J P Wagner

Some of the more recent post here have started to expand SC to HOI type dimensions...certain aspect of HOI might be good to utilize, but in fact there is a game on the horizon which my be an SC/HOI hybrid, namely World in Flames in which Matrix Games is now working on the AI...SCII should expand it's strengths, work on its' weak points, enlarge the European theater map a bit, but still be SC on gaming philosophy. At least that is what I'm hoping for, how it is turning out is still anyone's guess....

The last few Abbott and Costello exchanges made my day...

You definately need the "what if" factors in any WWII strategic game...no one want the absurdity of HOI where Romania runs roughshod over all of Russia (I know I know, there are patches) but the "what ifs" help keep the game balanced so the Axis has a chance to win and not have the game have a strict historical linear dimension to it ...if there is any form of diplomacy in SCII, there could be the added benefit of the Axis winning a Diplomatic victory as opposed to a strictly military one...peace inititives offered from the Allies might be triggered if either certain military objectives are obtained, but not necessarily the complete domination of Europe..this Diplomatic Victory option might help balance the game even further..

HOI now is not all that bad guys. If you haven't tried it with the new patches and CORE mods than your really missing out on some fun. As far as management goes, that's a personal preference. I can handle HOI very easily but would be lost in some of the more complex turn based games. btw how real can any game be? Real time just means that both you and the AI/human player are making moves at the same time. That's a lot more real than the chess game played out in SC. I'm not knocking SC, I love the game to death. But don't knock "real" time games because you can't handle them. Try Medieval total war for great turn based/real time fun. Rome Total war comes out next year and ranks number 1 on my must buy list. </font>

Let's just make sure SCII does not become a Hearts of Iron type game where historical probability and possibility is thrown out for historical fantasy...

"Grand Strategy in "REAL" time is dumb. There is not point in it, certainly no point in calling it 'REAL'". Point well taken...HOI anyone?

Well as a die hard turn based guy who runs from RTS as if being chased by Mothra, I have enjoyed the CM series quite a bit...it is basically turn based and so the frenetic click fests, that many RTS games are, is avoided.....

I think I would have bought SC even without a demo, only because there is such paucity of WWII strategic games out there, that I would have taken a chance on it.......

It's like knowing your lost on some unknown highway and not stopping at a gas station and ask for directions.....eventually, you'll get there........

Just be patient for two games that are on the horizon....SC2 and Matrix Games version of World in Flames...I wouldn't bother looking backwards at any of the older games at this point..stick with SC until these other two hit the market...

It seems there may already be an Ultra utility feature out there for SC, based on some of the comments I have read in this forum........

This is an excellent idea and would add variety and flexibility to the game...you would deserve some type of credit in the back of the manual if this was ever implemented...(unless it's already in the new game... )

I was thinking that SC2 should perhaps begin in 1936 which would open up new diplomacy angles, as well as tech advancement choices and different military build up options...you can have a scenario begin in 1939 with all the alliances and such in place, but having the actual campaign game begin in '36 will allow you to explore many variants within the historical time frame.......

And here is the perfect reason why I play the AI and not get involved with bothering playing the game with the people here....it always comes down to this...unless the games are being wagered on, and actual money changes hands, the question of who cheats and who doesn't really becomes pointless...if you suspect someone cheats, just stop playing them and stop the endless whining about it....if you are not a cheater and do not want to bother playing with someone who suspects people of cheating, then don't bother with them....and if anyone actually playing the game does cheat?...well the self satisfaction that you must gain from beating someone using underhanded methods playing a game must really mean your existence in this world is a rather pathetic one... [ October 30, 2003, 10:46 AM: Message edited by: J P Wagner ]

I do believe an "official" announcement has been made and is buried somewhere in this forum... Hubert is busy working on SC2 now, and since SC is now well over a year old, I think it is time to let the developer move on and employ his wizardry on the new game...

I wonder if the potential competition from Matrix's World in Flames game will prompt Hubert to rethink some of the game design for SC2? Map size, unit type, research, improved AI ect...while they will be two different type games, and I see myself eventually playing both, it doesn't hurt to have a potential rival in the strategic WWII game market to up the bar a bit.....

Like your ideas Edwin regarding Italy Strategy, but there also needs a balancing Allied Invasion of Italy Strategy to counter this.....all too often, you can leave Italy practically denuded of troops without any fears of Allied intervention.

And just to add, do away with these various time length turns and have them be consistant weekly or, at most, bi-weekly. This would tie in with #10 weather effects.......................

Really?...of all the games I have played at the higher levels, I never seen that...are there certain parameters that must be met, for example are they attacking a neutral Spain?....I can't recall how many times I left Italy dangerously lightly defended without the Allied AI even sniffing at it...yet they will attack Vichy and Spain...interesting...guess I'll continue to play and see what happens...

One aspect of the difficulty levels is that it raises the AI units experience levels so they will have an advantage during combat resolutions.....as far as making the AI smarter, and perform actions that it wouldn't do at lower levels...no

Well I'll plug my consistent weekly or bi weekly turns with variable regional weather effects once again...what the hell, maybe someone out there is listening...uh...reading...these posts..

Besides, SC 2 will be covering the Boer War so most of your suggestions will not be applicable.

I see myself playing SC and SCII on my laptop and having WIF on my home PC....WIF will no doubt be a time intensive game to play but the beauty of SC, of course, is that you can knock off a game in a reasonably short time....here I am, making plans on how I'll deal with these games and I don't even having a clue when they'll be out....