How difficult is it to create a new scenario?

[Ekaton]

I’ve never created a scenario for an FC game, but I’d like to design a relatively simple one, with a night-time breakthrough between Soviet units. How difficult would it be? Also, since Soviets would be on the defensive, and their poor coordination is supposed to be a part of the mission, do I need a battle plan? How does AI react to VPs being lost? Would nearby battalions rush to retake a VP taken from a friendly unit in the absence of a battleplan?

[CapnDarwin]

Without the supporting docs that are in work, it would be a challenge. With the documents to help direct you, it's not that difficult. It does take some planning and an idea of what you want to make, but all the tools are there.

[kevinkins]

Hi ... what is meant by supporting documents? Will a long time gamer just be able to put together something off the top of their head? Or use something out of the library they have put together over the years. For example, would a copy of Team Yankee be a supporting document?

Also, given we will need to use an existing map that ships, can a designer make certain areas off limits when making a small scenario e.g. a task organized battalion.

Thanks.

[Stimpak]

A simple scenario can be thrown together in an afternoon.

But for a high quality scenario, with an interesting setup, accurately done research, full scenario description, obstacles or other items on map, full briefings and threat assessments, making battleplans, setting default SOPs, and then doing all the playtesting to ensure said scenario is balanced and fun, is quite different.

[CapnDarwin]

We currently do not have any tool to cut or block off parts of a map. We have discussed that as something of interest, but other items have a higher priority currently. We can see if more people are interested in the capability and reevaluate it down the road.

[CapnDarwin]

Supporting Documents means the guides we have in work that explain Content and Modding in detail. I am working on scenario editing and battle planning now and hope to release documents in a few weeks.

[altipueri]

You can add a little variety just by changing the location and point value of the existing scenario victory locations.

(At least you could in the earlier game)

Try it on the tutorial scenario first so you don't muck anything important up - just remove one of the 500 point victory locations and put one in at the top of the map. Replay the scenario doing almost nothing and watch where the AI sends its units.

Then do it again changing the location and value of VPs.

[CapnDarwin]

Just save any modified scenario with a new or modified name to avoid overwriting the original.

[IronMikeGolf]

"I’ve never created a scenario for an FC game, but I’d like to design a relatively simple one, with a night-time breakthrough between Soviet units. How difficult would it be?"

First, what's the minimum you need for a scenario?
1. Write a simple sentence or two that describes the scenario.
2. Pick a date and set the length of the scenario.
3. Pick a map.
4. Define at least one VP location.
5. Define leader and forces for each side
6. Briefings. Mission Briefing and Threat Assessment for each side. There's a button to generate briefings.

So, if you're building a scenario to test or experiment, you can play it Head to Head and setting up the minimum takes about 5 minutes after you get the workflow down.

There's a good bit more work if you want to make a scenario for other people to play. You're telling a story. So you'll put more work into that along with more work in force design. And then you likely want to make several Battle Plans. If you want your scenario to be human playable from either side, then you want Battle Plans for each side. The more Battle Plans, the more replayability you have.

Then, you test to make sure the humans can win. Hard to win is fine. Impossible to win is not. So, tuning things is needed.

[kevinkins]

Any progress on those "Supporting Documents" to help with new scenario design? Any new info on map editing and or creation? Thanks.

[CapnDarwin]

I am currently working on the scenario, battle planning, and campaign docs. I got slowed down by the holidays and a family issue, but I am back on the documents. After those are done, I will clean up the Modding docs for data, maps, and weather.

Sorry for the delay.

[kevinkins]

Any dates to commit too?

Thanks.

[CapnDarwin]

Once I get the docs close enough, I'll let folks know. I also plan to do a Saturday stream once done, focused on how to do scenarios and battle plans and take questions from the viewers.

[kevinkins]

The stream is a great idea. Thanks for the update.

[kevinkins]

Any update on this. It's been quiet. Thanks.

[CapnDarwin]

Kevinkins, as noted in a few other places, I am way behind on the docs due to a cascade of events and am working on getting back on them. I hope to do a stream and release in the coming weeks for the content stuff, and may the same for the Mod docs after that. Sorry for the delay. Live gets in the way of things at times.