How is this game?

[Antmf_slith]

Map mod question:
when installing the map mod I install the map files from say project RNR from Chemokids files into art folder and let it overwrite the files in there after I obviously back the original folder up correct? I am confused about where it says to overwrite with stock map files too? anyone tell me exactly how to install? Thank you

Here are what instructions say:

First unpack one of the files ending with "(X)_u1". All of those files are the extended map designated by the "(X)" at the ending. To install the stock version of this map,
you first need to install the base files for the extended map, and then overwrite them with the corresponding map-type files for the stock map in the "STOCK" folder.

There are 5 map-types you can choose from:
"Topo Map Project Dot (X)_u1" - extended map where the hexes in ocean and water areas are replaced with transparent dots
"Topo Map Project Hex (X)_u1" - extended normal map WITH hexes.
"Topo Map Project Hexless (X)_u1 - extended normal map WITHOUT hexes.
"Topo Map Project Pure (X)_u1" - extended pure map WITHOUT hexes, and WITHOUT roads & railroads.
"Topo Map Project RnR (X)_u1" extended pure map WITHOUT hexes, but with roads & railroads

The difference between "hexless" and "RnR" is very small... Hexless has a more darker ocean, and a bit sharper railroads


If you have the extended map, installing one of the above maps is enough, but if you have stock, install the coresponding file from the "stock" folder.
Or if you want to have country borders in "extended map", install the corresponding file name from the "Extended" folder.

P.S. Do you guys recommend WiTP tracker and what does that do exactly?

[Trugrit]

I just got up and saw this. I need coffee! You need to slow down.

This whole thread is kind of a mess.
You are doing a lot of stuff you don’t need to do as a new player to get this game up and running.

You just need four steps (Done in Order) to install and set up this game:

1. You need to install the base game, as a download or from the disk.

2. You need to patch it to the latest Official Update.
You can get that by going to the product page. There is a tab that says downloads.
You want the top one. It is comprehensive. Install it.

3. Go to the Tech Forum and download the Beta and install it. It has it’s own folder.
It will create a shortcut on your desktop to run the beta.

(You can have two shortcuts on your desktop. One to run the Beta and one to run the game without the Beta.) Each one will point to a different execute file.

4. Configure your command line switches. You know about the command line switches?
I need more coffee for that!

As for the game map:
As a new player you really should not be fooling around with this stuff.
This stuff is more for senior class nerds like me.

You are going lose the terrain info with chemkid maps over the standard maps.
You need to understand terrain in the game.

But….If you have the disk space just back up the entire art folder because you are going to want to do much more things to it in the end. Icons, art, graphics etc…..

As a review:

The game map consists of 41 map tiles. They are bmp files (Raster Graphic Image Files)

If you set the view option on your art folder to view as a list you will see them as shown below.

They need to be numbered exactly as shown to work. There are two complete sets.
WPEH00.bmp starts the hex set. The H in the name stands for Hex.
WPEN00.bmp starts the no hex set. The N stands for No (hex)

You need a complete set (all 41 files each) to get the game map as configured for base game.

There are also a few additional files for the weather map etc….You want those.

To get another map, if you double click on a file it will open up so you can see it, and see if you like it.

If you like it you can drop the entire set into the art folder and it will overwrite the files that are there.
That is how you install them.

There is a standard map and extended map. They each have a different data set.

You need the correct data set installed depending on which map group you use.

Here is a trick for you:
I like to play with no hexes on my map. My PBEM opponent likes to play with hexes.
The game will not let you do this normally.

I go through a set of NoHex files and change the names to Hex files.
Example: Change WPEN00.bmp to WPEH00.bmp. And drop them in the art folder.

Then we set the game to play with Hexes.
My opponent can play the game with hexes and I can play without hexes.

Tracker is a stand alone program. It is very useful but not required to play the game.

Like I say…...You need to slow down some.

[Antmf_slith]

Is this spread sheet made for scenario 1 as I have the updated scenario 1?

[Trugrit]

The spreadsheet will cover scenario 1.

But you don't need a spreadsheet to play.

Just start playing, you are going to screw up anyway its part of the learning process.

[Antmf_slith]

Thank you. I know I need to slow down just excited about learning the game lol. Thanks for the info and I did all of those steps I also did the scenario update but scenarios 7,8,9 and 16 are blank but the others are there up to 19. Is this normal or did I do something wrong?

[Trugrit]

This game is old.

There is a lot of stuff out there. Some of it is wrong or missing.
Normal is not a standard that really applies to all this stuff.

What is important for you to know is that you can't do anything wrong.
Or...You can't do anything wrong that can't be fixed.

All of us who play this game have screwed the pooch many times.

Welcome to the mad house.

[RangerJoe]

Don't worry, just play the game. Start with the scenarios to get used to giving orders to your units. There are some long time players who have been playing this game since it first came out that are still learning things about the game. Yet they still have fun beating up on their opponents. [:D]

[Kull]

ORIGINAL: Trugrit

I just got up and saw this. I need coffee! You need to slow down.

This whole thread is kind of a mess.
You are doing a lot of stuff you don’t need to do as a new player to get this game up and running.

++++1

1) As a new player, only update the scenario you are going to play. And even that is optional. You need to understand the MECHANICS of the game before the nuances of a better AI will even be noticeable.

2) Please do NOT use any map mods. The standard map is perfectly fine for learning, and that should be your PRIMARY focus. In particular, the chemkid maps - though beautiful - are a HORRIBLE idea for a new player. It impossible to tell many of the terrain elements apart, and that will impede your learning process.

Do not focus on the peripherals.

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: Kull

ORIGINAL: Trugrit

I just got up and saw this. I need coffee! You need to slow down.

This whole thread is kind of a mess.
You are doing a lot of stuff you don’t need to do as a new player to get this game up and running.

++++1

1) As a new player, only update the scenario you are going to play. And even that is optional. You need to understand the MECHANICS of the game before the nuances of a better AI will even be noticeable.

2) Please do NOT use any map mods. The standard map is perfectly fine for learning, and that should be your PRIMARY focus. In particular, the chemkid maps - though beautiful - are a HORRIBLE idea for a new player. It impossible to tell many of the terrain elements apart, and that will impede your learning process.

Do not focus on the peripherals.

+1000
This is why I don't use map mods.
None have any visual clue of terrain type.
This is crucial for a newb in learning and appreciating terrain effects on movement and combat.
Don't get sucked into the sexy graphics of the map mods.

[Chickenboy]

ORIGINAL: Trugrit

As for the game map:
As a new player you really should not be fooling around with this stuff.
This stuff is more for senior class nerds like me.

You are going lose the terrain info with chemkid maps over the standard maps.
You need to understand terrain in the game.

I saw this too and thought to comment thusly at the time, but didn't get around to it. I agree with Trugrit.

Take it easy on the betas, patches, optional artwork, this-and-that mods and new maps until you get a solid grasp on the fundamentals of the game itself. Spoiler alert: if you've had the game less than a week, you don't have a grasp on the fundamentals of the game. Calm down.

Us knuckleheads that are 'plankowners' on the game system have seen many, many enthusiastic new players come and do what you're doing and get burned out or fed up with the 'slow pace' of learning. They then step away from the game indefinitely or rage quit.

Learning in this game is like no other. You can't force it. Start from the basics and go from there. IMO, mods are something that you shouldn't even think about until you've gone through the basic 01 scenario for a year or so.

[mind_messing]

via Imgflip Meme Generator

[Chickenboy]

I'm guessing mind_messing is the one in the front row with that square hat and ridiculous moustache? [;)]

[mind_messing]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

I'm guessing mind_messing is the one in the front row with that square hat and ridiculous moustache? [;)]

Nah, I'm absolutely one of the Russians, just dying to turn up late to someone else's party and hammer the vodka [;)]

[BBfanboy]

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

I'm guessing mind_messing is the one in the front row with that square hat and ridiculous moustache? [;)]

Nah, I'm absolutely one of the Russians, just dying to turn up late to someone else's party and hammer the vodka [;)]

So you're the guy in the black tunic with the shoulderboards for lining up successive glasses of vodka?

[mind_messing]

ORIGINAL: BBfanboy

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

I'm guessing mind_messing is the one in the front row with that square hat and ridiculous moustache? [;)]

Nah, I'm absolutely one of the Russians, just dying to turn up late to someone else's party and hammer the vodka [;)]

So you're the guy in the black tunic with the shoulderboards for lining up successive glasses of vodka?

Carrying those big shoulder boards around all day is thirsty work!

[Antmf_slith]

Hysterical. My wife is going to kill me. Lmao.

[Korvar]

mind_messing's meme is brutally true

[Yaab]

ORIGINAL: mind_messing

via Imgflip Meme Generator

"Yaab, enthralled by the Chemkid map, forgets to load the CONUSA LCUs on ships."

[MakeeLearn]

ORIGINAL: HansBolter

ORIGINAL: Kull

ORIGINAL: Trugrit

I just got up and saw this. I need coffee! You need to slow down.

This whole thread is kind of a mess.
You are doing a lot of stuff you don’t need to do as a new player to get this game up and running.

++++1

1) As a new player, only update the scenario you are going to play. And even that is optional. You need to understand the MECHANICS of the game before the nuances of a better AI will even be noticeable.

2) Please do NOT use any map mods. The standard map is perfectly fine for learning, and that should be your PRIMARY focus. In particular, the chemkid maps - though beautiful - are a HORRIBLE idea for a new player. It impossible to tell many of the terrain elements apart, and that will impede your learning process.

Do not focus on the peripherals.

+1000
This is why I don't use map mods.
None have any visual clue of terrain type.
This is crucial for a newb in learning and appreciating terrain effects on movement and combat.
Don't get sucked into the sexy graphics of the map mods.

There may be a couple that have them.

[Uncivil Engineer]

ORIGINAL: Chickenboy

ORIGINAL: Trugrit

As for the game map:
As a new player you really should not be fooling around with this stuff.
This stuff is more for senior class nerds like me.

You are going lose the terrain info with chemkid maps over the standard maps.
You need to understand terrain in the game.

I saw this too and thought to comment thusly at the time, but didn't get around to it. I agree with Trugrit.

Take it easy on the betas, patches, optional artwork, this-and-that mods and new maps until you get a solid grasp on the fundamentals of the game itself. Spoiler alert: if you've had the game less than a week, you don't have a grasp on the fundamentals of the game. Calm down.

Us knuckleheads that are 'plankowners' on the game system have seen many, many enthusiastic new players come and do what you're doing and get burned out or fed up with the 'slow pace' of learning. They then step away from the game indefinitely or rage quit.

Learning in this game is like no other. You can't force it. Start from the basics and go from there. IMO, mods are something that you shouldn't even think about until you've gone through the basic 01 scenario for a year or so.

You misspelled 10 years!