Campaign Series: Middle East 1948-1985 Remastered Update out now

[saraviga]

We are excited to announce the release of the Remastered free update for Campaign Series: Middle East Version 3.00.01 it brings a host of new features, enhancements, and fixes, ensuring an even deeper and more immersive tactical wargaming experience.

What is new?

• Revamped 3D Map Graphics: the game’s visuals have been improved for better readability and an overall enhanced look, making it easier to analyze the battlefield at a glance

• A completely new Main Menu Interface: the front-end UI has been redesigned to streamline navigation, making it easier than ever to jump into your favorite scenarios.

• Expanded Order of Battle: Iran and Iraq is now fully integrated into the Order of Battle editor.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This version requires uninstalling the previous version before installing the current one. Be sure to complete your ongoing games. Going forward, before installing any new updates, please ensure that all game modifications are disabled using the JSGME tool, if you had previously enabled any of them.

You can download the Remastered Update from the store page or by navigating to the File Downloads section under My Page and downloading it from there https://www.matrixgames.com/member/down ... -1948-1985

Here is the full changelog:

Errata

- Numerous typos fixed throughout the manual for 3.00

Enhancements

- Implemented a new front-end launch dialog, replacing the multiple old interface dialogs.
- Added subfolders to the Scenarios\ folder to organize scenarios by campaign.
- Campaign is a now a column in the new front-end interface for easier navigation.
- With the old front-end code deprecated, the need for the 2008 C++ redistributable has been removed. The latest redistributable are now in use.
- Updated all Help buttons to open context-specific chapters in the game manual.
- Introduced a new SITREP dialog with a Force Status tab and enhanced the old Strength and Victory dialogs as tabs. The old dialogs are now deprecated.
- Implemented a new Find Locations dialog with a grid view instead of a text area.
- Implemented a new Find Objectives dialog with a grid view instead of a text area.
- Standardized all dialogs with buttons centered in the middle of the interface.
- Enlarged and updated the Artillery Support and Close Air Support dialogs, providing more informative content instead of the many abbreviations used previously.
- Added a new Standing By for Orders dialog for player to choose between available options, as set in Lua.
- Added the Scenario Description template to Scenario Editor's New Scenario dialog.
- Added and updated approximately 40 CSEE functions, both for Lua for interacting with game engine, and game engine interacting with Lua.
- Added a new Check for Orders status menu item and CSEE functionality for player / CSEE interaction. CSEE can now provide options for the player to choose from.
- Created a revised csmklua.pl utility for generating scenario Lua skeletons. In addition to skeleton code, it includes pre-existing functionality, such as supply availability through the Check for Orders dialog, and computer side battle plans for Artillery and Airstrikes.
- Created a new csmkutxt.pl utility for generating Unittext.txt platoon descriptions from platoon*.csv data in the OOBs subfolder (requires converting platoon*.oob files using the csoob2csv.pl utility first).
- Added Iran to Order of Battle editor for Middle East.
- Enabled the Middle East Orders of Battle for Angola, Portugal, Rhodesia, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda nations for the planned Subsahara mod.
- Enhanced the Report dialog, used by Scenario Briefing. The dialog is now larger and includes a Copy to Clipboard button.
- Opportunity Fire target selection now considers whether the target stack contains ground-only, air-only, or mixed units and selects targets accordingly.
- There is a 50% chance that the maximum number of attacks per hex may be smaller or larger than the set parameter (Adaptive AI parameter #126: max_hex_opfire_attacks).
- Helicopter flight time now defaults to 12 turns (previously: 9) (Adaptive AI parameter #140: helo_turns_until_refuel).
- Updated default values and added new options to the game configuration, which is saved to the Windows Registry. The game now saves the selected options for Visible, Reachable, Landable LZ hexes, and Command Range Hex Highlight settings.

Fixes

- Fine-tuned the error message for Recon Reveal to include a notification if the unit is not capable to perform a recon reveal. Note that not all units categorized as Recon are eligible for this action. The ReconUnit flag under Capabilities in the Unit Handbook indicates whether a unit is qualified.
- Fixed the issue with Scenario Editor not able to save line breaks in Scenario Description dialog.
- Fixed the issue with AI indirect fire having been restricted too much for Vietnam 1.30 and Middle East 2.30
- Fixed the Line-of-Sight Hex Highlight bug when playing without Enhanced Fog of War.
- Fixed the Enhanced Assault Optional Rule always on.

Graphics

- Map 3D images are now completely revised into 250 metre per hex scale by Bill “MausMan” Blake. Old legacy graphics continue to be available as well (require a simple folder rename).
- Fixed the Lebanon and Pro East 3D Unit Base graphics that were broken in version 2.30.
- Adjusted all background images to the same Sepia effect, brown for Middle East.
- Revised Iranian bases graphics.
- Replaced various Iraqi vehicles from Schlonz.

Data

- Order of Battle: Iran added with historical information covering 1948-1985.
- Order of Battle: Iraq rebuilt with historical information covering 1948-1985.
- Order of Battle: added Mujahideen to Pro West nation 14 from the late 1970’s to 1985.
- Numerous platoon edits, tweaking assignments for NATO and 2D symbols to ensure consistency.
- Numerous platoon edits, tweaking infantry type units, ensuring consistency with values, in particular movement and firecost.
- Unified the init.ai Adaptive AI base file, although with the init.lua and user.lua CS Event Engine base files, into single versions for all Modern Wars series games, replacing the previous game specific versions for Middle East and Vietnam.
- Standardized the platoon OOB file column CounterCell2d to store the unit category in twelve unit categories.
- Middle East now also uses the Counters file template, which includes the four identical rows of twelve-unit categories, allowing up to four armed forces branches to be depicted in a standardized manner.
- Fixed the issue where init.ai previously had a too low threshold for allowing indirect fire by the map.
- New CSlint tools in the Tools folder: csoob2csv.pl and cscsv2oob.pl scripts for converting Platoon data between the proprietary in-game format and common comma-separated value (CSV) files.
- Completely reworked CSlint tools in the Tools folder: an enhanced csmklua.pl script for creating CSEE Lua files for scenarios. The current version will generate a skeleton file and also adds advanced Scripted AI logic, including support for Scenario Briefings, Logistics and Artillery and Airstrike management. Expect this to be enhanced in the future!
- Fixed duplicate Iraqi ID’s including in weapon file.

Scenarios

- Scenarios designed by Jason Petho have been converted to use cumulative, turn-by-turn objectives.
- Restored seven Al Sandrik scenarios from the Duel in Golan series to the latest standards and added them back to the game.
- All scenarios now include an accompanying CSEE Lua file. In this iteration, the files introduce Logistics, Scenario - Briefings and Scripted AI controlled Artillery and Airstrikes. This is PHASE ONE of the csmakelua2.pl scripting.
- Corrected the Best Played As tag for “Into the Valley of Tears” as [H2H/SIDE B]

Mods

Upgraded Gary Collins’ 3D Alternative Unit Base mods to align with the current graphics template standards.
Added Jason Petho 3D Marker and Map Mod that utilizes the classic map markers.

Manual

The manual has been revised to the 3.00 UPDATE. 

[macdonncadh]

Its very lovely, but I cannot get it to allow me to create a scenario. I make my map, my oob, proceed in the editor to create a new scenario and boom! I get an error message every time. I'm dying to use the new Iranian and Iraqi forces, but the editor has other ideas. Help!

-Robert

[Jason Petho]

Make sure you're saving ALL the new scenario files (or copies of the existing ones) in the main scenarios folder, then move them after it is complete.

[ChesterNimitz]

Does this game include the airwar side or is it just focused on the groundwar?

[Jason Petho]

It includes a wide array of air assets, but the game itself focuses on the ground.

[Schlonz]

Some of the Iranian 3D graphics are missing the corresponding "no-shadow-bitmaps" (3Dxs folder).
When you want to place one of those units (e.g. Toyota w/MG, P576031) on the map in the scenario editor, the game CTDs....without an error message though.

Below you'll find a download link to my provisional "Iran-Fix". The ZIP file includes the missing Iranian bitmaps for the 3Dxs folder as well as new graphics for Iranian Toyotas,
UK Land Rovers and the Iraqi Panhard VTT. You can use it with the Mod Enabler or copy the files into the corresponding folders manually as a permanent solution,
since you'll need them anyway - at least the 3Dxs bitmaps - and you'll love the new graphics and won't want to do without them.

Download link
Iran-Fix

[Jason Petho]

THANK YOU SCHLONZ!

[macdonncadh]

Make sure you're saving ALL the new scenario files (or copies of the existing ones) in the main scenarios folder, then move them after it is complete.

Jason, here is the error message I am getting....

[Jason Petho]

May you show me a screenshot of your scenarios folder, please?

[macdonncadh]

May you show me a screenshot of your scenarios folder, please?

Jason, Do you want the contents or the main file with all the sub-folders?

[Jason Petho]

Just the main scenarios folder with all the files and subfolders shown in the screenshot.

[macdonncadh]

Just the main scenarios folder with all the files and subfolders shown in the screenshot.

Here is a screenshot of the contents of the main scenario folder. The folder I put in is labeled Iran-Iraq Test.
Here goes...

[Jason Petho]

For building the scenario, make sure all your working files are in the main Scenarios folder.

Once you're finished editing them, you can move the scenario to your Iran-Iraq folder.

If they still don't open, I'll have to edit your files to add the paths in your .scn file.

[macdonncadh]

For building the scenario, make sure all your working files are in the main Scenarios folder.

Once you're finished editing them, you can move the scenario to your Iran-Iraq folder.

If they still don't open, I'll have to edit your files to add the paths in your .scn file.

Did what you suggested, and it did work to a point. Now the editor crashes when I try to deploy the Iranian units. The Iraqis did deploy. I am utterly at a loss.

Do you think I should do a reinstall?

Addendum: When I open the scenario editor and then start a "new" scenario, the thing jumps out of the game folders altogether and goes to the operating system - which is somewhat odd. I checked and it is doing essentially the same thing in Campaign: Vietnam. I have never had trouble before and I have a pretty hot system. Making little scenarios - and not so little ones - is one of the things I do the most. That is why this is perplexing to me, because I have never had an issue until the recent updates.

If anyone has an idea, I would be grateful.

[Jason Petho]

There's a fix for iran:

Download link
Iran-Fix

I forgot a 3dxs file, unfortunately, which will cause the crash.

Let me know if that part works

[macdonncadh]

There's a fix for iran:

Download link
Iran-Fix

I forgot a 3dxs file, unfortunately, which will cause the crash.

Let me know if that part works

I was able to do a small scenario - except for the fact that the units did not make to the battlefield, or they had cloaking devices. Also, having the error message and problem described above occurring in CSVN. I've had both these games as long as they have been out and never had an issue. I begin to figure out what is happening. The only observation I can make - and it only an observation - is that these problems coincide with switching over to sub-folders within the scenario folder. It seems that can't have anything to do with my missing tanks on the battlefield, but constant errors regarding and inability to find a map, followed by editor crashes...that doesn't seem completely beyond possibility. But thanks for the Iran-Fix. I appreciate your efforts to help me. You are unfailingly kind in this regard.
If anything else occurs to you, or someone else can replicate this, let me know,

Thanks.

[Jason Petho]

Can you post your files for me?

As well as a screenshot of the folder you are putting them in, if it is different than above.

[Schlonz]

In the basic game settings, both nations are assigned to "Side B".
While editing the scenario, you'll have to move one of them to "Side A" (Scenario -> Sides), otherwise it won't work.
(i.e. if you pick ""Side A" and "Fog of War" when starting the scen, there's nothing to fight with and you won't see any units at all).

iran-iraq.jpg (25.94 KiB) Viewed 13215 times

[rwierenga]

I'm having a very strange problem. Just installed the remastered version on two different computers, neither of which had a prior version installed at any time. On both computers, when I click through to a scenario, the screen that ultimately loads doesn't display the map or any units. The top menu bar appears, and the command bars on the bottom appear, but in between it's usually just white; sometimes it will show the window contents of whatever program I had open before launching the game instead of the map. I get the crosshair cursor and can move it around, and I can interact with the menu and command bars, but that's it. It seems like an obvious rendering issue. I've checked to make sure that DirectPlay is enabled. Any ideas?

[Jason Petho]

I'm having a very strange problem. Just installed the remastered version on two different computers, neither of which had a prior version installed at any time. On both computers, when I click through to a scenario, the screen that ultimately loads doesn't display the map or any units. The top menu bar appears, and the command bars on the bottom appear, but in between it's usually just white; sometimes it will show the window contents of whatever program I had open before launching the game instead of the map. I get the crosshair cursor and can move it around, and I can interact with the menu and command bars, but that's it. It seems like an obvious rendering issue. I've checked to make sure that DirectPlay is enabled. Any ideas?

https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/view ... 5&start=20

Page 2 gives you the information you need to fix this.