sburke

Is that why you guys seem to be completely uninterested in a 1970/80s version of Cmx2 or would that be a mis characterization of your level of interest? As to Avatar I am just tired of a very stale plot where the colonial aggressor hero changes sides and has to lead the barbarian indigenous people to victory because they can't seem to get their act together. They are proud, honourable etc etc etc they just need a better leader who understands their opponent better. It is one of the reasons I like CJ Cherryh's work. Meetings between different cultures/species (Foreigner series, Downbelow Station etc although her Faded Sun Trilogy wasn't too far off that same storyline) are a lot more complicated just probably wouldn't make for a good mass market film.

That's actually quite depressing to think about.

Funny cause I have been second guessing myself on this since writing that. The number of incidents I am running across during MG where American Paratroop unit leaders at company level did stupid s**t like walking around with binocs or nice big officer rank emblems showing was fairly surprising and they paid the price. One was documented in BoB where the company CO was walking out on the road checking out the village ahead when he got shot in the throat (he survived). I was frankly surprised to see that much of it in veteran outfits. I like the idea, I am just not sure that it is really appropriate. :confused:

Here is a suggestion to benefit all members of the player community - change the name of this stupid thread.

LOL I am staying out of the overall debate, but again going back to my current source, September Hope. It becomes really hard to define exact tactics as most of them were theoretical. Troops generally had to figure it out on their own in the specific situation they were in. In Nijmegen apparently moving through backyards was excessively difficult so troops were forced to move from building to building via the street. At one point someone figured out to blow holes between them with a Bazooka (which then goes back to should a bazooka be able to be fired from in a building, but if we could I doubt we would use it for this. It would have to have been pretty darn dangerous). I have no answers as to whether they should or should not be able to. As to firing from within a building the troops that finally were able to reach the buildings on the traffic circle facing the bridge were now under direct fire from various high caliber weapons and found that being in those positions turned out to be a bad idea. Net answer - I can't say that I know very well defined doctrine for street fighting that troops really applied. The variables and experience vary greatly- so I work with what I have and JonS guys kicked my men's a**es until I flanked them and found them now exposed on the back wall.

If you pre ordered, you'll see an email and of course the obligatory scream of "I am Dling!" on the forum from folks who got the email and were told to keep their mouth shut.

rotflmao so much in one little sentence - touche!!!

LOL dunno, but I am betting it'll make you like CMBN even more

yeah and then you had to go infect me with that bug. Part of why I enjoy playing against humans is the uncertainty. I know they will react to my movements. I know the AI will react to my units, but not my overall battle plan. It will not reinforce based on what I do. That being said I am learning a LOT about what the designers have to go though. I have been given the opportunity to help Beta test CMFI (no I do not yet know the secret handshake, but I have learned the sign for "hey biatch, more coffee- stat" and have learned to appreciate a few things. 1. we are all beta testers, we just might not think of it that way. All of our responses are listened to by these guys and appreciated. Problem is we do not give enough feedback to scenarios. I am not talking a rating system, that would not be particularly helpful. They need more info. Not simply is it hard, easy, stupid, interesting etc, but how did it feel? Do you feel drawn in, did you feel you had options, did the scenario generate the kind of tactical/emotional situation that the designer was going for etc Did you feel there was enough time (and don't keep asking for no time limits, they would if they could, but the AI HAS to have a time frame.) What did you think of the briefing, the tactical maps, the map itself etc etc 2. They are getting really really good. Twice I have had situations where I would have sworn BF had included triggers when the AI counterattacked and gave me a bloody nose forcing me to have to reorient my plans. Once it completely stuffed me causing a tactical defeat. (that was a particularly hard battle for me to rate. I had screwed up and my pixeltruppen paid for it. When I ceasefired the amount of casualties I had at the confrontation point was depressing) All this portends well for the future for those who play only against the AI and those who don't because we feel that loss of the unexpected from non human play. While I am sure it will never replace HTH play for me, after all I have new friends and wider plans like campaigns, still it gives me more options now when my opponents take vacation, which they may be able to do without me whining. Last item. I know Broadsword really well and I understand the map comment, but I do not want it mis interpreted. The designers are doing really good historical/semi historical and fictional maps. The new tools will hopefully make that easier as they have time limits they are working against and changes in the game while they are testing scenarios that affect their maps. I have to say these folks really impress me at what they create especially given the chaotic conditions they create in. I think folks will be really impressed with what they find in CMFI. I know I have been and it isn't a theater I have a high interest level in. I am also learning to appreciate the work already done in CM CW and CMBN base scenarios/campaign especially now that I have a better understanding of the process these guys have to go through. JonS and I have played 2 scenarios HTH of the Shadow of the Hill series and the maps are extremely well done and have a major impact on the flow of the battle as well as being artistically compelling. vKleist and I are now fighting in CW The Mace and both of us were really floored when we opened the scenario and of course there is one of my all time favorites from the base game, Bois de Baugin. For the beta/design team it is hard, really hard. Creating a map/scenario/campaign in the finished product is far easier than doing so while the product is still under development. That isn't meant as a caveat. The maps stand on their own quality period. I think for Broadsword and I there was some unfortunate feeling generated specifically from the QB maps. Honestly we really hated them. I think that however is an issue of the past. The future of this series is really really bright. Yeah I know folks say this probably about everything in the current generation, but for me THIS is the golden era for wargaming.

LOL I estimate mine as follows Pre CMBN - 100% solo vs AI (CMSF) Post CMBN- 80% PBEM, 20% solo VS AI (when I'm waiting on turns).

LOL I'll second that. If I tried to play that way my spouse would be a little PO'd as would my job. Seeing as your attention is over here Steve, I'll field this same question I tossed out on another thread. The Version 2 upgrade, are you planning on a DL only or disc? Just curious.

yep, there are supposed to be 4 CDs eventually for CMBN (Hey BF if you release for some odd reason a 5th disk what do i do?!!) CMFI if pre ordered is a tin case also with room for 4 discs. Whether that is any kind of standard to rely on is too early to say. Considering the volume of material and sheer time scale for the Eastern front that might not be a continuing standard. Some of the EF could be more modules of the time frame of each release may end up being different than simply on release for each year. Russian ToEs alone could create difficulty. Question to BF. The version 2 upgrade, are you planning to release that as DL only or as a disc? I don't really care either way, I've got my storage infrastructure down pretty good just curious.

Hmm maybe our tanks crews aren't so uber after all. Hey BFC how come my TCs don't have demo charges to throw and fire smgs from the turret?!!

Broad question, but a fun one. As a couple others noted there is a lot involved in trying to employ different tactics. Ambush can be tough. In real life it was tough. As an example I am doing a lot of Market Garden reading. (September Hope at the moment). At one point the Americans spot a German truck column coming and deploy to ambush it. However before the convoy is in the kill sack, someone further to the rear who had not gotten word yet opens fire and kills the lead motorcyclist. You can imagine what happened to the rest of the plan. Understanding what terrain conditions give what cover and concealment is key. Also give the enemy more to worry about than what is immediately ahead, keep their vehicles buttoned up (harassing mortar fire is great for this, also snipers and if you need to MGs.) Hedgerows and wheatfields are the best I have found so far, they offer greater concealment while hedgerows offer excellent cover as well. Hide to me is primarily to tell my guys to put their noses to the dirt, best position for protection from artillery and keeping them from being spotted. Have someone else as JonS said further back responsible for being your eyes. If the enemy is getting close I will usually give my ambushers a 360 degree covered arc enough to allow them to protect themselves but not too far as to give away their position early and I unhide them. Does it always work? Not on your life, but does it sometimes work? Yep and it is very satisfying when it does. I also had a very harsh lesson taught me by another opponent. Buildings are great reverse slope deployment positions. Huh you say? Position your troops against the back wall of the building. They are almost impossible to spot. Your opponent can pound the heck out of the building all they want, but when they enter it they are pretty much dead meat. Took me quite a few bodies to realize I wasn't going to take the position by entering the building. Last thing, know when to split. If you know the ambush is compromised or if you have already sprung an ambush from there, it is time to leave. Hopefully you have picked a position that has a retreat route for your troops. If done well the enemy is going to have to assume that position is occupied costing them additional time.

Landed in NY, got cab to hotel, pulls up in front and some a** with his frightfully trashy GF is screaming at some guy who probably just finished hauling their drunken a**es around Central park for an hour on his tricycle touring rig to "take the $30 and walk away". Apparently felt like the guy was only repeating what the first 30 minutes would have paid for so he should only pay that... I thought of you guys By the way my lawn isn't gonna cut itself Steve, how soon you expect before you get around to it?

LOL actually no, can't believe I said that and didn't realize how it would look.

As I understand it, this is more of a pricing package than a change in CMMG. CM MG is not an engine release, it is just module content. It will not run on V1.10 or 1.11. You have to upgrade the base CMBN to Ver 2 to run. The Upgrade for CMBN will be released prior for $10 It will also be released as a packge deal with MG for $5 MG will also be released in an unpackaged deal for those (like myself) who will buy the upgrade as soon as it is available as I want all the new additions for CMBN yesterday. . $5 isn't worth waiting months for if I can get the version 2 upgrade sooner. $5 extra for 2 months or so of playing a better version of CMBN, no question about it, I want it.

I think you may want to go back to the announcement page, we are getting caught in a loop here based on definitions. http://www.battlefront.com/community/announcement.php?f=137&a=545 to quote: Patch = fixes things that are technically broken or, in some cases, not working as they probably should. Never any new content. Cost = $0 Upgrade = new features or major improvements to existing features. Never any new content. Cost = $10 Module = new game content consisting of units, scenarios, and campaigns. Sometimes terrain. There are no features or fixes included which aren't also available as a free Patch or part of an Upgrade. Cost = $35 or less Pack = new game content consisting mostly of units. As with Modules, there are no code changes that aren't also available as Patches Cost = not yet determined, but certainly less than a Module Not that I want to get in the middle of this, but you two may end up agreeing once you start both using the same terminology in context. Oops sorry, Vanir already posted..... carry on.

Outstanding, another book for the roadtrip I am about to start! DLing now.

A hammer might have helped as well. Another aspect of the promise of the Internet. I have PBEM partners literally around the globe. Makes it a might bit easier to find the style of opponent you prefer. One of the reasons I took so long to get into human opponent play is exactly what you describe. I figured I'd get stuck in some awkward situation of having the only opponent I knew end up being someone who took all the fun out of it. Finding out that not only could I find an opponent I really enjoy playing against/with but that I could find several has made a huge difference in my level of appreciation of the game. Anyway the point of this thread wasn't to argue which style of play RT or WeGo is more anything, nor to decide whether playing the AI or Humans is the way to get the most out of the game. As had been said, the best way to play the game is whatever way you enjoy most. I think however I may have answered my own question while trying to describe what it is that was causing me to feel differently about CMx2 than any previous experience in tactical gaming whether computer or cardboard. That answer is I think in the TAC AI. I also expect plenty of folks disagree with me and are more annoyed by the TAC AI than in awe of it. I doubt there is a right answer there either, but I think that may be the source of why some folks get frustrated by what they consider fanboy behavior and others sit their scratching their heads wondering what game others are playing that they always seem to find the negative. Yes I see the same oddball behavior occasionally (like that trooper of Broadswords that ran up to my roadblock and then casually attempted to stroll by as if my pixeltruppen were gonna say "hmm looks like he belongs here.." and proceeded to get shot. I am reading Sept Hope and just read a passage about a German soldier who got hit with WP and and was so freaked out and in agony he ran around then ran straight at the American lines in the middle of a heavy firefight screaming to surrender. He was then obliterated by an 88. In battle there is no real line between logical and illogical behavior. There is just chaos. Those oddballs moments, while I know they are probably a malfunctioning pathing routine just seem to fit in. Even though I know it is probably an error, it doesn't feel wrong. Broadsword and I just shrug and mutter- damn you believe that guy? Back to the fight!

no sweat, looking forward to it. however we expect that villa cleared by 1300, we have to stop the invasion commander. it all rests ON YOUR SHOULDERS. No pressure though.

Umm ouch? Geez is that the best you could come up with? Well it explains the poor state of your fiction. and what's with the quotes again? As a literary device you really need to be more restrained and learn how to use them for appropriate affect. Here a freebie for you. sburke, are you so short of jokes you have to steal Gary Larson's? (yeah I admit, I am nowhere near as funny as that guy) Better, but you see that wasn't a slam. It was a statement. And to my knowledge JonS never went to school.. ever. He is a total miscreant wandering around picking fights with used car salesman, televangelists and snake oil salesman, but he tells the truth. Also when you ask him something he doesn't barrage you with a mountain of irrelevant unfiltered google excrement and pretend that indicates he is knowledgable. I am still going to run my tanks over his stormtrooper posers though. Seriously. You can identify the label on the danged button but not the year (much less a specific date)? C'mon now John, Russians were there so they obviously know and an entire Carrier battle group of sailors was there, they should certainly know. You have an inside guy in the CIA and you can't pick up a sailor? I am sure you can pick up a sailor. the name of the carrier? Again why? With thousands of people knowing and there only being at most 15 carriers around at a time. Oh yeah wait, because then we could actually verify WHERE THEY WERE Did you actually read the link you posted on cubic hour? How many pages did you have to flip through in google to find some 11 year old comment in his diary from some student at MSU? Is THAT why it took you so long to post a reply? Really I am sorry. I should never have brought it up, now we've lost time from saving the world. I won’t be sure if this post makes any sense or not until tomorrow, because I haven’t gotten any sleep in the last 30 cubic hours. (Scholar’s Note: One cubic hour equals time * the Residence Interval (RI) of floods in Arizona * the % hypertextuality—which is almost always 100.) Fortunately, in only 218.7 cubic hours, I will be done with Sweeps Week. That’s a relief, because Sweeps Week is awful waffle. Hmm I'd actually have suspected that was your diary, but I think you are too old to fit the bill. John you may actually be a decent guy, but I suspect maybe you just can't or won't filter what you hear. So all the white noise of our world for you becomes critical info. It isn't. Because some college burnout uses some bizarre statement of a cubic hour does not suddenly make it a valid unit of time. For the rest of us, that deluge of unfiltered info eventually becomes really annoying. It's like going over to a radio tuned into nothing but static and cranking it up to full volume. Of course you are gonna get a negative reaction. Look we could go round and round like this forever, You make outrageous claims, then say you can't provide proof because THOSE pople would be at risk, but somehow I don't see you disappearing. I also see you have a ton of time to sit around on this forum playing a demo copy of CMBN. Does it strike you as odd that this reflects no urgency to worry about the world that is supposedly at risk? Sorry guy, not buying it. Assuming you really knew all this stuff, it is very obviously not urgent and the gov't that so much wants to shut you up still keeps giving you money. Yeah I heard the sob story, but plenty of folks have trouble getting money out of the gov't. That is the nature of bureaucracy. So back to book reviews. Edit - kudos on this one, that is actually funny.

Interesting. Sept Hope actually differs a bit. In this one the Dutch civilian didn't mis lead them, they chose to follow him through town despite orders to the contrary. I don't recall reading anything about regiment telling them to halt, rather they ran headlong into a growing number of German reinforcements that simply had more firepower. Interesting to see the variations. How much of that is the confusion of battle we may never know.

LOL and probably a few more in between. I think I am closer to the second. I enjoy watching my opponent win as long as it is interesting and especially if I learn a trick or two. It also helps that a good part of the games I have played aren't basing victory on a specific VL. They are more battles driven by an overall commanders intent which my opponent and I have usually discussed to set the context of the battle. Hell I'd gladly lose if in doing so I gained enough truly cool moments watching the TAC AI in action.

Thanks, very interesting and not quite as bad as the book implied. I knew about the comms issues, not about Hacket getting peeved.