Air landing assault on CotA

[Plodder]

Someone give that man a beer!! Maybe we wont have to wait for BTFB after all [:D]  I suppose all you did was copy & paste the HTTR estab into the COTA estab directory?

[laska2k8]

I suppose all you did was copy & paste the HTTR estab into the COTA estab directory?

Yes, this is the easiest job...but after you must.

1) modify the graphics files

1) load the old map with the new map maker, check if all terrain layers have same settings as in CotA,
calculate terrain/visibility tables, generate map draw cache etc...

2) create a new scenario, yes, you start from scratch, HttR scenarios don't open in the new application.
Check the old scenario and apply the same settings, it means:
a) reinforcements
b) victory conditions
c) supply schedules
d) briefing
d) wheather

and now.....
create every single unit with it's own parameters
save...run...cross fingers and hope for no crash to desktop.

For a single (small scenario, 30/40 units) scenario, and still incomplete (must define other reinforcements), I spent four days working 4-5 hours at day.

I discovered and bought HttR this february and I played the 40% of the scenarios when CotA gone gold.
The new feature of CotA made HttR obsolete so I decided to try to upgrade HttR by myself. But
without a scenario import utility, or at list, a units import utility, it is a hard mess.

Don't forget that you can't share your scenarios, they're copyrighted material.

for Arjuna, see the in game supply flow..

[JJKettunen]

All hail laska2k4! [&o]

[simovitch]

This may work, but on a limited basis. I tested a scenario with an american glider regiment and the scenario won't load. I think If a unit has a weapon in the estab that CotA doesn't recognize, it will have a problem.

Try some shermans and Tigers and see what happens. (believe me I would love to be proven wrong[;)])

[wodin]

Ive seen tigers mentioned in the equipment info in the scenario editor.

[simovitch]

by gum you're right wodin. There is alot of equipment there for late war years.

maybe it was the US gliders or somefink[&:]

[Bil H]

I too just created a quick scenario using the HTTR Estabs and it wouldn't load in COTA (using a COTA map with HTTR Estabs).  I'd be interested to see what laska2k4 is doing differently because he obviously is getting it to run just fine. 
 
Bil

[Plodder]

I discovered and bought HttR this february and I played the 40% of the scenarios when CotA gone gold.
The new feature of CotA made HttR obsolete so I decided to try to upgrade HttR by myself. But
without a scenario import utility, or at list, a units import utility, it is a hard mess.

I dont have COTA yet but cant you import forces from the clipboard anymore? i.e. export forces from HTTR SM to clipboard and import into COTA SM..

[simovitch]

ORIGINAL: The Plodder
...cant you import from the clipboard anymore? i.e. export from HTTR SM to clipboard and import into COTA SM..

You can still import/export to the clipboard this but it won't help. Your total force composition has to match what you import column by column. This feature is handy to modify strength, unit charactoristics, and graphic text ID's, not for importing new forces to the scenario OOB.

laska2k4 is "updating" the HttR scenarios the only way (currently) possible.

[Plodder]

ahh..Gotcha.Yeah, I can see it would be a bit of a bugger to do...  

[PaulWRoberts]

Ok, so...

Long ago there was talk of updating the HTTR engine to use COTA's new AI and supply routines.  Then Arjuna (I think) added that it probably wouldn't happen, as there was too much on Panther's plate already.

But what about a pay-for "add-on" patch to COTA that would allow owners of HTTR to import those scenarios and estabs into COTA?  Would that be possible?

(Can you tell that I'm dying to play HTTR with the improved AI??)

[wodin]

I'd pay for an update.

[simovitch]

Here's my take on the proposal:

Panther Games has already stated that they would not support HttR scenarios updated for the new engine. To code a program that exports the HttR scenario parameters and OOB's to a format readable by the new scenario editor is not in their game plan.

If the final BftB estabs include those estabs for the specialized units and nationalities (Polish, Dutch SS) etc. for HttR, then perhaps AFTER BftB is released, some of the WF DDT members (we are not Panther or Matrix employees) would be willing to reproduce some of the scenarios with the hopes of reimbursement for their time (ala paypal).

Otherwise it will be up to John Q. Public to create, playtest, and release them.

[Arjuna]

Guys,
 
It all boils down to time and money I'm afraid. Time is the real key. We do not have a big team where we can devote one or two people to retrofitting old titles. If that's to be done it will be at the expense/delay of getting new titles out. We make a lot more money out of new titles that we are likely to recover from retrofitting old ones. The only way we can see this working in the short term is if retrofitting is done by you the users. On the other hand if you all get your friends to buy copies of COTA and HTTR then we may just be able to employ more staff. So please spread the word to your friends. Thanks,

[Dunhill_BKK]

First off, great game.

Am I correct in thinking once someon has done the hard work of updating the scenario, all the units and such are usable in other updating processes? SO, all the stuff laksa2k4 or anyone else updates could go into a pool for others to use? It's a bit like CC where map makers and such all contributed resources to a common repository.

Just checking, because it seems to me that laksa has found a pathway for the user to add much more flexibilty to the game. It sounds like a good deal of work, but work that can be shared. Also another good reason to go get HTTR.

Cheers,

[PaulWRoberts]

Thanks for the replies!

I'm under the impression that something needs to be unlocked on the code side before we can fully use HTTR estabs in COTA.  Is this so, or is it just a matter of building the scens from the ground up in the COTA editor?

[Dunhill_BKK]

So, you are not averse to allowing this sort of upgrading of the scenarios from HTTR to COTA via users?

Anybody got a site to host all the upgrading? I'm new to the series, please forgive me if there are already several well-known support sites. I haven't come across them as yet.

Cheers,

[JeF]

ORIGINAL: Dunhill_BKK
Anybody got a site to host all the upgrading? I'm new to the series, please forgive me if there are already several well-known support sites. I haven't come across them as yet.

They are all listed in this forum thread : Airborne Assault Online Community

JeF.

[laska2k8]

Anyway...
don't know what Panther/Matrix think about re-releasing but don't forget copyrights. Had the same limitation when asking to modify/share old "Battle in Normandy" scenarios to "Battle in Italy".
But I can easily understand that companies like Panther Games haven't EA Sports budget for its games. So I'm quite be happy to support new products with fresh cash.

In the same manner I wish that companies like Matrix Games takes care of its customer, in the last year (or two) I bought five titles, don't know if much or less, but I never saw fidelity discount or offers for upgrade, and sometimes between the an old and a new product I wish to see more than one patch...especially when gameplay is affected (ie HttR tanks through the woods).

In conclusion, HttR conversion it's an hard work, rewrite, test and so on. So let that Panther makes the dirty job, but consider to take my HttR copy back [:D].

[Arjuna]

laska2k4,
 
I am yet to be convinced that it will work. Can you please send me one of your reworked HTTR scenarios so I can test it? Thanks.