Rank them, please...

[pzgndr]

There is a replica game of Advanced Third Reich on SC2. It has good AI and can be played by AI, PBEM or IP.

Man, if you think that one was good, just wait for the SC2-WaW version I'm working on. [;)]

[JonBrave]

ORIGINAL: pzgndr

There is a replica game of Advanced Third Reich on SC2. It has good AI and can be played by AI, PBEM or IP.

Man, if you think that one was good, just wait for the SC2-WaW version I'm working on. [;)]

Sorry, I'm lost. [&:]

• Are we talking about (freely available) mods for Strategic Command 2 ?? (The one I haven't got)
• If so, how can it have ATR, which had stacking, different map, different rules etc. etc??
• And if by any chance it's still "yes that's right", how could it possibly have a good AI for ATR when that's a totally different game??

[targul]

"Man, if you think that one was good, just wait for the SC2-WaW version I'm working on. [;)] "
 
Yes, I am aware of the WAW expansion.  It looks like it will be improved AI in the game that already has the best AI of any Strategic game out there.  The additions destroyers and artillery also sound awesome.  I am so looking forward to it.  Hubert is definitely the primer wargame designer at this time.

[IrishGuards]

PPPffffhhhhtttt .. Bill the Cat .. !!
I say nay .. [8|]
IDG

[Happycat]

HansBolter---right on both counts. I'm referring to computer version, and it definitely sucked (no fault of the playtesters, of course).

Your "name" is familiar. Did you do a mod a couple of years ago for a game? (which game, escapes me just now, but I remember it as being an improvement, whatever it was).

[Happycat]

Targul, I didn't know that SC2 offered this feature (A3R). I will probably buy this game then, and will let you know when I get it.

[JonBrave]

ORIGINAL: Happycat

Targul, I didn't know that SC2 offered this feature (A3R). I will probably buy this game then, and will let you know when I get it.

I still don't get it. How can it? Stacking? Completely different (and huge) ruleset? Might just be possible to write scripts for AI for a few strategic decisions, but how are you going to tell it to take into account the completely different rules and tactics of the way ATR pieces/combats etc work?

[HansBolter]

ORIGINAL: Happycat

HansBolter---right on both counts. I'm referring to computer version, and it definitely sucked (no fault of the playtesters, of course).

Your "name" is familiar. Did you do a mod a couple of years ago for a game? (which game, escapes me just now, but I remember it as being an improvement, whatever it was).

I've never done any mods to computer games. I've done plenty to board games in the form of "house rules". I used to post on the HOI2 boards under this moniker and have been using it on these forums for a while now. I beta test for Panther Games (Highway to the Reich, Conquest of the Aegean and the upcoming Battles for the Bulge). I have an ongoing AAR of a beta test of a BFTB scenario that is stickied on the BFTB forum.

As for thee name being familiar....he was one of Germany's top tank aces of WWII with 139+ tank kills. He ranks 4th on the all time list behind Kurt Knispel (168), Walter Schroif (161) and Otto Carius (150+). The legendary Micheal Wittmann actualy only ranks 5th with 138 (and 132 antitank guns). Wittmann, however, earned his legendary status as the greatest tank ace of all time by performing the single greatest feat of tankmanship of all time...single handedly stopping the spearhead of the Desert Rats at Villers Bocage.

[pzgndr]

I still don't get it. How can it? Stacking? Completely different (and huge) ruleset? Might just be possible to write scripts for AI for a few strategic decisions, but how are you going to tell it to take into account the completely different rules and tactics of the way ATR pieces/combats etc work?

What I have done with my A3R adaptation available at CMMODS.com (warning: it has some issues) is faithfully recreate the map at double scale (to account for no stacking), set monthly (4 week) turns instead of the default seasonal turns SC2 uses, and set country production and unit costs equivalent to A3R, including scripting for USA and USSR economic growth. Ground force pools are taken from A3R, right down to customized bitmap military icons and unit names. Air and naval units are now more like WiF. The rules are obviously SC2, so things like exploitations and bridgehead overstacking doesn't happen. But, generally, things work out over 3 monthly turns consistent with how things might work out in an A3R seasonal turn. It's not perfect, just an adaptation. There's a lot of SC2, WiF, Blitzkrieg General and ETO thrown in there besides 3R/A3R.

Might just be possible to write scripts for AI for a few strategic decisions?? Brother, modders can write event scripts and AI scripts for just about ANYTHING in SC2. Here's a sampling of what I've gotten to work with my SC2-WaW update, which will be freely available once SC2-WaW is released:
- French colonies become Vichy or Free French upon France surrender
- Possible Axis AI invasions of UK, Spain or Turkey
- Continuous Axis and Allied reinforcements to Libya and Egypt
- Possible pro-Axis or pro-Allied coups in Iraq, Syria, and elsewhere
- Barbarossa triggers based on whether USSR annexed Bessarabia or not
- Allied AI invasions of North Africa, Sicily, Italy and France
- Possible Allied AI invasions of Greece, Vichy France and raids into western Europe
- Variants! And more variants!
- etc.

I am very interested in having a decent and challenging computer opponent for both Axis and Allies, and I'm optimistic that I am getting there. I'm still trying to resolve a few issues that I am not satisfied with. I mention all this here on this CEAW forum to highlight a benchmark capability in game editor features that I assume CEAW will strive to meet or exceed in the future. Simplicity has its charms, as it was for SC1 and now CEAW, but more complexity is needed to adequately cover all that a WWII ETO grand strategy game needs to cover. I expect CEAW will mature over time, as SC has. We should look forward to that! [:)]

[JonBrave]

OK, now I understand, thank you!
 
It all sounds fascinating.  I guess as a topic on this board we ought to be careful about discussing other competitor companies' games too much.
 
2 observations on what you said:

The rules are obviously SC2, so things like exploitations and bridgehead overstacking doesn't happen

That's precisely the sort of thing I liked in TR, and that I couldn't see in different game mechanics.  Shame, but understandable.

Might just be possible to write scripts for AI for a few strategic decisions?? Brother, modders can write event scripts and AI scripts for just about ANYTHING in SC2.

... and then you go on to list exactly what I meant by "strategic decisions"!! I meant, I bet the game can't be modded/AI-modded down to the level of deciding how to do the combat, tables, odds, results, and it can't.
 
The starting post said There is a replica game of Advanced Third Reich on SC2.  Depends on how "replica" strikes you.

[targul]

ORIGINAL: JonBrave

ORIGINAL: Happycat

Targul, I didn't know that SC2 offered this feature (A3R). I will probably buy this game then, and will let you know when I get it.

I still don't get it. How can it? Stacking? Completely different (and huge) ruleset? Might just be possible to write scripts for AI for a few strategic decisions, but how are you going to tell it to take into account the completely different rules and tactics of the way ATR pieces/combats etc work?

Stacking is not available but when played seems to not be an issue. Ruleset in set with scripts and works well. Only big difference in combat is Armor zones of control do not elimenate OOS units. Again game has the feel of A3R and good AI. I have not played verses a human with the mod but am always looking for a game with that mod.

[n0kn0k]

Except .. Terif .. I still believe that he was Hubert ... I could never really damage him the way I did all the others .. He was always ahead of the curve ...

Hehe Terif is undefeated in SC2 also. He has studied and memorized all the scripts and plays a lot.
And he ain't Hubert for sure They are living a few thousand miles apart in Germany and Canada I believe.

[Happycat]

I used to post on the HOI2 boards under this moniker and have been using it on these forums for a while now

That's where I remember you from---I also was a frequent poster on the Paradox forum, under the same name I use here and elsewhere.