COMMAND OPS : LEGENDS OF THE BLITZKRIEG - An Introduction

[wodin]

Your correct about PZC, However the way CO plays out and the map scale etc it is definitely more grand tactical than operational. You have to think of coy tactics rather than just the big picture as the game isn't as abstracted terrain wise in your Hex based games. Seriously I'm on your side I just view CO games differently than your hex based Coy wargames. Also Combat Command even though it's hex based has a more tactical feel I believe.

You mention army corps, in CO. I see again where your coming from but I play it usually at battalion level and at times micromanage Coy's to get them in the right tactical areas. Also the game when you set an attack to a battalion will set out in a tactic la formation. Another thing is this Platoon game will play out very similar and I expect you will be giving orders to Coy HQ's as it still isn't the scale from the looks of it where you'd micromanage single platoons.

Not sure if you can see what I mean. Yes LOTB will be smaller scale units but it will still play out the same and the reason this can happen is because CO has a more tactical bent already than operational. Thats why the engine wont need any changes as such just a more zoomed in terrain. Again though not enough where you will be doing house to house fighting or even City fighting to the detail some tactical games go for.

[Hexagon]

Well, my point of view about tactical/operational is part of my game experience... my first PC game was the old "Civil War" of Empire (it has all levels in 1 game but separated) but from... 1997 to... 2004 i only play tactical games... start in "Steel Panthers" move to Close Combat after this and here were my main playtime (good all times hehehe).

I dont know very well Command Ops game engine (i read AARs) but for me when i need take decisions over tactical level i play it as operational... of course sometimes tactical/operational are mixed (take that village to secure your cops flank...) and as you say looks like Command Ops allow players to move at lower level but finally victory is in big decisions, the operational level, not in tactical fights.

Is interesting for me see how works the game... i find it very interesting for my, i am now with Achtung Panzer OS and like it but no multiplayer and even if i like 3D i have the problem that i prefer see action than give orders, this is why 2D is more "hardcore".

PD: one of the best moments i have in wargames vs humans was in PzC, i manage to move 3 weak panzer divisions into a forest in soviet attack flank holding a loooong line with a thin infantry line, wait the perfect moment to launch them and destroy 3 tank brigades, 1 infantry division and isolated other units... a total disaster for soviet player because he lose practically all troops in the attack line and he need move troops from all the front to prevent a total break... i plan the attack in tactical level (study terrain to prevent be stopped and where launch spearheads) but operational level was who puts the units in the perfect position.

[Bil H]

Thought I would upload a few images that were originally posted here: http://kriegsimulation.blogspot.com/ chek out Chelco's write up on the game if you haven't had a chance.

This image shows a German Shutzen Company and a Panzer Company (light) on the Watten map.

[Bil H]

This series shows the map at the 4m per pixel zoom level, with immediately below that what the 100m movement grid looks like, this is the movement grid used in all previous incarnations of Command Ops, and at the bottom the 30m movement grid... I am experimenting with different grid sizes currently, and wanted to show how fine the movement grid could get. These grids show movement for vehicles.. there is a different movement grid for infantry.

Movement grids work like this, black = 100% movement (ie. roads, highways), white = no movement, shades of gray indicate better or worse movement, darker = better, lighter gray = worse.

[wodin]

Well I've never been as excited with regards to new wargame releases as I am now, we have this and the big announcement over at Battlefornt. Infact I have known a week of announcements like it for us tactical wargamers.

Screenshots look great.

[wodin]

Bil do you have any new screenies?

[SgtChaudart]

Great news!!!
I look forward this new game!!
Thanks.

[general_solomon]

any chance of a gameplay video? i cant wait to play this game. love the small unit games.

[z1812]

This looks like a must buy for me.

[wodin]

Bill any news mate? Hows it going so far. Thanks.

[Bil H]

Hey Wodin, making progress. Awaiting some code fixes currently, so we are in the meantime capturing data and creating maps.

Bil

[wodin]

Excellent.

[danlongman]

Patience I tells myself. Say the serenity prayer.

[JiminyJickers]

Just saw it after it was mentioned on Rock Paper Shotgun. Very much looking forward to this. Will be keeping a close eye on this one and my wallet is ready.

[wodin]

It will be great I'm certain of it.

[JudgeDredd]

disclaimer - I haven't read the whole thread...

This sounds great BilH. I wish you well with it.

I've always thought if it could be tactical then it would have a strong appeal.

Battalion/Regiment at platoon size seems kind of contradictory to your statement "I personally prefer smaller scenarios" though I would've thought.

But I'd certainly be interested in this. Good luck and I'll keep popping in to check progress.

[wodin]

JD I think platoon size with say 1 or 2 battalions would be low unit count..but maybe regimental wouldn't be so small.

Either way I'm really looking forward to it..and the map art is a joy to look at, crisp and clean.

JD I doubt we'd be disappointed. Oh also JD did you ever buy Thunderbolt\Apache leader? Seems like many say it's the best leader game yet. I have my beady eye on it. Though I also have it on the Hornet leader game aswell..also Phantom leader is being redone..I prefer the Phantom leader era jets..but not sure about the amount of air to air that went on..not to keen on the Hornet leader theaters, nor some of the Thunderbolt theaters either. DO you still play your leader games?

[JudgeDredd]

Yeah - it seems I was getting my platoons and sections mixed up.

I did get TAL - and it is a great game. much more "tactical" than the others - given you have ground to manouver around (hex sides with hills to avoid etc).

I have all 3 and it's difficult to say which one is my favourite - they all have something different and appealing. With Phantom Leader it's the limited ordinance and the era - LOVE Vietnam era. With Hornet Leader it's the massive scale of what you have and what you can carry. With TAL - it's the extra tactical element - though the Apache seems to be hindered with it's loadout...no Hellfires!

Knowing what I know now, if I didn't have any of them but could only get one - in all honesty I think the money would have to go to Phantom Leader.

[wodin]

OK cool...will wait for Phantom leader deluxe then.

No hellfires..wow thats odd. It's a shame it didn't come with more terrain tiles aswell..because they seem abit to sand colored for the North Atlantic campaign...I like the fact pilots are no longer attached to planes but are separate entities though.

If you ever get the time I'd love you to do an AAR for TAL, infact one for each would be uber cool indeed.

Thanks mate

[JudgeDredd]

I lied Wodin - they do carry Hellfires (my bad) - though precious little of them. The game does have AGM-114s - but the Apache only has 8 weight points. I guess it's been done for gameplay.