Patton Drives East - Blogfront

[Hubert Cater]

In case you haven't noticed yet we have a series of blogs posted that highlight much of what PDE has to offer. I'll be adding further content over the next few weeks but there is already quite a bit to get you started.

General link can be found here:

http://www.battlefront-store.com:8080//index.php?option=com_myblog&Itemid=213

Russians Are Coming:

http://www.battlefront-store.com:8080//index.php?option=com_myblog&show=Strategic-Command-2-Patton-Drives-East.html&Itemid=213

Patton Goes To Moscow:

http://www.battlefront-store.com:8080//index.php?option=com_myblog&show=Strategic-Command-2-Patton-Drives-East---Part-II.html&Itemid=213

Berlin Crisis:

http://www.battlefront-store.com:8080//index.php?option=com_myblog&show=Strategic-Command-2-Patton-Drives-East---Berlin-Crisis.html&Itemid=213

Seelowe:

http://www.battlefront-store.com:8080//index.php?option=com_myblog&show=Strategic-Command-2-Patton-Drives-East---Seelowe.html&Itemid=213

Russians Are Coming AAR (Part I)

http://www.battlefront-store.com:8080//index.php?option=com_myblog&show=Strategic-Command-2-Patton-Drives-East---Russians-Are-Coming-AAR-Part-I-.html&Itemid=213

Russians Are Coming AAR (Part II)

http://www.battlefront-store.com:8080//index.php?option=com_myblog&show=Strategic-Command-2-Patton-Drives-East---Russians-Are-Coming-AAR-Part-II-.html&Itemid=213

1974 Invasion of Cyprus:

http://www.battlefront-store.com:8080//index.php?option=com_myblog&show=Strategic-Command-2-Patton-Drives-East---1974-Invasion-of-Cyprus.html&Itemid=213

[ April 28, 2008, 09:46 AM: Message edited by: Hubert Cater ]

[Silvio Manuel]

Is this game conventional weapons only? Or are nuclear / bio / chem weapons also included?

[AZGungHo]

There's no nukes if I understand correctly.

Very nice AAR's and info guys - makes me even happier I pre-ordered, and even more eager for that download to start!!!

[Hubert Cater]

Silvio,

We debated this one during development and the general consensus was that it would take away from the more important strategic aspects of the game.

This way players can focus more on strategy, tactics and overall planning and as a result the game would be less reliant on luck of the dice, i.e. to avoid the situation where the first player to get the bomb essentially wins the game.

Hubert

[SeaMonkey]

Come on Hubert give us some insight on the new "Storm of Steel" scenario.

This one alone is enough to justify the purchase price.

You know, with these new event decisions of Edwin's a "Days of Decision" campaign starting with the 1936 Rhineland reoccupation by Germany could be fascinating.

Imagine that for the first 3 years of the campaign involving only Diplomacy, Research, and unit builds the decision making process causes a whole new environment for WW2 to unfold in.

With Edwin's devious little mind, there could be certain decisions that unbeknownst to the players have a percentage chance of war activation, kicking off the conflict at various times.

Ready or not...its War! 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940....who knows. Germany could actually fulfill the Z-Plan and then start the conflict in 1943. The turns could be in 3 month increments until the fighting starts.

The possibilities are endless.

[Edwin P.]

Sea Monkey,

I second your vote for a Days of Decisions Campaign with 3 month turns until the one side or the other starts the war.

It would truely give you a multifaceted unpredictable campaign. As you said war might start in 1937, 1938, 1939 or even 1942. You would not know who would start the war - it would most likely be Germany, but it could also be the Soviets or even the French.

Players actions, with a new change sides event, might even cause the French to become Pro-Axis instead of Pro-Allied in a war against Communism.

You might have three non-cooperative sides - Axis, Allied and Communist. With the winning two turning against each other once the third is defeated (with the players randomly assigned to each side).

If players could select only one type of action to play each turn it would really be a game of rock, paper and scissors until the war started.

And what if politics influenced the game too. What if Roosevelt lost the election and a pacifist was in power that kept the USA neutral throughout the war?

What if Stalin was assassinated and the purge of Russian military officials did not occur?

So many choices.

[SeaMonkey]

Dammit Edwin...I love the way you think! There is no doubt you have an insightful grasp of the sequence of events.

Is it possible that SC could evolve into such WW2 "what if"? Can Hubert mold the engine to such parameters as it would take to encompass the global conflict unfolding completely different?

Would he even consider it? What about the receptive nature of something so contrary to the historical context? So many gamers get turned off by such a deviant scheme. They want some semblance of what actually happened.

Not sure it would be worth it for all involved, be nice to see a show of hands.

Anyway..it was a long reverent thought.

[Edwin P.]

One of the features, I really like in Patton Drives East are Decision Events.

Decision Events - These give players a choice of what action to take, along with feedback on the possible consequences.

Example: I am writing a mod now that gives the Allied Player An Option to Embargo Trade with Japan. The Allied Player can choose Yes or No.

YES - If the allied player makes the historical decision then Japan turns its focus to fighting the USA. This allows Russia to redeploy its forces guarding Siberia to Europe as the chance of a Japanese offensive is very much reduced. It also means that half of the USA production goes towards the war in the Pacific.

NO - If the Allied player chooses not to embargo Japan the Russians do not receive the Siberian reinforcements; however, USA production is increased as all production is devoted to the war in Europe.

Each option has its pros and cons. Embargo Japan and the USA must fight a two front war, but Russia can call on Siberian reinforcements.

Don't Embargo Japan and all USA production can be devoted to the War in Europe; however, Russia can't risk withdrawing its troops from Siberia to fight in Europe as the Japanese, an Ally of Germany may invade Siberia.

For me, the key in writing decision events is to make sure that they are "realistic" historically possible events.

The decision to embargo Japan was a much debated option that was implemented.

Neville Chamberlin's decision not to respond to Germany's annexation of Austria was another historical choice with multiple outcomes.

Declare war on Germany then, and the French and British would have to fight before they were prepared for war. Delay a decision (the historical choice) and the German army grows stronger.

[ April 19, 2008, 05:19 PM: Message edited by: Edwin P. ]

[SeaMonkey]

This is awesome for a game of this scale. Even though World in Flames is being converted to a Matrix edition, I really believe that because of Hubert's incredible foresight SC presents a better platform for the model.

Why, the excellent user interface which enables simple play.

[Hubert Cater]

Thanks SeaMonkey, and I think you will really like PDE and the up coming Global Campaign

Hubert

[SeaMonkey]

No doubt about it HC. In fact I didn't even pre-order because I want to pay the full price.

In fact, if you wish to add any little accessories to my order, I'll be more than happy to include additional payment.

Something like Bill's ATR mod burned into my CD would be worth say $10, possibly more.

Hmmmm, wouldn't it be great if eventually we could customize our own SC CD to include the versions/expansions/campaigns of our liking.

Something for Battlefront to think about.

[Hubert Cater]

I've just added the second part of Timskorn Russians Are Coming AAR to the top links... it really highlights just how much fun this particular campaign can be for both sides as the pendulum can swing back and forth multiple times.

[Gdtrfb]

Wow cant wait for this to come out !!! great work guys! whats the eta on PDE so i can start to panhandle...i mean save my pennies for this..also have extra lung only need one any takers?price negotiable

[pzgndr]

Something like Bill's ATR mod burned into my CD would be worth say $10, possibly more.

Well OK, the bidding has started at $10. Do I hear $9?

[Hubert Cater]

Added in the latest blog entry covering the Invasion of Cyprus campaign... see top post

Hubert