Matrix Games Forums

Hello All,

The v1.01 Public Beta update for Gary Grigsby’s Eagle Day to Bombing of the Reich is now available in our Members Club. This update resolves many of the most pressing issues from the release version, mainly regarding Speed and Graphic issues in newer multi-core systems.

How to download the Public Beta update:

Register your copy of Gary Grigsby’s Eagle Day to Bombing of the Reich in our Members Club here:

http://www.matrixgames.com/community/login.asp

Then go to My Games and Private Downloads for Gary Grigsby’s Eagle Day to Bombing of the Reich and you should find the v1.01 Public Beta.

This is a beta, so please give us feedback on it, so we can improve it if needed. We’ve added a number of new Options to address the issues with Dual and Multi-core systems. In our experience, they make it possible for every system to get the best performance out of Gary Grigsby's Eagle Day to Bombing of the Reich. They are defined below and we recommend that every player give them a try as they may improve performance on older systems as well. Please try every combination until you find what works best for you, as different system components have generated different responses. After starting a game open the Game Options (Ctrl-O), on the bottom of the screen are these additional options.

Global Performance Options

Screen - Changing these will require you to close and restart the game to take effect.

1) Set DirectDraw Software Emulation - toggles Microsoft Hardware Emulation on/off. Turning it off improves display speed, but may create graphic issues on some systems.
2) Use Windowed Mode - toggle to run in a Window or the Full screen.

Processor Affinity - Changes will take affect after the end of the current phase.

1) All Cores, Core 0, Core 1, etc. - If you have a dual/multi core, lets you choose which core to use. Running the Game on a single CPU can improve preformance, especially with Intel processors. This will only list the first four CPUs if you have more than four.
2) Change Processor Affinity Mode - Choose which phases of the game to use a single CPU, you will need to choose a single core above for these options to work. If you are only having issues during one game phase, try restricting it to a single CPU during that phase, especially with AMD processors.

-Startup; Starts the game in single CPU mode. Switches to multi CPU mode if available later.
-Turn Resolution; Switches to the single CPU during intercept phase/ turn resolution.
-Planning Phase; Uses the single CPU only while planning the bombing runs.
-New Game Initialization; Only uses the single CPU while creating a new game.
-Always; Uses the designated CPU to run the game during all phases.
-None; Turns off Processor Affinity settings.


Here is a list of additional changes:

Code fixes

• Waiting Cursor in new games fixed.
• Added a set mouse-cursor function after editing game comments. This should correct the issue of losing the cursor when hitting enter.
• Fixed an issue that prevented some ground forces from being created.
• Fixed the non-responsive buttons in playback.
• Fixed Raids hanging in late game.
• Added production stockpile to the "Production Requirements" screen.
• Added code to top the "review mission" scrollbar in react phase, or focus on mission if one is selected.
• Stopped not-yet-in-production airframes from affecting the requirements. This only applies to post-dated factories, not to production lines changing over.
• Increased research requirements - now operates on a scale from 100 per month if the Aircraft is close to production up to over 800 for very late models in the early game. Basically, the reward for effort is greator the closer you are to production.
• Stopped the "top Pilots" list from being insanely large - limited to 500.

AI Changes

• Stopped AI from upgrading FACs on human control.
• Changed the way the AI finds new Aircraft to upgrade to - it now does NOT skip a generation if there are sufficient Aircraft, it does skip a generation if the first order upgrade is either used once that turn, or has insufficient aircraft. It then tries all Aircraft in the upgrade path, not just the first and second order upgrades. This is to stop the AI from stockpiling late Aircraft while some units were still flying at-start Aircraft.
• Completely rebuilt AI production system. The AI is now more attentive to what's in use, what's in stock and what's in deficit. The AI will now ensure that production in old types continues till there's enough spares to support the existing units, though it does convert a limited number of Facs to get the critical mass. It also makes smart decisions on Parts and Engines, to ensure that there are stocks, and appropriate amounts being built. It will take prod away from anything with a huge pool to something that is lacking. It is no longer constrained by brand (not that it really ever was).Finally, it will convert excess prod in type to research, AND will convert unneeded prod (Like Macchi FACS not in use after the Italian Surrender) to other more needed types.

Graphics

• Reversed the font load order to ensure the default font was the "normal" weight. You'd see the light font after an alt-tab redraw.
• Fixed a bug preventing flight/intercept lines from showing up.
• Fixed the tops and roundels when swapping between BOB and BTR.
• Fixed a hanging scrollbar in reaction phase - review raids.
• Added buttons to choose your scroll speed .
• Added buttons to choose your max game time per RL second. This is the MAX, not a constant speed setting.
• Added code to re-draw after alt-tab.
• Fixed sorting top pilots by mission.
• Fixed side images of RAF Aircraft.

Downloaded and testing. Everything seems to be working well so far. Map scrolling is MUCH better. Also, thanks for adding the scroll speed button option. [:)]

Does it require a restart?

it should have a newer OOB with it, if it does, it will need the OOB for a restart, production will need the OOB, if your old game does not need any of the OOB changes, you can keep going, but the Production changes are Major

Sorry, another q.

If I install SP beta and restart will I need another restart when full release comes out?

What is the planned date for the full release?

Alright that was 2.

Okay last q for now. The download is only 2.38MB. Does that mean the OOB is updated or not?

Unzipping the patch into a different folder reveals there are no OOB ".dat" files.  Only the artwork and .exe.

At first glance speed seems to be improved. Prior to patch I wasn't able to scoll anymore the moment I highlighted AA or ballons at BtR map and every button push had a delay of aprox 5-10 sec. Now, with disabled Direct Draw Emulation, it works as supposed - not that fast, but oh well.

Did not try yet how it behaves when large raids are going on though.

let me check, the OOB was suppost to come with the exe

Sorry guys, original didn't have dat files.
It has been redone to include them.
Please down load again and reinstall if you didn't get the new dat files dated 10/20.

Hey Andrew,
I will be purchasing the game and downloading this weekend. I will include the Hard Shipment as well. Will I need to run this patch over it or will it be part of the software by then?

Later,
KayBay

It's a beta patch so would never be incorporated into the retail download or CD image.

KB

right now it is still a beta patch, so I think you will need to download the patch also

That is correct. Patches are not immediately included in the download version. And this being a beta, you can only add it manually. Once it is official, it can be updated with the games update links.

Installed the patch but unfortunately I have the same issues as before. Very slow scrolling and practically I can't change the flight path of a mission, it's like the game is lagging.

ORIGINAL: Mannock

Installed the patch but unfortunately I have the same issues as before. Very slow scrolling and practically I can't change the flight path of a mission, it's like the game is lagging.

what setting did you set ? did you change the scroll speed ?

ORIGINAL: Hard Sarge

ORIGINAL: Mannock

Installed the patch but unfortunately I have the same issues as before. Very slow scrolling and practically I can't change the flight path of a mission, it's like the game is lagging.

what setting did you set ? did you change the scroll speed ?

I tried both default and setting it to fast. Still has a 2 second delay when I try to scroll (on both options).

Ha! Switched to windowed mode and everything works fine now, with great speed and all.

Time to bomb the Reich I think.

After theoretically installing the beta patch, my splash screen says I have version V0.905d.  The autoupdater says there is a newer version available but it crashes when I tell it to download the update.  I'll try to reinstall the patch to see if it matters.  I haven't tried to run the game yet so maybe it is installed correctly.

edit: The options screen has the new global performance options listed so it looks like it is the patch.

Does this patch include the rail/area fix?