TOAW III Public Beta v3.0.0.17 Posted!

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JAMiAM
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TOAW III Public Beta v3.0.0.17 Posted!

Post by JAMiAM »

The v3.0.0.17 Beta update is now available for registered owners of TOAW III in the Members' Club (click on the MEMBERS link in the top navigation bar). Please note that, according to Matrix policy, this is not yet an official release update and if you would like to try it, it is provided "as is" and with no guarantees or support. That said, I would heartily recommend that people do download and install this patch, at their earliest convenience. Those who are playing PBEM games should convince their opponents to do likewise.

Enjoy, and thank you for supporting Matrix Games, and TOAD Team.

Change List for v3.0.0.17

1. All scenarios, except those in the “Classic TOAW” folder, have had their briefings edited to
designate which sides, if any, are playable by the PO. A brief caveat is in order here. The
determination of whether a scenario is “playable” by the PO is based on two primary
considerations. First, is whether or not the scenario designer has stated that one, both, or neither
side, have been programmed to be played by the computer. The second, is that lacking a scenario
designer’s stated confirmation, there was a cursory evaluation by the TOAD QA Team, as to
whether there appeared to be any set objective paths, strategic bias settings, orders and emphases
given to the various formations of one or both sides in a scenario. In depth testing of ANY
scenario, as to its particular suitability for PO play is beyond the scope of the QA Team’s mission,
and as it is highly dependent upon the skill level of the player, best left to them to determine
whether or not the designer has done an “adequate” job of programming Elmer.

2. The assumption here, is that all scenarios in the “Classic TOAW” folder have been programmed
for PO play, on both sides, with the exception of Balkans 12, which does not have the Turkish side
programmed for PO play. Thus, none of those briefings were edited and they are in their original
state, as released in the Talonsoft versions of the TOAW: Century of Warfare - the only
conversion, being that necessary to play on the Opart 300 based executable of TOAW III.

3. A new scenario, specifically designed for TOAW III, Gothic Line 1944, by Chuck Kotraba, is
included. It, its BMP file, and associated document, are found in the “WW II – Mediterranean”
folder.

4. A new graphic choice is offered to users, for customizing their graphics. This is at the level of
scenario folder. Thus, a user may insert graphics into their scenario folder, and all scenarios
within that folder will use the modified graphics. The priority that TOAW III uses in determining
what graphics will be used for a scenario is in the following order, from highest priority, to lowest:

AltGraphics\Scenario Name
Graphics\Scenario Name
AltGraphics\Year the scenario occurs (actually, it looks backwards for the first one with
that year, just like sounds)
Graphics\Year the scenario occurs
AltGraphics
Graphics

Thus, Graphics is overridden by AltGraphics, which is overridden by Graphics\Year, and so on, back
up the list.

5. New algorithms are used to speed up the supply determination and reconstitution points of units
during the Automatic Bookkeeping Phase. A marked improvement should be seen in the amount
of time it takes to process this phase, especially on the monster scenarios.

6. Elmer will now repair bridges. Previously, he didn't want to repair them.

7. Elmer should not be as likely to attack when given a defend order.

8. Units will be routed or forced into reorganization less frequently.

9. The sound system on some systems had a stability issue. This has been addressed.
10. Changing the .exe name should not generate a version mismatch error.

11. Low Aircraft subject to Low AA fire are divided by 3.

12. High Aircraft subject to Low AA fire are divided by 3. (no change from the current situation.)

13. Added T-64A in new equipment. This will cause a version error message if playing against
people who have not updated their program to this patch, and is intentional. You should ensure
that your opponent is playing with the same patch as you are!

14. Examines and possibly fixes the following event types. They may have had errors introduced by
TOAW: Century of Warfare while converting from Opart 100 to Opart 300.
WITHDRAW_UNIT_EFFECT
DISBAND_UNIT_EFFECT
WITHDRAW_ARMY_EFFECT
SET_FORMATION_ORDERS_EFFECT
UNIT_DESTROYED_TRIGGER
SET_OBJECTIVE_1_TRACK

If the scenario is changed, a test file is written out to the scenario directory. The scenario must be
saved in order to save the changes.
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Anthropoid
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RE: TOAW III Public Beta v3.0.0.17 Posted!

Post by Anthropoid »

Hey Jam,
 
Will numbers 11 and 12 address the issues with air units suffering what seems to be rather high casualties when attacking isolated ground units like VC battalions, e.g., see this thread
 
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=1173428&mpage=7&key=vietnam
The x-ray is her siren song. My ship cannot resist her long. Nearer to my deadly goal. Until the black hole. Gains control...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkIIlkyZ ... playnext=3
JAMiAM
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RE: TOAW III Public Beta v3.0.0.17 Posted!

Post by JAMiAM »

Yes...I answered there, as well. Hope you're enjoying the game![:)]
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Anthropoid
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RE: TOAW III Public Beta v3.0.0.17 Posted!

Post by Anthropoid »

Ah, this is an amazing game! For the price, HUNDREDS of scenarios!? that take literally WEEKS to "figure out!?" It's a geek-mans dream come true! I'm lovin' it.
The x-ray is her siren song. My ship cannot resist her long. Nearer to my deadly goal. Until the black hole. Gains control...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkIIlkyZ ... playnext=3
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hueglin
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RE: TOAW III Public Beta v3.0.0.17 Posted!

Post by hueglin »

Has there been any decision made on adding an equipment editor? It would really be nice to have something like the bioed that was available for ACOW.

I know there has been some concern about people ending up with different mods that are not compatible with each other, but many other games have thrived by allowing multiple mods. I think it would be more of an asset to the community than a problem.

In my own case, I only play against Elmer and so would like to be able to go in and make my own modifications to the DB that are specific to my interests.

I'd be interested to know what other people's opinions are on the matter.

JAMiAM
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RE: TOAW III Public Beta v3.0.0.17 Posted!

Post by JAMiAM »

ORIGINAL: hueglin

Has there been any decision made on adding an equipment editor?...
Yes.
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morleron1225
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RE: TOAW III Public Beta v3.0.0.17 Posted!

Post by morleron1225 »

Hi everyone,
I hope that this is the place to post a "want list" for new features for TOAW III. It would be nice if most of these could be included in an upgrade of the current game, but I realize that some of them would probably involve the need to make extensive changes to the game and would be put off to TOAW IV. Here goes:

- built-in "notepad" function to help keep track of ideas and plans. I'm a fan of huge scenarios such as FiTE and it's inconvenient to have to use an external application to keep track of what's going on. Ideally, notes could be attached to HQ units along with having an "overall" notepad for general info, ideas, plans, etc.

- moveable battle reports window. Given the speed of new machines the 'slight delay" in which the combat hex is highlighted prior to the appearance of the report is simply too short to place it on the map. This is particularly true in larger scenarios.

- equipment editor

- give air units the ability to carry out airfield attacks against empty airfields. Destruction of the support infrastructure was/is often more important than the destruction of aircraft themselves. The Germans found this out during the Battle of Britain when they stopped raiding the British airbases and just went after London. WWII history offers other examples of instances when infrastructure destruction was important, if not decisive. Perhaps this could be represented by a reduction in the supply capability of an airfield hex (for air units only) after an airstrike.

- a "Units Embarked" report. It gets tiresome during a scenario the size of DNO or FiTE trying to find where you're embarked units are. This is particularly true of those those that are on trains. The report I have in mind would allow one to select whether to look at air, land, or sea embarked units.

- an "Expected Replacements" report. This would allow one to find out approximately what equipment a unit may expect to get during the next replacement cycle. This can be important during longer scenarios when equipment types are in transition. It would also be nice if this report could give an indication of what the replacement rate differences would be for units in enemy ZOC vs. those out of the line.

- add a column on the Detailed Combat Report to show what the opponent's losses are compared to the authorized establishment. This would be handy to know as it helps determine how badly damaged a unit is aside from its supply status.

- make sure that TOAW continues to function under Linux via Cedega. I use Linux exclusively and would be very depressed to find that future versions of TOAW won't run. I volunteer as a Linux beta-tester if you want.

Please don't take this as criticism of the game. I think that TOAW III is, hands-down, the best simulation of warfare at the operational level that has ever been developed. In fact, it's virtually the only wargame that I play anymore as I find the current emphasis on "1st person viewpoints" with all sorts of goofy 3D graphics and unnecessary eye-candy to be uninteresting.

Thanks,
Ron
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saintsup
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RE: TOAW III Public Beta v3.0.0.17 Posted!

Post by saintsup »

ORIGINAL: morleron1
- a "Units Embarked" report. It gets tiresome during a scenario the size of DNO or FiTE trying to find where you're embarked units are. This is particularly true of those those that are on trains. The report I have in mind would allow one to select whether to look at air, land, or sea embarked units.

Second that !!
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RE: TOAW III Public Beta v3.0.0.17 Posted!

Post by ralphtricky »

Welcome to the forums, I hope you enjoy TOAW III.

The best place for wish list items at the moment seems to be over on TDG. You'll find that some of the suggestions like the detailed combat report are controversial, some some people wanting more detail, and some wanting less for PBEM.

I would expect TOAW to continue to function under Linux, I'll make sure to test it before making any major changes that might break that.

The (.)(Period or full stop) key will find the next unit that's embarked, and if that unit is current selected, it will disembark it. You can just hold down on the . key and disembark everything.

Here's a link to the TDG board.
http://www.tdg.nu/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?board=TOAW3

Ralph
Ralph Trickey
TOAW IV Programmer
Blog: http://operationalwarfare.com
---
My comments are my own, and do not represent the views of any other person or entity. Nothing that I say should be construed in any way as a promise of anything.
JAMiAM
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RE: TOAW III Public Beta v3.0.0.17 Posted!

Post by JAMiAM »

Hi Ron (morleron1),

Thanks for the purchase, the feedback, and the compliments. You can also add comments to some of the threads in the main TOAW III forum here, that are already in progress.
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morleron1225
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RE: TOAW III Public Beta v3.0.0.17 Posted!

Post by morleron1225 »

Hi Ralph,
Thanks for the link, I'll check it out. I know about the "." key, if I just want to look at what units I have embarked and not disembark them it can be a problem. It's easy to hold the key down a little too long and throw somebody you didn't intend to off the train. ;) Also, it doesn't work reliably under Cedega, one of the two or three very minor nits with running the game under Linux. Keep up the good work.

Just my $.02,
Ron
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Legun
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RE: TOAW III Public Beta v3.0.0.17 Posted!

Post by Legun »

ORIGINAL: ralphtrick
The best place for wish list items at the moment seems to be over on TDG.

Thanks, Ralph [8D].
Ralph - please, give my the composite units!
http://www.tdg.nu/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1148781589
patton1950
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RE: TOAW III Public Beta v3.0.0.17 Posted!

Post by patton1950 »

Is it possible to have two versions of TOAW III on your computer at the same time?

Can I re-install TOAW III, and upgrade to the new patch in that new install (so I can play opponents who have upgraded...), while still keeping an unpatched version (3.27....) so I can finish the other games I have in process?
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1_Lzard
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RE: TOAW III Public Beta v3.0.0.17 Posted!

Post by 1_Lzard »

Yes, or so it seems for me....

I'm currently running one 3.2 and one 3.4.0.191 version. Both seem to do what the advertizing says they will do, eh?

[;)]
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RE: TOAW III Public Beta v3.0.0.17 Posted!

Post by Curtis Lemay »

ORIGINAL: patton1950

Is it possible to have two versions of TOAW III on your computer at the same time?

Can I re-install TOAW III, and upgrade to the new patch in that new install (so I can play opponents who have upgraded...), while still keeping an unpatched version (3.27....) so I can finish the other games I have in process?

You can do this, but note that it is unnecessary to have two full installs. All you need is the new install, and then add the 3.2 executable file to that (rename it, of course). Then make a shortcut to the 3.2 one for your desktop.

But, note that it is not even necessary to continue to use 3.2 to complete games in progress, if both players have 3.4 available - the games can be continued under 3.4.
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ColinWright
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RE: TOAW III Public Beta v3.0.0.17 Posted!

Post by ColinWright »

You might want to de-sticky this thread. This is the second time I've come here thinking it's about the new patch.
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Sertorius1
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RE: TOAW III Public Beta v3.0.0.17 Posted!

Post by Sertorius1 »

If the scenario is changed, a test file is written out to the scenario directory. The scenario must be
saved in order to save the changes.

Ralph,

I noticed that when I downloaded the new patch that some of the previous scenarios won't play anymore nor allow me to see them in the editor. Does the note above mean that I need to save them under the v322927 version in the editor?

And if this is the case will I have to do this again when this patch becomes permanent?

Thanks.
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