FPG2 News!

[Hexagon]

Well, i like functional graphics to but one thing is functional other is "eye killers" we only see this small screenshoot with no counters and other things (i think in on map icons to show external influence like gas, nuke, maybe wrecks???).

For me Jison mods for HPS/Tiller games is a good example of easy, elegant and pretty graphics

http://www.hist-sdc.com/MapMod/legend.htm

DC serie has great graphics to even with mods.

tm.asp?m=3161808

But we know very few about game, lets see when we know more about it.

[Panta2]

ORIGINAL: Hexagon

Well, i like functional graphics to but one thing is functional other is "eye killers" we only see this small screenshoot with no counters and other things (i think in on map icons to show external influence like gas, nuke, maybe wrecks???).

I hope the possibility to change the size of the counters in relation to the hexes' will be continued, as in FPG. It helps a lot to avoid the problem you point at.

[Mad Russian]

ORIGINAL: The Plodder

Has FPG2 gone to hexes now?

Yes.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

ORIGINAL: Jo van der Pluym

ORIGINAL: Mad Russian

Yes, infantry dismounts.

Good Hunting.

MR

I have two questions

1. Are the Dutch also included? Of better say which countries are included?

2. Are there also SOF units like Spetsnaz, Green Berets, KCT, SAS, Rangers, Royal Marines etc?

What I can say about this right now is that there are 4 countries represented in the game with others set to follow in expansions as soon as we can get them out the door. We wanted to take the time developing the game as much as possible and also give good representation to the countries in the game.

Bringing only 4 countries out at first allow us to give you a good selection of scenarios/campaigns for those countries without the minor countries being given almost no attention. This way when the rest of them come out we can support them fully with their own scenarios/campaigns.

Not the best answer in the world but it's what we've got.

The game supports different levels of elite troops.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Emilio]

ORIGINAL: Mad Russian

ORIGINAL: Emilio

Hameln. So this is a true Red Storm game [:D]

Thirty kilometers from Alfeld to Hameln, Alekseyev thought.

Still available to playtest? I might be able to get some playtesters in the group if you would like to try.

Good Hunting.

MR

PM already sent.

[Hexagon]

A little question about campaigns... they are big campaigns in a single map (like Tiller PzC grand scenarios) or linked individual scenarios??? like in Panzer General and other titles???.

If is first option them we can take strategic decisions (like select where send reinforcements, send units to refit ...).

Thanks.

[CapnDarwin]

Some quick answers and comments on all things FPG2:RS.
1. We can't go into tons of details until Matrix green lights the effort. Right now that effort should happen in January if a few things fall into place. With the offical announcement, we will have a new dedicated forum and be able to talk about all the aspects of the game, post many screens and some AARs. Also open a dialog on the direction of the game and our intentions for furture content.

2. To verify some of the above:
2.1 500 meter hexes - yes and yes
2.2 4 Nations at start - yes, same ones from FPG
2.3 Plans to expand nations - yes
2.4 Edit capability - yes, a more detailed breakdown will occur when the game is announced but you will be able to make you own scenarios and maps. Discussions on data and other elements are currently being discussed by the team and Matrix and more info will follow in January.
2.5 Look of the game maps - We went for functional. More of a board game look and feel. Easy to determine what the terrain and elevations are. Also of importance, the look and colors that the in-game map editor could read well. Hence the Urban areas may look a bit funky but they work.
2.6 The game is not just centered on a specific year by covers the 80's. We do have plans to look at other time frames. Again more info in January.
2.7 Campaigns are linked scenarios. More details on this in January.
2.8 There are map markers for a number of things. You will see them in January.

3. When will it be ready? As MR said, when it is done. As you will see in January we are close, but there are still a number of things for this small team to do (documentation of everything for starters).

So enjoy the the holidays and get the Q&A thoughts warmed up. We are reallying hoping to give you all a great game worthy of the FPG title.

Thanks!

[Panta2]

Excellent! I am already hooked! [8D]

[Plodder]

ORIGINAL: Emilio

Hameln. So this is a true Red Storm game [:D]

Thirty kilometers from Alfeld to Hameln, Alekseyev thought.

Funny, My first thought of seeing Hamelin was Gordunov's Air-assault troopers from Red Army..

[Mad Russian]

What's funny is that I read "Red Army" after I had the scenarios already set. I think you'll find the FPRS version of the fight for the city much different.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

Since I created the maps I can tell you that great pains were taken to allow players to differentiate elevation changes at a glance. Even in deep forest.

Did I mention there is deep forest on some maps?

The graphics on the maps are substantially different from FPG. Those maps were beautiful but hard to play on. You had to get help from the elevation tools etc. to determine the lay of the land. FPRS is much more elevation friendly at a glance.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Plodder]

ORIGINAL: Mad Russian

What's funny is that I read "Red Army" after I had the scenarios already set. I think you'll find the FPRS version of the fight for the city much different.

Good Hunting.

MR

*Spoiler below*






















If you're playing the Russians, you'd certainly hope so....[:D]

[wodin]

ORIGINAL: Panta2

I like the graphics, simple and functional, very much like those in the good boardgame maps. The closer to a tactical map, the better; in TacOps I and some chaps used to play with real maps created with the editor and the feeling was quite different.

Well boardgame art has come along way recently and many games have beautiful art and still functional on the their maps\boards. Looking at the screenshot I feel some work could still be done to give it that lovely on the eye yet functional look.

The Battle in Normandy by GMT has a superb map. Bloody April Air War over Arras another amazing map. Next war :Korea again a beautiful map. ALso red Winter another lovely map. I'd like to see more subdued colours, the crops need some work I feel to blend in abit better and the city\urban definitely could do with some work. We can still have function and look great at the same time. The map hasn't won me over and I hope it's mod friendly, though it's becoming a pain to have to mod maps in most releases. Not sure why boardgames these days seem to get it so right yet PC wargame maps struggle.

GGWITE had a lovely map for a PC game and so doesn Command Ops especially the screenies fro the more tacticla game Bill is making, but it's a rare thing to see

http://www.google.com/imgres?start=167&hl=en&client=aff-maxthon-newtab&hs=TNb&affdom=simhq.com&sa=X&tbo=d&channel=t2&biw=1396&bih=758&tbm=isch&tbnid=j7CGbEX5tsP75M:&imgrefurl=http://blog.livedoor.jp/nightstork/archives/52572234.html&docid=CpxCgnRNSdF0gM&imgurl=http://livedoor.blogimg.jp/nightstork/imgs/d/0/d046448c.jpg&w=1280&h=720&ei=AyPVUIj5BaSA0AXFnYHYBw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=106&vpy=384&dur=151&hovh=168&hovw=300&tx=99&ty=123&sig=104871117942521838166&page=6&tbnh=142&tbnw=251&ndsp=39&ved=1t:429,r:75,s:100,i:229

http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&client=aff-maxthon-newtab&hs=2iG&affdom=vrsimulations.com&sa=X&tbo=d&channel=t2&biw=1396&bih=758&tbm=isch&tbnid=tMJizm97iFAwJM:&imgrefurl=http://www.armchairgeneral.com/the-battle-for-normandy-boardgame-review.htm&docid=QetTS7NaJhmG4M&imgurl=http://www.armchairgeneral.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/battle-for-normandy/battle-for-normandy-01.jpg&w=1024&h=768&ei=OSPVUJH_D6S80QW7h4CoAw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=761&vpy=389&dur=1705&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=159&ty=106&sig=104871117942521838166&page=1&tbnh=126&tbnw=187&start=0&ndsp=29&ved=1t:429,r:18,s:0,i:145

http://www.google.com/imgres?hl=en&client=aff-maxthon-newtab&hs=rlG&affdom=piratebayproxylist.com&sa=X&tbo=d&channel=t2&biw=1396&bih=758&tbm=isch&tbnid=dWxKurTlITKrAM:&imgrefurl=http://boardgamegeek.com/thread/876552/bloody-april-1917-planes-fly-over-arras-again&docid=p0fQY-gl_XdjdM&imgurl=http://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic1449081_md.jpg&w=500&h=375&ei=6CPVUPqkF8LM0AWFs4CYBA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=688&vpy=313&dur=462&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=150&ty=126&sig=104871117942521838166&page=1&tbnh=138&tbnw=195&start=0&ndsp=30&ved=1t:429,r:27,s:0,i:179

http://www.boardgamegeek.com/image/1238125/red-winter?size=original

[CapnDarwin]

The maps for release are how they need to be to work with the auto-map values routine in the game. As we will discuss in greater detail next month, you will be able to do your own maps. When we are making 20+ maps we needed to have the auto-map stuff working to cut down on development time. They are quite functional as they stand and once we get screen shots of full maps and battles taking place I don't think "simplified" look will be that much of an issue.

[Mad Russian]

Well, I guess if map graphics are important enough that you want us to stop what we are doing and go back and redo the graphics we could do that.

Good Hunting.

MR

[junk2drive]

Computer wargames with hexes have been around for nearly 40 years. I think that every possible graphic has been used and someone's IP. The best a game company can do is use something they already own or come up with something new. Then make it moddable so that the fans can use some other work.

[Hexagon]

I understand your point with graphics as STOP for a game BUT one thing is add functional graphics well done and other this, i know about a game (that you can buy here) that is made by a single guy and he leave graphics in hands of other guy and he alone do a great job with them at the point i dont need wait for a mod to have great graphics in stock game and he do unit graphics because i supose that you are going to use the FPG unit photos.

Dont understand me bad but when first react to first pic is that map looks a little poor... specially urban terrain in a game that cover war in a country with a lot of urban terrain... i really find the FPG maps good enough for example here.

I wait to see more info/pics but first impresion is that game needs better map graphics.

[Mad Russian]

One thing to understand is that there is a trade off for everything. This game was going to have about 4 generic maps. Instead I made 25 maps using Google Earth. We redid the graphics twice. We could keep redoing them but it takes a long time to make corrections to 25 maps. We can either use the graphics we came up with and finish the game or go back and redo the graphics again.

It's been my experience that nothing we do will please everyone. I'm saying we won't try but at some point this has to be what we consider to be a "best effort" for the time we have and get it out so you can play it. If we don't it will never be ready because I can find things that I'll never be 100% happy with. That doesn't even count Rob, the Capn or any of you.

I would tell you at the moment the graphics are what they are. A lot went into these maps. All of them were made from scratch, hex by hex, and several of them were done multiple times as we made graphics changes. They are not the works of art that FPG maps were. They are tremendously more functional and with 6 times as many of them.

Good Hunting.

MR

[wodin]

Mr and Capt please don't take any if this to heart..we all know you've put alot of work into it. I'm sure aslong as it;s possible to mod to our taste it will be fine. Boardgame designers hire artists to do the counters and maps who on the whole do a superb job and we understand that small wargame developers aren't necessarily artists and do their best. I like my maps not overly cluttered or busy but be easy on the eyes and look like they blend in rather than an icon placed within a hex as such which is my problem with the crop icons I'd rather they look more shall we say blended and natural within the hex. Also I'd prefer the city hex to be either a fair few houses in streets or something again abit less of a geometric maze they look like at the moment. Again these are things someone will mod I'm sure. Maybe me if I have time.

Though please MR and Capt don't take any of this badly..it's always the way when the first screenshot is shown people start to say what they think can be improved....which I imagine can be disheartening.

Will it be possible to change the terrain art? Like redo the crops or cities etc.. or are they all handrawn maps? It look mor elike to has a terrain bitmap we can alter similar to the HPS games..

I will say though the screenshot is still alot better than many other PC wargame maps I've seen..

[Mad Russian]

Don't mistake my comments Wodin. I'm just explaining that there are priorities in making a game. That no game will ever please everybody. At some point we have to say the graphics do what we want them to and the rest of the game needs finishing.

If we don't do that you never get a game from us. What we've been trying to do is explain that while some will think the graphics are ugly others won't. Or will accept that they are functional and the game plays well which is more important since graphics can be modded and code can't.

All the map graphics can be modded.

Good Hunting.

MR