Chops

Totally with you Elmar -

In CMSF and CMA the type of ammo that goes with a particular weapon is not made easily accessible to the player, and often it is no where to be found. The manuals are incomplete. This is apparently still the case in CMBN.

Googling this information is not a 5 second process. The information that is returned is often contradictory and incomplete. So, why isn't this information made available in the manuals and the UI for the player? As I mentioned previously, the data on effective range and ammo type for a particular weapon is critical to the squad leader.

CptMiller, thanks for your efforts in making the video and communicating with the forum members. I am sure you are a busy guy and your time is limited.  As many have noted, folks are not happy with the lack of communication from BFC.
With that said, as a longtime supporter of BFC and especially CM:Shock Force 1, I want to share my thoughts.
This video is a good example of why BFC needs a Public Relations (PR)/Community Manager. This person needs to be artistic, creative, talented with photo and video editing software, and good with social media.  BFC has turned over AAR's and video creation to Beta Testers/Volunteers rather than people with the talents to do them effectively for presentation to the general public.
I know that Moon and then ChrisND tried to fill the PR role to some extent in the past. This video and the two AAR's that were attempted previously all are generally fails, in my opinion, at presenting the game in a good light.  (Bil's contributions to the AAR's was quite good, however, due to his background and photoshop skills).
Regarding this video here are my Pro's and Con's:
Pro's
- At least a video and communication with the forum community was attempted
- The colored setup areas, and green objective areas were not shown
- The time of day and lighting were ok
- The updated vehicle, equipment, and uniform models look good

Con's
- Video starts off showing zig-zag roads which still look horrible.
- The whole defensive setup of the Red team was ridiculous.  After the 1991 and 2003 invasion of Iraq and the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan by the U.S., are any countries still setting up static tank and trench defenses when attacked?
- This was a turkey shoot, or like shooting fish in a barrel, or whatever analogy you want to use; not very compelling or interesting.
- The same recycled sounds that were present in the 2007 CM:SF 1 release are still present.
- The same dated soldier animations that look like they are moving under water or stuck in quicksand are present.  Isn't it time for the animations to be updated?
- The trenches and foxholes are so clunky and such an eyesore.  I know it is for fog of war, however, the trenches in CM:SF 1 were much better aesthetically.  They really look goofy especially with soldiers sticking half-way out.
- The trenches appeared to offer very little protection from the helicopter attack, so why use them?  It was stated in another post that this is realistic - really?
- The town setup was not realistic and looked boring and drab.
- The AA vehicles were not located in an area where they could survive long enough to fire at the incoming helicopter.
- The water graphics really don't look good.  Occasionally, water looks ok with the proper lighting conditions, but not in this video.

  Granted, a lot of my comments are due to CMx2 limitations. However, with a well-designed map, lighting, troop/vehicle selection and camera angles, a compelling and aesthetically pleasing video can be created.
 
  So in summary this video really showcases a lot of the CMx2 flaws, and did not compare/contrast the differences between CMSF 1 and 2 very well.  It also seems apparent to me that it is time for CMx3.
 
  Maybe I am a bit jaded after 11 years of CMx2, however, I hope BFC will take PR more seriously in the future.  Seems that it can only help improve their bottom line, although based on their lack of communication with customers and any sort of marketing, it must not be a priority.
 
 
 

CptMiller, thanks for your efforts in making the video and communicating with the forum members. I am sure you are a busy guy and your time is limited.  As many have noted, folks are not happy with the lack of communication from BFC.
With that said, as a longtime supporter of BFC and especially CM:Shock Force 1, I want to share my thoughts.
This video is a good example of why BFC needs a Public Relations (PR)/Community Manager. This person needs to be artistic, creative, talented with photo and video editing software, and good with social media.  BFC has turned over AAR's and video creation to Beta Testers/Volunteers rather than people with the talents to do them effectively for presentation to the general public.
I know that Moon and then ChrisND tried to fill the PR role to some extent in the past. This video and the two AAR's that were attempted previously all are generally fails, in my opinion, at presenting the game in a good light.  (Bil's contributions to the AAR's was quite good, however, due to his background and photoshop skills).
Regarding this video here are my Pro's and Con's:
Pro's
- At least a video and communication with the forum community was attempted
- The colored setup areas, and green objective areas were not shown
- The time of day and lighting were ok
- The updated vehicle, equipment, and uniform models look good

Con's
- Video starts off showing zig-zag roads which still look horrible.
- The whole defensive setup of the Red team was ridiculous.  After the 1991 and 2003 invasion of Iraq and the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan by the U.S., are any countries still setting up static tank and trench defenses when attacked?
- This was a turkey shoot, or like shooting fish in a barrel, or whatever analogy you want to use; not very compelling or interesting.
- The same recycled sounds that were present in the 2007 CM:SF 1 release are still present.
- The same dated soldier animations that look like they are moving under water or stuck in quicksand are present.  Isn't it time for the animations to be updated?
- The trenches and foxholes are so clunky and such an eyesore.  I know it is for fog of war, however, the trenches in CM:SF 1 were much better aesthetically.  They really look goofy especially with soldiers sticking half-way out.
- The trenches appeared to offer very little protection from the helicopter attack, so why use them?  It was stated in another post that this is realistic - really?
- The town setup was not realistic and looked boring and drab.
- The AA vehicles were not located in an area where they could survive long enough to fire at the incoming helicopter.
- The water graphics really don't look good.  Occasionally, water looks ok with the proper lighting conditions, but not in this video.

  Granted, a lot of my comments are due to CMx2 limitations. However, with a well-designed map, lighting, troop/vehicle selection and camera angles, a compelling and aesthetically pleasing video can be created.
 
  So in summary this video really showcases a lot of the CMx2 flaws, and did not compare/contrast the differences between CMSF 1 and 2 very well.  It also seems apparent to me that it is time for CMx3.
 
  Maybe I am a bit jaded after 11 years of CMx2, however, I hope BFC will take PR more seriously in the future.  Seems that it can only help improve their bottom line, although based on their lack of communication with customers and any sort of marketing, it must not be a priority.
 
 
 

Here you go Mikey -
" Notwithstanding their political and practical importance, lethal weapons are only one among many necessary forms of U.S. assistance to Ukraine. For one thing, in the military/security area, non-lethal U.S. military assistance helped to advance Ukraine’s war-fighting efforts. It has included equipment, such as counter-artillery and counter-mortar radars, secure communications, tactical UAVs, medical equipment, logistical infrastructure and IT systems, night vision devices, thermal goggles and up-armored civilian SUVs."
https://www.usukraine.org/analysis-u-s-assistance-ukraine/
Obviously, these should be added to CM:BS in the future.

Here is a shot of the original map.

Here is a shot of the original map.

Bill, you were setup to fail in this Scenario -
The Map was poorly designed, as Blue had setup zones that were very close to the Red setup zone.   Your opponent had a sniper team with line of sight observation into your setup zone on one side, and armor in close proximity on the other side of your setup zone.  Additionally, your Red side was not allocated enough points in which to adequately purchase Red equipment in order to use realistic Red doctrine.
Thanks for putting in the great effort in both of your CMSF2 AAR's....although both ended badly due to different reasons, neither one was your fault.

Within the GeForce Experience software go to In-Game Overlay, turn it on, and then go to In-Game Overlay > Settings.  Set your key commands for screenshots and recording (Alt-F1, Alt-F9).
Close the In-Game Overlay, and close GeForce Experience.  Then start Combat Mission.  Just use Alt-F1 within the game to capture screenshot, and Alt-F9 to start and stop recording.  Very easy and no lag or issues.

Scenario Overlay Feature - Tutorial    thanks to ChrisND.  
 
 

As others have stated on the Forum, BFC has really produced a fascinating and very well done simulation of a modern Eastern European conflict.  However, I am feeling a strong sense of unease while playing CM:BS due to the very disturbing fact that the CM:BS storyline is quickly merging with reality.
 
From the Game Manual on Pg. 4
 
"War in real life is a terrible, horrible thing that should only be embarked upon as an absolute last resort. Combat Mission: Black Sea is thankfully still a fictional story, and likely to remain so unless our global leaders and populace collectively lose their minds. The stories that will be created within this game can serve as a grim reminder of the human cost incurred when diplomacy and decency fail."
 
Maybe BFC will consider sending a few free copies of CM:BS to the "leaders" involved in the current situation.
 
Here is an interesting discussion of recent events:  http://www.democracynow.org/2015/2/3/is_ukraine_a_proxy_western_Russia
 
 

As others have stated on the Forum, BFC has really produced a fascinating and very well done simulation of a modern Eastern European conflict.  However, I am feeling a strong sense of unease while playing CM:BS due to the very disturbing fact that the CM:BS storyline is quickly merging with reality.
 
From the Game Manual on Pg. 4
 
"War in real life is a terrible, horrible thing that should only be embarked upon as an absolute last resort. Combat Mission: Black Sea is thankfully still a fictional story, and likely to remain so unless our global leaders and populace collectively lose their minds. The stories that will be created within this game can serve as a grim reminder of the human cost incurred when diplomacy and decency fail."
 
Maybe BFC will consider sending a few free copies of CM:BS to the "leaders" involved in the current situation.
 
Here is an interesting discussion of recent events:  http://www.democracynow.org/2015/2/3/is_ukraine_a_proxy_western_Russia