Sneak Peeks, Coming Attractions, Works-In-Progress

[Jafele]

Thanks for the impressive work you´re doing on the UI and the graphics. It´s something I really miss in JT games, specially on ACW, FFWC and Napoleonic Series. Younger (and not so younger [:D]) gamers need these changes.

Happy new year!

[Crossroads]

With CS: Middle East 1.02 UPDATE being finalised for a release in a few weeks time, we are continuing our work towards the next game in the series; CS: Vietnam.

True to the Campaign Series approach to game titles, this game will also span a long period of time, covering conflicts for instance:

- First Indochina War
- Second Indochina War
- Laos Civil War
- Cambodian Civil War
- Chinese-Vietnamese Border War

The game will continue to be equipped with a full series of editors, as well with a Random Battle Generator and a Linked Campaign Game option. Dynamic Campaign Games are being discussed, given the DCG mechanism is to go a complete overhaul, likely after CS:VN 1.0 is out, whether it will be included from the word go is still under discussion.

While we're very happy with the game engine itself, and the rich variety of gaming features and options it provides, the user interface continues to be in the center of our attention too. In-game dialogs are the first to begin their long due overhaul. Front End menus too will receive some attention, all things going well.

This time around, 3D will get a thorough overhaul, with a new set of terrain tiles in the making. All 3D units continue to be lovingly hand painted too. We've got two project members dedicating their full development time to 3D. The design philosophy continues to be that of the hand painted table top miniatures, familiar to CS players from the previous game titles. More of them later.

On 2D, after the two new Zoom levels that appeared with CS:ME, the tasks in hand are the development of the new Tropical temp zone terrain tiles. The design philosophy here continues to be that of a Boardgame look and feel. To that aspect, now with the Counter Stats being available for chits, the 2D Graphical Unit Icons view receives a new design approach. 2D NATO symbol view remains the same, with 420+ individual platoon and section icons available to describe the various units.

There's a lot of foundation work done already all along while the JTCS 2.0 and CS:ME 1.0 titles were being developed. We hope to release CS: Vietnam in some 12 months time from now, all going well. Here's hoping!

If you have any questions, comments or wishlist items to make, shoot!

Oh, the first sneak peek: Version 1.0 mock-up of the new 2D Graphical Unit Icons view:



As always, everything is work-in-progress and subject to change [:)]

-crossroads-

[Crossroads]

ORIGINAL: Crossroads

As always, everything is work-in-progress and subject to change [:)]

2D terrain in particular is still full of placeholders and CSME carry-overs. Pay no attention [:)]

[Jafele]

A simple but important question:

Will eventuallly CS:ME have the new features of CS:VN?

[Crossroads]

That is the idea, yes. After VN 1.0 is out, ME engine will be then upgraded to VN 1.0 level.

[Jafele]

Wise decision. In this way all CS games (old and news) will have the same features. There won´t be dated games.

Guess everybody is happy, even the hardest fanboys!! [:D]

Thanks

[Crossroads]

Ha. Fanboys of the world, unite! [;)]

[comte]

Wow looking good can't wait for VN [8D]

[Crossroads]

As part of the work in putting the official 1.02 UPDATE together, we're busy giving the 3D terrain tiles a quick touch-up too. Having given the 2D tiles a bit more washed out look, we're applying the same to 3D terrain as well.

This way, the units which remain as they are will stand out better, even when No Unit Bases option is used:

[Crossroads]

ORIGINAL: Crossroads

As part of the work in putting the official 1.02 UPDATE together, we're busy giving the 3D terrain tiles a quick touch-up too. Having given the 2D tiles a bit more washed out look, we're applying the same to 3D terrain as well.

This way, the units which remain as they are will stand out better, even when No Unit Bases option is used:

Switching Unit Thermometers ON makes locating them out from a big map a bit easier, too:

[carll11]

Q re: VN, how do you plan on handling sappers and special movement techniques or bonuses for VC/NVA units? just wondering...

[dox44]

never know until you ask department.

are counters, like in VN preview picture, available for CSME?

thanks

[berto]

ORIGINAL: casebier

are counters, like in VN preview picture, available for CSME?

For CSME, not yet. They eventually will be, but not until after VN is first released.

[Crossroads]

Work with CS:Vietnam continues, with Chinese OoBs and 3D graphics completed. The 3D graphics continue to be lovingly handpainted by Warhorse and papalazaru5, and now the boardgame view fans get to enjoy them too, as the new 2D Graphical Units option.

Here's a test I did with some of the units finished. The 3D tiles are reduced in size to some 60% of originals but still look quite nice on top of 2D counters don't they.



The image is a result of resize + white outlines having been put to place. Once done, I will then have a look at the contrast, desaturation and lightness settings for the finished article.

White outlines are important as the 2D unit graphics and counters continue to be decoupled, so if anyone wants to mod the counters say with a camo pattern, the units would still stand out from them.

Once the Chinese set is completed, it is the US next. Looking forward to post more sneak peeks as we go along. [:)]

[harry_vdk]

ORIGINAL: Crossroads

Work with CS:Vietnam continues, with Chinese OoBs and 3D graphics completed. The 3D graphics continue to be lovingly handpainted by Warhorse and papalazaru5, and now the boardgame view fans get to enjoy them too, as the new 2D Graphical Units option.

Here's a test I did with some of the units finished. The 3D tiles are reduced in size to some 60% of originals but still look quite nice on top of 2D counters don't they.

The image is a result of resize + white outlines having been put to place. Once done, I will then have a look at the contrast, desaturation and lightness settings for the finished article.

White outlines are important as the 2D unit graphics and counters continue to be decoupled, so if anyone wants to mod the counters say with a camo pattern, the units would still stand out from them.

Once the Chinese set is completed, it is the US next. Looking forward to post more sneak peeks as we go along. [:)]

Look great, will this type of counter also available on the 3D views?

[Crossroads]

Hello harry_vdk!

Yes, all those unit profiles in the "boardgame counters" are resized "3D miniatures" from the Chinese set of graphics files.

[budd]

Are the black counters going to be in the game?

[Crossroads]

ORIGINAL: **budd**

Are the black counters going to be in the game?

That would require a separate mod. There might be time for creating one done in the spirit of PanzerBlitz / Arab-Israeli Wars where vehicles are profiles but guns and infantry symbols.

How'd that sound?

[budd]

Guess its not as simple as taking the color out of the red counter ones[;)] I'm not a board gamer the stick guns dont really appeal to me..sorry.. got real partial to the black ones in ME.I appreciate your efforts, regardless of the counters i will be buying the game.....i mean whatever hurries you guys up to get to WW2[:D].

[Crossroads]

Cheers budd, I am quite partial to those black profiles myself, I will certainly see what's possible. Let us revisit this once we're closer to release [:)]