New Titles, new features??

[Willard]

I was hoping Panther could give us some info on not only the new titles planned, but the new features for each title also. Obviously these features are not set in stone due to a variety of issues, but it would be nice to see what the future has in store.

From what I can see we have the following (Those in bold are speculative...if anyone in the know can confirm/correct)--

#1 - Red Devils Over Arnhem (RDOA) - First introduction of the this fantastic game engine.

#2 - Highway to the Reich (HTTR) - Refined and larger adaption of RDOA engine with more/larger scenarios.

#3 - Conquest of the Aegean (COTA) -Implementation of new victory conditions (exiting of units off map)??? Possible inter-locked scenario campaign mode???

#4 - Battles form the Bulge (BFTB) - New/improved supply system???

#5 - Un-named Normandy Title (NFI) - Perhaps team multi-player???

#6 - Un-named East Front Title (NFI) - ??????

#7 - Rats, Foxes and Sand (RFS) - For my partner in crime, Critical Mass, and I, please add this to the "to do" list (If you want to move it up to game #3, 4, or 5, that would be great also!!![:D]). A North Africa campaign would be perfect for this game engine and this would probably the only game engine (unlike hex, turned based games, that fall far short IMO) that could accurately reflect the sweeping movement categorizing that campaign.

Anyway, any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

On a side note, I would like to know if a feature allowing for player controlled unit placement for speculative campaigns or scenarios has been discussed...and if adding a random scenario generator is a possibility? I think it would be great for the non-historical scenarios if the players (with certain limitations) could pre-position their units, choose drop-zones, etc. This would also allow for greater variety and re-play value for both SP and MP.

[HercMighty]

An OOB screen was supposed to be in there somewhere.

[Willard]

I do remember something about the OOB...
Can anyone recall when that was supposed to be added?

[CriticalMass]

An OOB screen was supposed to be in there somewhere.

I remember posting a mock-up OOB screen for them for RDoA [:D]. I think it was a question of screen real estate more than complexity. I don't think it would be worth $60 [;)].

#7 - Rats, Foxes and Sand (RFS) - For my partner in crime, Critical Mass, and I, please add this to the "to do" list (If you want to move it up to game #3, 4, or 5, that would be great also!!! ). A North Africa campaign would be perfect for this game engine and this would probably the only game engine (unlike hex, turned based games, that fall far short IMO) that could accurately reflect the sweeping movement categorizing that campaign.

Yes indeed, RFaS would be totally suited to this Engine.

About 10 years ago I was doing some game design (and thats as far as it got) for a North African based Campaign game. It was to be [visually] based on Harpoon (you know, ships of the desert and all that). You could see formations i.e. divisions or individual units. It was to be REAL time [1:1] with acceleration; it was to have troops arriving, moving of in to the desert for training (abstracted); variable daylight based on Lat (or is that Long?)

OMG, I think I'm creating a wish list. And in 5 years time (estimated) when PG get round to making the sucker , we might have the proccessing power to play it [8D]

TANX
Andrew

[JeF]

Hi guys,

IIRC, at the time CotA was still a small expansion, the campaign feature was slotted for game #6 : the East front stuff.
Team multi-player was indeed for the Normandy game.
What they have in mind for #6 and #7, I don't know.

Now, what I do know is that they once posted a screenshot of the ScenMaker with a map of Tobruk. I could definitely see Rats, Foxes and Sand, along with a couple of DAK units.

Dave, will you dare to comment ? And even re-post the screenie, I cannot find it anymore ?

BTW, maybe a random scenario generator is too much to ask. But a function in the ScenMaker to be able to put an entire division on the map, in good order, with a couple of mouse clicks would be nice.

Cheers,

JeF.
PS: Andrew do we really need to talk about all those glorious wargames project we have in mind or even realised one day. Matrix should be ready to offer us an entire forum then. [;)]

[Arjuna]

I'm writing this after arriving home from the USA. I've had a few hours of interrupted sleep in the last 48 hrs so I guess conditions are perfect to answer questions such as this. [;)] The general consensus here is that it's best to try and stay awake until tonight ( GMT +10 ) so that I can quickly get "back into the groove". I'm starting to have doubts though. I don't reckon the match sticks will hold my eyes open that long. In fact, I'm certain I am not going to hold out that long. [:)] I'll try and respond to this in a day or so fellows. GN!

[Bil H]

Hey Dave, glad you guys got back in one piece. Watch out for those killer kangaroos I heard about around Canberra [;)]

Bil

[Arjuna]

Thanks Bil. It's good to be back home. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and Mark for your kind hospitality. It was great to meet you guys and your families. [:)]

[MarkShot]

Did you and Paul sing for Bil's daughter?

[Bil H]

Paul was gearing up to do just that, even put on his favorite yellow Wiggles pull-over (he fancies himself Greg Wiggle, Wiggle leader), but I think she got scared and wouldn't come out of her room until they left [;)]

Seriously, she enjoyed their company very much, although I couldn't wait for them to leave, they kept leading me into these massive traffic jams [:'(] Hey Dave!

Bil

[Arjuna]

<G> and I thought it was common place to be grid locked. BTW Bil, when we left your place at 0430 or whatever time it was we ended up in another traffic jam on the beltway due to an accident. It took us 1 hour to go 5 miles. We then took the wrong turn and ended up with a scenic tour of the southern bank of the Potomac river ( boy are there some mansions along that route ). We arrived at Dulles an hour late and thought for sure we'd miss the plane. But grace was shining on us and the plane was delayed as well. Meant to be...[:)]

But it's not just Washington that seems to be afflicted. We were just behind a truck that jack-knifed along the freeway heading to Providence. We got diverted to another minor road and got a lovely tour of part of the world we had not planned to see. I must say though that the State Troopers were well organised both in diverting the traffic and in setting up the down stream chase car that pulled over the first group of frustrated drivers let loose back on the freeway. I thought that was excellent anticipation. [;)]

[Willard]

Any post Origins updates on the below from our Panther prowlers???

ORIGINAL: Willard

I was hoping Panther could give us some info on not only the new titles planned, but the new features for each title also. Obviously these features are not set in stone due to a variety of issues, but it would be nice to see what the future has in store.

From what I can see we have the following (Those in bold are speculative...if anyone in the know can confirm/correct)--

#1 - Red Devils Over Arnhem (RDOA) - First introduction of the this fantastic game engine.

#2 - Highway to the Reich (HTTR) - Refined and larger adaption of RDOA engine with more/larger scenarios.

#3 - Conquest of the Aegean (COTA) -Implementation of new victory conditions (exiting of units off map)??? Possible inter-locked scenario campaign mode???

#4 - Battles form the Bulge (BFTB) - New/improved supply system???

#5 - Un-named Normandy Title (NFI) - Perhaps team multi-player???

#6 - Un-named East Front Title (NFI) - ??????

#7 - Rats, Foxes and Sand (RFS) - For my partner in crime, Critical Mass, and I, please add this to the "to do" list (If you want to move it up to game #3, 4, or 5, that would be great also!!![:D]). A North Africa campaign would be perfect for this game engine and this would probably the only game engine (unlike hex, turned based games, that fall far short IMO) that could accurately reflect the sweeping movement categorizing that campaign.

Anyway, any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

On a side note, I would like to know if a feature allowing for player controlled unit placement for speculative campaigns or scenarios has been discussed...and if adding a random scenario generator is a possibility? I think it would be great for the non-historical scenarios if the players (with certain limitations) could pre-position their units, choose drop-zones, etc. This would also allow for greater variety and re-play value for both SP and MP.

[Arjuna]

Well for now that's still the plan. However, much will depend on negotiations with various military organisations about customising a solution to meet their needs. This may see us working on a modern version. In which case we'll probably aim to provide a commercial release. If anything changes I'll let you know.

One other feature that will definitely be in COTA will be new Delay code. This will provide for multiple blocking forces leapfrogging from one blocking position to another. I've just finished the planning code for it and am now working on the reassessment code ( which in this case is the hardest bit [:)] ). This new code will provide a much tougher delaying action.

[HercMighty]

Is there anyway that the OOB screen can make it in COTA?

[Arjuna]

Very unlikely. Sorry.[:(]

[HercMighty]

Never hurts to ask, it sounds like you have a lot on your plate already. And there is always the next game [:)]