American Front 1914 - PO mod progress report

[Silvanski]

Continued from this thread

The deeper I'm delving in this scenario the more fascinated I get with it. The range of events outside the TOO which influence stuff like reinforcments and supply are well designed.

Found and corrected 2 events pointing to a wrong event trigger; this concerns supply matters for summer offensives.

I started work on making disbanding of all designated 'disband units' automatic to suit the PO. (read the designer's notes for the reasons behind these 'disband units')

Am keeping notes of what I'm doing as I go along, for inclusion in the original scenario notes. This will make it easier to see what changes I have to make, and most important... why...

In the meantime I've been unsuccesful in getting in touch with the author of the scenario, Mr Tane Woodley, in order to get clarification on a few issues... Failure notice on his .NZ email and as yet no response from his hotmail addy. Is he still active in the ACOW/TOAW community?

[Silvanski]

Making good progress in the events concerning disband units.
The Mormon independence fighters will receive their unique artillery replacements from their disband units by occupying certain cities in Utah and right across the border (capturing US depots). It's in the notes but I had to set up events for that as those units only would appear there for manual disbanding.
I also set up the objective track for the Mormon formation.
 
The only formations left to be set up for automatic disbanding are the Entente 'Class of 19xx' units.
 
When that's done I'll split up the scenario in a US PO and Entente PO version to differentiate and turn Theater Options into events for the respective PO side.

[Veers]

Silvanski,
You said you started out by correcting a couple errors. Any way you can release a HumanvsHuman version for T3 with those errors fixed?

[Silvanski]

Veers, I'll split up the scenario to set up the PO for each side, but will keep the non-PO mod for HvsH with theater options enabled for both sides... [;)]  It basically will be a cleaned up version, the only change being the automatic disbanding of replacement units.

Public release of course will be subject to consent from the author of the original, Tane Woodley, whom I've been unable to get in touch with so far

I corrected a mispointed event trigger in the 1917-1918 offensive triggers ... in a couple events supply and/or shock boost reffered to event 49 ... which sets 'normal end' for the scenario ... maybe a typo by the author or screwed up by converting from ACOW to TOAWIII .... anyway not that many errors as I encountered in my AWW --> Trotsky mod.

[Veers]

Excellent. Except the fact that you can't get a hold of the author, but I'm sure that will work itself out.

[Silvanski]

The modded PBEM version which retains all theater options for both sides is nearing completion. As mentioned before, the only major change is making unit disbanding automatic rather than having to disband those units manually.
This is possible with the event tally in TOAW increased to 999 compared to - what was it ... 499 in ACOW?

I decided to split it up in 3 rather than 2 versions in order to have TO's available for players who want to use them.

*US PO, with variable turn events replacing US TO's

*Entente PO, with variable turn events replacing Entente TO's

*Full PO, with variable turn range events replacing both sides' TO's, for players who don't want to bother with TO's

TO's which came with a VP penalty will carry no penalty when set as an event. They will happen some time regardless.

I found some old posts by Tane aka "Felix" in the gamesquad forum, mentioning a possible follow-up scenario called "American Front 1940"
There is already a nice similar, albeit rather shorter scenario called America Divided, but a 4-5 year lasting one set in that time sure is mouthwatering for AH buffs.

[Silvanski]

The PBEM mod underwent a few minor changes; every 'Class of 19xx' units are set to disband 3 turns sooner than original planned, in order to accomodate the build-up for the spring/summer offensives.
 
The Russian bomber grp will get to fly the Ilya Mourometz rather than the Breguet 14
 
I'm ready to set up the PO's. Armed with lots of large copies of the N.American map and markers I'll start with the on-map formations first.

[Veers]

The PBEM mod underwent a few minor changes; every 'Class of 19xx' units are set to disband 3 turns sooner than original planned, in order to accomodate the build-up for the spring/summer offensives.

 
Silvain,
 
     Did the file you sent me include those last changes? Sorry, I haven't even yet had a chance to open it up.

[Silvanski]

ORIGINAL: Veers

    Did the file you sent me include those last changes? Sorry, I haven't even yet had a chance to open it up.

you've got mail [;)]

[Veers]

Email recieved, thanks.

[THW]

G'day lads,

News of my demise has been ......, however the quote goes, I'm sure you know the one.

Sorry for laying low for so long, new family, new job, finishing a masters degree, wrong phase of the moon. Anyway, I've replied to your e-mail Silvain, but I thought I'd join in the discussion here anyway.

If you have any questions about AF14, feel free to ask. I'd rather you didn't post a new version though, as I'm putting together the final touches on v2 myself. If you've spotted any bugs, please let me know.

In v2 I've increased the infantry component of all units, to reflect a 10 man squad, rather than 15 (so 100 squad battalions, not 64). I've added VP bonuses for destroying army level HQs, and I've made a few other touchups (including the Comms level setting, thanks Silvain). I need to do a little playtesting, but hope to have that out this year.

As mentioned above, I'm almost finished with American Front 1940. If either of you would like to have a look, I'd be more than happy to post it to you for comment. It's a bit longer, and loosely based on Turtledove's American Empire sequel series. I've played with that setting though, to give the CSA a fighting chance. Anyway, it's from May 1940 on, the CSA and Britain vs the USA, Canada is an occupied province, Quebec is independant, etc. If you've ever wanted to send your Spitfires to tangle with P47s, or to launch the 51st Highland Division at The Big Red One, this is your chance.

Anyway, let me know if I can answer any of your questions. And thanks again for doing the work on a PO version Silvain, I'm honoured that you think it's worth the effort.

Cheers,

Tane Woodley
aka Felix/Felix1

[Veers]

Have to admit. I think the idea behind both scenarios makes me want to play them quite a bit (Unfortunately, I don't have the time). I even picked up the first of Turtledove's books (Unfortunately, I haven't had the time to read it!). I look forward to you publishing both works, and to myself having enough time to play both of 'em.
 
I'd love an opportunity to have a look at AF 1940. It may not do you any good, as I probably won't have time to go through it and comment, but if I recieved it, and happened to have the time, I'd be more than happy to comment on it.

[Silvanski]

ORIGINAL: Felix1
I'd rather you didn't post a new version though, as I'm putting together the final touches on v2 myself. If you've spotted any bugs, please let me know.

Thanks for the email Tane. I only saw this post after I replied ... Request for publication hereby withdrawn [;)]
I'll continue working on this PO mod anyway for private consumption.[:D]

I'm almost finished with American Front 1940. If either of you would like to have a look, I'd be more than happy to post it to you for comment.

It'll be my pleasure to look into this one.

[Silvanski]

ORIGINAL: Veers

Email recieved, thanks.

One quickie to implement Wyatt... Set communication level for both sides to 75% (WW1 era setting recommendation) Formation supply distribution efficiency: I start out with a flat rate of 60%

[Veers]

ORIGINAL: Silvanski

ORIGINAL: Veers

Email recieved, thanks.

One quickie to implement Wyatt... Set communication level for both sides to 75% (WW1 era setting recommendation) Formation supply distribution efficiency: I start out with a flat rate of 60%

Danke.

[Silvanski]

OK the US PO has been set up... let's start a war

[Silvanski]

[:(] unfortunately, our new Elmer is slow in large formation scenarios...

[Silvanski]

Screenie of the East coast front after the Entente's turn 2... The plan is simple: break the fortress line and capture Washington and move to Baltimore and Philly... On the left sector Harrisburg is the target. This where the prizes are to be won: reduction in US supply and replacements... Let's see what Elmer is worth of and if I set up a good US PO...

This offensive looks promising, but the US is preparing action on the less dense fronts in the Midwest.

It's too early too say how it's gonna go but I'm sure to see two kinds of operations here... trench warfare on the East- and West Coast and lots of movement in the frontier states in the center. And with lots of reinforcements coming in later, mving on different axis I'll be in for some surprises despite having set up the objectives myself.

[THW]

ORIGINAL: Silvanski

Thanks for the email Tane. I only saw this post after I replied ... Request for publication hereby withdrawn [;)]
I'll continue working on this PO mod anyway for private consumption.[:D]
.

By all means, publish a PO version into the public domain. Put your name next to mine, you deserve credit too.

[Silvanski]

ORIGINAL: Felix1By all means, publish a PO version into the public domain. Put your name next to mine, you deserve credit too.

Will do, thanks. Lots of playtesting ahead though.