The RHS Map and CHS

[el cid again]

I have come to understand that the RHS Map will work with ANY CHS scenario that works with Andrew Brown's Extended Map. Similarly, the CHS map will work with RHS. The differences in locations added are in a file that changes with the scenario (it is called the location file, logically enough). You don't "need" locations I added for the Indian Air Force to appear UNLESS you play RHS which has the whole Indian Air Force in it!
Similarly, you don't need Hitachi, Japan UNLESS you are playing RHS. IF you load an RHS scenario, you get the new places. If you load CHS, you won't see them, and it does not matter. And this is true REGARDLESS of which map you use.

This means players have a choice. First, a choice of art - Andrew's art or Cobra's art. That extends to map icons: Cobra has a completely different set. Second, a choice of detail technical changes in the associated pwhex file: on the RHS map you get river navigation for ships - particularly on the Yangtze - the most important communications asset in China - and ferries between islands (where they matter). At present you get a lot more mountains, but downgraded railroads (The Bengal Assam RR, the White Pass and Yukon RR, Railroads on Sumatra, etc) - BUT Andrew may incorporate many of these in yet another revision he is contemplating - so this difference may shrink or disappear. The other difference is in names: RHS uses a lot more Japanese names and names from the period than CHS does. [Korea is Chosen, for example. The Japanese Mandate Islands are identified as Nanyo. Many things of that sort.]

Andrew wrote the utility that permits switching between CHS and stock and he thinks he can rewrite it so it permits a triple switch - between RHS, CHS and stock. Pending that, the RHS map must be used in one of the following ways:

1) As a substitute for stock art in a lone or separate installation
2) As a substitute for CHS art in a lone or separate installation
3) In a switchable installation (using the present version of ModSelect), replacing either stock art or CHS art.

The only reason I am not releasing the RHS map is that suddenly players involved in testing want to add things - and since they are good things I am listening. When that settles down shortly I will release it for use with existing CHS - and possibly with the pre-release of RHSCVO.

[el cid again]

Cobra and I have decided to stop working on the RHS map and release full copies for comment - to anyone we have email for.

We believe it is sufficient for this round and there is plenty of non-map stuff to do. Any changes to locations or hex sides we can do without affecting the art at all.

We have distributed the map today - and it will post at the roguemarine site shortly. It will work with ANY scenario that uses Andrew Brown's Extended Map - because a scenario comes with its own location file - and because it does not matter if you use our PWHex file or Andrew's - it works either way. The result is more choices for players: you can use our map with CHS or CHS map with RHS. Cobra thinks you can even use our map with stock - but if you did there would be places (e.g. Panama) where you could not find any ports!

This map was a team effort in that

1) I did the programming of pwhex and location files
2) Cobra did ALL the art changes
3) The structure and vast amounts of art were retained from Andrew
4) Locations, problems and suggestions were taken from the boards or from private comments.
5) Testing was done by yet other people - and I run tests around the clock - discovering for example that Juneau magically teleports supplies from Canada! [Which I now prevented]

Cobra also has done art screens, and the sign on screen shows all the Allied flags, but features Adm Halsey and the old 48 star US flag. It gives credit to The RHS Team - a team which is has only a manager - no "owners" - a team anyone can join by submitting anything better than what we now have. While we have made every effort to give the Axis powers (we have added Thailand to Japan, and CHS added a Manchukuo Army) a fair chance - we feel the moral high ground was held by the Allies - hense the Allied focus of the art.