The Commissar Posted April 5, 2001 Share Posted April 5, 2001 I didnt think editors wrote back to their fans all that much, and I sure wasnt expecting it to happen this time. The REAL surprise was that my suggestion of doing an article covering a battle in CMBO was "very appealing" !!! Here is a copy of his e-mail: "Your suggestion about a Combat Mission match is very appealing (except for the fact that I've been so busy working on a 1500-page Civil War novel that I haven't played a single CM scenario since, well...I can't remember. In any case, I'd probably get my arse shot off unless I had time to work up to it) In any case, I'll run the idea past the editors and see what happens. As long as they don't stick me with that "World's Greatest Wargamer" label (as they did when we ran that Steel Panthers feature). I was not informed of that in advance and was absolutely furious..." I guess the lot of us were wrong in jeering at him for that greatest wargamer label. Right then, what do you think I should suggest to this poor, CM-deprived man that would put us high on the charts of a possible article?!? Suggestions are not ONLY welcome, they are downright required! Now get writing! Cheers! Comm ------------------ "...Every position, every meter of Soviet soil must be defended to the last drop of blood..." - Segment from Order 227 "Not a step back" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Michael emrys Posted April 5, 2001 Share Posted April 5, 2001 Originally posted by The Commissar: Right then, what do you think I should suggest to this poor, CM-deprived man that would put us high on the charts of a possible article?!? Suggestions are not ONLY welcome, they are downright required! Now get writing! Well, Commi, you could play a hotseat game against yourself, writing a play by play as you go along. Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Commissar Posted April 5, 2001 Author Share Posted April 5, 2001 Playing with myself, eh? Been there, done that, discovered females. Next? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanzfeld Posted April 5, 2001 Share Posted April 5, 2001 discovered females......still do..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrspkr2 Posted April 5, 2001 Share Posted April 5, 2001 Originally posted by The Commissar: I didnt think editors wrote back to their fans all that much, and I sure wasnt expecting it to happen this time. The REAL surprise was that my suggestion of doing an article covering a battle in CMBO was "very appealing" !!! This gibes with my experiences with Trotter. Among other communicatiosn, I emailed him when a promised game (SPWaW) that PC Gamer promised to put an issue was omitted. Apparently, the bright editors decided at the last minute to leave it out of the subscription magazines and only include it in the magazines for retail sale. Trotter contacted the magazine folks and I had a copy in my hand within a few days. Of course, now I have a REAL internet connection, so that won't happen anymore! mrspkr2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forever Babra Posted April 5, 2001 Share Posted April 5, 2001 I don't know who Trotter is, but if it's for mass market consumption I would suggest a historical scenario, or better yet Op. Since poor misguided non-grogs know nothing about WW2 except "Tigers are Kewl", VB would be a good choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrspkr2 Posted April 5, 2001 Share Posted April 5, 2001 Originally posted by Forever Babra: I don't know who Trotter is, but if it's for mass market consumption I would suggest a historical scenario, or better yet Op. Since poor misguided non-grogs know nothing about WW2 except "Tigers are Kewl", VB would be a good choice. William Trotter is a wargamer and history guy who writes for PC Gamer and other publications. I believe he is based in NC, but oculd be wrong. I do know that he operates more as a freelancer than as a game magazine staffer, and is pretty sympathetic to newcomers to the hobby. mrspkr2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forever Babra Posted April 5, 2001 Share Posted April 5, 2001 Okay, well I'd still go with the Villers Bocage Op. It has, to recommend it, a famous cool guy; famous cool tanks; some wild fighting; some interesting secondary equipment such as mortar half-tracks, 20mm half-tracks, scout cars &c; air power; and a good mix of terrain. ------------------ "Good for burn infantry. WERY cheap!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest *Captain Foobar* Posted April 5, 2001 Share Posted April 5, 2001 "Move It or Lose It" The best person vs person scenario I have ever played. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbott Posted April 5, 2001 Share Posted April 5, 2001 I would suggest one of the battles on the Demo. It would allow others who do not own the game as of yet to try the demo and compare results and see familiar units and terrain features. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodyBucket Posted April 5, 2001 Share Posted April 5, 2001 The demo battle idea is a good one. If it gets someone to try it they are hooked. It is almost immoral. (Pssst, hey kid, you ever played Combat Mission? Just try it once, you won't get addicted or nothin....) ------------------ "Roll on" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sten Posted April 5, 2001 Share Posted April 5, 2001 Yes, one of the demo battles would be best. Closing words of the article would be "....think you can do better? Download the demo with this scenario and two more from www.battlefront.com Sten [This message has been edited by Sten (edited 04-05-2001).] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olle Petersson Posted April 5, 2001 Share Posted April 5, 2001 Anything with emphasis on infantry will be best. CM isn't very good at handling vehicles, so keeping these in the background should be preferred. (I haven't played many of the pre-made scenarios yet, so I won't mention any particular.) Cheers Olle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FriendlyFire Posted April 5, 2001 Share Posted April 5, 2001 I concur with the demo idea - although it's more buggy than v1.12, it stands a better chance of sucking a reader in, because as Sten points out they can easily grab the demo off the net and replay the battle with whatever tactics are used in the article. I'd suggest playing Valley of Trouble, with him as the attacker, so that he can talk about all the choices he has to make. It's a nice small map, with easy-to-understand objectives and forces, but there are a couple of twists (e.g. pillboxes, reinforcements). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olle Petersson Posted April 5, 2001 Share Posted April 5, 2001 Originally posted by FriendlyFire: I concur with the demo idea - although it's more buggy than v1.12, ...No need to use the Demo. The same battles are available in the full game. I think VoT would make for a nice game, with all sorts of units and fortifications involved. Cheers Olle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sten Posted April 5, 2001 Share Posted April 5, 2001 Yes, the same scenarios are available in the full game. But don't you think the instant gratification of first reading The Commisars article, and thinking "What an idiot! I would never have done THAT!" and then immediately download the demo and try out your own ideas, has a huge value? Sten Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olle Petersson Posted April 5, 2001 Share Posted April 5, 2001 Sten, you do have a valuable point. But using the demo (game engine v.1.02) to explain how the game (v.1.12) works, can be a bit misleading as well. There needs to be some emphasis on the differences between the two, as well as some tactical decisions that has to be made due to limitations in the game (like not shelling the ATG pillbox with all heavy artillery available). And even if v.1.12 is used for the portrayed battle, nothing prevents any reader from downloading the demo and try it out for themselves... The most apparent difference between the versions is how AFVs pick and trace targets, and IMO it's better to show the audience how the latest version works while pointing them to the demo. (I've also suggested an updated demo, but that was dropped cold...) Cheers Olle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterNZer Posted April 5, 2001 Share Posted April 5, 2001 He's not reviewing the demo, he's reviewing the game, he should play on the full. PeterNZ ------------------ - Official owner of the sig files of Dalem, Croda and Joe Shaw - Der Kessel scenario design group Combat Vision movies Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panzer Leader Posted April 5, 2001 Share Posted April 5, 2001 I don't think anyone who's not an afficianado would really be able to tell the difference between the game and the demo. The differences are very subtle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mensch Posted April 5, 2001 Share Posted April 5, 2001 Originally posted by Forever Babra: Since poor misguided non-grogs know nothing about WW2 except "Tigers are Kewl" uh huh... they go "bang" too when they fire.. at least a non-grog can make the moves on a girl when things are going well.. and not think.. "well if I move my hand over her 45º Glacias here I may be able to penatrate that locking system on her Mark IIV bra strap.. then again if its the double DD model I may need to use both hands to release that boulderholderdouble action firing release pin" besides.. Tigers are cool... tee hee..oops hey this is not the cess?... hello? senachoo?... little macie?... its awfuly fresh here.. ewww.. is that a potted flower over there?... i think some of the grime on me is washing off... yikes.. damn I dropped my dried frog pills. ----------- www.derkessel.com Home of „Die Sturmgruppe“; Scenario Design Group for Combat Mission. "So if it is a coy of flamethowers lighting up everything in sight like a Mongolian barbecue chef gone postal, and your opponent is OK with it, PLAY ON!" -The_Capt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gremlin Posted April 5, 2001 Share Posted April 5, 2001 I guess the lot of us were wrong in jeering at him for that greatest wargamer label. Not all of us jeered. As a rule, editors (and folks in the graphics dept.) are the ones responsible for what you see on the cover of a magazine, the table of contents page, and often article intros and headings. Of course, they often alter writers' text to an extent as well. Don't be too quick to blame writers for what may be totally out of their hands. ------------------ I pity the fool, thug, or soul who tries to take over the world, then goes cryin' home to his momma. --Mr. T Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Commissar Posted April 5, 2001 Author Share Posted April 5, 2001 Thank you all for your suggestions. I must make a few clarifications, however. It seems to me that you guys think I will be playing the battle, and while this would be a great honour if this article is ever printed, it is also doubtful. The battle would more likely commence between Trotter and a fewllow editor, or between Trotter and the AI. I have suggested Valley of Trouble for the very reasons you guys mentioned, and I really hope he gets the permission he needs. Thanks again for your responces - Ill keep you posted. Cheers! Comm ------------------ "...Every position, every meter of Soviet soil must be defended to the last drop of blood..." - Segment from Order 227 "Not a step back" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrspkr2 Posted April 5, 2001 Share Posted April 5, 2001 Originally posted by PeterNZer: He's not reviewing the demo, he's reviewing the game, he should play on the full. PeterNZ No, I think he is just playing a game for an article. He reviewed CMBO about six months ago. In fact, his review was the first time I heard about CMBO and is directly responsible for my decision to try the demo and subsequently buy the game. mrspkr2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillies Phan Posted April 5, 2001 Share Posted April 5, 2001 I have a cat named "Trotter" and he is somewhat ambivalent about the whole WWII Sim genre. ------------------ "Sturm, Swung, Wucht" - Lt. Gen. Erwin Rommel http://www.derkessel.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cos Posted April 8, 2001 Share Posted April 8, 2001 <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by mrspkr2: I emailed him when a promised game (SPWaW) that PC Gamer promised to put an issue was omitted...... Trotter contacted the magazine folks and I had a copy in my hand within a few days. Of course, now I have a REAL internet connection, so that won't happen anymore! mrspkr2 <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Had the same experience....he got me in touch with the right party to get the CD. I was fairly suprised he responded with a personel e-mail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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