Close Combat - The Bloody First, dates update

[SteveMcClaire]

I don't have an exact count of polys for the 3D models, but most of them are fairly modest thanks to our viewing angle and camera distance.

The AI is getting an overhaul.

Steve

[mickxe5]

Will TBF have a better LOS tool showing a 360° viewshed instead of having to manually do 'radar sweeps' with the CC LOS/LOF line ?

[Nomada_Firefox]

I would like to say how I and probably most of the people, we are more interested at a good AI than graphics.

And one small question. Many people have made me it.

What type of games can we play with Germans? Campaign, operations, battles, multiplayer campaign, multiplayer operations, multiplayer battles?

[UnderThunder]

ORIGINAL: Nomada_Firefox

I would like to say how I and probably most of the people, we are more interested at a good AI than graphics.

Definitely! ....improving the game's AI is the main thing in my opinion. 3D is just a plus.

[LeeChard]

ORIGINAL: UnderThunder

ORIGINAL: Nomada_Firefox

I would like to say how I and probably most of the people, we are more interested at a good AI than graphics.

Definitely! ....improving the game's AI is the main thing in my opinion. 3D is just a plus.

Absolutely agree!

[TIK]

Looking awesome! Question: will we be able to create our own 3D units and maps? I'm versed in Blender 3D software and would like to know if this is an opportunity or not.

[Nomada_Firefox]

ORIGINAL: TIK

Looking awesome! Question: will we be able to create our own 3D units and maps? I'm versed in Blender 3D software and would like to know if this is an opportunity or not.

Yes. They told us how they would release the same tools from the creators. If we take a look in the old Battle Academy. There was a 3Dmax exporter and a Blender exporter. I hope the same here. I suppose how they will release some models at 3Dmax as a example about how create a new model. At BA made this and it was very helpful.

Lately I have gathering resources for it. Things like these. The world is full from 3D models.

[PipFromSlitherine]

Yes, we will be providing tools to allow you to add your own assets.

Cheers

Pip

[UnderThunder]

Hello,

I have a suggestion: Can you insert an armor rating for every tank or vehicle in the game? Like for example 9/10 5/10 ..etc ...that will help us know which tank has better armor.. In ' Gateway to caen' for example the STUG 3G and Panzer IV H seem to have the same armor, but in reality, the STUG 3G has better armor than panzer IVH in the front...
Putting an armor rating from 1 to 10 in the details section will help. It is also interesting to know which tank has better armor than other.

I think inserting the number of the armor rating next to the AP and AT bar is good

[SteveMcClaire]

Viewshed LOS indicator -- we're examining several options and this is one of them, but final decisions have not been made.

Armor indicator -- a good suggestion. The info to convey is complicated since it's a matter of thickness, angle, and the caliber of the gun that's firing at you. But we may be able to get a very general indication of what you can expect in terms of weapons that a vehicle's armor will or will not defend against.

Steve

[UnderThunder]

Yes adding a general indication of armor value would be great!

Also, another suggestion, in the tactical map page (the one that shows the entire map) , add an option to view the content of the regiments. For example, when we right click on the regiment's icon, to be able to select 'VIEW DETAILS' for example, and that is just to see all the units in that selected regiment. In 'Gateway of Caen' ,we could only know what are the units after the move is done (in the unit selection page).

[CGGrognard]

Thank you Steve for the screen shots. Just those two screen shots, and some of the questions you have answered indicate you and your team are making the effort in making this the best CC of the series. Thanks again.

[Nomada_Firefox]

More screenshots would be welcome. Specially showing hills and changes in the terrain.

[nikdav]

Thanks for the hard work to revive this series of masterpieces.
I see the screenshots and can't express my emotion. Thanks again !

[UnderThunder]

AI problems when attacking that needs to addressed in future close combat games.
I have played many battles in 'Gateway to Caen' , and I have concluded the following about the AI:

1- When the AI is defending, it does a good job and give you a challenge sometimes depending on how weak/strong the battle groups are.

2- When the AI have just 1 victory point, they attack massively, and can take 1/2 or 3/4 of the victory points in the map especially if your battle groups are weak and cannot do anything against their tanks.

3- UNFORTUNATELY, the next round during the map that they have conquered most of it (3/4 of the victory location for example) , they just sit in the back in the victory location where they were during the previous round! And what is worse, is that they do not attempt to attack , but instead, they go to the defensive while their MAIN MISSION was to attack and gain ground in the first place.

What happens then when the AI in the next round puts his infantry and tanks back without defending the captured victory points of the previous round, is that you can capture back most of the victory points captured by the AI in the previous round, without putting any fight! ...and that is just because the AI does not want to put his infantry and tanks in the captured victory points, but instead it chooses to stay in the back, on the defensive and not moving at all.

Number 3 is a big problem that needs to be fixed. Please just fix the AI issues so that (In future Close combat games) ,when it captures victory points, the next round it makes sure to place its forces on those captured victory points, and keep on attacking.

Also, we would appreciate it if you release a patch fixing this AI issue in 'Gateway to Caen', so that we can have fun while playing as defenders

Thank you

[Nomada_Firefox]

When BF is a complete new game, I do not understand because you are speaking about the problems from GTC. It has not sense.

All we know how bad was the AI at previous versions, just it was a bit fun when it defended. But attacking or other thing, it was bad, very bad.

About a patch, I would not wait miracles, they knew these problems years ago and they made the best that they could make for a more of 20 years old engine. They have spoken many times about how the old engine had problems and it did not let a better work. Just it is impossible.

[PipFromSlitherine]

It is best to let the new game speak for itself I would say. [:)]

Cheers

Pip

[UnderThunder]

Well, I am just trying to tell my opinion based on my experience to help improve ' The Bloody First'...
The problem is just that many times,the AI does not defend the conquered victory locations it has taken from the previous round, but instead it puts all the infantry and tanks in the rear, letting you very easily retake the victory locations that you lost in the previous round.

[mickxe5]

A big part of the AI's problem was that it got stuck with the inept default deployment while the player was allowed to redeploy. Skip the Deploy phase and play with the default deployment for a more balanced battle.

[UnderThunder]

The deployment phase of the AI is pretty bad. It should be smarter and deploy to defend its front lines, rather to deploy all of its troops in the back. And I guess if that deployment issue is fixed, 75% of the AI problems are gone. I know we cannot have a perfect AI, and the AI is never going to be perfect, but making the AI to deploy in its front lines rather than in the back should be an easy task