Matrix Games Forums

Amazing Mod, thought I am confused on ship naming. Maybe it my OCD but the lack of a coherent naming scheme does throw me off a but. Mainly I'm very confused on the "Oyama Iwao" class, it fits no naming scheme and feels more like a name from something relating to fantasy. The IJN named their battleships after ancient provinces or alternate/archaic names for Japan so this name sticks out like a sore thumb.

This isn't meant to be an insult, just a bit confused. Other than that it an amazing mod.

Ah, well, yes, these icons are always going to attract scrutiny. I accept that. Please wait for the update - it's even more depth, more chrome, and more choices. A lot more stages of aircraft development and late was some serious choices for Japan though they are not all as good as they seem in terms of building the planes esp. And a large Art update.

Yes, that naming scheme is very different for some late-war ships - I am always open to suggestions, but in this case, these two ships, which are the Super Yamato's, do differ too much to be called that, really so... ( which have again been modified in the new update ) are named after iconic commanders like -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%8Cyama_Iwao

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kodama_Gentar%C5%8D

Originally, I wanted some new art, but the one I found was not really what I wanted. Then recently I found a much better one, but there was a problem with that, and now it's fixed, so I used the opportunity to update these two.

Should be out late this week as waiting for new update on art from Viberpol otherwise it will have to wait a week as on hols in Portugal - and I want this to be the last serious update as its been going nearly 5 years now.

Thanks for the interest in the mod indeed.

Cav

All mods are finished, but need re-checking and another re-check. I have not got time to do it before I leave for hols in Portugal - So it will be done by late next week. Do not want to have to do hot patches. So in the meantime, here are a few screens.

Been adding a lot more detail. chrome and immersion in many, many more choices for both sides. Viberpol ( Ark) has given a lot of good suggestions and reworked a lot of plane art, as well as adding more; it's going to be even better. Some ship art slightly revised as well. Note, I have been careful not to clutter the map with loads more units. Just a few that add more chrome and a diverse feel.

more

Range on the martin is wrong thats an old screen...

I think the Oyama Iwao would've used the 203mm/55 Type 93 guns as secondary armerment. The A-150 class would be engaging ships at longer range so that combined with the fact that airpower is envisioned as less as a threat makes me thingthey would have used 203mm over the 155mm.

Of course this is more speculation. There no much concrete info on the A-150 design.

Actually... TBH I thought this as well, and it would fit in with the arrival of another hypothetical ship...Let me consider and finalise the update this week.

Many reports put masses of 3.9 inchers on these concepts, but I think I agree with you, they would have gone for an additional, heavier weapon. I did reduce the 3.9 inchers, but also, I guess we would see a more bespoke secondary weapon for this ship, as it's not relying on a hand-me-down from another ship.

Cav

So what's cooking? Whats the delay??

We are still running through some playtesting and considering new player suggestions from ongoing games ( and a few minor glitches resolved). Plus, Viberpol has introduced some new ideas on late-war Aircraft for Japan. And he has helped upgrade a lot of plane art and added new plane art... corrections to plane names...we are going to love it.

I am going over almost everything in the mod x 6scn, looking for minor glitches and better cohesion with revised dates on arrivals and availability, etc. But all the things that have changed have been minor.

But TT have had a huge overhaul with new research on extra historical versions and tech progression missing from the game for both sides. This means there are about 10 new TT in the game, almost all being a progression of existing types (you get these as new planes arrive and ships upgrade). In addition, I took a brave jump and rated TT in their ability (in a fairly generic way) to penetrate the strongest BB belts= 300mm +. All play testing has shown this working well. For player information, 60-80% of TT hits do not hit the belt and always penetrate anyway - despite the playback message saying it's a belt penetration - now some hits, maybe 10 or 20% by lighter TT on thick belts, will not penetrate. See the notes in the PDF.

I have also gone over every small Nation, especially on air, to ensure there is some sort of realistic and plausible progression in their involvement.

Made the TOE for many land units more interesting.

More planes to use, mainly odds and ends, and rare types, some in small packets, just to fill in a few holes. Some because we like them, not because they are so much use!

A lot more ship conversions have been added on both sides to give players a much wider choice. A few missing ships and a few obsolete ships have been added.

The start of the game has also been made even tighter with scope for plenty of action early on.

It's a big job to get right, so please bear with me for this new 5 version. everything that is important should work with existing games esp as most of oit is late war.

Cav

Keep on chugging Michael....GP

Yes, well thanks I made a rod for my own back, making 6 versions, so every adjustment is x 6 . Awaiting some extra art, then we are about there, and it should be early next week.

Thanks for the support - appreciated.

cav

Almost there.... still correcting and adding new art ( we found one problem now corrected) and going over everything with a fine-tooth comb...

Teasers ....

Sorry for the delay - there is so much to check and to make sure all the art works ok - which with air is not 100% - but its getting there . Ark is now on holiday I may choose to wait until he is back as there are a few planes that need better and or correct art.

Here are some more teasers - the start of the game has a lot of obsolete planes and ships. Because both sides have to some extent - makes for a lot of fun

Japan - tech starts slow then rapidly advances in this mod...

It looks awesome!! Probably the only mod I want to try.

sachiel24 wrote: Tue Oct 14, 2025 5:00 pm It looks awesome!! Probably the only mod I want to try.

Now that is a compliment !

Cavalry Corp wrote: Tue Oct 14, 2025 6:49 pm

sachiel24 wrote: Tue Oct 14, 2025 5:00 pm It looks awesome!! Probably the only mod I want to try.

Now that is a compliment !

You deserve it Michael ....GP

What is the IJN late-war 20mm Type 39 AA gun based off?
Can't seems to find anything in regards to that gun irl.

Dear PVC,

Thanks for this. FYI, the DB is being gone over at the moment, looking for loads of stuff and averaging out some values where opinions differ with research, so please wait for that. You can find innumerable values for guns and huge conflicts, the most important thing is that it must work in the game. We have to take notice of the values in stock as they are used in the hard-coding of combat, bend them, yes, but break them, no.


Now this answer is only in relation the evolution of J AA in Empire, as I am beavering away on the final patch and enhancements to have it out next week.

First, you will not find anything on this gun; they are hypothetical. But I am glad it felt plausible, I hope.... Some weapons, ships, and planes are ones that could have been possible; others are hypothetical.

In this mod, we have a low-tech start that also means some ships have less AA than historical, as well as less ASW. However, we also have accelerated late-war Tech and tech that would be firmly outside WW2. As regards J AA, it is assumed that by late 41 J became aware that it needed new and better guns (we already have much more widespread use of the 3.9 inch DP starting mid 42 - but its not enough but that gun is already just coming into service). But we cannot give Japan hindsight, so things are a bit slow getting off the ground, but accelerate much faster than IRL. Steps are taken 1942 say, to copy the Allied 40mm and develop a very rapid fire/automatic 20 mm in multiples, usually x6, to replace the 25mm (taking the same space). It also has a fire control radar. The result is that gradually, during 1944, these two guns start to be added to or replace the existing. That said, these weapons are still mildly inferior copies of the Bofus 40mm and the Ork 20mm, but they are still a huge improvement on what they have. FYI there is also a new Rapid Fire 14.2cm DP gun for late-war AA Cruisers and a few CVs. There is also a 5-inch slightly improved DP gun starting in 43 on a few new DD.

I have added a glitch in for Japan , that I am assuming ammo for this 20mm gun is problematic in production, so the ammo carried on ships looks a bit low !!

In fact, there is some historical precedent in the US for this kind of gun, which was looking forward to a new rapid-fire 20mm. They were also looking at an RF 3-inch to replace the Bofus. I have not added these, but could... but allied ships do have more small 20mm guns ( omitted by stock but actually seems historical).

https://www.history.navy.mil/our-collec ... -4709.html

So I have a lot of historical stuff and tons of obsolete weapons at the start, but by 43 we should think 44, and by mid 44 we are thinking 45-46, etc.

Hope this helps. Does it sound ok? I am very keen to make things plausible.

Now, how do they pay out? People will ask. The answer is in my game, just finished. I noticed more Allied planes damaged, but not many more actual losses. These guns have been tweaked upward a touch in the update based on that. They are still just under the Allied stuff. Plus, some A planes are just a touch tougher than stock.

Please have a look at the new game when it's out. There is bound to be another small patch as I am trying to edit the X6 scn for every tweak or change. all feedback welcome.

Cav

Still working again through all the DB again, etc, etc, etc.... waiting on final bits of new art as well.

more