Babes Website Facelift

[JWE]

M'kay, so I saw the 2 pages of instructions to do a simple download and install; and the steps were multitudes; and the multitudes were conditional; and the conditions were obscure; and there was a pain, therefore, throughout the tribes of Babes; and the pain was sharp; and the pain was in their butts; and it came to pass that someone recalled a virtue; and the virtue was simplicity; and the virtue became the deed; and the deed became performed. So it was written. So it was done.

Reorganizing the site. Putting all the scen and AI files into their own little boxes. 'A' and 'B' files have their own separate pages; each 'B' page has the necessary map art and data files to make the scens work. Bit of duplication, but worth it.

Each 'A' or 'B' page has "complete" download and install instructions. Because everything is more rationally collected together, these are all very simple and specific. Woof !!

Rather than having people do the renumber dance for QuietChina stuff, I specified QC scenarios as separate numbers. Scen026 has a QC version as Scen036, Scen027 has QC Scen037, Scen028 has QC Scen038, Scen029 has QC Scen039. All the scenario files have the corresponding AI files included in the scenario download. So it's just a simple download and unzip into the game's SCEN folder, for 'A' scenarios (Babes or BabesLite).

'B' scenarios have a bit more to do, because they have the Map Art and Data to download. Also, they have the same file numbering as the the 'A' scenarios. So a bit more explanation and install instructions are needed, but nowhere near 2 pages of that stuff.

So we ended up with:

Scen026, BabesLite-A, Stock Map, Dec. 7 Start
Scen027, BabesLite-A, Stock Map, Dec. 8 Start
Scen028, DaBigBabes-A, Stock Map, Dec. 7 Start
Scen029, DaBigBabes-A, Stock Map, Dec. 8 Start
Scen036, BabesLite-A, Stock Map, QuietChina Dec. 7 Start
Scen037, BabesLite-A, Stock Map, QuietChina Dec. 8 Start
Scen038, DaBigBabes-A, Stock Map, QuietChina, Dec. 7 Start
Scen039, DaBigBabes-A, Stock Map, QuietChina, Dec. 8 Start

A place for every duck, and a duck in every place, with a quack from every beak, complete with the corresponding AI files. The 'B' version scenarios are exactly the same, so one either overwrites what's there or renumbers according to the instructions to 046-049 and 056-059. So folks can have ALL the Babes scenarios in their SCEN folder if they want and will only need to swap the Map Art and Map Data in and out.

The Map Art for Babes only has the 8 panels that are necessary to swap the map from Stock to Extended. There is NO reason to download the entire Ext Map unless you want to. The Extended Map site will still be provided as a courtesy to Andrew, but the Babes_MapArt_and_Data files will be completely suficient to make the Stock Map into the Extended Map. This should make life much easier, and take up much less hard drive space.

Another nice thing that doing it this way allows is to let us capture AndyMac's AI updates. Andy is furiously grinding away but, alas, his efforts likely won't show up in the official stock scenarios. So why not give him a access to a fairly widely distributed vehicle, as well as keeping both of the Babes as state-of-the-art as possible within the confines of the game system?

So there you have it. Site is still under a bit of construction, but a lot of this is already in place. Should be finished soon.

[John 3rd]

Thanks John!

Question regarding our use of your Mod as our template for Perfect War: Is the Extended Map compatable with simply adding to the work we've already done? Additionally, what is the status of the stacking limitations? Woudl really like to combine all that into the Mod prior to our release.

Appreciate all the hard work you guys are doing.
John

[JWE]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd
Thanks John!

Question regarding our use of your Mod as our template for Perfect War: Is the Extended Map compatable with simply adding to the work we've already done?

Yes. And I have a no-brainer changelog that lets any scenario based on the stock map to easily convert to the Extended map; step-by-step. I'll send that to you and the fat guy.

Additionally, what is the status of the stacking limitations? Woudl really like to combine all that into the Mod prior to our release.
Appreciate all the hard work you guys are doing.
John

Babes team has a very solid algorithm going and a very good pwhexe.dat file. It's slightly different from Andrew Brown's original version but AB thinks there are some nice things in it, so maybe AB will use it too. We like to think so.

Up to you, but the latest and greatest is up on the website. It's in both Stock Map and Ext Map versions, and we also included the non SL files for Stock and Ext so if somebody screws up they can come back and download the nominals without reloading the whole game. Ain't we sweet? [8D][8D]

[John 3rd]

Well done. This is especially true of us technical IDIOTS!

[Mac Linehan]

JWE -

All good stuff, and professionally done (I would expect nothing else).

Thank You, Sir.

Mac

[oldman45]

Not being as eloquent as the others,

you da man!

[RevRick]

ORIGINAL: John 3rd

Well done. This is especially true of us technical IDIOTS!

I resemble that statement.... and will accept all the help I can get!

[witpqs]

Double checking to be sure - from looking at the revised site I'm assuming that "C" has been deprecated? BTW I am not asking for it to be kept up. If it isn't popular enough that doesn't make sense, I'm just checking.

[JWE]

Nope, nope, site is still under construction, and the C version will get its own page. Its been downloaded over 60 times, so 'somebody' is playing around with it. [;)] We'll continue to host all the Babes scenarios, just make the site a bit more informative and user friendly. Let ya know when everything is polished and ready. [;)]

[witpqs]

Oh, cool!

[Alfred]

ORIGINAL: JWE

Nope, nope, site is still under construction, and the C version will get its own page. Its been downloaded over 60 times, so 'somebody' is playing around with it. [;)] We'll continue to host all the Babes scenarios, just make the site a bit more informative and user friendly. Let ya know when everything is polished and ready. [;)]

I was surprised you gave out the data on the number of downloads. Might be an effect of the random act of culture posted by Mynok.[;)]

Anyway, if you are still in the festive mood, any chance of posting the comparable download figures for the various DaBabes scenarios (light and big)?[&o]

Alfred

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: JWE

Nope, nope, site is still under construction, and the C version will get its own page. Its been downloaded over 60 times, so 'somebody' is playing around with it. [;)] We'll continue to host all the Babes scenarios, just make the site a bit more informative and user friendly. Let ya know when everything is polished and ready. [;)]

Just got C, thanks.

[JWE]

Okey dokey, face lift done and the patient lived. And looks a little better than Joan Rivers.

@Alfred
BabesLite-A Scen026-v11 has been downloaded 213 times since Aug. 1, 2011. Scen027 and the 'B' versions somewhat less, but presumably many of the Scen026 people also got 027 and the 'B' versions, so it's not quite Kosher to add them together. There may be people who only downloaded 027, or a 'B' version, so 213 might be a skoosh conservative, but good enough for our purposes.

DaBigBabes-B Scen028-v09 has been downloaded 136 times since Sept. 17, 2011. Surprisingly this a bit more than 028-A. Not a lot, but enough to notice. This alone says something interesting.

There's a ton of people out there still playing with older revisions. But I'm guessing many of them snagged the new stuff for their SCEN folders for the next go-around. So swag'n it right out of the brown place, I guess we got maybe 300 or so active Babes players out there.

Just as a bizarro factoid, Michaelm's latest beta, 1108q9b has been downloaded 415 times, and there's skillions of folks who are still running the last official patch 1106i. The number of people who play this title is immense. 98% of them don't post, they just look in from time to time to grab what they need.

[Alfred]

JWE,

Thank you for the data provided.

I'm not surprised at the greater number of downloads of BabesLite. Its greater popularity I attribute to the ease of installation and compatability with stock. Not everyone who plays complex GG games is necessarily equally at ease in handling computer technology. So compatability with stock will always provide a major marketing edge for any mod.

The really interesting figure is the number of downloads of the latest beta which is not that much greater than the aggregated DaBabes downloads (even limiting the quantum to only those downloads since August and disregarding the earlier ones). I think that figure does truly put into context the very small minority of AE players who regularly post in the forum. I have absolutely no doubt that the overwhelming majority of AE owners do not regularly post in the forum. Furthermore, most owners of AE would play only against the AI. In fact I believe you might well be surprised at the number who still play a version older than the last official patch 1106i.

Really, it helps to place into context all the whinning from the usual suspects (witness the current bombing is borked BS). That the devs ever pay them any attention is above and beyond the call of duty. Of course listening to well reasoned and presented ideas is another matter.[;)]

Alfred

[Sardaukar]

Well, I only play DaBigBabes A nowadays.

When it was released, I saw no need to go back to anything else. Only play A-version, since I don't want to complicate my life too much. [:D]

[Alfred]

ORIGINAL: Sardaukar

Well, I only play DaBigBabes A nowadays.

When it was released, I saw no need to go back to anything else. Only play A-version, since I don't want to complicate my life too much. [:D]

But you don't really count, you are far more computer literate than many who play the game.[:)] So I'm not surprised you went directly to "A".[;)] Plus you're not one of the usual suspects.[:)]

Anyway, for someone already with "A" and the latest beta, just how much more complicated could life become with "C".

Alfred

[Mac Linehan]

JWE -

Just fired up my computer for the weekend, and checked the Babes website. Very well done - a very logical layout, with a concise description of what each version stands for. This coming from a computer challenged guy - if I can understand it, anyone can.

The DBB C version briefing was most helpful - I now clearly understand that the AI is a no go with "C"; so reverted to the H2H "learning" game.

Kudos to the Babes Team - I love the hex stacking limit mod (note: Real Men use Hex Stacking Limits...<grin>) That will probably get me spanked...

My sincere gratitude to you and your Team, Sir.

Another "Thank You" to Michaelm for his outstanding work. Babes plus newest Beta = a first class gaming experience.

Mac

[JWE]

Thank you very kindly, Mac.

I am going to do a bit of a face-lift on the Stack Limit page, too. The data won't change, but the layout will change a bit. The Babes SLs are a teensy bit different from the original version. Just want to make it clear that the various SL-based pwhexe files are not exactly the same. I'll put some discussion in about what Stacking Limits' primary purpose is, what they do, and what they don't do, and how (and where) they effect gameplay.

So I'm going to have:
A map data zip file with Babes SLs for the Extended Map;
A map data zip file with Babes SLs for the Stock Map;
A map data zip file with the "original data" for the Extended Map;
A map data zip file with the "original data" for the Stock Map;

The 'originals' are there so if somebody gets confused, they can just download those and get back to square-one.

[Richard III]

Just returning to AE after years away. Amazied by all the work you guys have put into this. What would be a correct sequence of installs for the Game /

I assume the Matrix Offical patch, then BabesLite A versions and then the 11080q9 Beta ?

Did read your updated site but can I ask if the lites A just have data changes and will use the Game AI and stock map ?

TIA
Rich

[Sardaukar]

ORIGINAL: Richard III

Just returning to AE after years away. Amazied by all the work you guys have put into this. What would be a correct sequence of installs for the Game /

I assume the Matrix Offical patch, then BabesLite A versions and then the 11080q9 Beta ?

Did read your updated site but can I ask if the lites A just have data changes and will use the Game AI and stock map ?

TIA
Rich

You are correct.

Beta patches do not touch scenario data and deal with executable only. So you are fine installing them whenever after official game patch.

But you just to have to play on Allied side vs AI in DaBigBabes and it'll give you decent game. Japanese side won't work at all. BabesLite is OK on both sides.