Modern Wars: Volume I - Progress Report

[Jason Petho]

Good day, all.

It has been awhile since I've updated what is going on.

So, what is going on?

Middle East: This has made the most progress and most of the scenarios have had a thorough playtesting. There are only a handful of scenarios to playtest left, those being the larger offerings. There is some infantry combat modelling (the attack, defence and soft attack/hard attack numbers) that are in the middle of being tweaked. Right now, the numbers are far too strong having the infantry suffer significant losses in close up combat. I came up with a new forumla for determining new numbers (based on existing games) -- This model will NOT be used for MCS.

Vietnam: The infantry combat modelling is the major holdup for this, once it is done, this won't take long to finish getting ready. There is some design work left for this, scenarios are needed and a campaign or two are needed. We are also expanding the available countries for Vietnam, which adds some extra time.

What's left?

I need to finish writing the manual, it is well on its way to being complete, but still a fair portion to do.

2 additional scenarios for Middle East, dealing with the battle of Jerusalem in 48 and 67.

A number of scenarios for Vietnam and a campaign or two.

Playtesting the above

Finish the combat modelling for infantry

Playtest the above

Final graphics tweaks for the various platoons.

Lastly, we are hoping that Matrix can find us a new/additional programmer. There are some engine tweaks that need to be done that is beyond the current programmers ability.

Slow and steady, but we're making progress.

Jason Petho

[MrRoadrunner]

Excellent Jason! [:D]

Remember December 2012 is coming! [;)]

RR

[junk2drive]

What language is the program in, in case I find someone?

[Jason Petho]

It's C++

Jason Petho

[Big Ivan]

That's encouraging news Jason!

Thanks!

Big Ivan[:)]

[Crossroads]

Just saw this... Keep the faith Jason et al, looking forward to the eventual release of the game [:)]

[Josh]

Thanks for the update Jason, much appreciated.

[sabre1]

Thanks!

[BadElvin]

Thank you Jason, any news is good.

[Jason Petho]

Another scenario for Vietnam ready for testing.

And started the map for the next.

Jason Petho

[MrRoadrunner]

[>:] HuH????
Thanks!
Hopefully soon for that release?

RR

[Jason Petho]

One scenario closer...

Jason Petho

[wings7]

Thanks Jason...we all are looking forward to the extension of this great game series!

Patrick

[Jason Petho]

Working on creating the Australian Army from 1948-1985.

The platoon file is nearly complete.

Jason Petho

[berto]

Might you venture a guesstimate when Modern Wars will be released?

Waiting is hard. (Your job is much harder, no doubt.) The waiting is easier with each update. Good if they were not so infrequent. (No GameSquad blog posts since April 2012? [:(])

Thanks anyway for this brief update. Every bit of news helps.

[Jason Petho]

Hello berto

Ideally, I would like this completed this year, it has been a long and labourous process with many hours spent in building and rebuilding. A huge help would be new programmer, I am still waiting for Eric to help out with that. Fingers crossed one comes soon.

I'll revist the GameSquad blog, thank you for the reminder.

How many scenarios for the Vietnam portion of the game would a customer be expecting with a release?

Hope you're well
Jason Petho

[berto]

ORIGINAL: Jason Petho

Ideally, I would like this completed this year, it has been a long and labourous process with many hours spent in building and rebuilding. A huge help would be new programmer, I am still waiting for Eric to help out with that. Fingers crossed one comes soon.

PM sent.

I'll revist the GameSquad blog, thank you for the reminder.

Great! Terrific too if you did indeed update that at least monthly.

How many scenarios for the Vietnam portion of the game would a customer be expecting with a release?

Based on past series standards, I suppose at least a couple dozen. So that, between Vietnam and the Middle east portion, there should be at least 50 in total. Those would be bare minimums. The more the merrier, of course. What do other players think?

Is one reason for the slow progress the lack of playtesters? Have you considered asking for more volunteer help in that area? You (and your team? if there is one) take the lead in scenario design; then you have volunteer outsiders you can hand off playtesting to.

Whatever, keep up the good work. Thanks again for the latest, and any and all, updates.

[Crossroads]

ORIGINAL: Jason Petho
How many scenarios for the Vietnam portion of the game would a customer be expecting with a release?

How many have you got at moment, and what are your thoughts?

There's still new JTCS scenarios coming out from the community, and I'm sure there'd be a community interest to create new MW ones as well? Once it is out that is.

But still, agree pretty much with berto. 15-20 per Nam and ME would be a minimum I guess.

[wings7]

Thanks Jason for the update. Good to see a help wanted ad posted a few days ago, hopefully programming help will arrive...thanks for all your hard work and dedication!

Patrick

[Jason Petho]

At the moment...

Middle East has 48 completed and tested scenarios and 2 Linked Campaigns. I would still like to add another scenario regarding the battle in Jerusalem (or around) in 1948 and/or 1967.

Vietnam currently has 25 scenarios in various stages of testing/completeness and 1 Linked Campaign. I am adding the Australians (as I mentioned above, the platoon file is pretty well done and I started the company file last night) and the New Zealanders to the ORG list and I suspect a scenario or two will include them once they are complete. Most of the scenarios I have created so far relate to the French in Vietnam and the time period between the French withdrawal and arrival of American ground troops. A couple other designers have added some scenarios for the American involvement, but that is something I would also like to add a handful as well.

Hope this helps
Jason Petho