Demo first Impressions

[sztartur2]

Last question. I red about many improvement plans, infantry, destroyable buildings, etc. I also red thet the next theatre will be the west-front. Are you going to make these future enhancements to the east-front part too?

[Mad Russian]

That's the plan.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Erik Rutins]

ORIGINAL: sztartur
Last question. I red about many improvement plans, infantry, destroyable buildings, etc. I also red thet the next theatre will be the west-front. Are you going to make these future enhancements to the east-front part too?

Yes, there is more East Front stuff coming before we go anywhere else. [8D]

Regards,

- Erik

[sztartur2]

ORIGINAL: Rick

I think you must be using loaded dice! no, not normal for tank to survive that many FT attacks, I recall surviving a couple I think, but not that many.

I forgot to mention that in my first try the Stuka took out my own Halftrack... [8|]

ORIGINAL: Rick
Buildings can't be destroyed in this game. We are looking at that for the next game in the series.

Too bad... this should be a nust after CMX 1. Wooden peasant shacks are not bunkers!

ORIGINAL: Rick
The largest map size is 2km x 2km.

Is it going to get a bit larger with the expansions?

ORIGINAL: Rick
I don't know that there is a program limit to the number of units, but there is a performance hit as you add more and more units. There is a 5000 point limit (for each sie) when you use the scenario editor, but even that can be worked around.

OK

ORIGINAL: Rick
Thanks I hope you give it a chance. The Novy scenario is a good scenario to see how the over all game plays.

Thanks
rick

I will as I am always stuck on the East Front [:D] But PLEASE make the enhancements of PC4 available also to East Front part...

[sztartur2]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

ORIGINAL: sztartur
Last question. I red about many improvement plans, infantry, destroyable buildings, etc. I also red thet the next theatre will be the west-front. Are you going to make these future enhancements to the east-front part too?

Yes, there is more East Front stuff coming before we go anywhere else. [8D]

Regards,

- Erik

Sounds good but If you put all the nice infantry model and destructible building in PC 4 it shoud be somehow available for the East-Front fans as well... IMHO... PLEASE.

[Mad Russian]

The plan is the same for the entire PC series. Just like now with both PC:OWS and PC:K being playable in PCO. All games of the series will have the full set of playing options. Each game in the series is intended to be upgraded by the next game.


Good Hunting.

MR

[sztartur2]

Absolutely correct. I'm downloading my PCO at the moment [8D].

[Zakhal]

ORIGINAL: sztartur

I also edited the demo XML file so the squad shows 10 men.

What file is it?

[sztartur2]

there are lots of .xml files in the <Game directory>\Data\Infantry directory, you have to modify them one by one. Be very careful with editing, in order not to spoil the XML format.

[JMass]

ORIGINAL: sztartur
Be very careful with editing, in order not to spoil the XML format.

It is better to do a mod JSGME compatible and share it.

[Gerry4321]

Hello:

Is Novyy Rizadeh a tank graveyard for both sides? Even my PzVG didn't survive a turn.

Also, how does this scenario compare size-wise (# of units) to most scenarios in the full game.

Thanks,

Gerry

[junk2drive]

Small for the Germans, medium for the Soviets. Quick way to check is look at the size meter in Set Battles. Pick a battle, pick a side, look at the TOE screen to see what they have. Click the back button and pick the other side and look at that TOE.

[Erik Rutins]

ORIGINAL: Gerry
Is Novyy Rizadeh a tank graveyard for both sides? Even my PzVG didn't survive a turn.

It is a bloody battle for armor as the Soviets are quite tank-heavy but have to assault into close range with infantry in terrain and buildings and the limited German armor has a heck of a fight on its hands.

Also, how does this scenario compare size-wise (# of units) to most scenarios in the full game.

There are 2km x 2km maps, which are four times the size of the Novy map. There are also maps as small as 500m x 500m. In terms of number of units on each side, it's probably average.

Regards,

- Erik

[blastpop]

I've played both scenarios of the demo. Maybe I am missing something- but the demo leaves with very mixed emotions- I am not sure I like the interface or the gameplay as represented by the scenarios- didn't do much for me. The graphics are blah- but are not the deciding factor. I love the East Front. If there was a "meaty" scenario included in the demo to showcase the games strong points it would help me decide.

The problem with most demos from my perspective is companies in general try to give you a taste of the "crust" and not much of the "pie filling". Companies want you to buy the game to be sure, yet the desire to keep from any of the things that truly make a game interesting or memorable are not usually included in the demo. So at the end of the day you have a bit of an idea but not enough to make a purchasing decision. In my case most of the time I tend to move on as my lack of excitement from the demo usually doesn't translate into a purchase.

[junk2drive]

The demo scenario is beefy IMO. Play it from both sides. Try the hard option. Maybe it is not your type of game or maybe you just haven't spent enough time with it to learn how to play?

[Mad Russian]

I had a hand in the demo scenario and it was intended to give you a smaller sized slice of the pie. I take it that's how you feel about it. If we had given you a really large size battle you'd have been overwhelmed. It's not that we wanted to limit your experience. The demo needs to highlight the game capabilities. This demo has infantry, flamethrowers, aircraft, woods, a village, several types of AFV's - not just tanks and artillery support. What do you think we left out?

Let me say that if the Eastern Front is your area of interest on a tactical level then this game could be for you.

If you like the ability to fight with battalion sized units all the way down to platoon sized battles if you like, this game could be for you.

If you like the ability to make maps of actual terrain this game could be for you.

If you aren't interested in any of that this game may not be for you.

At the end of the day, only you can decide if this game is for you.

I just know this game is for me.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Erik Rutins]

Hi Blastpop,

ORIGINAL: blastpop
I've played both scenarios of the demo. Maybe I am missing something- but the demo leaves with very mixed emotions- I am not sure I like the interface or the gameplay as represented by the scenarios- didn't do much for me. The graphics are blah- but are not the deciding factor. I love the East Front. If there was a "meaty" scenario included in the demo to showcase the games strong points it would help me decide.

There's certainly a learning curve to the interface, particularly the orders, but once you get it the rest of the game is quite easy. What would be your definition of "meaty" - a longer scenario on a bigger map with more units, or a campaign?

Regards,

- Erik

[blastpop]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

Hi Blastpop,

ORIGINAL: blastpop
I've played both scenarios of the demo. Maybe I am missing something- but the demo leaves with very mixed emotions- I am not sure I like the interface or the gameplay as represented by the scenarios- didn't do much for me. The graphics are blah- but are not the deciding factor. I love the East Front. If there was a "meaty" scenario included in the demo to showcase the games strong points it would help me decide.

There's certainly a learning curve to the interface, particularly the orders, but once you get it the rest of the game is quite easy. What would be your definition of "meaty" - a longer scenario on a bigger map with more units, or a campaign?

Regards,

- Erik

Probably more units - that way you see more combined arms and more interactions and the potential for game play created interesting situations. Don't get me wrong I am sure its a good game and not trying to be critical. I am also sure the game shines with campaign play and the continuity and story line it creates.

I will go back and try again- and maybe the day, mood, phase of the moon and so on... [:D] may have unduly influenced me. Truth be told I am pre-disposed to liking the game due to subject matter- so I owe it to myself it give it another go.

Thanks guys for chiming in.

[diablo1]

ORIGINAL: blastpop

I've played both scenarios of the demo. Maybe I am missing something- but the demo leaves with very mixed emotions- I am not sure I like the interface or the gameplay as represented by the scenarios- didn't do much for me. The graphics are blah- but are not the deciding factor. I love the East Front. If there was a "meaty" scenario included in the demo to showcase the games strong points it would help me decide.

The problem with most demos from my perspective is companies in general try to give you a taste of the "crust" and not much of the "pie filling". Companies want you to buy the game to be sure, yet the desire to keep from any of the things that truly make a game interesting or memorable are not usually included in the demo. So at the end of the day you have a bit of an idea but not enough to make a purchasing decision. In my case most of the time I tend to move on as my lack of excitement from the demo usually doesn't translate into a purchase.

Man the game is $34.99, you're getting a LOT for that price. Look how much they want for CM:BN and you're not getting half as much as this game in relation to units, terrain and editing abilities. Let alone you get a better random battle generator in this game and even a random CAMPAIGN generator that that other game doesn't even offer. This games not perfect I'll say that, but, for the price it's worth that much just from what all that comes with it and what the future holds for player made stuff if you're into that.

[Zap]

ORIGINAL: Zakhal

With the right settings and little learning curve Ive had no trouble keeping track of the game. In the winter defense scenario everything went perfectly according to my plan. 45mm ATGs fired at the germanic invaders from right flank while platoon of T-26 rushed at them from the left flank and ATR fire rained upon them from the front and mortar barrage from above. It was quite fun to watch the german vehicles get hits and blow up one by one.

For record I have to say I didnt really like either of the previous PC games. I tried hard but things like reaction turns and lack of infantry immersion killed it. This game though seems to draw me in and I dont even have to try like it.

What settings do you suggest I use to better keep track of what is goig on?