Matrix Games Forums

Really? Well, maybe I'll take a look. It just struck me as funny. A space game in AT lol.

I have just one question. It is possible now to lock historical formation to have i.e. tanks replacements used to fill (or only tank formations and leg infantry only infantry division? The same with the possibility to move subformations between units. In the old AT after a while historical formations become a soup...

ORIGINAL: JMass

I have just one question. It is possible now to lock historical formation to have i.e. tanks replacements used to fill (or only tank formations and leg infantry only infantry division? The same with the possibility to move subformations between units. In the old AT after a while historical formations become a soup...

ATG, like AT, is not a "unit-centric" game. The "units" are just buckets for SFT's (sub formation types).
So the direct answer is no it's not possible to lock the units.
However Vic mentioned that there might be a way to do it through the use of cards for reinforcements. My modding skills are really rusty so I can't help more than that.

Will still be tons of fun to play.
Esp with the new feature of real logistics, oil/ fuel will really mean planning to create ur forces.

Mobile and Fast and hungry for fuel.
1 horsepower but less hungry.

Will create a few headaches.


Mat

ORIGINAL: 82ndtrooper

the space game scenario is actually well built with a very different play style and fun to play. [;)]

Wait, the space game scenario is a real thing? Awesome! I'd love to play that! Where can I get it?

I once had this crazy idea that I wanted to build a group of scenarios that were based off of Emperor of the Fading Suns (remember that awesome game). IMHO the AT system would word very well with that.

However, I am not a scenario editor and know nothing about it. So that stopped me!

Rich, glad to be helpful. Hope you buy and enjoy ATG!

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

Yes, we're planning to release during April, hopefully in the next two weeks or so and we will offer owners of the original Advanced Tactics a $15 discount on this new release. Also, AT Gold can open, play and edit all your old Advanced Tactics scenarios, it is fully backwards compatible.

Great decision, Erik!

ORIGINAL: Son_of_Montfort

ORIGINAL: 82ndtrooper

the space game scenario is actually well built with a very different play style and fun to play. [;)]

Wait, the space game scenario is a real thing? Awesome! I'd love to play that! Where can I get it?

I once had this crazy idea that I wanted to build a group of scenarios that were based off of Emperor of the Fading Suns (remember that awesome game). IMHO the AT system would word very well with that.

However, I am not a scenario editor and know nothing about it. So that stopped me!

Rich, glad to be helpful. Hope you buy and enjoy ATG!

Montfort, if you like Fading Suns (I'm a huge fan too), then check out Space Opera in the scenerio bank. It was in part inspired by the old Fading Suns computer game. Only thing is, it's a human only scenerio. I honestly haven't tried it with the AI, but in order to simulate the Space/Ground thing, I had to play around with the mechanics in such a way that I don't think the AI will really be able to handle.

There are a bunch of other good space/sci-fi scenereo's in the bank as well, I believe.

Lunaticus did a couple of space game mods, one for random games and one more of a scenario I believe. There are quite a departure from the basic WWII smash 'em up so it'll take a bit to get used to them.

Is there a list of exactly what changes and additions to AT that ATG includes anywhere? I may well be missing the obvious, but I can't spot one.

I only find this http://www.vrdesigns.nl/?p=97 i dont know if have all new features... expect that it help you.

From memory here is a list of ATG additions/changes that I've noted. Has been awhile since I played AT so hopefully my list doesn't include things in the original game. Correct me if it does. I'm also sure I've probably left stuff out. The biggest change affecting game play, in my humble opinion, is that captured enemy cities can not produce combat units. The second biggest would be the addition of resources (oil and ore).

Random Game Changes
At start countries with a standing infantry army in place
Countries start at peace
Costs 20PPs to declare war
AI players randomly declare war on other AI and human players
Can make alliances with other human players
Can give hexes to an ally
Can give units to an ally
Can trace supply through ally's territory
Can stack with ally's units
Automatic map sharing with ally (they see everything you see)

Production
Oil and Raw (ore) hexes added to map
Motorized units consume fuel (oil) as they move
Production of "metal" units consume ore.
Captured enemy cities can only produce Political Points, recycled oil or ore.
Can build factories - Gun, Plane and Tank

Units
Torpedo Bombers
Strategic Bombers
Mobile Assault Guns
Tank Destroyers

Miscellaneous
Three zoom modes
Beautiful new map graphics
New unit graphics
Revamped Random Game creation panel
More powerful scenario editor
In general, defense against attack is slightly stronger.
Armored units, without infantry support in the same hex, are more vulnerable to infantry attacks.

ORIGINAL: Hertston

Is there a list of exactly what changes and additions to AT that ATG includes anywhere? I may well be missing the obvious, but I can't spot one.

Webizen, thanks for including pics from the editor. AT has the best game editor I've encountered - not necessarily the easiest, but the more powerful the tool, the more there is to learn.

As far as the concerns about the AI, I agree with the chorus of comments about, but can also say that I've never found ANY game with AI that is truly satisfactory. In most cases, the AI plays as sort of a "hive mind" - as if you were competing against a nest of termites or colony of ants. No masterfully strategic moves or surprises, but more of an overall swarming of masses of troops. That is just the way AI is for any game. That said, if I play against multiple AI with one or two nations set at AI+, I usually have a challenge at hand. Similarly, with the game editor, you can create events or edit other factors to make the AI more competitive and give it some personality.

My opinion here is biased or course, as I am a hopeless game editor addict. I will buy the expanded game, and whittle away hundreds of hours of my life experimenting with the editor, and maybe, just maybe, even play a game or two.
cheers,

ORIGINAL: Webizen

The biggest change affecting game play, in my humble opinion, is that captured enemy cities can not produce combat units.

... which will blow the bottom out of the game ...

ORIGINAL: Webizen

Automatic map sharing with ally (they see everything you see)

Just curious. If the Romulans are allied to the Cardassians, they would see the Cardassians' map. However if the Cardassians were also allied to the Klingons, the Cardassians would see the Klingons' map. The Romulans and Klingons are not allied, for reasons we all know. However, both their maps would be part of what the Cardassians would see - would the Romulans then also see the Klingons' map?

You know, they would really love to. [:'(]

ORIGINAL: Westheim

... which will blow the bottom out of the game ...

What do you mean? Is this a positive or negative statement?

re "... which will blow the bottom out of the game ..." -- Disagree. I believe that in play testing random games that this feature has proven to have a positive effect on game play. Combined with at start countries and at start infantry armies, it does have the potential to create longer lasting games. The one city start games with its attendant race to discover more cities faster than your opponent are over (caveat - there is still a 1 city start option for those who wish to play that style of game). The snowballing affect of capturing your opponent's cities and churning out ever more units is also over. Basically, by capturing your opponent's cities you have reduced his ability to turn out more infantry and supply. By using captured enemy cites to produce Political Points, you can then increase troop production in your own cites by lessening the amount of Political Points produced in your own cities.

re "Automatic map sharing with ally (they see everything you see)" -- A and B are allied. C is allied with A but not B. C will only see of B what A's units can see. That said, I'd advise all players not to offer or enter into alliances without much thought about the purpose and intent of that alliance.

ORIGINAL: Westheim

ORIGINAL: Webizen

The biggest change affecting game play, in my humble opinion, is that captured enemy cities can not produce combat units.

... which will blow the bottom out of the game ...

ORIGINAL: Webizen

Automatic map sharing with ally (they see everything you see)

Just curious. If the Romulans are allied to the Cardassians, they would see the Cardassians' map. However if the Cardassians were also allied to the Klingons, the Cardassians would see the Klingons' map. The Romulans and Klingons are not allied, for reasons we all know. However, both their maps would be part of what the Cardassians would see - would the Romulans then also see the Klingons' map?

You know, they would really love to. [:'(]

Ok, not a positive statement. I like the new rules better.

ORIGINAL: rich12545

ORIGINAL: Westheim

... which will blow the bottom out of the game ...

What do you mean? Is this a positive or negative statement?

Negative.

As I said before, this kills random games for me, and random games is all I play.

ORIGINAL: Westheim

ORIGINAL: rich12545

ORIGINAL: Westheim

... which will blow the bottom out of the game ...

What do you mean? Is this a positive or negative statement?

Negative.

As I said before, this kills random games for me, and random games is all I play.

In all fairness, we have to play the game to give it a fair judgement. My hunch so far it could be a *big* improvement, because many random games ( like you I play them mostly) tend to end up in a rush, capture as many as fast as you can. That probably is still the same, only it won't end up in the many huge armies I many times ended up with. There was always a tipping point at which I couldn't lose anymore, I *hope* (so not sure yet ofcourse) this tipping point will be much later in the game---> longer games with less all powerfull armies ---> more fun.
So I'd say it's positive. Gonna buy it anyways so I can judge it better within a few weeks or so. We'll see.

If you can build factories, could you not just build a factory near a captured city and churn out units?

Can the AI use factories now?

Re first question: Yes - artillery type units, planes and armored units. (not infantry/infantry support weapons or trucks).

Re second question: Yes they do and the AI has built some in every game I've played against the AI.

ORIGINAL: Son_of_Montfort

If you can build factories, could you not just build a factory near a captured city and churn out units?

Can the AI use factories now?