Questions about the C3 tab

[FroBodine]

Looking at the C3 tab, I think I understand most things on this tab, except the Future Cycle number in minutes, and the little chart at the bottom.

1. What exactly does Future Cycle -> 16 mins (for example) mean? Does that mean I have 16 minutes from the time I press Start until I can give orders again? If not, what does it mean? Especially since at the top by the Start button, it says 18 minutes to British orders. Then, when I start the turn, it says '18 minutes of game resolution is about to commence.' I don't get it.

3. What does the chart at the bottom of the C3 tab tell me exactly? In the tutorial, when it tells me to look at the C3 tab, I see the British bars have an 18 in one box, and a 16e in the next box, both to the right of the Now line. The Soviet bars have a 24 in one box, and a 24e in the next box, also both to the right of the Now line. What the heck does this mean?

There seems to be quite a lot of explanations missing from the manual and tutorials, and it is getting frustrating. However, I REALLY appreciate the developers on this forum being very active and answering everyone's questions. I will keep them coming as I get to them. Heck, I just want to get into some battle! But, I also want to understand everything.

Sorry for being so verbose, I can't help it.

[Vyshka]

Yes, it is saying that it should be 16 minutes until the next orders cycle for you. The chart shows the recent cycles for both sides. I believe the last one with the e is showing the estimate for the next cycle.

[CapnDarwin]

Vyshka is correct. The future cycle is estimated for both sides since events in the current command cycle may change that number.

I personally take any blame for limited or brief information in the manual and apologize if some areas are too vague. If there was one element of our development of the game prior to launch we would change, it would be the documentation work. Due to a number of factors, the details of I won't bore you with, we got into the documents much later than we had planned. That is one reason the Modding Guide is still on my desktop being worked and not out at launch. I am making a list of those areas you guys are finding that need revised content and getting them on a list so I can at least update the Game Manual Errata thread and also use that information to update the PDF at some point.

Thanks for your understanding and telling us what information is lacking.

[FroBodine]

Thank you Vyshka and Capn Darwin!

So, why the discrepancy between the top number that shows, "18 minutes to British orders", and the C3 chart that shows, "Future cycle -> 16 mins"?

[CapnDarwin]

The 18 minutes is the current resolution to your next orders input. The 16 minutes is an est imate of what your next turn time will be.

[FroBodine]

Got it. Thanks!