Another Wish List Thread: What do you want to see in the CM:BN Battlepack?

[Sequoia]

As I understand it, Battlepacks differ from modules in that they do not need to have a central theme and standard content (New Units, Campaigns and Scenario package). Somewhere not too far down the Battlefront development schedule is the first (perhaps only) CM:BN Battlepack. There's been conjecture from forum members, and even clues from Battlefront on what it may contain. What would you like to see it contain? No one can prevent people from going wild with wishes (e.g. The Maus, Glider landings) but if you want to keep your wishes realistic, they should be limited to items available in France June to August '44 and with things CMX 3.0 can do (which I presume means flame vehicles for the western front).

Me, I want the Flakpanzer 38. Why? I think it looks cool and Elmar got his Crusader AA so I want this.

[Holman]

British "Funnies"

Flamethrowers

Protective terrain features (shingle, obstacles, seawall) for D-day scenarios

More variety of bunkers and defensive works

French tanks in German service

Landing craft (too much to ask, I know)

[emccabe]

anything amphibious would be nice

[AlexUK]

Couple of campaigns (including Pegasus Bridge, perhaps following Lord Lovats units from the beach - oh and a 'piper' special unit conferring morale bonus on troops within earshot:)), sprinkling of scenarios, commandos. Would be nice to have some ability to mix American and Commonwealth forces (although not sure historically accurate?).

[Holman]

You can already mix American and Commonwealth forces. Perhaps not in quick battles, but certainly in the scenario editor.

[Michael Emrys]

Couple of campaigns...sprinkling of scenarios...

If I understand the definition of Packs correctly, none of that would be included. Packs are to include only things like rare vehicles and weapons not included in the base game or any of the modules. Not sure about unusual personnel units (rare infantry types, commandoes, etc.).

Michael

[Sequoia]

I would guess (and that's all it is) we won't see amphibious vehicles before cmx 5.0 as I think 4.0 will bring us fully functioning fire.

[Davek555]

Anything that shoots fire. Oh and maybe a German Maus tank.

[Whiterider]

1-Combat between enemy planes if both player bought them. Don´t want to see combat images but I´d like to hear them fighting. Furthermore planes ground attacks should be reduced if enemy aircraft arise.

2-A limit to ammo that units are able to carry. A possible solution would be to refit automatically the unit (until its original limit) when it´s in a vehicle or close to a dump ammo. Units will only get ammo for the weapons they carry currently. This is an important issue since CM is a realistic game.

3-Target heavy option: Useful if you don´t wish to use the machine gun of your tank (sometimes ammo is limited). It´s between target light (MG) and target (Gun+MG).

[Myles Keogh]

1) Flame weapons/vehicles

2) Free French

3) Captured French tanks in German service for early D-Day and Market-Garden scenarios

4) Commandos/Rangers

5) New campaigns and scenarios for the above.

As for BF frowning upon providing #5 for "packs" or DLC? Well, it appears they've had a change of heart as seen in another thread:

Quote:

With that said, I think BF could monetize their investment better with more official battles and campaigns. I think they could also reach a little further in to the mainstream and extract more money out of their core audience with their existing engine and some investment in a real campaign framework. How many close combat games have been released on an engine that is perhaps halfway between CM1 and CM2?

It hasn't been something we've done so far because until recently it's been frowned upon because there was a time when wargame makers abused this model. It's why we have always had a full featured editor and "quick battle" features in every single CM game we've made. Pay once, play as long as the game holds your interest.

What's changed now is that providing small amounts of content is economically feasible thanks to digital downloads. As a result people have gotten used to Downloadable Content (DLC). As long as we don't hobble/abandon our current approach of including playable content, a full featured editor, and "quick battle" features in our products, I don't see why anybody could complain if we also offer pay-for-play playable content as an additional option. Meaning, it doesn't remove any options people have had for 14 years, rather it adds to it.

Steve

From the above it sounds like BF will be offering new scenarios/campaigns as either DLC or as part of the CMBN/CMFI packs. There have been other clues: Paper Tiger recently hinting that he's working on a new campaign and the Monte Casino map project mentioned by ChrisND also seem indicate that new scenarios and campaigns will be offered for sale.

[Bartokomus]

From the above it sounds like BF will be offering new scenarios/campaigns as either DLC or as part of the CMBN/CMFI packs. There have been other clues: Paper Tiger recently hinting that he's working on a new campaign and the Monte Casino map project mentioned by ChrisND also seem indicate that new scenarios and campaigns will be offered for sale.

I would support this 100%; Campaigns are by far my favorite way to enjoy single player CM and they've been in sore decline for a few years IMO since CMSF. I'd happily bay for PT quality campaigns for modules i already own.

[AlexUK]

1) Flame weapons/vehicles

2) Free French

3) Captured French tanks in German service for early D-Day and Market-Garden scenarios

4) Commandos/Rangers

5) New campaigns and scenarios for the above.

From the above it sounds like BF will be offering new scenarios/campaigns as either DLC or as part of the CMBN/CMFI packs. There have been other clues: Paper Tiger recently hinting that he's working on a new campaign and the Monte Casino map project mentioned by ChrisND also seem indicate that new scenarios and campaigns will be offered for sale.

Yes, this is what I picked up on too. Not sure PT is working on another campaign though? Would be great to see campaigns from other scenario makers (benpark, for example) but clearly a major investment in their time, but perhaps Battle Packs may be a way for them to get a small share in the proceeds? Not sure whether this is a major motivating factor for campaign/scenario designers though, and could put some off (e.g. From customer criticism as they are aware that some of their money is going towards the designers) I think I read some comments along those lines from designers in a thread a while back.

[vonRocko]

Campaign packs please!! Happy to pay for them.

[Hister]

Me toooo, I want a pack!

[OrdeaL]

Oh yes campaigns, mooore we need more!! I would also pay for them alone.

[Whiterider]

A few things I´d love to see:

1-Aircraft shadows (like in CMX1).

2-Grenades availables in ammo dumps and vehicles.

3-Explosions in ammo dumps when they are hit.

4-Target briefly+Hide: Extremely useful if you want to shoot and being undiscovered.

5-Semidestroyed buildings in the editor.

6-Possibility to not cure wounded comrades, sometimes you can be discovered due to this.

[Baneman]

A few things I´d love to see:

1-Aircraft shadows (like in CMX1).

2-Grenades availables in ammo dumps and vehicles.

5-Semidestroyed buildings in the editor.

Very much agree with these.

(2) and (5) should also be possible without too much extra work. ( although I'm sure there's a 3D modeller somewhere shaking their head sadly at my misconception )

[Widukind]

1. If an bazooka team was killed, there comrades should drop up the weapons and the Bazooka and weapons for share it in the unit.

[Widukind]

The reconteam should get an better use of their hide skills. Because a reconteam is trained in cover and hide. And why the commander of the company or battalion knows the solutions of the observations immediatly, if the recon team haven`t a radio?

[TCMHQ]

British "Funnies"

Flamethrowers

Protective terrain features (shingle, obstacles, seawall) for D-day scenarios

More variety of bunkers and defensive works

French tanks in German service

Landing craft (too much to ask, I know)

Thats my wishlist too.......

Cheers

Tom

[Fizou]

It would be great with a bone about cost and ammount of content. If only estimates but something to day dream about

[Whiterider]

Artificial illumination in night scenarios: Houses, lampposts, burning vehicles, etc. With real effects in visibility.

[Faelwolf]

Motorcycles, esp. the German sidecar with machine gun mount, horses, and horse-drawn vehicles.

I imagine the artwork and animation for horses and horse-drawn vehicles would be out of reach at this time though.

[hobo]

Quote:

With that said, I think BF could monetize their investment better with more official battles and campaigns. I think they could also reach a little further in to the mainstream and extract more money out of their core audience with their existing engine and some investment in a real campaign framework. How many close combat games have been released on an engine that is perhaps halfway between CM1 and CM2?

It hasn't been something we've done so far because until recently it's been frowned upon because there was a time when wargame makers abused this model. It's why we have always had a full featured editor and "quick battle" features in every single CM game we've made. Pay once, play as long as the game holds your interest.

What's changed now is that providing small amounts of content is economically feasible thanks to digital downloads. As a result people have gotten used to Downloadable Content (DLC). As long as we don't hobble/abandon our current approach of including playable content, a full featured editor, and "quick battle" features in our products, I don't see why anybody could complain if we also offer pay-for-play playable content as an additional option. Meaning, it doesn't remove any options people have had for 14 years, rather it adds to it.

Steve

From the above it sounds like BF will be offering new scenarios/campaigns as either DLC or as part of the CMBN/CMFI packs. There have been other clues: Paper Tiger recently hinting that he's working on a new campaign and the Monte Casino map project mentioned by ChrisND also seem indicate that new scenarios and campaigns will be offered for sale.

Hey - That was my quote and I never saw Steve's reply. Thank you for posting this.

[IronCat60]

Since Trainz Simulator 2004 the Trainz community has enjoyed horse drawn vehicles. The horses can vary speed and the legs move accordingly. The rest of the body (neck and head) are non movable.

I guess if they get shot in this game they would collapse straight downwards or fall on to their sides. Depends on what type of harness they are wearing.

Now the appearance of horses on the battlefield would be rare as they were used by rear echelon support and artillery. The closest a horse team would be to a battlefield would be the infantry guns and ammo resupply wagons used by the straight leg infantry units.

I would like to see LVT-4 Amtrak for the Brit's crossing the Scheldt Estuary and the flooded fields. As a Marine Corps Amtrak driver (before my Army career) I would like to see this "gator" in action.

Now a couple of goodies I would like to see is a locomotive coaling tower, a water tank shed, a turntable and small roundhouse. This way we can build a realistic railyard.

And most important of all rolling stock (train cars). Cars to represent the few left behind or on the RIP track (repair in place) due to some mechanical fault.

The cars would be stationary and placed on the tracks like buildings and have light cover characteristics.

There would be "Forty-and-Eights". French 4-wheel covered goods wagons used as freight and military transport cars. The term refers to the cars' carrying capacity, said to be 40 men or eight horses. Also some flat cars and "8 plankers", gondolas (open top car to carry coal and other bulky materials). The sides were 8 planks high, hence the name. Of course no locomotives as the Germans would not want to risk loosing one.

Makes me want to watch "The Train" again. A excellent 1964 movie with Burt Lancaster as a French Rail Supervisor trying to prevent the Germans from shipping stolen French valuables back to Germany. He starts off neutral about the war but his attitude changes as he sees what the Nazis are up to.

Thank you Battlefront for the railroad flavor items you have provided! Keep up the great work! I would be willing to do the skins for the freight cars for free. Should you decide to go that route. Just look what skill is listed in my signature section.

Just my two cents.

Mech.Gato