About the future new 3D Engine.

[Blond_Knight]

Remember Eric Young already did this years ago with a title called Squad Assault and Squad Assault: the next wave. As I recall he was or was one of the original CC developers.
Sadly it didnt seem to translate well to 3D and didnt seem as polished as the Combat Mission series.

[jwduquette1]

I think a 3D real time squad level sim -- like Close Combat – is a brilliant idea. Combat Mission has been very successful. It’s a great sim, but I never liked the orders plus WEGO aspect of the game. I always thought Close Combat and real time continual activity by players was such a revolutionary approach to “realistic” wargaming. I cant gush enough about the fun I had with the simultaneous action in H2H Close Combat.

I do recall Eric Young's 3D attempt at Close Combat. That was -- what -- 10 or 15 years ago. It looked amazing in screen shots. It felt like the logical evolution of Close Combat. But the game was incomplete. It seemed like it had tons and tons of potential. But sadly it was pretty “glitchie”. I don't think Eric had the resources to develop the game to its full potential. I don’t recall if he was developing it independently of ATOMIC or not. Probably didn’t matter either way as ATOMIC sort of disappeared.

and speaking of 3D realtime...

[:D] I'd love to see a game that mixes the adrenaline rush of a first person shooter with a much more realistic approach to squad and platoon level combat. Perhaps even something that utilizes voice commands in-game. Voice-commands rather than key strokes to allow a player to command his combat elements. Like the player is a platoon or company commander -- but can view the game either in overhead view or view the game like an FPS. He controls squads, individual vehicles and etc. via a simple set of voice commands rather than awkward key strokes – assault – defend – form line -- etc. But alas FPS will probably remain FPS and squad level combat sims like CC and Combat Mission will likely never achieve any sort of “Vulcan mind meld”.

Currently FPS -- with a few notable exceptions such as the original Red Orchestra -- are too much sprinting and leaping while tossing grenades with one hand -- firing a bazooka with the other hand -- and wielding a sniper rifle between your toes. And while Red Orchestra introduced much more realistic ballistics and weapon effects into an FPS environment, the player has no sense that there are higher level combat organizations beyond the individual soldier. And "clan" play attempting to simulate the like is marginal at best. Mix Close Combat with a more refined and more realistic version of “Call of Duty” or “Battlefield” or the like…

Pie in the sky...particularly the voice activation stuff...but what the heck [:D]

[blazej]

I seriously doubt whether Slitherine has the resources necessary to develop a game of the type you are talking about... It would take very serious $$$. Not to mention that it would seriously change the spirit of the game itself...

What I am expecting from the 3D CC is something like Men of War in terms of graphics (well, hopefully...) but with the CC engine behind the scenes which is what will make it interesting

Best,
Michal

[STIENER]

if it ends up like combat mission it WILL wreck CC as we know it. i wont buy it and others wont either. we dont need and dont want a combat mission style 3D game. too confusing as someone above said.

i thought matrix said it would be a top down 3D game??

[Tharem]

I agree with Stiener.

[SteveMcClaire]

The current plan is for a top-down game that plays very much like the existing Close Combat. We will take advantage of the 3D engine for all the features that brings to the table that were a lot of work to do in 2D (like shadows, and giving a better idea of the lay of the land).
 
 

[Tharem]

Will it be named after Close Combat series? Or under a different name?

[IainMcNeil]

It will be Close Combat in name and spirit.

[Pvt_Grunt]

So, just because it's a 3D engine, you dont need to fly around with a camera (which I hate) - true? You can just take the good bits and leave the bad.

[Tharem]

As a CC-series player since i was 12, i hope the next game will be great also. Is there any release date or year decided? Or is too early to ask

[blazej]

Wow, this should be really interesting, then!

I would love a top-down tactical game where the terrain is rendered in 3D. It would allow for destructible terrain (buildings, hedges etc.) - is this planned?

Another thing: will multi-storey buildings still considered "flat" in the 3D CC or will there be building levels?

giving a better idea of the lay of the land

It would be really useful to have some tools in CC 3D to facilitate figuring out LOS...

Looking forward to CC 3D!

Michal

[thesock]

Of all the minor niggles i have come across in cc through the years, the 2d top down hasn't featured. It is one of the winning features of the game. Your are a combat team commander controlling a battle from over view. If 3d can inhance that system then fine, but we don't need zooming down to unit level with shoot em up views. And to even mention turn base on this site is unbelievable.
I like the new mortar fire system, small realistic refinments like that are the way forward.

[CSO_Talorgan]

ORIGINAL: Beag

Actually I´d rather see an updated Steel Panthers.

Keep your eye on this http://www.vrdesigns.nl/ site. There was a rumour on the ATG subforum tm.asp?m=3206113 (post 9) that the "mystery project" is a Steel Panthers remake.

ORIGINAL: thesock

small realistic refinments like that are the way forward.

Agreed

I also agree with the strategy of using 3D tools to make 2D better.

[general_solomon]

any news on cc3d?

[PipFromSlitherine]

ORIGINAL: general_solomon
any news on cc3d?

It's in development, but its release is most definitely not imminent [:)]

Cheers

Pip

[Thraka]

When do you think we'll get some screenshot "leaks"

[SteveMcClaire]

Screenshots probably won't be for a while -- the graphics have to be pretty polished before you can show one. No matter how much disclaimer you put about 'this is under development' there are always a lot of people who will comment on how the graphics don't look very good.   It's the nature of a static image -- looks are about all you have to go on.

[general_solomon]

steve and team, please make sure infantry can fight in building and they can find their way inside a building as well.

tank animation will be great but most games forget about infantry behavior.

also, would it be possible to have a developers update on certain aspects of the game. you dont have to show us screens, just some ideas what direction the game is going.

could we expect a release next year?

this and a new steel panthers game would be amazing.

[Thraka]

That is true Steve.

What about some technical directions? Existing game engine framework (if so, what?) or doing this from scratch?