Guest Big Time Software Posted November 3, 2000 Share Posted November 3, 2000 OK, I have seen a couple threads asking about this, so I guess it is time for an update... Last night Charles and I played the first ever Internet game of Combat Mission. Worked like a champ There were a few minor glitches and we discovered the need to redo some of the interface (minor stuff). But other than that, it worked really well. Here is the best part you folks are going to love... When both players end their turns, the data updates for both machines at once. Meaning that you do not have to wait for one player to get the full upload before it starts playing back on your system! Not only that, but the way Charles coded this up, the quantity of data being sent back and forth is FAR less than with a PBEM game. So turn processing zips by REALLY fast. We played a modified version of the Last Defense scenario. I was on a very crappy connection using a 28.8 modem connection (line noise reduced the throughput by 1/2). When we both hit "Go!" it was almost like I was playing solo on my machine. There was hardly any extra time spent waiting for the turn to process. There is an instant messaging system that works well and there is a variable timer with turn time limitations of none, 1 min, 2 min, 3 min, 5 min, or 10 min per turn. First playback does not count against the counter, but after it has finished playing once you are on the clock. Meaning that if you have 2 minute turns, watching the movie THREE times will chew up your entire time limit. Hope that makes sense This system is VERY slick. So slick that many of you PBEMers that were saying that TCP/IP is no big deal might want to rethink things. I know I have OK... now... when do you all get a hold of it? No hard date, but very soon. This weekend our Beta Testers will have access to the TCP/IP build. Depending on how well the testing goes, and how long any issues they raise take to get fixed, will determine when we release the Beta Patch 1.1. My personal hope is another 2 weeks or less. So it won't be long Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pillar Posted November 3, 2000 Share Posted November 3, 2000 First to know! [This message has been edited by Pillar (edited 11-03-2000).] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SS Peiper Posted November 3, 2000 Share Posted November 3, 2000 Thats GREAT News !!! Thanks for the update SS Peiper Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Dog Posted November 3, 2000 Share Posted November 3, 2000 VERY exciting and encouraging news I can hardly wait... - Old Dog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DEF BUNGIS Posted November 3, 2000 Share Posted November 3, 2000 I never had any doubt there was gonna be another stellar performance by BTS. Usually by now, I'm starting to get board with games I've owned as long as CM. With CM, it seems like everyday I'm just getting started. ------------------ The counter-revolution, people smilling through their tears. Who can give them back their lives, and all those wasted years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Pillar Posted November 3, 2000 Share Posted November 3, 2000 Sheesh, spending all this time on something frivolous like the TCP/IP patch when you should have been correcting the 'flimsy' german armour, making Shermans 10 points a piece, and other such drastically important things along those lines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BFCElvis Posted November 3, 2000 Share Posted November 3, 2000 Excellent news for the biggest TCP/IP crybaby on the board. Peng..strap on your helmet, grab a case of cheap beer and start smoking again you are in for some all night sessions. My dream of playing a best out of 3 game series in a drunken orgy of Internet violence is almost upon me. I'm giddy as a school girl. Actually this will sound like a strange question coming from the aforementioned crybaby but..I wonder if this new system that condenses file sizes for TCP/IP transfer can be used to reduce file sizes for PBEM games in CM2 or a patch for CM1? ------------------ "To conquer death you only have to die" JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Andrew Hedges Posted November 3, 2000 Share Posted November 3, 2000 That sounds very, very cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Rob/1 Posted November 3, 2000 Share Posted November 3, 2000 Thanks for the update Steve! ------------------ Fight for your right!To play CM! Join Rob's CMMC today Email me at RobsCMC@hotmail.com Rob For more info on Rob;s CMMC go to Robs CMC HQ Members of my CMMC should join my CMMC chat bord. Robs CMMC Bord Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest JAZZA Posted November 3, 2000 Share Posted November 3, 2000 Saaweeet!! can't wait hehehe...hehehe...hehehe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kain Posted November 3, 2000 Share Posted November 3, 2000 Good news travels fast. ------------------ "NOW THE GENERAL WHO WINS A BATTLE MAKES MANY CALCULATIONS IN HIS TEMPLE ERE THE BATTLE IS FOUGHT. THE GENERAL WHO LOSES A BATTLE MAKES BUT FEW CALCULATIONS BEFOREHAND. THUS DO MANY CALCULATIONS LEAD TO VICTORY. AND FEW CALCULATIONS TO DEFEAT. HOW MUCH MORE NO CALCULATION AT ALL" PEACOCKS PRINCIPLES OF WAR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eridani Posted November 3, 2000 Share Posted November 3, 2000 Hey Good enough news that I just may decide to come back to the CM world for a little while (on that note, hi everyone, I am still alive, just caught in the deathly grips of college... and loving every minute of it) Oh, and Steve - who won the game? I look forward to butchering a few lucky few of you again after TCP/IP comes out who wants some -EridanMan [This message has been edited by Eridani (edited 11-03-2000).] [This message has been edited by Eridani (edited 11-03-2000).] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Big Time Software Posted November 3, 2000 Share Posted November 3, 2000 Elvis: <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>I wonder if this new system that condenses file sizes for TCP/IP transfer can be used to reduce file sizes for PBEM games in CM2 or a patch for CM1?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> It might be possible. There is a problem though, and that would be an extra fileswap. At least the way the system is at the moment. This is why we can't easily drop it into CM1. For CM2 this shouldn't be a problem. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt.Morgue Posted November 3, 2000 Share Posted November 3, 2000 Sounds great, i would like to see one change a varible timer that could be set between 00 and 99. just my 2 cents worth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juardis Posted November 3, 2000 Share Posted November 3, 2000 Where the hell is the wildlife?!?!? Ooops, that's LongBow 2, not CM1. One question Steve. If you have the timer going and you get interrupted (like your wife needs the computer for a minute), is there a pause button or something? Also, if both of you have to leave (like go to sleep or something trivial like that ), I assume you both have to save the game at the same spot? And when you come back the timer starts over? Thanks for the update. You guys rock! ------------------ Jeff Abbott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Captitalistdoginchina Posted November 3, 2000 Share Posted November 3, 2000 Hi Stevie baby, Did you guys try over a LAN as well, or only internet play? My 2 computers with LAN cards are sitting idle waiting for CM!! Thanks for the update, CDIC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manx Posted November 3, 2000 Share Posted November 3, 2000 Great news!!. While your at it Steve will you be releasing any more patches (apart from the TCP/IP patch of course) for CM?...and if so what issues (if any!) would it be likely to address?. Thanks ------------------ COMBAT MISSIONS- The Source For CM Ops & Scenarios WWW.COMBATMISSIONS.CO.UK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Big Time Software Posted November 3, 2000 Share Posted November 3, 2000 Various answers... For some reason we need to have a predictable timer (I think). But I will pass along the suggestion. Pausing... hmmm... dunno about that. I'll pass it along. Yes, LAN play was the first test and it worked just fine The final version of 1.1 will have many fixes that have been requested from folks. Top of the list is a fix for the Hull Down problem and fast recon. Some of these fixes will be in the 1.1 beta patch, but more will be in the final patch. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Splinty Posted November 3, 2000 Share Posted November 3, 2000 Outstanding news guys!!!! I'm so excited I'm vibrating out of my chair! ------------------ Nicht Schiessen!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smoker1 Posted November 3, 2000 Share Posted November 3, 2000 Ten minutes max before going unlimited doesn't appeal to me. I would like to see at least a choice for 15 minutes. 20 minutes would be even better. Smoker out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roborat Posted November 3, 2000 Share Posted November 3, 2000 I like the timer idea. Real officers & NCOs didn't have the luxury to study the map from 300 angles and formulate detailed actions every 60 seconds. They were given a task and a time, and that was it. So the timer will make the game much more realistic, I think, not to mention adding immensely to the tension of the game. The player will have to formulate the initial plan of action, but once the game starts, he is essentially reacting to the battlefield in (almost) real time. I love it, can't wait for it to be available. I wasn't to optimistic until now, assuming TCP/IP would be as slow as PBEM is now. ------------------ "With cat-like tread, Upon our prey we steal; In silence dread, Our cautious way we feel." -G&S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grisha Posted November 3, 2000 Share Posted November 3, 2000 WOW! This is great! WTG BTS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DmTs Posted November 3, 2000 Share Posted November 3, 2000 It's great! Where I can download it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Posted November 3, 2000 Share Posted November 3, 2000 Having never played TCP/IP, I was wondering how you pause play and restart a game so that you don't have to finish a game in one sitting? I know this sounds like a stupid question, but I'm relatively new to internet play. ------------------ Blessed be the Lord my strength who teaches my hands to war and my fingers to fight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KiwiJoe Posted November 3, 2000 Share Posted November 3, 2000 Any1 come up with a proper set of drinking rules for cm tcp/ip? I suggest: Lose a tank - skull 1 can of beer Lose a recon car - skull 1/2 can (could be a good way of stopping gamey recon Lose an infantry man - 1 mouth full of beer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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