Next Generation Tracker: Staff Officer Companion

[RedConkristador]

This looks really cool. Great work. I'm just wondering if I will be able to learn it. I have a TBI from 12 years ago....GP

I'll admit it's a lot to take in at once. However, at its core, its based only on the game information + any planning decisions the player puts on top of it. I recommend taking it bite sized chunks, using features as you need them or focusing on a specific part important to you (i.e. subs).

[RedConkristador]

Here's an example of how battle tracking works.

A sub comes into contact with a IJN CV. This is not depicted in-game on the map as a TF, as it disappears into the fog of war.

However, NGT records the contact. It will plot the location of the contact on your NGT map and maintain record as a new naval track. You can then add onto the map range rings to predict where it could be in the next 1-3 days.

example.png (223.61 KiB) Viewed 385 times

If the naval track appears again in the future, NGT will plot the two locations so you have a history and therefore can infer intent. Based on location you can also infer:

* decision cycle - if this is a carrier raid sailing from Truk, NGT will calculate its arrival date and your detection/interdiction window based on anticipated target
* if it's going somewhere else, you can set up recon & sub patrol areas to try to detect it again

[btd64]

Very interesting. Do you have a new update coming out soon and I assume that you just drop it on the existing files, right?....GP

[RedConkristador]

Very interesting. Do you have a new update coming out soon and I assume that you just drop it on the existing files, right?....GP

I updated it several times a day but do a bad job of letting people know. I just update the link at the top of this thread. When you play a new version, if it's in the same place as the old version, it should pick up all your game data.

[btd64]

Very interesting. Do you have a new update coming out soon and I assume that you just drop it on the existing files, right?....GP

I updated it several times a day but do a bad job of letting people know. I just update the link at the top of this thread. When you play a new version, if it's in the same place as the old version, it should pick up all your game data.

So each update is a full version then?....GP

[RedConkristador]

Very interesting. Do you have a new update coming out soon and I assume that you just drop it on the existing files, right?....GP

I updated it several times a day but do a bad job of letting people know. I just update the link at the top of this thread. When you play a new version, if it's in the same place as the old version, it should pick up all your game data.

So each update is a full version then?....GP

Yes

[btd64]

I updated it several times a day but do a bad job of letting people know. I just update the link at the top of this thread. When you play a new version, if it's in the same place as the old version, it should pick up all your game data.

So each update is a full version then?....GP

Yes

OK, Thank you....GP

[texag11]

This is an awesome tool, thanks for all the incredible work. I am seeing something weird, wonder if I did something wrong when I imported the data. Started a new scenario 2, saved it and I believe properly connected all of the appropriate files but after 1 turn I looked at the J2 Battle Tracking, I'm seeing a ton of units with 1945 dates, and when I select a unit (clicked 5th Tank Regiment in attachment) I'm showing dates way into the future. Is that how it should look or is there an issue (probably user error).

[Dereck]

I'm seeing something that I know is wrong.

Dec 8, 1941 start of turn.

Below the picture shows squadrons "outside an Air HQ's radius". However, each of the squadrons are based at Pearl Harbor and assigned to the Hawaiian USAAF which is ALSO based at Pearl Harbor. Thing is I can't find the Hawaiian USAAF HQ within NGT though it did show up in the Force Structure screen and was able to be included in an OOB.

EDIT: should have mentioned NGT v5.59

Air Sqnds.jpg (118.12 KiB) Viewed 294 times

[Dereck]

Question on how people set up their Administrative OOBs.

The attached picture below show the structure I resorted to for the New Zealand Army. I was able to find and put the 1st NZ Brigade on the OOB but I was NOT able to put the three battalions that belong to it that are currently on the map under it.

I will have to go back and do something similar to for the US Army especially since on the OOB it shows no distinction between the 35th Infantry Division and 35th Infantry Regiment. Both are listed on the OOB as simply 35th Infantry.

New Zealand Army.jpg (191.51 KiB) Viewed 293 times

[RedConkristador]

This is an awesome tool, thanks for all the incredible work. I am seeing something weird, wonder if I did something wrong when I imported the data. Started a new scenario 2, saved it and I believe properly connected all of the appropriate files but after 1 turn I looked at the J2 Battle Tracking, I'm seeing a ton of units with 1945 dates, and when I select a unit (clicked 5th Tank Regiment in attachment) I'm showing dates way into the future. Is that how it should look or is there an issue (probably user error).

If you have multiple campaign files in the same save folder, it’s hard to differentiate the files since the outputs don’t have markers for unique campaigns. If you can PM me what your save folder looks like, I can troubleshoot.

[RedConkristador]

Question on how people set up their Administrative OOBs.

The attached picture below show the structure I resorted to for the New Zealand Army. I was able to find and put the 1st NZ Brigade on the OOB but I was NOT able to put the three battalions that belong to it that are currently on the map under it.

I will have to go back and do something similar to for the US Army especially since on the OOB it shows no distinction between the 35th Infantry Division and 35th Infantry Regiment. Both are listed on the OOB as simply 35th Infantry.


New Zealand Army.jpg

Right now NGT OOB doesn’t let you attach LCUs to other LCUs that are not HQs. Something I’ve been meaning to address.

[RedConkristador]

I'm seeing something that I know is wrong.

Dec 8, 1941 start of turn.

Below the picture shows squadrons "outside an Air HQ's radius". However, each of the squadrons are based at Pearl Harbor and assigned to the Hawaiian USAAF which is ALSO based at Pearl Harbor. Thing is I can't find the Hawaiian USAAF HQ within NGT though it did show up in the Force Structure screen and was able to be included in an OOB.

EDIT: should have mentioned NGT v5.59


Air Sqnds.jpg

Thanks I’ll double check. I had a similar issue with the same HQ in the past so maybe it’s a version thing.

[PaxMondo]

Red,

Nice work here. Using with 6.34. Is there a way to restrict the search on savegames to just the primary folder //Save? What is happening is that I have enormous numbers of older savegames (like at least 4 games played through to 6/1/46, and dozens that are played into 43-45, and then even more that are auto-saves into archive folders from testing ... dozens of games from testing AI changes) in sub-folders and when trying to create a campaign it looks like it is seeing those saves and getting confused because my current game date is 1/2/42 and it can see multiple save dates through 6/1/46. I know I could move those saves, but ....


thanks.

[RedConkristador]

Red,

Nice work here. Using with 6.34. Is there a way to restrict the search on savegames to just the primary folder //Save? What is happening is that I have enormous numbers of older savegames (like at least 4 games played through to 6/1/46, and dozens that are played into 43-45, and then even more that are auto-saves into archive folders from testing ... dozens of games from testing AI changes) in sub-folders and when trying to create a campaign it looks like it is seeing those saves and getting confused because my current game date is 1/2/42 and it can see multiple save dates through 6/1/46. I know I could move those saves, but ....


thanks.

No problem. I'll see what I can do. I'm about to post update 6.40 so Ill include that in a subsequent update.

[RedConkristador]

Just posted NGT 6.40. It cleans up the theater areas standardization, using what Allies & IJ used historically - but also giving players option to create their own. Also added a port throughput table that matches convoys with their destination ports and tells you how long to expect disembarkation. Lastly, (should have) fixed some of the issues Dereck, et al brought up earlier.

[PaxMondo]

I see 6.41 posted ... what fixes in it?

[Dereck]

I see 6.41 posted ... what fixes in it?

I do know one: You can assign a non-HQ unit to another non-HQ unit which is cleaning up my OOB a lot.

I do have a question - and this doesn't involve asking for re-work but just advice (from anyone):

I'm basically trying to make an administrative OOB. Working on the Australians I come up with a conundrum with the 8th Australian Division. If I stick with the admin OOB it will be put all under the Australia Command. But part of me is hesitating because two brigades are serving with the Malaya Army and one with ABDA and I possibly could totally remove those two commands from my administrative OOB once i start working on the British and Commonwealth forces.

Suggestions on how other people would handle this?

[RedConkristador]

NGT 6.46 adds a tutorial when setting up a campaign and tips on each board.

[BBfanboy]

I keep ABDA command and assign sub-units I want to make unrestricted to it. Costs 1/4 of the full cost for assigning the unit to a different command.

If 1st Australian Corps command is still unrestricted, you can assign those LCUs in Malaya to it at full cost but they will be unrestricted for later deployment. I don't think that is gamey - if IRL the Aussie government wanted to earmark those units to be deployed later when danger to the Home country is past, it would give them an unrestricted command. The trick here is to save some part of those units so they can be reassigned and rebuilt.