I knew I shouldn't have done it!

[GJK]

I remember the non-scrolling map was an issue with Schwerpunkt's "Anglo-German War". Dave Ferguson used a freeware program (Macro) that added map scrolling- I've just looked that up and he used the program from http://www.autohotkey.com/. The scripting language is a bit beyond me, but perhaps some motivated individual could write the script that would enable scrolling. You can also macro in hotkeys for some of the menu items if they are really daring.

[gothfather]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

ORIGINAL: Adam Parker
Anyway, I also note that someone edited my first post above phantomly. OK they took a reference out regarding the Matrix-approved retail outlet where I bough the game. The only true war gaming shop in Australia. But it was a pretty stupid thing to do since I also helped sell a copy of "Battleground" to another consumer whilst I was there.

As far as I'm aware, no one has edited your post.

I see Matrix more and more now as a dumping ground for prototypes and poor re-releases of games and it's such a shame as to me they pioneered digital downloading and brought back the printed manual. Awesome things for the hobby.

To be frank, If you could back up that criticism with some well-argued facts, I would pay attention to it. I don't find the body of evidence you've amassed so far to be particularly convincing.

In all honesty, Frank's games have never had the slickest interfaces, but the design and gameplay are his strong suit and Guns of August has that in spades. In the end, that's what games are really about after all. I think most folks know what they're expecting from a Frank Hunter game and in a market of lone developers you have to realize that it's not possible for a game developed by one person to not reflect that person's style.

When it comes to HL, you reported one crash - I've seen a few other reports but overall the game is extremely stable. As far as AT goes, again take a look at the forums - the vast majority of gamers are singing its praises and your criticism comes down to map labels.

Regards,

- Erik

I beg to differ about GoA having "design and gameplay are his strong suit and Guns of August has that in spades." When you have the AI teleporting encircled units multiple hexes through enemy controlled hexes and enemy units to shore up a completely open front you do not have a well designed game you have a rather poorly designed game that has one suitable place for it the dung heap.

Until the magical trains issue is fixed this game is nothing but crap.

Lets talk about another designed feature, the save game files. The coding for them is crap. If you want to place you saved game files in your my documents/my games/GoA folder the game can't handle it. It MUST have the games in the GOA savedgames file. Thats POOR GAME DESIGN.

I like all my save game files to be an extention of my "my documents folder" so that I can install and unistall games freely without worry about my save games. Well designed games handle this rather wll. Poorly designed games do not.

[gothfather]

You can include me in that minority as well. i bought the game at my local hobbie store solely on the subject.

[SMK-at-work]

I beg to differ about GoA having "design and gameplay are his strong suit and Guns of August has that in spades." When you have the AI teleporting encircled units multiple hexes through enemy controlled hexes and enemy units to shore up a completely open front you do not have a well designed game you have a rather poorly designed game that has one suitable place for it the dung heap.

 
that was only put in the game that was intended for you....no one else has the problem [:D]

[freder]

ORIGINAL: gothfather

game that has one suitable place for it the dung heap.

this game is nothing but crap.

the save game files. The coding for them is crap. Thats POOR GAME DESIGN.

Could you please tone down a bit. The quantity of your "craps" begins to irritate me.

ORIGINAL: gothfather
I like all my save game files to be an extention of my "my documents folder" so that I can install and unistall games freely without worry about my save games. Well designed games handle this rather wll. Poorly designed games do not.

And I DON'T like my save game files to be an extention of my "my documents folder"! You really should go out some more.

[EUBanana]

This is actually the only Matrix game I've actually really liked.  WITP I enjoyed enough in pbem, but it wasnt 'real like', it was more, an interesting long term game which is a novel experience to play.

Starshatter, CaW, COTA - didn't like any of them.  I thought COTA was actually really bad, despite a lot of people who seem to really like it.  GoA, I still play the odd game against the AI now, months after buying it.  If I had more time I'd be pbemming.  

[MarkShot]

Can I ask why you thought COTA was really bad?

Thanks.

[EUBanana]

ORIGINAL: MarkShot

Can I ask why you thought COTA was really bad?

Thanks.

Didn't really see much strategy to it. It plays like an RTS (OK, an accurate-ish war themed RTS) but compared to other RTS's I just found it unsatisfying. No options. I... storm a bridge. Because I have to. The same bridge, because I have to. Not much concerned with flanking or anything like that, it seems. Click click, keep the artillery firing on target, grab a bundle of units, send them at an objective, rinse, repeat...

I think Sid Meiers Gettysburg was a bit similar, actually - with the whole 'delay mode, fight mode, or move fast mode' sort of thing going on, but I think compared to games like Warcraft 3 - ok not WW2, but an RTS, and COTA is essentially an RTS, albeit a rather different one - COTA just doesn't give me much to do. I'm not hanging on every move made like in WC3.

[06 Maestro]

Wow EU B. They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder-I guess it must be true. The CotA game I look at, every bridge that needs to be secured, captured, or destroyed, is a story in itself. The task forces that are required for every advance, or withdrawal, have their organization affected by unique circumstances of friendly/enemy forces, terrain, and very importantly, the amount of time allowed to reach the various objectives. The real map complete with realistic lines of sight are an amazing feat for a game of this scale. In short, CotA is the most remarkable/entertaining/realistic operational games I have ever seen, and in general, one of the best games I have ever come across.

The amount of "clicking" is completely up to the players' style (so long as the heat of battle does not cause an over controlling impulse). If you like, you can tell your highest HQ to take the objectives, complete with way points, and sit back and watch. Of course, this would be playing as a Field Marshall, rather than a divisional, or corps commander.

I hope you are enjoying your current games, but if you get bored, perhaps you should take another look at CotA. It is a different type of animal and takes a little more time. We all have our own "custom" wish lists for the perfect game-I don't expect anyone to match mine exactly, but it looks like you rushed through CotA a bit.

[EUBanana]

ORIGINAL: 06 Maestro

Wow EU B. They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder-I guess it must be true. The CotA game I look at, every bridge that needs to be secured, captured, or destroyed, is a story in itself. The task forces that are required for every advance, or withdrawal, have their organization affected by unique circumstances of friendly/enemy forces, terrain, and very importantly, the amount of time allowed to reach the various objectives. The real map complete with realistic lines of sight are an amazing feat for a game of this scale. In short, CotA is the most remarkable/entertaining/realistic operational games I have ever seen, and in general, one of the best games I have ever come across.

The amount of "clicking" is completely up to the players' style (so long as the heat of battle does not cause an over controlling impulse). If you like, you can tell your highest HQ to take the objectives, complete with way points, and sit back and watch. Of course, this would be playing as a Field Marshall, rather than a divisional, or corps commander.

I hope you are enjoying your current games, but if you get bored, perhaps you should take another look at CotA. It is a different type of animal and takes a little more time. We all have our own "custom" wish lists for the perfect game-I don't expect anyone to match mine exactly, but it looks like you rushed through CotA a bit.

I have tried CotA out repeatedly, its been on and off my drive more than any other game I think. I read other people raving about it and every so often wonder what it is that I'm missing exactly, so I fire it up - only to be bored, once again. I do have extreme difficulty completing any of the scenarios because I just find them so dull I'm practically asleep at the keys, but i have forced myself through a few of them, to no avail as regards enjoying the game.

I like GoA because I'm making decisions all the time, be it where to spend trench points, where to attack, or whatever. I liked WITP as well for similar reasons (though so big as to be unwieldy, but I liked it anyway). Sacrilege to many games here to mention the unholy I'm sure, but in Warcraft 3 I make decisions all the time too. In CotA there were no decisions, beyond give a waypoint, and watch the fireworks, in gameplay it was about the most simplistic RTS I have ever seen. Sure, the line of sight and such is no doubt interesting, and maybe the combat system is highly accurate - I don't know. But its very hands off, and I don't like RTS (or strategy) games which have me as mere spectator to events, which is how CotA makes me feel.