Future Directions - Features

[Arimus]

You can't screen with an individual unit. The frontage on a unit is fixed, only the AI can stretch that.
 
I would leave patrolling to the computer. I would just like to set up the AO and the frequency, like any commander would, like my squadron commander did with me.

[kipanderson]

More smaller scenarios please .

Hi,

Having looked at the scenario analysis my vote would go for more smaller scenarios. Each to their own but they are my favourite.

I think that the analysis shows there are two or three small scenarios with around 79 units, I would like to see half a dozen with no more than 50 units each.

But I agree.... each to their own...

All the best,
Kip.

[Heva]

I'd like to see a replay of the whole battle, with all units shown (no intel or bad reports) and what they are doing at any given time. Be a great tool to help develop our skills.

[jomni]

ORIGINAL: Arimus

You can't screen with an individual unit. The frontage on a unit is fixed, only the AI can stretch that.

Ahh I now see where your getting at. I thought it was for the whole battalion.

[GoodGuy]

ORIGINAL: Arimus

...The frontage on a unit is fixed, only the AI can stretch that.

Unless this option didn't make into BFTB and unless it's a dummy function (that doesn't work) only, you can set the frontage (360°), its depth and width (worked in COTA at least).

[Arimus]

I don't have a link to the post, but I remember reading that Dave said you can set the frontage of an individual unit, but it doesn't do anything.
Then I noticed that the AI did change the frontage of an individual unit when I gave that formation a very long front. So I guess we can indirectly...

Edit:
You bring up a good point though, is a screen a formation or a mission. It is probable a mission with a very long line formation. Actually, the line formation could become a string OP's with patrols inbetween. It could even be a mission restricted to say cavalry or motorized infantry.

[Arjuna]

Traditionally a screen can be used either offensively or defensively. In the western desert both sides would use their armoured car/recon units to form a screen well forward of the MLR. In the case of the side on the offense they would attempt to probe and find weakspots to exploit. In the case of the defensive side they would attempt to detect hostile movement and deny the enemy recon entre towards the MLR. Both of these really require their own doctrine to model the behaviours correctly. Currently BFTB doesn't have such doctrine.

[wodin]

I'd like it that there where active links in the scenario briefing....so if you read you have to cross the river at Roth then head towards Bradenburg it would be good if you could click the word Bradenburg and the map would scroll there...this would help when trying to formulate your plan...at the moment I can spend awhile searching the map trying to find the places mentioned in the scenario briefing.

Also someone mentioned this...when you issue a defend task it would be great if you where able to state a fallback postion aswell.

[wodin]

ORIGINAL: jnpoint

Is all this feature-talking just something we are dreaming about, or will someone use it for anything. And if 'yes', will it then come out as a patch or add-on? just curious.

Features are added to new games in the series...the ones most asked for will be the ones in future games...unless it's a very small feature it might make it into a patch...major features will be new games...

Dave does take all these down and they get added to a big list....many things asked for here have been asked for before so are already on the magic list..

[Prince of Eckmühl]

I've got an idea, but its going to be hard for me to explain, without using my hands, so please be patient!

Would it be possible, without wrecking all that which you have thus far created, to allow maps to morph from day-to-day (or week-to-week)?

The base-map, elevations and the like, would remain the same, but, as designated by the designer, a different map would take the place of the original when its summoned forth.

While similar, the new map(s) would reflect changes in topography that take place because of events which are not modeled in the game.

For instance, an air-raid could turn a town to rubble, or a partisan raid could destroy a bridge.

Or some paths could appear in a nasty old minefield!

Obviously, such a feature would require the designer to create additional maps to support the function.

Oh, and could you make the map selection random, not in terms of time, discreet/indiscreet, but which map-morph actually displays when the game calls it forth?

This may be something that you want to sleep on. [;)]

[Arjuna]

[>:] I'm sleeping! [;)]

What you are after is dynamic terrain. We already have a limited version of this with the crossings. And yes it is very limited. I also suspect that you are after this data driven feature as an easy fix for what should be a set of new features - eg minefield clearance, bombing towns etc. The trouble with dynamic terrain as we currently employ it is that you need to recalc the underlying movement and terrain maps to reflect the change. At the moment this necissitates a complete recalc for the entire map and this can take up to a minute. Hence why you get the pause when we build or blow a crossing. There are ways around this - ie to implement seemless dynamic terrain - and these are on the wish list.

[wodin]

I never knew you couldn't se the frontage\depth of an individual unit....seems odd....any reason for this and if not can it be changed?

Prince,

You ask for the world my son[;)] I remember the time it took Dave todo the bridge recalcs so I imagine its a massive commitment..also how slow would the game go...though if it could be done then I'm all for it.

[zanekin]

Sorry if I've missed some post responding to my questions but I need some clarification about missing (and possibly future) features.

Could you confirm that:

1. There's no minefield or terrain elements increasing disorder (as barbed wire for instance) but only slowing units. I wonder if static units with fort position can handle properly bunker or other pillbox...

2. There's no conditionnal orders or mixed order. A breakthrough (attack then exploit) would be a major improvement.

3. There's non AA fire. So AA units are purely combat and medium range support units.

4. Motorised infantry can't dismount nor embark (on tank for instance). So their vehicules are always unrealistically exposed in combat.

5. There's no friendly fog of war.

[Arjuna]

There is flak or AAA fire against incoming air strikes within range. This was added to BFTB.

But yes all the other features are still on the wish list. Your number two is typically referred to as sequential tasking and triggers. Mot/Mech Inf units do dismount and remount but the vehicles are not relocated away. When dismounted the vehicles are not as vulnerable.

[zanekin]

Thanks a lot for this quick answer.

[Gobicz]

I would love to see plastic terrain, exactly as you can see it in Google Earth, when you go down. I always check terrain by Google Earth before battle, so it will be great to see terrain during a battle, see units go up to hills or down to valley. I know, graphic is not important in this game, but it looks terribly old.

[Prince of Eckmühl]

ORIGINAL: wodin

I never knew you couldn't se the frontage\depth of an individual unit....seems odd....any reason for this and if not can it be changed?

Prince,

You ask for the world my son[;)] I remember the time it took Dave todo the bridge recalcs so I imagine its a massive commitment..also how slow would the game go...though if it could be done then I'm all for it.

Hi Wodin,

It's really just a workaround of sorts. I suspect that all it would require is for the game to call up a different map. As Dave indicates, this would cause the game to cough and sputter for a bit, but it might be worth the inconvenience. The bigger issue might be including the extra maps. That would be some heavy lifting and make the game a LOT more demanding of disk-space. Anyway, it was just an idea.

[hank]

After a couple of complete games and a week of playing, here's my list (if some of these have already been posted, and I know they have, please forgive):

Add a HALT order with a feedback message after compliance indicating all units under the unit receiving the Halt order have indeed stopped and are ready for a new order

Added air asset features:
Air recon for behind line intelligence including reporting for downed air recon units (losses result in score deducts)
Air strike data: specifically lost aircraft stats which are deducted from score; there should be scoring consequences for calling in air strikes if they go bad
Carpet bombing; areas of high density bombardment and resulting terrain affects (rubble and its hinderance on movement)

Mine fields (already mentioned); add mine field clearing capabilities to the appropriate engineering units; obvious loss of men and equipment if crossed without clearing

Engineers being highlighted when priming or bridge construction is complete (flashing highlight possibly) ... I know a message is sent but some graphical indication is nice

Overall Campaign Map function at the scenario selection screen (already mentioned) (similar to the map in the Game Manual listing all the scenarios and their location)

Fill out the Unit History tab for at least division level up. (including commander info or at least a hisorical listing of its commanders)

Map graphics for entrenchments and bunkers; map graphics for severe rubble resulting from continuous bombardment and air strikes with resulting reduction of movement

(some of these terrain features would require map recalculations; simply pop a message box describing the delay to the User warning of a recalc of movement factors - possibly use this as a warning before the event causing the recalc)

That's if for now.

great game ... [&o]

[Chief Rudiger]

Could we have a Gantt chart showing Reinforcement times? each arrivals bar would start at the earliest possible arrival time and end at the latest possible arrival time. The x-axis would show time and be coloured to show day/night time. This would help orientate the player (who liked Gantt charts) quicker at the start of every scenario. Right now i have to spend nearly a whole evening gaming session making a plan for execution the next time i get time to play!

I remeber when i used to play Silent Hunter and sat for ages with a protractor and compass working out what course i would have to steer for how long at what speed to get ahead of a convoy which i was shadowing in order to turn in for a night attack at. It was war, but not so much "glorious".

[Arjuna]

CR,

I like it. Though as far as the UI is concerned it might be better to have the Y axis for time and then we can include this on the sidebar and scroll it vertically. The other option is to open up a separate window, which I am not attracted too. So far we have avoided doing that with the UI. That way there is no clutter. And we don't like clutter! [;)]