alan123

I am still having a few problems. My install of TOW1 had blossomed out to a massive 15GB+ with all the mods and addons and missions etc. Some dodgy files had probably worked their way in. The Bulldogs campaign did work with this installation, however I was not able to complete the first mission as it kept crashing to desktop. (by the way I was also having this problem with Aszocks Non Linear Campaign too). So came to the conclusion that my install was corrupt. So to eliminate the possibility of there being an error in the install, and to give the Bulldog game the best shot I could, I did the following: Fresh, separate install of TOW1 with latest official patch. Installed JSH 3.5.1 (fresh download from the Green as Jade site) Installed SS camo mod. Installed the Bulldogs mission. And now the whole thing crashes to desktop when I load the Rauray Spur Battle. What else can I try? Here is the log file: [May 11, 2010 6:36:47 AM] ------------ BEGIN log session ------------- Sound: Native library (build 1.1, target - P IV) loaded. Main3D >>> renderer type: OPENGL WWThreadPool.create(): Thread pool is created. Threads count = 0 Load gui skin from: Data/Settings/gui.ini =========================== CampaignRecList.updateList() begins =========================== =========================== CampaignRecList.updateList() ends =========================== Time overflow (0): speed 0.18050541 ERROR file: File wwrcu not found Initializing DirectSound playback device... Primary buffer created. Playback format is set : sampling rate = 44100, num channels = 2. Buffer caps : Transfer rate = 0, CPU overhead = 0. Default speaker config is : 1310724. Direct sound audio device initialized successfully : DX Version : 7 Hardware - disabled [buffers : 0] Extensions - disabled : EAX ver. 1 [ ] - disabled EAX ver. 2 [ ] - disabled EAX ver. 3 [ ] - disabled I3D ver. 2 [ ] - disabled ZoomFX [ ] - disabled MacroFX [ ] - disabled SIMD render [X] num channels 16 cannot open file for reading Cannot open audio file samples/Error_empty.wav =========================== CampaignRecList.updateList() begins =========================== =========================== CampaignRecList.updateList() ends =========================== =================================================================== Last serial num: unknown Total size in bytes: 0 Number of blocks: 0 ::: setLoading=true VoicesTable.load(): files were scanned in 2817 ms ERROR file: File ww.cmd not found Selected Decal #1: STEEL, TEX 0, BRIGHTNESS 0 --------------------------- Precache Effects begins --------------------------- --------------------------- Precache Effects ends --------------------------- ================ MissionManager.loadMissionBriefing() missions/bulldogs/rauray/briefing.xml ================ ================ MissionManager.loadMissionBriefing() ends ================ MapsStorage.aiMapAddRoads(): roads where added in 18 ms LandscapeTrees.recalcTreeVisBlocks() recalculated in 12 ms === END OF TRIGGER COMPILATION === load unit - sherman_ic id = 357 load unit - sherman_ic id = 348 load unit - sherman_i id = 336 load unit - sherman_i id = 330 load unit - sherman_i id = 218 load unit - sherman_i id = 212 load unit - sherman_i id = 206 load unit - sherman_i id = 195 Total #3147 objects post-Loaded. Total #3401 post-processed for GUI. Normal: availNodeNum/availNodeList.Size = 33/0 Aggressive: availNodeNum/availNodeList.Size = 21/0 --PFSCache read-- ::: setLoading=false ================== START LOADED MISSION missions/bulldogs/rauray/mission.xml===================== ERROR! DAMAGE_SYSTEM: cant read armor scale for <SKY> Time overflow (94432): speed 0.9155646 *** FAILURE *** [sYSTEM] Main loop: Structure handled exception arized, see cppcrash java.lang.RuntimeException: Structure handled exception arized, see cppcrash at com.maddox.core.TTFont.OutputClip(Unknown Source) at com.maddox.core.TTFont.outputClip(Unknown Source) at com.maddox.core.GUICanvas.draw(Unknown Source) at com.maddox.gwindow.GWindow.draw(Unknown Source) at com.maddox.gwindow.GWindow.draw(Unknown Source) at com.maddox.gwindow.GWindow.draw(Unknown Source) at com.ic.bc.unit_info.UnitInfoShow.InfoIcon.render(Unknown Source) at com.maddox.gwindow.GWindow.doRender(Unknown Source) at com.maddox.gwindow.GWindow.doChildrensRender(Unknown Source) at com.maddox.gwindow.GWindow.doRender(Unknown Source) at com.maddox.gwindow.GWindowRoot.doRender(Unknown Source) at com.maddox.gwindow.GWindowManager.doRender(Unknown Source) at com.ic.ww.core.WWGUIWindowManager$_Render.render(Unknown Source) at com.maddox.core.Renders.doPaint(Unknown Source) at com.maddox.core.Renders.paint(Unknown Source) at com.ic.ww.game.MainWin3D.checkFocus(Unknown Source) at com.ic.ww.game.MainWin3D.loopApp(Unknown Source) at com.ic.ww.game.Main.exec(Unknown Source) at com.ic.ww.game.GameWin3D.main(Unknown Source) ================== DESTROY GAME ===================== ::: MeshShared.shared Effects\GunFire\020_049mm\mono.sim not destroyed, link count = 8 PFS recalculate missionDestroy for Normal: nodeNum= 60476, availNodeNum=41983 PFS recalculate missionDestroy for Aggressive: nodeNum= 24372, availNodeNum=6131 ================== DESTROY GAME IS DONE===================== WWThreadPool.destroy(): Thread pool is destroyed [May 11, 2010 7:31:43 AM] -------------- END log session ------------- Cheers Alan

I created a new profile, as suggested, and it works fine now. Thanks a million. Game on! Alan

Hello, I have downloaded it ok. I unzipped them into the main Tow1 folder etc, according the the instructions in the readme PDF. At first the game did not appear anywhere in the menu system until I moved the missions and maps folders to their normal spots. I did this on my own initiative based on experience. The campaign now appears as it should in the other campaigns menu and the briefing is there to read, however when one clicks on there are no battles listed to choose to carry on with. Do I have to adjust something in the mission editor to activate the new files? Everything is listed correctly in the campaign menu in the editor mission editor, by the way, I cannot understand what is going wrong. Also just as a check i asked the mission editor to do a "statistic" on this campaign and the mission editor came up with a warning and then crashed. The other inbox campaigns are able to run a statistic and produce a report, so maybe the problem is there. I am busting to play this masterpiece again so hope you can help. Yes I have installed the camo mod and also have JSH 1-3-5. Lettuce no! Cheers Alan.

This campaign is really good and shows how TOW can be adapted to work in a non linear fashion. Other key features that make the game enjoyable: The whole map has been used so there is plenty of room for movement, flanking etc. There are no sudden attacks by mass enemies in the flanks right at the last moment. Forces are balanced so that you have a good mix of infantry and AFVs. It is not a tankfest nor is it one of those fiddly one squad "elite mission" games. The mission briefings are accurate and the victory conditions clearly set out so that you know what you have to do. There are lots of random triggers so that no 2 games are exactly alike and there is always a surprise to be had. Great work, well done. Cheers Alan.

Yes it is difficult like all these types of mouse trap type missions set on postage stamp sized maps. To get get through it one must save the game and reload it every time something goes wrong. Not really a whole lot of fun and also not very realistic. Sorry. AL

Hello, With your tips I got the mission working with my bundled edition of TOW2Afrika. Thanks. It is a bit of a mission impossible though. AL

I downloaded and installed this mission/mod however it crashed to desktop when loading the battle. I have the bundled version of Tow2 with Centauro, does that make a difference? Looks like a lot of work went into the mod, would be nice to see it work, is there anything I can do differently? The singlemissions folder must surely go in the missions folder and not in the main game directory, have tried it with and without and neither worked so the bug is not there. Cheers AL

Hallo, I downloaded and installed the files into my TOW2 installation and it did not work, it does not even show up on the battle or campaigns list in the game menu. The instructions included with the download were almost non existent however I have installed so many mods etc that I do not really need instructions as I have some previous experience, despite this it did not work. Is there anything special one has to do to install this one and get it working? It sounds good and I am sure a lot of good work went into it. Please let me know.

Looks good. Cannot wait for it. Alan

Nor can I. I think it has to do with that recent hacker attack and the migration to the new more secure server etc. It is not you it is them! AL

I have installed this mod too plus the Balance mod and am playing the Centauro campaign through again. Already in the first battle the British attack with Valentine IX tanks instead of the standard Crusaders! A much tougher opponent. Plus the Crusader IIC support tanks fired a lot of smoke which was quite effective in screening the British advance and allowed them to get very close undamaged. Some great changes all around. Cheers Alan

It is a real problem sometimes on many maps and battles. The only solution I have found is to make a line with your remaining units and sweep the map from beginning to end. One problem with this battle is that if some enemy units drive through the town and park in the low area at the foot of the hills you cannot reach them with either line of sight or fire and then the game never ends. If this is the case then you will have to do the battle again and make of point of not letting any enemy units slipping through. Cheers Alan

The stuart campaign was so bad I refused to play it. Do not worry if you cannot get through it, it is too silly for words. Centauro is much much better. Happy gaming. Alan

The best campaign in my opinion was the Centauro Italian campaign. Though lately the campaigns being issued are so small in mission number that you can only really call them an operation. This game has the potential to cover the whole African conflict from 1941 (as the Germans and allies) or even earlier as the Italians and Allies Yes it was frustrating having Italian tanks as they are so bad, however the design of the campaign and missions was well done. Use of big maps was a welcome relief. Too many times a good mission is spoilt by having to work on a postage stamp of a map where the camera does not really have enough room to swing around and it always seems that you are operating in a tight corner on a map edge. Just about all the Italian missions were on big maps which allowed for room to maneuver for both the in-game camera (for user comfort) and the units themselves were able to do flanking movements instead of fighting down a tunnel. Fighting on an artificially constrained map is all the more irritating when you can see that the portion of the map you have access to is part of a much larger map that is shown greyed out on the minimap. The very worst campaign was the Stuart Campaign, it was so bad I did not even bother to finish it. Tiny maps, one tank to command against a whole village filled with enemy. It was just too silly for words. Cheers Alan

Hello, In my opinion the best TOW1 campaigns I have played so far are your de Gaulle Campaign and Gnashers Bulldog campaign. I think a lot more thought and ingenuity goes into user made campaigns than the inbox game campaigns. Probably the people in the game companies have to work to impossible deadlines and budgets and thus the quality suffers. AL

Hello, I finished the Italian Centauro campaign this evening. In my opinion it is the best TOW2 campaign I have played so far and I have played them all except for the Stuart Campaign, which I will start soon. Happy gaming. Alan.

Its ok, fresh this morning I got thru the battle no problems. You just cant let the enemy into the village in any numbers as it trips a defeat trigger, a little unfairly in my opinion, but there it is. Just try to nail the enemy at long range with your Semovente 75s firing HEAT rounds from hull down positions on the flanks. Any allied tanks that straggle into the village you have to take out quickly with ATG and infantry attacks. The Italian AT grenades carried by the infantry are quite effective. AL

How do you win the El Guetta map in the mission called Diversionary Battle? Just when I think I have won, the game ends in a defeat. Is there a trigger somewhere that the enemy drives over and simply wins no matter what? Like in Kasserine and Tebessa. I do not usually have much trouble getting through campaigns and so after many attempts I am beginning to think there is a bug in this mission. Anyone else having trouble? Cheers Alan.

Did Gnasher say next Bulldog release? When when when...I am just busting to play it. AL

Hello, I am trying to get in to the file repository. I have been there before. I have a forum logon ID that used to also work for the repository. I went to the Battlefront main page and my forum logon no longer worked there. I asked for a new password, received it and was able to log onto the BF main page however still received this message when trying to reach the file repository: http://www.battlefront.com/?mosmsg=ERROR%3A+Unauthorized+Access. What do I need to do? Cheers Alan

Another recommendation I have for the improvement of this game is that it should be possible to be able to issue simple movement orders from within a squad or vehicle, left, right, forward, reverse, stop. At a keystroke. This would really help with placing vehicles quickly and efficiently in hull down positions where this sort of realistic micro management makes all the difference in keeping your vehicles and men alive. Use of terrain in this way is one of the ways that this game differentiates itself so well against others of its type. Cheers Alan

One improvement recommendation that I have is that the game be made compatible with the TRACK IR technology so that instead of having to look around with the mouse (with the button pressed down the whole time) all you have to do is move your head. A few other games I play have this feature and it leaves your hands free for issuing orders, allows much better situational awareness and most important of all allows for a deeper level of immersion. If you do not know what TRACK IR is Google it. Cheers Alan.

The German campaign was by far the best of the "in the box campaigns". If anything they were a little too easy (probably solely because their equipment is so good when properly employed), but immensely enjoyable. The missions were all good and it is too hard to pick a winner. I do remember enjoying the last 2 missions the most. Once again I would have liked to have seen the full pallet of units available for each mission plus free choice slots and no points to limit the fun. Have a force pool approach to unit choice rather than the silly point system. More missions would have been better too, again the campaign was way too short. Do not limit yourselves to specific historic dates and events of major actions. At the scale of operations represented in this game (platoon and section combat) there are no limits to the number of minor skirmishes and so on that would have/could have occurred at any given time in the African campaign. The mission briefing could have less info about the soldiers home life and feelings and more about the likely enemy, his positions, units , use of terrain, and clear mission objectives and suggested use of specific units in it. I intend to load the "balance mod" soon and replay all the campaigns again but first onto the Centauro campaigns with the game in its out of the box condition. Cheers AL

My comments on the British campaign are: 1. Way too short, it hardly got started before it was over. A campaign should have 10+ missions in it IMHO. 2. Missions were all good and challenging, hard to pick a winner. 3. As for my other comments in the other campaigns I would like free slot choice and not be limited by points. It should be like Close Combat 5 where you pick and choose from what you have left in your force pool. 4. I would like to be able to see the map before unit selection takes place. 5. During play I would like to be able to move the minimap around to face the direction I am looking in. AL

I have finished the USA campaign and my final comments are: The bypass missions were frustrating and not a good idea. Like Gnasher says it is a battle between you and the game designer. The first mission was the best and was a lot of fun to play out. The fixed unit slot idea should be gotten rid of and one should have a free choice as to what one takes into battle. There were not enough missions in the campaign, in fact you could hardly call it a campaign. AL