Progress

[BigDuke66]

Thanks, strange I could swear it wasn't there.

[Deathtreader]

Hi all,

Just curious..... how are things going?? Anything to share??

Rob.

[Arjuna]

Well my focus has been on changes for COTA Patch 3 - ie overhauling the abandon task/plan code. All of these changes will be ported into BFTB and are designed to make the game more robust in terms of avoiding cases where units abandon a plan but the boss fails to respond until he does a full replan. For instance I'm endeavouring to have the boss respond to cases where a subordinate abandons their task within his attack and the boss commits the reserve. Becasue of the nature of these changes and their overall impact it's taking some time to review and ensure all is working as intended.
 
Paul has started work on the code that will display the estab data within the game. Richard Simovitch and the DDT boys are progressing well on the data content and scenario review.

[Deathtreader]

Sounds really good....
Thanks.

Rob.

[PaulWRoberts]

Just checking in here, and wondering if we might expect to be playing BFTB in July.

In the meantime, how about more screenshots? 

[Arjuna]

Paul Roberts,
 
Sorry but BFTB will not be ready for July. FYI I now work full-time on another ( defence ) project. So my available time is somewhat limited. While we have made good progress there is still a bit to be done. I'm loathe to predict, but I think the end of this year is more realistic target.

[LiberalEuro]

Take your time, I would hope this is a good quality game. To many rushed games lately.
Good Luck.

[decaro]

ORIGINAL: Arjuna
Sorry but BFTB will not be ready for July. FYI I now work full-time on another ( defence ) project. So my available time is somewhat limited. While we have made good progress there is still a bit to be done. I'm loathe to predict, but I think the end of this year is more realistic target.

Oh well, Bastogne and Christmas seem to go better together than Christmas in July.

[simovitch]

I have been testing, updating and refining my scenarios on almost a daily basis. The BFTB beta is fairly stable (if you know what buttons not to touch[:D]) and 5 new heretofore unannounced scenarios are in the final polishing stages.

I'm just not allowed to tell you what they are[;)]

[decaro]

ORIGINAL: simovitch
... and 5 new heretofore unannounced scenarios are in the final polishing stages.

I'm just not allowed to tell you what they are[;)]

Is it just me, or does this whole forum operate on a "need to know" basis[&:]

I take it we're still looking at a pre-Christmas release date.

[Arjuna]

RE release date. I'm not going to commit to a release date right now. It all depends on whether I take up another defence contract after this current one expires at the end of August. The best I can do at this stage is say that yes we are continuing to work on it in a part time capacity and that it will be ready when its ready. I realise that that is not want you want to hear but it is the situation right now.

[Plodder]

ORIGINAL: simovitch

I have been testing, updating and refining my scenarios on almost a daily basis. The BFTB beta is fairly stable (if you know what buttons not to touch[:D]) and 5 new heretofore unannounced scenarios are in the final polishing stages.

I'm just not allowed to tell you what they are[;)]

Pure speculation here but.....Holland here we come? [:D]

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: simovitch

I have been testing, updating and refining my scenarios on almost a daily basis. The BFTB beta is fairly stable (if you know what buttons not to touch[:D]) and 5 new heretofore unannounced scenarios are in the final polishing stages.

I'm just not allowed to tell you what they are[;)]

Boy is that the truth....don't dare touch that space bar when you get an assertion failure! I have an almost reflex reaction hard wired into my brain to slam the space bar as soon as I get an in game message so I tend to react similarly with assertion failure messages...which causes the game to CTD! [X(]

I have to restrain my natural impules and instead hit the ignore button on the message to get past the failure. [:D]

[flintlock]

ORIGINAL: Arjuna

it will be ready when its ready.

Arjuna, an appropriate sig that would make.

[decaro]

Re the current situation: since one man is proving indispensible to Australian security, I suggest we trade him for Mel Gibson who, although he was born in NY state and currently lives in "Kalifornia," can (still) easily pass for an Aussie. Having Gibson "in country" should relieve Australia of any national insecurity, and thus free up Arjuna to finish BftB.

Besides, after Gibson's gratuitous "global threat assesment" to police after his last DUI, Mel could probably use some quality down time "down under".

Just a thought.

[TheHellPatrol]

[:)]I am looking forward to this title, this engine is PERFECT for an epic battle of this size. I also would love to see a Stalingrad game[&o], keep up the good work and see if the Aussie government owes you any "vacation" hours[;)].

[Arjuna]

Hi all,
Just to keep you informed, I started work on merging the changes made for the COTA Patch 3 into the BFTB code yesterday. With a bit of luck I can finish this merging by the end of the week. Once that is done and if we're really lucky I would like to incorporate Paul's new code for displaying estab data in the game. Then we can put out a new BFTb beta build next week. Fingers crossed.[:)]

[Arjuna]

Hi all,
 
I am just kicking off a new beta BFTB Build 4.0.150 that will go out tonight. Fixes include:

• TT3491 - AI - ScenCommonAI 7836 - Disable Bombard capability of German WF-PGD- DIv Base estab
• TT3499 - AI - ScenDepot 1577 - AssignTransportToSupplyRun() - Ensure caters for persQty = 1
• TT3483 - AI - ScenDepot 2827 - Allow for Depots that have more stocks on hand than required
• TT3492 - AI - ScenDepot 2835 - Ensure unitIsFull flag set
• TT3490 - AI - ScenForceTypes 273 - Cater for cases where supplyRun has vehicles that Base no longer has
• TT3489 - AI - ScenScenario 362 - Update Scenario with Buctenbach map
• TT3484 - AI - Side Default Sig Paths - Update for BFTB
• TT3498 - AI - SMP 1840 - Ensure updateCoreFG flag set correctly in PlanWithdraw:AllocateForcesToWithdrawTasks2()
• TT2845 - AI - Unit ignoring Orders Delay after start of saved game
• TT3247 - SM - AI - Initial Orders Delay - Ability to specify initial modifiers for each Side
• TT3488 - SM - Estab Wpn View - Make the Fire Type control an obvious button
• TT3481 - SM - Import/Change Map - Ensure all objects clipped to map, specifially SEPs
• TT3464 - UI - Graphics Directory - Clean out old Graphics
• TT3502 - UI - MM - SM - Map Patterns - Display alternate map patterns when ground condition changes
• TT3325 - UI - Surrender - Assert Win32DrawImage line 31
• TT3486 - UI - Task View Pane - Add Supply Level Controls
• TT3477 - UI - Win32DrawImage 31 - Sig File either missing or in wrong location or corrupt

[Arjuna]

The obvious new features are:

1. The ability to set initial orders delay
2. The ability to change the map patterns when the ground condition changes.

See the New Stuff thread for screen shots and details

[decaro]

ORIGINAL: Arjuna

The obvious new features are ...

Thanks: for us non-programmers, these new features weren't so obvious, but as a consumer of Panther products, does all this all up to a sooner release date for BftB?