

-----------

+ USB Root Hub

| Vendor/Product ID: 0x10DE, 0x005A

| Matching Device ID: usb\root_hub

| Service: usbhub

| Driver: usbhub.sys, 8/5/2004 00:00:00, 57600 bytes

| Driver: usbd.sys, 8/5/2004 00:00:00, 4736 bytes

|

+-+ Microsoft USB IntelliMouse Explorer

| | Vendor/Product ID: 0x045E, 0x001E

| | Location: Microsoft IntelliMouse® Explorer

| | Matching Device ID: usb\vid_045e&pid_001e

| | Service: HidUsb

| | Driver: hidclass.sys, 8/5/2004 00:00:00, 36224 bytes

| | Driver: hidparse.sys, 8/5/2004 00:00:00, 24960 bytes

| | Driver: hid.dll, 8/5/2004 00:00:00, 20992 bytes

| | Driver: hidusb.sys, 8/5/2004 00:00:00, 9600 bytes

| |

| +-+ Microsoft USB IntelliMouse Explorer

| | | Vendor/Product ID: 0x045E, 0x001E

| | | Matching Device ID: hid\vid_045e&pid_001e

| | | Service: mouhid

| | | Driver: mouclass.sys, 8/5/2004 00:00:00, 23040 bytes

| | | Driver: mouhid.sys, 8/5/2004 00:00:00, 12160 bytes

----------------

Gameport Devices

----------------

------------

PS/2 Devices

------------

+ Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard

| Matching Device ID: *pnp0303

| Service: i8042prt

| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 8/5/2004 00:00:00, 52736 bytes

| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 8/5/2004 00:00:00, 24576 bytes

|

+ Terminal Server Keyboard Driver

| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_kbd

| Upper Filters: kbdclass

| Service: TermDD

| Driver: termdd.sys, 8/4/2004 01:01:08, 40840 bytes

| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 8/5/2004 00:00:00, 24576 bytes

|

+ Terminal Server Mouse Driver

| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_mou

| Upper Filters: mouclass

| Service: TermDD

| Driver: termdd.sys, 8/4/2004 01:01:08, 40840 bytes

| Driver: mouclass.sys, 8/5/2004 00:00:00, 23040 bytes

----------------------------

DirectPlay Service Providers

----------------------------

DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)

DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)

DirectPlay8 IPX Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)

DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.2180)

Internet TCP/IP Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)

IPX Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)

Modem Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)

Serial Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.2180)

DirectPlay Voice Wizard Tests: Full Duplex: Not run, Half Duplex: Not run, Mic: Not run

DirectPlay Test Result: Not run

Registry: OK

-------------------

DirectPlay Adapters

-------------------

DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider: Generic 56K HCF Data Fax Modem

DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider: COM1

DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider: COM3

DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider: Local Area Connection - IPv4 -

-----------------------

DirectPlay Voice Codecs

-----------------------

Voxware VR12 1.4kbit/s

Voxware SC06 6.4kbit/s

Voxware SC03 3.2kbit/s

MS-PCM 64 kbit/s

MS-ADPCM 32.8 kbit/s

Microsoft GSM 6.10 13 kbit/s

TrueSpeech 8.6 kbit/s

-------------------------

DirectPlay Lobbyable Apps

-------------------------

------------------------

Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives

------------------------

Drive: C:

Free Space: 3.7 GB

Total Space: 10.0 GB

File System: NTFS

Model: ST3120827AS

Drive: D:

Free Space: 64.3 GB

Total Space: 104.5 GB

File System: NTFS

Model: ST3120827AS

Drive: E:

Model: HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4163B

Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.01.2600.2180 (English), 8/5/2004 00:00:00, 49536 bytes

--------------

System Devices

--------------

Name: Generic 56K HCF Data Fax Modem

Device ID: PCI\VEN_14F1&DEV_1035&SUBSYS_103514F1&REV_08\4&13699180&0&3848

Driver: n/a

Name: NVIDIA GeForce 6600 GT

Device ID: PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0140&SUBSYS_11911554&REV_A2\4&385BE0C4&0&0070

Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\DRIVERS\nv4_mini.sys, 6.14.0010.7120 (English), 12/2/2004 15:21:00, 3329344 bytes

Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe, 6.14.0010.7120 (English), 12/2/2004 15:21:00, 139330 bytes

Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvcod.dll, 1.00.0000.0016 (English), 12/2/2004 15:21:00, 32256 bytes

Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvcodins.dll, 1.00.0000.0016 (English), 12/2/2004 15:21:00, 32256 bytes

Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\nv4_disp.dll, 6.14.0010.7120 (English), 12/2/2004 15:21:00, 4031104 bytes

Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvoglnt.dll, 6.14.0010.7120 (English), 12/6/2004 04:37:20, 5365760 bytes

Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvcpl.dll, 6.14.0010.7120 (English), 12/2/2004 15:21:00, 5427200 bytes

Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvmctray.dll, 6.14.0010.7120 (English), 12/2/2004 15:21:00, 86016 bytes

Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvwddi.dll, 6.14.0010.7120 (English), 12/2/2004 15:21:00, 81920 bytes

Driver: C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvnt4cpl.dll, 6.14.0010.10024 (English), 12/2/2004 15:21:00, 245760 bytes

Driver: C:\WINDOWS\help\nvcpl.hlp, 12/2/2004 15:21:00, 161541 bytes

Driver: C:\WINDOWS\help\nvwcplen.hlp, 12/2/2004 15:21:00, 55444 bytes

Name: nForce4 HyperTransport Bridge

Device ID: PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_005E&SUBSYS_50001458&REV_A2\3&2411E6FE&0&00

Driver: n/a

Name: nForce4 PCI-Express Root Port

Device ID: PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_005D&SUBSYS_00000000&REV_A2\3&2411E6FE&0&70