HPS France '14

[eastwindrain]

To be honest I'm the square peg in the round hole and use the 3D view for fight'in.

[SlickWilhelm]

Wow, I had forgotten how dated the HPS engine's graphics are, but there's no denying that it's easier to see that ridge to the South of Charleroi in the 3D mode.

I don't need the latest graphics to make me happy, but something above 256 colors would be nice...ufda!

[sol_invictus]

Yeah I would expect that at this point HPS would see fit to invest a bit of cash for a makeover for this engine. However the Mapmod is more than adequate. I really like the unit cards though I will check out Volcanoman's unit cards as well.

[wodin]

Until HPS start to do download I imagine they will never sell enough copies to invest in a new graphic engine.

Thats the problem with SB....it doen't sell enogh copies to warrant any major engine changes...sad but true.

[htuna]

I love the MapMod graphics...wish that guy would do them for Civil War too.. and yes the 3d ones are really bad!

[pelle75]

I could tolerate the 2d graphics version, but the win 3.11 style 1990-ish user interface is unbearable. Having the look and feel of early Windows office applications is not likely to be a good way to get suspension of belief and let the player get into the game world. That the game is running in windowed mode with a visible window bar in the screenshots of course only helps make it look much worse.

[V22 Osprey]

ORIGINAL: pellen

I could tolerate the 2d graphics version, but the win 3.11 style 1990-ish user interface is unbearable. Having the look and feel of early Windows office applications is not likely to be a good way to get suspension of belief and let the player get into the game world. That the game is running in windowed mode with a visible window bar in the screenshots of course only helps make it look much worse.

Actually, I like that it plays n a window. It makes much easier to do other things while the game is playing. I can play my own music, I can see all my steam alerts, and I could browse the internet while I'm waiting for the AI to finish. Unless you are using something like 800x600 or below(It's 2010 people, if you don't have atleast 1024x768, then I think you need to do a hardware check) then the windows bar doesn't take up a lot of space at all. And if you are using a 30 inch screen, it's like it's not even there.

[htuna]

ORIGINAL: V22 Osprey

ORIGINAL: pellen

I could tolerate the 2d graphics version, but the win 3.11 style 1990-ish user interface is unbearable. Having the look and feel of early Windows office applications is not likely to be a good way to get suspension of belief and let the player get into the game world. That the game is running in windowed mode with a visible window bar in the screenshots of course only helps make it look much worse.

Actually, I like that it plays n a window. It makes much easier to do other things while the game is playing. I can play my own music, I can see all my steam alerts, and I could browse the internet while I'm waiting for the AI to finish. Unless you are using something like 800x600 or below(It's 2010 people, if you don't have atleast 1024x768, then I think you need to do a hardware check) then the windows bar doesn't take up a lot of space at all. And if you are using a 30 inch screen, it's like it's not even there.

I agree.. I like the way HPS works in the window.. unlike some games.. where the functionality is screwed up if you choose windowed mode (unless you autohide your task bar or something..

[htuna]

ORIGINAL: Lowlander

I like to play around with the various graphic mods which are available and found this helps grasp the lie of the land.

Lowlander, what is the name of this MOD? and do they make it for Panzer Campaigns as well? I like it! I prefer the Nato symbols.. but the ground work looks excellent on this one!

[eastwindrain]

I found these files in the mod section at www.campaigns-france.org/

Copy them to the Map folder of the title you want to convert.
Remember and save the original files first, however they can be recovered from the game disc.
I use the show hexes in 2D to help with the undulations.

I don't know who the author was but the boy done real good !!!.
But made a minor alteration, I had to crop off the bottom then add the sand tiles which were not present, works with all the PZC/MC games including 1914, BUT NOT ANY OF THE MED TITLES.
But a 2D desert terrain mod is also available at this site.

The file is TOO LARGE to upload it's only around 1.2MB zipped.
Send me a e-mail l'll attach the zip file for anybody who want's them.

[jomni]

ORIGINAL: 06 Maestro
I can't imagine having to give orders to every single unit on the map-that would be insanity.

This is the same reason why I don't play TOAW anymore.

[jomni]

Well JTCS looks similar to HPS and SB games but JTCS looks more polished despite being older.
Is it just me or the John Tiller games are really a treat when playing PBEM?  I'm having so much fun doing JTCS and SB pbem compared to my other PBEM games.
Are PzC John Tiller games as well?

[htuna]

ORIGINAL: Lowlander

I found these files in the mod section at www.campaigns-france.org/

Copy them to the Map folder of the title you want to convert.
Remember and save the original files first, however they can be recovered from the game disc.
I use the show hexes in 2D to help with the undulations.

I don't know who the author was but the boy done real good !!!.
But made a minor alteration, I had to crop off the bottom then add the sand tiles which were not present, works with all the PZC/MC games including 1914, BUT NOT ANY OF THE MED TITLES.
But a 2D desert terrain mod is also available at this site.

The file is TOO LARGE to upload it's only around 1.2MB zipped.
Send me a e-mail l'll attach the zip file for anybody who want's them.

Thanks I downloaded it.. thanks for sharing!

[Adam Parker]

ORIGINAL: UniformYankee

All, in all this looks like a more polished and complete effort, than a number of the more recent PzC or Modern Campaigns, so I suspect I will play it longer as well.

Great write-up UY! Keep it coming.

Also really appreciate the screen pics V22 and Lowlander. Those map and unit box graphics are indeed very fresh - I mean something that looks like a real pleasure to game over. The hex outlines are a great look and surprise!

I wish something could be done with the 2d NATO icons - some descriptive text on them etc. Might mean bigger counters of course but I'm still not a fan of the 3d look unfortunately.

Guys, can you post some more pics such as the arty planning dialog that UY refers to? The 3d zoom out too?

Btw what are those diamond icons in V22's pic? A new way to represent broken and unknown units etc?

Hope HPS can pull this one off AI-wise with great success.

[eastwindrain]

ORIGINAL: cmurphy625

ORIGINAL: Lowlander

I found these files in the mod section at www.campaigns-france.org/

Copy them to the Map folder of the title you want to convert.
Remember and save the original files first, however they can be recovered from the game disc.
I use the show hexes in 2D to help with the undulations.

I don't know who the author was but the boy done real good !!!.
But made a minor alteration, I had to crop off the bottom then add the sand tiles which were not present, works with all the PZC/MC games including 1914, BUT NOT ANY OF THE MED TITLES.
But a 2D desert terrain mod is also available at this site.

The file is TOO LARGE to upload it's only around 1.2MB zipped.
Send me a e-mail l'll attach the zip file for anybody who want's them.

Thanks I downloaded it.. thanks for sharing!

That's the Kharkov mod but remember the 2D terrain files don't have any sand hexes, but again maybe you'll prefer this as we all have different tastes, however if you want the altered files just contact me.

[eastwindrain]

ORIGINAL: Adam Parker

ORIGINAL: UniformYankee

All, in all this looks like a more polished and complete effort, than a number of the more recent PzC or Modern Campaigns, so I suspect I will play it longer as well.

Great write-up UY! Keep it coming.

Also really appreciate the screen pics V22 and Lowlander. Those map and unit box graphics are indeed very fresh - I mean something that looks like a real pleasure to game over. The hex outlines are a great look and surprise!

I wish something could be done with the 2d NATO icons - some descriptive text on them etc. Might mean bigger counters of course but I'm still not a fan of the 3d look unfortunately.

Guys, can you post some more pics such as the arty planning dialog that UY refers to? The 3d zoom out too?

Btw what are those diamond icons in V22's pic? A new way to represent broken and unknown units etc?

Hope HPS can pull this one off AI-wise with great success.

Another 2D zoom in level would be excellent.
The diamond icons are
B for broken
D for demoralized
? for a unknown enemy unit

[eastwindrain]

Can only attach one pic per post, to be honest I'm still playing catch up as my current games of HPS Budapest'45 and Matrix WitP/AE which is absoulutely superb take up most of my time.
When War in the East is released I think I just check into a nursing home with my PC, a bed wash and served meals should be enough of a distraction.

[pvthudson01]

That is a terrible view. I play in the 3D unit counter view. Show people that and they may like it better!

[pvthudson01]

ORIGINAL: Slick Wilhelm

Wow, I had forgotten how dated the HPS engine's graphics are, but there's no denying that it's easier to see that ridge to the South of Charleroi in the 3D mode.

I don't need the latest graphics to make me happy, but something above 256 colors would be nice...ufda!

Like I said these screens are the worst possible views to post in this game and I am not sure why people insist on doing that

The game with the right mods does fine you can see some good shots here of Panzer Campaigns France 40 AAR:

http://thewarrealm.com/?p=2112

That is the way you SHOULD play the game

[eastwindrain]

ORIGINAL: pvthudson01

ORIGINAL: Slick Wilhelm

Wow, I had forgotten how dated the HPS engine's graphics are, but there's no denying that it's easier to see that ridge to the South of Charleroi in the 3D mode.

I don't need the latest graphics to make me happy, but something above 256 colors would be nice...ufda!

Like I said these screens are the worst possible views to post in this game and I am not sure why people insist on doing that

The game with the right mods does fine you can see some good shots here of Panzer Campaigns France 40 AAR:

http://thewarrealm.com/?p=2112

That is the way you SHOULD play the game

We are all different and thank god for that.



Here is a AAR of the Minsk'44 campaign designed for HTH play which I completed a few years back.
www.theblitz.org/message_boards/showthr ... ?tid=47226