Matrix Games Forums

As the topic says, what other information do you want to see or ask questions about?

Fire away!

What is the maximum map size and number of units in an individual scenario?

Good questions.
1. Max Map Size - Right now the standard maps cover 20 x 15 km. About 48 x 31 hexes. Both larger and smaller maps are possible. Most computers might handle 40 x 30km. We will need to do some testing to give a more firm number.

2. Max Number of Units - Honestly not sure.. We have dumped an entire US brigade on the map and that is footprint overkill on the standard map. Same for the Soviets. That is over a 100 units per side. We will have better practical numbers as we get things ready for release and get the documentation done.

Basically the larger the map and the more units in the battle the longer the game will take to play. Pretty much like any other war game.

Is there plans for expansion with theme of Yugoslav Wars 1991-1995? How versatile is engine for simulating such conflict and how easy would it be to make scenarios using editor from first game release (making OOB for non included armies, proficiency for different sides...)?

Wouldn't a 20x15km map be about the right size for a divisional breakthrough [&:]

ORIGINAL: Koesj

Wouldn't a 20x15km map be about the right size for a divisional breakthrough [&:]

If you spaced out the arrival of forces you probably could. A typical Soviet MRD uses a frontage of 10-25km wide (tall vs 15km in game) and can stretch over 150km deep (wide vs game at 20km). Plus you need to have some NATO forces on the map. You might be able to make a bigger map as stated above. The idea was to stay around brigade/regiment max for the map size used.

Will you have some functionality similar to the Quiet SFX and General Game Delay Factor as was in the previous game? These capabilities greatly speeded up turn resolution.

RangerX3X,

Yes there is a FX tab in the game that allows for a number of effects and the delay to be turned on/off or set in the case of the delay. [8D]

When's the DAR starting [:D]

Let me play catch up here:

1. Is there plans for expansion with theme of Yugoslav Wars 1991-1995? How versatile is engine for simulating such conflict and how easy would it be to make scenarios using editor from first game release (making OOB for non included armies, proficiency for different sides...)?

A1). Not on the short list for expansions, but we do want to get other decades in the game over time. With a bit of work you could use the tools and the files to make a module of to cover the conflict.


2. Map size update.

A2). I did build and test a map twice the size of the standard. 40km x 30km last night. It did work with some issues and workarounds. Hexdraw could not go big enough for a basic map. I used 4 standard maps and stitched them together in my pain program. I dumped about a 150 units on the map with close to 1300 sub-units. The game did run. A little slow, but with all the debug code and not being fully optimized the speed right now is not reflective of the final product. The bigger the scenario gets the longer it will take just on all of the calculations and it is a geometric increase.


3. When is the DAR starting?

A3.) I'm sure Steve would like to get that going now, after coming back from vacation he has had a shift of focus in his day job and has been busy with that and also getting the last of the scenarios going (slightly higher priority in-house than the DAR, [:D]). As soon as he can get in sync with everything again I'm sure the DAR will pop.

I have a question that runs through my head:
How is the graphic part of the map is loaded into memory ?
What is the maximum file size supported by the graphics engine, knowing the limitations of size for textures ?

Nick

Nick,

The map used in the game is in two parts. One is the png image file. The standard maps are about 8-10mb. The supporting data file is much smaller. I did the map test last night with a 40 x 30km map and it was around 25mb png image.

I would suspect the game engine could go bigger in raw map size, but the game would become unplayable with too many units on map.

I think folks need to remember the game is of a grand tactical nature and not really scaled for divisional clashes on map. Of course we can't control what you do in the comfort of your own home. [:D]

ORIGINAL: **budd**

When's the DAR starting [:D]

If I were you I'd keep an eye on the DAR thread!! [8D]

There is free time coming to a scenario making effort for me very soon.

Good Hunting.

MR

How many scenarios?
Any randomly generated ones?

Also release date estimate

Looking to ship with 20 or more maps and scenarios.
No random battle generator, but we have a scenario editor. Only takes a few minutes to put a fight together.
Release date. Current target is summer mid to late. being software that is always subject to change. [:D]

Also, looking to ship with at least 1 campaign.

Good Hunting.

MR

Thanks can't wait to buy it!

ORIGINAL: Capn Darwin


No random battle generator, but we have a scenario editor. Only takes a few minutes to put a fight together.
. [:D]

Is the editor similar to FPG which has the faster one time 'ad-hoc' set up but also a more detailed version that can be saved as an actual scenario and played multiple times?

Jack54,

Of course the "detailed" scenarios are the main focus of the scenario editor. There was talk at last night meeting about addition features to speed things up with "saved" formations, auto bridge finding, etc. There will still be some discussions of what can be done. The hope on our end is that folks will make a large number of scenarios and post them for people to play. That way you can always find something to jump into.