polterklotz

From a scenario perspective you are of course correct. I was coming at this more from an angle that generally tries to integrate these rather typical engagements (unfair) into the game play. And to do this in a way that lets players have a feeling of accomplishment - even without knowing/having historical context. Sort of a mini-campaign consisting out of a series of QBs. Secondly I wanted an element of balance in there, so that games are not completely lost (even after a resounding loss in the first round), but if you wanted to mount e.g. a counter-attack you'll have some trouble with that (unless you had planned for the outcomes). @MikeyD If I remember right there was a random map generator in the CMX1 series. I know I made a lot more scenarios because I didn't do maps fully from scratch.

Plain movable markers Similar to target reference points but can be repositioned during combat. (Ideally with different designs, and perhaps growing in size as you zoom out). Where did I get that LOS again? Saves AAR dudes a lot of time Comes in handy for some cooperative style play modes Selection tools Add-select adjacent: Is basically an incremental way of shift-clicking or box dragging, it adds the next closest unit to the selection Mark (1,2,3): You can visually mark (and recall via a hotkey) a selection (individual or group). You have e.g. 3 of these "memory slots" that help you execute moderately complex maneuvers faster, particularly in real time engagements. Arcs Add an un-hide arc, use anti-armor, and regular arc cumulatively Movement Have a faster vs more careful button, (e.g. hitting "+" will make the movement order to the next waypoint go from "hunt" to "quick", shift-"+" does this for all waypoints. You can probably ignore "walk" speed in this context.) Of course it would also be cool if one could give transport vehicles a "park/pause long enough for people to hop off" pause - and the troops would actually do it. But I assume this is easier said than done from a game engine perspective...

All that is really needed for that is a tiny module that does "collision detection" on a shared image file (arbitrary map), and perhaps some excel-ish book keeping support for logistics, and remaining forces. I would not even use a specific rule set, but rely on honor system, or an digitally signed archive of the turns. To my mind this is the essence of CM Operations initiatives. If you thus give the community the incentive to create maps (where needed), you even have a return on investment. I don't think the operational layer is necessarily best done on a screen (particularly for the WW2 titles). If you can - leave the interface wide open to work with as many op-layer table-top games as possible (potential customers)... I can also imagine a stronger integration of unbalanced battles through a 1-2-3 series of battles, which may use the same map (perhaps partially so, like in the CMX1 title campaigns). You could just allot your force points differently (on map = full cost, reinforcement on call after X minutes = slightly reduced cost, reserves for deep defense/counter attack = significantly reduced cost).

Hmm... I only skimmed this so far. There is lots pretty cool stuff to see, but most of this looks like a lot of work! It sure would add lots of variety and meaning to the battles though. Let me throw in my 2c sideways if I can. @slippy perhaps some of this approach would work for you. I dabbled with making a very alpha concept based on spreadsheet and map (included as background image into the spreadsheet). A couple of reasons why I did that: Generic hexes don't cut it for me. I want to pour over the map with all its nitty gritty detail (if your side had that info). Terrain appreciation is a big part for me.You just exchange one file most people know, and it does unit tracking & orders, rule book, map, and collision detection (when units meet), only view your portion of course.When you start a battle you can design the CM map accordingly - you can even enlarge it as the battle escalates (e.g. you punch through defenses).Drawback: an AI would not be able to make sense of the map easily, so probably only multi-playerIdeally I'd want to move the map part to paper, pins and string in order to avoid screen time. But interfacing this would not work easily I'm afraid. Second best would be to move the operational layer onto phone or tablet. That way you could mull things over better, e.g. on public transport. @chopperinlt Good luck with your developments - sure looks promising so far!

I think that is not a bad assessment. However, broken clocks... If you research the rest of the bunch you'll probably find that he is also the most extreme of the "whack jobs" on the "Gesprächsrunde" (he said: it is NOT a talkshow). Each of them freely admits to being a "whack job". They pretty much all were demoted for "not following party line" - to paraphrase from their position a little. Wimmer was apparently an exception as he quit after having to (hypothetically!) bomb several German cities with nuclear warheads in a NATO exercise in 86. If you scroll down the video info you'll see the names and functions of the people in the last paragraph. You might want to take a look at Daniele as you're both historians, and thus share methods and vocabulary more than with the other "whack jobs". Oh, and the ETH is a bit of an address - he apparently was raking in 12 k$ monthly (before he kept asking the wrong questions, and perhaps before his 30-31B faux pas (dunno)).

The newer version of Fremdschämen is Kollateralschämen (= collateral shame, also pronounced nearly identically) I haven't watched that video. I can't stand to have to listen to him more than I have to - largely because of the zionist conspiracy bit. But also because of his unbalanced and blunt polemics, and his general demeanor. I really, really don't like the guy. There's a video where Serdar Somuncu (Mein Kampf - Satire) takes him apart on air. Unfortunately it is already over after 15 minutes - so it'll not quite make up for the Waldorfschule one I'm afraid. I referenced to the other video on purpose though. He speaks very little because he has a bunch of other guests (no one from the "other side"/troll though). That has a very interesting effect + it shuts him up (the guests themselves comment on that!). Now if you look at the approval rating and comments under that video, you'll see why this is somewhat important.

Yeah, that is the one. There's one where he is considerably worse. I'm afraid there's not much you can do at the moment. You could try to separate the audio track out and play it back more slowly using the VLC player for example. But I am pretty sure you'd better get some German speaker to do the English subs...

paraphrasing the German section above: He's crackpot #3 on a list of 100 from Berlin. Indeed, and I am far from being in general agreement with him. But this fact cuts both ways. (If you assume my evaluation of his position as correct) And this one guy on the show: Willy Wimmer is not exactly a nobody. You'll need gtranslate for the wiki-entry.

By the way Nidan1, the Goethe quote (2nd line) in your sig is apparently not from Goethe: http://german.about.com/library/blgermyth12.htm- and it misses a ". To be honest though, I had almost reconstructed the German version for you (apparently on basis of false memories). I am still not quite convinced it really does not exist. Something with "Würde" (grace) and "Tat" (the act) I would have assumed Wahlverwandschaften, something from a campaign as embedded journalist with the army in France, or perhaps his science stuff - but so far no luck. In any case it would not be used in the "writing classes" of today's Germany.

Lol - close but not quite runtime is 2:41:37 That could get a little tight for sburke if he doesn't get some rain soon...

Nope I did not. It is in the Russian text. You need to use the wet part of the brain though

[sburke] Lots of bluster, lots of BS, but in the end Russia is heading towards third rate power status simply because despite the bluster, it just doesn't have the resources to be in the first rate power game. The MOD can make all their claims it wants about it's new uber tank, a new cosmodrome, a resurgent Navy, air force and strategic nuclear force, but as the bottom falls out financially the house of cards is gonna collapse. Can you imagine Germany trying to do and say all that. [...] [/sburke] Russia is already 3rd rate at best. The second global superpower is the public opinion. I would say improbable - not implausible. History likes to have its way with things. It is still impressive though.

Did someone say Germany? Here's a source from one of the largest "submainstreams". I am a little afraid it may go against the feelings of some of my fellow American citizens, so I'll make no big effort to translate it here unless people want me to. If your German is good enough to sit through this, you also won't be offended by some passive aggressive whining. Like I explained in one of my previous posts - you'll already know it is central to German discussion culture. Это, главным образом, для "российского и украинской стороны": Вы должны пойти на канал wwwKenFMde, и поиск самого длинного видео. Это относительно новая. Это хорошо описывает вид большого и важного меньшинства в Германии. Я был бы рад, если вы посмотрите на видео с друзьями вместе. Лучший пишет кто-то субтитры.

Ugh. Well, I will be able to widen the spectrum juust a little then. Unfortunately my more diplomatically worded (longer, rambling really) post got eaten, so I'll do this with more German directness. You will probably mostly get in touch with some slightly pro-US "regular Joes", some "late 48ers" (with you running a small business), and quite a bunch of so called "transatlantikers". They are most pro-US government (think AIPAC for USA) and the opposite of the "Putinversteher" (eng: Putin understander/sympathizer"). The Camden Conference would tend to attract "transatlantikers." The name is in reference to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantik-Br%C3%BCcke whom the "Putinversteher" like to describe as unjust foreign intervention/occupation, and there are lots of stories that feature them or the Bilderberger on the interwebs. As for German humor - unfortunately most high profile political kabarettists (popular type of format) are rather critical of the US (and the German right wing), so you don't make a lot of new friends in the West translating this into English. Here is two examples that should illustrate this abundantly: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUgyo6RRv_0 It is also an acquired taste in many cases. These shows are not fringe though, they are run in governmental channels and used to have some 13% market share, especially among young people. Someone in the comments labeled that group (West German) "Salonglinker" or "drawing room leftist". This is not the same as "Putinversteher", as Schröder, who is nominally from a center-left party is generally perceived as a amoral sellout among them. Leaving out the one relatively small group that already had its representative here, most cliches are accounted for. To give you some reference of (pre Snowdon) international influence approvals I could just dig up this: http://www.globescan.com/images/images/pressreleases/bbc2012_country_ratings/2012_bbc_country%20rating%20final%20080512.pdf Germany's perception of: Russia, yay: 18% nay: 54% Germany's perception of: USA, yay: 44% nay: 45% ( in 2011: 37% vs 44% - pretty jumpy) As comparison the USA viewed Russia as 34% vs 41% (which may be about the post-Snowdon perception of the USA in Germany) or China with 42% vs 46%. The UK viewed France with 47% vs 41%. Once more a disclaimer: In Europe people tend to differentiate between government and people (as long as they have some reasonably free press, and aren't looking over iron sights). You may already know this - Ukraine internal: http://www.public-consultation.org/studies/Ukraine_0315.pdf German influence: Yes. But it is easy to step on toes in Europe. The place is full of other people's toes. So move slowly or don't move if you don't have to. German power: Nooo... If you keep "almost winning" wars you are not in a position of military power, or you have a brain power deficit. "Tiny little German interventions" also have the unfortunate habit of escalating badly. Keeping it short: Bismarck or Wilhelm II + nukes. Long version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27ujkepqU0w I should sit my lazy ass down and do the captions for this thing. It is pretty darn good I think. Europe dysfunctional (for population): You bet! But it is too big to fail . No seriously, it is a real issue and I am not sure Germany's leadership is tackling this well in the longer term. Yup, there is something to that. "Don't just sit there, do something!" vs "Don't just do something, sit there!" I think each is adapted to its immediate environment where the respective risk/benefit ratios (used to) merit such behavior. I'd second your internal point as well, but with two caveats: 1. Reunification. This was extremely abnormal, bordering on crazy behavior, judging by German general opinion and what came before and after. I also think it is by far the most underrated event by the average (West) German on the street. 2. We could try changing chancellors a little more often than in recent history, but that is a quibble. Ah – this one is indeed a little tickly. Recent times don't factor all that much into these decisions I think. And with Poland the relation since the war has been very strained. I believe up to reunification East Germany kept a kind of national bully role towards Poland. The contacts between Germans and Poles were quite numerous, which also allowrd for screwing things up pretty bad on all levels. Especially if some people mentally equate East with "down hill." There's perhaps also a lack of closure to previous "rough treatments" on either side. I'm really not the expert (I should be) on this though. With Russia you can more easily "call it quits." It is a shared experience that neither side will forget and feels the remotest desire to repeat (except perhaps in reenactments, and CM). Also going back a little further Russia was a fine ally against some arch-enemy in one decade or another. "Pack schlägt sich, pack verträgt sich." (eng: Fighting, when ended, is soon mended). Hahaa – but is that power really disproportionate then (if that aspect is so important)? Perhaps with regard to the large fraction of people who (believe they) want to go all renewable tomorrow... Certainly not from an industry perspective though. Remember, I said seniority is important. The German large corporations taking flak for foul play generally go back some 150 years (current government not even half that). Quite a few companies have papers with Napoleon's signature on them. Krupp made guns for the Thirty Years' War in 1618. You don't get to hang around that long by playing fair and being nice. BMW, Daimler, etc. are upstarts equivalent of US IT. SAP is actually an involuntary IBM spin-off. This stuff is not supposed to happen in continental Europe, that is not always clear to Americans. Schröder sure was not picked by accident, I totally agree. But neither was Joschka Fischer (Nabucco West). Or these fellows: http://www.atlantik-bruecke.org/service/dokumente/a-message-from-germany.pdf. This list includes more than three dozen members of parliament, a handful of (ex-) Generals and Admirals, as well as other people in important functions (banks, mayors, media). As you can imagine it is big sport for the "Putinversteher" to try to imply a certain causality for this, a la this being the de facto SED of the West. The bottom line impact on trust in western media is somewhat significant. While Putin is known ironically as the "Lupenreiner Demokrat" (eng: impeccable democrat) from an immortal Schröder quote, Obama is equally known as the "Friedensnobelpreisträger" (eng: Nobel Peace Prize laureate). "Liar" is not a word that captures the sentiment of the average Joe sufficiently with regard to either of them. Amen to that!

Steve, thanks for the reply, I think where I disagree, it is mostly in the interpretation or degree but the facts/issues/perceptions seem mostly valid. Here is Merkel in a nutshell: she was voted in by a very large portion of the population exactly for her absence of leadership and passion. Yet she is a pretty accomplished politician after having gutted her own party to the last brain, and then overtaking the competition on the left. In Germany we have various ways of arriving at decisions. Grand leaders are certainly in the mix, but haven't been terribly popular recently. Currently the default is what gets least serious (seniority is important) opposition. Depending on the issue you can have a couple of years to come up with critique. You can get through life perfectly well without taking a single risky action, as long as you are adept at torpedoing other people's proposals. That is why (within their culture) Germans like to be so negative. I'll give an example further down. Germany waffles all the time, see above. Coming out of an armed intervention with a net positive result is viewed as relatively unlikely, so unless "everybody else is doing it too", the place is far far away, or the situation is really dire - you try to sit it out or nudge things on as best you can. I would not call the relations with Poland particularly strong. In very recent history perhaps yes, but generally it is a lively up and down re the government, and a much slower lagging, generally improving relationship between the peoples. It is correct that the latter is at risk, and that is somewhat serious. Re goodwill Obama vs Merkel it depends a lot on whom you ask. Also (many) people differentiate between German (or US) corporations, government, and people. I do agree though that Schäuble does not score very high against Varoufakis. We do try though: I tried to convey that the export issue is pressing of course - thanks for the numbers. It is about what I had in mind except I hadn't assumed the Netherlands to be so high in import and export but that does not change much. I just had a look here: http://atlas.media.mit.edu/profile/country/deu/and there's two issues: 1. If Germany can't get the crucial imports (3/5 top imports are ffuel, others energy embedded in e.g. Al, and of course "consumer crap") it goes straight back to "flint tools and roving hoards" as main export (or perhaps CDSs, or something in between). As an aside, someone mentioned "one can't eat gas, but western Ukraine has very valuable agri potential". While the latter certainly is true, I'd love to open a rather deep rabbit hole for the former: sure you can eat gas (since 1913 at least). In fact probably way more than 2/3 of the people do exactly that (for now). If you're feeling lucky look up W R Catton. 2. The rates of import/export change (and reasonable potential) over the last couple of years is probably more important. I haven't looked myself but I see e.g. Poland developing into another Germany-like economy. Perhaps complementary, perhaps not. Russia is a little further away from that state. Sure it would not be a "happy ever after" match but it looks attractive for feeding industry through the next 10-20 years at the least. Better than competing for African resources with China. What keeps many SMEs from setting up (a second time) in Russia is the seemingly crazy lawlessness and obscurity of conducting business at certain levels. However many believe Putin has a small but positive influence on this. The second point is not so much my personal take as what I infer from hear-say. From my perspective this is not absolutely clear yet (see Dozza). However I would be very surprised if that would not become standard procedure in the decades ahead. One more reason to jump ship now and get on board with a tanker. Personally, I would regret to see a distancing from very many elements of (newish) anglo-saxon culture. Although there is a lot on the eastern side that I really appreciate I am afraid it'll be kept down and on the margins longer than I can expect to be waiting for it. @Steele 6: I like your approach, but I don't like my answers. E.g. will this create/cause another cold-war? or will it be short-lived due to Russi'a economic situation (sanctions civil pressure etc?) Probably No. And emphatically no. The cold war was happening in a strong growth situation, where there were relatively many resources per capita to smooth out wrinkles and allow for live and let live. The way it looks, that is probably over for good. If we're good we'll get through it with a limited nuclear exchange. If we're really, really good we'll just scale down and refrain from breaking stuff too much. If we go gorilla - our time is probably up. Of course this goes a little past Putin's 6 month plan.

Regarding Merkel there are a few voices in the background that make me think there's something deeper going on. Check what Harald Kujat, Martin Schulz (and of course left leaning intellectuals) have to say on the topic if you can. They state that the Western response is becoming more differentiated, to say it in a diplomatic way. I believe this is may be a summary for the different points of view: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=QeLu_yyz3tc#t=4137 Germany may be relatively important for this bit. Economically it is rather obvious that Russia is highly interesting (see Schröder, Nord Stream etc.). Naturally, so is the US and the strong allies it has made to the east of Germany. However, with Europe in the state it is in, the German government surely feels the pressure from industry (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z6ybAQ99Cg). Geo-politically the whole thing could go either way. Buddies with Russia, but angry smaller neighbors. Alternatively one could assume having a few more Greece like situations on the hands + whatever Russia cooks up (perhaps with a GWB-class leader). Both outcomes are not conducive to a quiet environment (historically has to be Germany's top priority). Other soft factors include: - How do other (EU) nations position themselves? e.g. France? Probably leaning more towards Russia... UK? To the US. Spain, Italy, Austria? Not sure. China? Turkey? Well... - Snowden and public opinion of the US

Looks like it, OTOH it may just have been a very big success...

I have a slightly different approach I wrote about a little here: http://community.battlefront.com/topic/115644-combat-mission-commander-campaign-tool/#entry1573691 If there's anything interest in it for you I can try to give more details...

Hey Falke and others, this is probably not the absolutely right place to post this but I am in the process of making Yet Another Half Baked Operational Layer - General Spreadsheet (YAHBOLGS), in case anyone is interested. It seems that it'll be rather different in approach than what the others have been proposing - and one thing is for sure: it is not going to be pretty... It uses a real map tucked into a spreadsheet (currently open office calc, but should work fine with excel) to do a couple of things: act as map (image is in background of spreadsheet), keep track of unit positions and orders (get pasted into map), allow for recon and collision detection (shown on separate sheets in the same file), thus getting rid of a dedicated game master (if players are honest). Basically new versions of the spreadsheet will get mailed back and forth between the players one after the other. WEGO is probably possible but you'd have to know how to merge the files so the sheets specific to the player get updated. Usually no problem but I haven't looked at it yet. When two units of opposing sides meet or their paths cross in one turn it is off to conflict resolution. Currently I would like the battles to run for 3h by default and also use 3h as minimum turn length. The max turn length is really up to the players and I could imagine 24h for the first couple of turns until units get into contact. In principle it should also work with all kinds of scales but I had a division or two in mind when I started to make this. I have very little formal military/history background but a defensive frontage of 10 km with 1.5 km depth sounded like a good match 500m squares on e.g. the old British Eng 1:25k maps that were easy to come by online. There are a couple of advantages in this approach, which I'll try to showcase in an example later. Design guidelines for this project were mostly: Laziness, a pinch of 80/20, long intervals of thought spaced out really far, and when I couldn't help it: progressive elaboration (we'll deal with that later). I liked the idea of spending a lot of time brooding over a paper map with some string and pins - trying to cut down screen time (not sure how well this worked). Also, it was an attempt to get into oo calc a little, so I say again: it is not pretty. Oh and one more thing on the honesty system: I usually assume near total honesty. I will not sacrifice simplicity for policing. It is meant to be fun. If it turns serious fine, just put some money in the pot and lose it if it later turns out you were cheating. For the detailed rules you may be able to adapt stuff from other wargames (I probably don't know). What matters most I believe is how this layer interfaces with CM, so I've focused on this. The other question is how unit tracking is to be done (ugh!). I plan to use "sloppy but honest", but I may try out if a very long campaign file script with a huge core unit file would work. You may need regular times where you do a "resupply battle scenario" that would just be one turn without any shooting. And you'll probably be stuck with one gameplay mode (e.g. wego). Anyway, unit tracking is something people can agree on separately. So here's a quick setup for a scenario: Step 1: Agree on administrative map setup zones and force points. Agree on modalities of objectives, existing fortifications, resupply, weather, turn rate, turn length (in game), setup zone rules, off map artillery / air force rules, intel on forces and positions, random events, etc. Step 2: Purchase forces and make a core force file in the editor, or keep track using the spreadsheet. Split forces into combat formations and note in the forces sheet. You can reorganize these later. You can assign a point value to your recon pool, or withdraw units from combat action later and place them in the recon pool. It helps if you have a color coded template of your formations to copy & paste them to the map. Step 3 - optional: Make a generic campaign file with a long series of battles (some battles may just be there to allow resupply of men and material between battles), or use slightly less detailed unit tracking and make separate battles at a later time (more flexible in terms of battle modalities) Step 4: Place combat formations on map, note their distribution of force points, note supply lanes on map, give orders to combat formations for at least the turn duration (e.g. 3 h). Step 5: Deploy all recon missions on map sheet and subsequently check results on your recon sheet. Don't cheat. Check the engagements sheet. Engagements can happen between opposing formations that are on the same square some time during the turn. Line up engagements with opponent (approximate timing, distance from HQ, etc). If you agree you can skip engagements (e.g. if one force is only a supply line, or if there is a significant time difference in the occupation of the square). Next note contingency plans if you feel it is necessary. The should clearly state an outcome and revised orders. Per default you can only use revised orders once per day. Next determine the type of engagements and possible reinforcements, as well as artillery and aircraft interference. Agree on a mode of play (pbem, real time, scripted, substitute) Step 7: Conflict resolution and map making. Decide what area to include into the battle. Usually the attacker will have the last word regarding width, whereas the defender can choose the depth. The ratio of width to depth should be 0.5 to 2. An artificial setup zone may be created close to the attackers edge of the map. Directly adjacent units can be used as reinforcements with 1/3 arriving every 10 minutes. Parts of the main units can be added to the reinforcement (e.g. to avoid artillery). Units on reserve in the vicinity need to allow for confirmation and additional travel time. I assume a two division conflict would typically result in 5-10 major battles (or subdivisions of a very large battle). It is likely that 10-15 smaller engagements such as probes and ambushes will have to be resolved as well. The major battles will likely be fought on Combat Mission maps tailored directly from the administrative map information. As it is likely that a critical probe will escalate later, one should give some thought to the placement of the map edges (e.g. to be able to extend the map in the direction of the assault). Of course I have a bunch more detailed rules but they are pretty much independent of this concept.

Is there any chance of lasing a vehicle just to make it shift or take evasive action - even if you don't have anything capable of killing it in the current postion?

I would not be surprised in the least if something like the nemesis suit works fine in the field for weeks of use. Neither would I be surprised to find relatively effective knock offs manufactured in asia to pop up on the other side 2 weeks into a serious conflict. You put out some 40-200 W of thermal energy which you have to blend in with the background. During the day the background gets some 200-1000 W on a m². How this sunlight gets absorbed and puts out IR is not very uniform. This should make it relatively easy to hide if you aren't IR-naked against a cool wooded backgrount, north wall, etc. Also you can leave the back (or better down facing) parts of the uniform open for ventilation if you take minor precautions. The air flow with a degree or two more heat won't really show a lot I believe. Evaporating some liquid to cool you is real simple. When prone you can transfer your heat to the ground for quite a while before it'll show in most environments I assume. Once you get up after you've been prone a while though you may really want to get a move on cause you just left a nice decoy in your position. If you want to avoid that and have some time you can ram a heat pipe (the one with phase transition) into the ground. On the other hand I expect low cost decoys (hand warmers and the like) to ramp up considerably in order to spam expensive sensors. Since shadows are modeled I wonder how much work it would be to model contrast to thermal background...