Zoom out on strategic map

Based on Atomic Games’ award-winning Close Combat series, Close Combat: Wacht am Rhein brings together the classic top-down tactical gameplay from the original series and plenty of new features, expansions, and improvements! The Wacht am Rhein remake comes with a brand new Grand Campaign including a new strategic map with 64 gorgeous hand-drawn tactical maps, over 70 scenarios, tons of new interface and unit graphics, countless engine improvements, and much more!
moose1999
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Zoom out on strategic map

Post by moose1999 »

Would it be possible to add a zoom-out function to the strategic map?
I don't find the default zoom-level good for much - it's much to zoomed in to be of any real use.
And the mini-map has the opposite problem...! [:'(]
A shame, as the screenshot of the full map you posted in another thread (Link to map screenshot) looked really nice (and useful...).

I assume such a thing as a more zoomed out strategic map would be pretty hard to mod in, right...?

EDIT: Added link to the map screenshot.
regards,

Briny
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RE: Zoom out on strategic map

Post by Nomada_Firefox »

I would like more one slower mouse scroll on strategy map, it is too fast. 
moose1999
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RE: Zoom out on strategic map

Post by moose1999 »

Yep, it is.
You can slow it down somewhat by choosing slow scroll speed in the options menu, but it's still too fast.

Another thing: It's really irritating not to be able to issue commands when the game is paused.
This is pretty much ruining the playing experience for me, actually.
Not at all the way I'd like to play the game...
Could this feature be added in a patch - or is it moddable...?
regards,

Briny
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Erik Rutins
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RE: Zoom out on strategic map

Post by Erik Rutins »

Setting scroll speed to slow in the options is still too fast? We'll see what we can do.
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Peter Fisla
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RE: Zoom out on strategic map

Post by Peter Fisla »

ORIGINAL: briny_norman

Yep, it is.
You can slow it down somewhat by choosing slow scroll speed in the options menu, but it's still too fast.

Another thing: It's really irritating not to be able to issue commands when the game is paused.
This is pretty much ruining the playing experience for me, actually.
Not at all the way I'd like to play the game...
Could this feature be added in a patch - or is it moddable...?


This used to be in, at least I know it's there in CC2. This was removed? I will check CC4 today when I get home today...
moose1999
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RE: Zoom out on strategic map

Post by moose1999 »

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

Setting scroll speed to slow in the options is still too fast? We'll see what we can do.

Scroll speed is fine on the tactical map when set to slow, but on the strategic map it's too fast - which also has something to do with the very zoomed in view... [;)]
Would also be nice to be able to scroll the strategic map with the arrow buttons and not only with the mouse...

regards,

Briny
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himmelstoss
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RE: Zoom out on strategic map

Post by himmelstoss »

ORIGINAL: briny_norman

Another thing: It's really irritating not to be able to issue commands when the game is paused.
This is pretty much ruining the playing experience for me, actually.
Not at all the way I'd like to play the game...
Could this feature be added in a patch - or is it moddable...?

second that one!! i would love it if i could give orders in pause! [&o]

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Marc von Martial
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RE: Zoom out on strategic map

Post by Marc von Martial »

Well giving order in "pause mode" is not really what the CC series is about at all IMHO.
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himmelstoss
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RE: Zoom out on strategic map

Post by himmelstoss »

ORIGINAL: Marc von Martial

Well giving order in "pause mode" is not really what the CC series is about at all IMHO.


yes i do understand, but we are writing the year 2008 and thus having options in a game to enable certain things or not to, would surely be nice. [;)]

immer voran,

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Sgt.Fury25
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RE: Zoom out on strategic map

Post by Sgt.Fury25 »

Hi,enjoying the game no complaints so far.But wonder if a zoom in option could be implemated as in coi.Thanks[:)]
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Andrew Williams
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RE: Zoom out on strategic map

Post by Andrew Williams »

1.Too see the strat map and it's connections navigate to C:\Matrix Games\Close Combat Wacht am Rhein\Support\WaR_strat_Connections.pdf 

Print is out, Laminate it, you can even use it to sketch on and plan moves and counter moves.

2.The strat map can be scrolled using the sliders on the right and bottom of the map.


3.Will look at the fast scroll using the mouse.

4.Close Combat is real time Tactical combat - no orders while paused, that's for turn based games and would require a complete code rewrite.
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RE: Zoom out on strategic map

Post by Senior Drill »

ORIGINAL: Ronson

Hi,enjoying the game no complaints so far.But wonder if a zoom in option could be implemated as in coi.Thanks[:)]

Not likely to happen. First off, it would take some code changes and I don't have a clue as to whether those would be minor or major. In historical context, Atomic Games pumped out CC4 and CC5 within 21 months of the release of CC3. There was a major re-write of the game engine code twix CC3 and CC4. One of the things let go of in that fast production time was the extra work and expense required to create the zoomed in animations. These aren't just different resolutions of those images, but seperately drawn and painted versions of the standard view images, which is why the tanks and infantry sprites stand out so well against what becomes a pixelated map background.

For CC4 and beyond, those second sets of Soldier animations, the Vehicle hulls and turrets, Guns and Shadows file collections were dropped based on a time and expense decison, right or wrong, and the coding for the Zoom In was disabled or deleted. The buttons certainly were and only TheBlood! could say for sure about the coding. There was also a major pallete colors change made between CC3 and CC4. As most any modder could tell you, it is a major undertaking to attempt to re-color all those thousands of images.

Not trying to be a nay sayer here, just attempting to point out why Atomic ditched the feature oh so long ago and why it would be a daunting and expensive task to re-implement it. Perhaps it could happen one day, but Bidness being Bidness, it just screams to me to be a very low or no return on the consideralbe dollars that would have to be expended to add that back in.

Personally, I'm more interested in gathering more situational awareness of my battlespace, rather than a close up of the blood and gore of a battle on a pixelated map background. I'd rather see Matrix put the time and expense in developing a mid level Zoom Out that uses a mico set of vehicle, gun and soldier sprites that is mid way between the standard view and the overview that uses icons. That, to me, would be a more valuable innovation than a retro 320 x 200 view.
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Tejszd
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RE: Zoom out on strategic map

Post by Tejszd »

I'd rather see Matrix put the time and expense in developing a mid level Zoom Out that uses a mico set of vehicle, gun and soldier sprites that is mid way between the standard view and the overview

Time to upgrade the monitor Drill to a 24". At 1920x1200 you can see a lot of the map....

As a comprise it would be nice to have maps and vehicles at the same scale as the soldiers. That way they both could be more detailed....
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Fred98
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RE: Zoom out on strategic map

Post by Fred98 »

ORIGINAL: briny_norman
Another thing: It's really irritating not to be able to issue commands when the game is paused.
This is pretty much ruining the playing experience for me, actually.


Set the speed on the tactical level to slow.

As one team is providing cover another team is advancing. At the slow speed you have time to make a cuppa before the advancing team reaches its destination.

When it gets there you can give another order. Then get some milk for the tea [:D]

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Senior Drill
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RE: Zoom out on strategic map

Post by Senior Drill »

ORIGINAL: Joe 98

Set the speed on the tactical level to slow.

As one team is providing cover another team is advancing. At the slow speed you have time to make a cuppa before the advancing team reaches its destination.

When it gets there you can give another order. Then get some milk for the tea [:D]

It's hard to keep up with your versions, Joe. Wasn't your JoeME you advocating for PBEM? Not only time for a cuppa, but time for a crappa and a shower and a nap. ;)

ORIGINAL: Tejszd

Time to upgrade the monitor Drill to a 24". At 1920x1200 you can see a lot of the map....

As a comprise it would be nice to have maps and vehicles at the same scale as the soldiers. That way they both could be more detailed....

Actually use a 26" monitor/HDTV combo at 1920x1200. Would still like to see more real estate with sprites as opposed to icons, so I stay firm on advocating the idea of a mid Zoom Out that uses mini sprites before resolving to icons that overlap in tight areas.

Still, I do need to get to the optometrist for some new glasses. Especially considering that trying to type things on 1920x1200 sometimes needs that head bod closer in to see if the "s" is really an "s" and not a "z". It took me three years to finally memorize how to type your name and get my spell checker to accept it, but my typing thumbs seem to be growing thicker.
C'est magnifique, mais ce n'est pas la guerre.
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Fred98
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RE: Zoom out on strategic map

Post by Fred98 »

I have never advocated PBEM for Close Combat.

I one time posted an idea for a different game that would work best as PBEM.

I should re-post it

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Fred98
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RE: Zoom out on strategic map

Post by Fred98 »

In the next Close Combat, instead of trying to fit a "Pause and give orders" you could take another approach.

Currently the tactical battles run at Fast, Medium and Slow.

Simply make Slow, even slower than it is now.

Further, when the game is released, make Slow, the default speed

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Andrew Williams
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RE: Zoom out on strategic map

Post by Andrew Williams »

some one hand me a bucket.


Joe Joe Joe


At the same time we can include 1st person shooter mode and MMORPG and a SIMS switch.


Include a few Ridge Racing tanks and schwimmwagens and a stealthy Submarine level just after the JU-87 Flight dive bomber level.

sounds good to me
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Andrew Williams
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RE: Zoom out on strategic map

Post by Andrew Williams »

oh I forgot... we could finish with an assassins creed do away with Ill Duce mode for the real grogs.


Joe , we're not gonna make a game that appeals to everyone, if we try it will appeal to no one.
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Fred98
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RE: Zoom out on strategic map

Post by Fred98 »

ORIGINAL: Andrew Williams

,,,,we're not gonna make a game that appeals to everyone, if we try it will appeal to no one.


How is that?

Make "Slow" slower than it is now and leave "Medium" and "Fast" at the current speed.

You're not changing the game, just one setting.




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