Pirate or legal earlier versions?

[Gregor_SSG]

ORIGINAL: walterlzw

It is XP compatible. I am playing it on XP right now.
I am here looking at feedbacks to help me decide if I should buy Matrix's new rendition.
I have been burn once, by Close Combat III. I own the old game, the new one is just a face lift.
So far I am undecided over Carriers at War.

I would say that the new CAW is more than a just a facelift, its a complete rejuvenation, with a much better interface and graphics than the old game, plus multiplayer which the old game simply can't do. You really will like the new interface, and won't ever want to go back if you take the plunge.

Gregor

[MarkShot]

First. to clarify, I DO own CAW (Matrix version). However, I still decided to invest in getting a copy of the CAW anthology. From what I can see, although CAW (Matrix version) has substantial improvements and a bright future, there is much value in the anthology for the $30+ USD it cost me. So, it wasn't one or the other. It's both. My intention is definitely not to suggest avoiding buying CAW (Matrix version). It seems to me to be a fine game that is going to be a real gem after a patch or two has been applied.

Second, as I understand it, CAW (Matrix version) is a completely new code base which closely follows the design of the the older versions of CAW. This would indeed make it in spirit very different from CC3/COI, since COI is an updated/enhanced version of the CC3 code base. CAW is a remake of a classic and COI is a rennovation of a classic. Of course in the end, the really important issue is not how a game was created, but whether it is fun and worth your money.

Third, I am a beta tester (not an owner) of Panther Games. Fire Brigade was before my time. I joined with RDOA in 2001. You might try to address your questions to Arjuna (Dave O'Connor) in one of the PG forums.

[MarkShot]

This is one of the best PC strategy games ever made. 1830 a game of business. The goal is the accumulation of personal wealth by running RRs and trading in the stock market. No two games are alike (despite there being only a single random element in the whole game). An amazing amount of strategy plays. An entire game can be played in an hour. Port of a classic board game to the PC. The original and PC game was in a major part designed by the legendary Bruce Shelly just a little less known than Sid Meier. I love this game.

[BoredStiff]

I have 1830, but have never as much as installed it.  Are you playing it with X-box or does it work under XP?
I also have X-box and looked at it recently but can't make heads or tails out of it.  I used to have an Amiga , so I know nothing about basic DOS commands, never had to learn them.

[MarkShot]

Do you mean DOSBOX? If so, yes I am play quite a few games under DOSBOX.

You only need to know just two DOS commands to work with DOSBOX.

(1) Run a program. (type the program name at the prompt)

(2) Change directories. "CD"

Everything else can be done with notepad to edit the CONF file. I you need to make any directories or move files, then you can just do it via Windows.

For example, here are the standard DOS commands that appear at the end of all my CONF (configuration files) so that I can just double click on a shortcut and launch the DOS game in window.

[autoexec]
# Lines in this section will be run at startup.

mount c e:\games\1830
c:
#turned off midi music and just kept sound effects
#sound
1830
exit

# comments
mount (is actually a DOSBOX command saying let the C: drive resolve to this path)
"1830" the game EXE
"exit" close the DOSBOX window

So, when I double click on the shortcut 1830 runs and when I exit the game, then DOSBOX shuts down. Totally, transparent.

---

Also, there are front ends for DOSBOX that free you from having to manually edit the CONF file. As you can see, I prefer the manual approach myself.

[BoredStiff]

ORIGINAL: MarkShot

Do you mean DOSBOX? If so, yes I am play quite a few games under DOSBOX.

Yes, I meant DOSBox in all my previous replies.
OK, thanks for that info.

[MarkShot]

CCAW arrived today. I'll be installing it later. First glance at the manual ... about 200+ pages (hardcopy reprint), but it seems 2/3s is dedicated to scenario design. When I read, I'll let you know if it adds anything substantially more beyond the existing CAW-Matrix manual.

[RSGodfrey]

Hi Markshot
As I am awaiting my copy here in Wales I await your verdict with interest.

Richard

[MarkShot]

Installation notes:

The installation procedure for XP direct is messy and does not work from DOSBOX. The XP produces unreadable garbage characters, but does create C:\CCAW okay.

On the other hand, the CCAW directory on CD is, in fact, the entire game. So, simply use a file manager and copy the CCAW directory to wherever you want it. The first time you run it, it will create a CCAW.INI file with sound settings. It seems to run fine under either XP (NTDVM) or DOSBOX.

XP: It will only run full screen and has sound, but no music.

DOSBOX: You can run windowed with sound and music. I'll probably go with DOSBOX.

That's it for the moment.

[MarkShot]

Other directories on the CD are for demos of other games; not CCAW.

[MarkShot]

I think I will definitely go with DOSBOX:

(1) Want to play in a Window on my CRT (I both an LCD and CRT hooked up). With the 20" CRT set to 720x480, the CCAW window fills the screen.

(2) I will probably want to remap some of the game keys either from the DOSBOX mapper or my G15 keyboard. Unlike CAW, this game has hot keys for running. I like that better than the mouse buttons. However, they aren't ergonomic like ALT-F#. Also, with the macro scripting of my G15, I can even hot key things by just using the DOS menus like changing the delay between clock ticks.

(3) The map does not appear zoomable. I am going to miss that.

(4) There are three speed 1 sec, 0.5 sec, and no delay. You might want to adjust the CPU cycles for DOSBOX, since no delay is like time warping. It should be possible to come up with a good compromise in DOSBOX.

Well, time to finish configuring the game and get started reading the manual. I think I am going to like it.

[MarkShot]

Setting CPU CYCLES=10000 give a nice zero delay rate without time warping. Set cycle up and down for 2000 provides very good flexibility for controlling the speed of the simulation. In fact, this provides a complete alternative to using the menu option.

Here is a screenshot:

[MarkShot]

Just run CAWV2.EXE if you want to skip the splash. However, you will need CCAW.BAT the first time to create the INI file.

[MarkShot]

One final comment and then I'll leave for a while.

Part of the beauty of playing old DOS games on a 20" CRT is my old eyes have no problems with the font sizes. CAW-Matrix looks beautiful at 1600x1200 on my 21.3" LCD, but it puts my eyes to the test. Of course, I could run at a low resolution, but then the text is no longer crisp.

One thing which confuses me is how the traditional wargaming population continues to age and yet each year display resolution increases and fonts get progressively smaller. Ouch!

[jcrohio]

Mark

I am real interested on your take on the manuals on this game. That is what I think I would like to look at. Also, did you have any problems with ordering the game. I usually order by credit card on line BUT only with companies I trust. I am not sure who this company is. Any help would be appreciated.

Jack

[MarkShot]

Jack,

I've been busy setting up and haven't really started with the manual yet.

As far as ordering, I am in the USA and I think they are too. I ordered via credit card, $37 USD. Ordered Sunday and received it today, Wednesday via priority mail.

[MarkShot]

I have started reading.

Print quality is on low grade paper b/w of varying ink intensity. Punched and bound with a cover. The manual appears to be comprehensive. However, there are seemingly quite a few typographical errors. There is only the hardcopy manual. No PDF on the CD. The intro asserts that the extensive portion on scenario creation will, in fact, help player to better understand strategy and tactics. No index, but a reasonable one level table of contents.

[GoodGuy]

ORIGINAL: MarkShot

I have started reading.

Print quality is on low grade paper b/w of varying ink intensity.

You sound like a scientist analyzing some ancient artefact. [:)] Next thing u gonna do is getting a spectral analyzis in order to determine the origin of the ink/paper, then you'll verify the time period (+/- 5 yrs) when the manual had been printed. Then you'll scratch your head "hmm, wonder if someone had read/touched the book before...", so you'll get your fingerprint scanner. [;)][:)]

[jcrohio]

Mark

Thanks for the information - a couple of months ago I found a Word copy of the documntation for CAW - 300 pages! - but wouldn't you know I deleted it and can't remember where I got if from.

Oh well

Also, in the manual do diagrams, tables etc. seem to be included? Again thanks for the information

JAck

[JD Walter]

Hi MarkShot,

Appreciate your posting on CCAW. I've read a couple of other posts on this board talking about the extra documentation CCAW can provide, and will be interested in reading your recommendation as to whether to pick it up or not for this purpose.

Quick question: how do you post a screenshot on this board?

I like seeing how something will actually look in DosBox or Win'95; been awhile since I put my 486dx2/66 away.

I've read the help menu, but find the explanation insufficient to actually get a screen to upload. Thanks for any explanation you can give.