Matrix Games Forums

I hate to bug a guy who just went through a lot to help me, but after reading the Battleship thread I see it's important for you guys to have input. The play testing on the HPS Tiller game taught me how hard what you do is.

Info/questions:
The new field and heavy artillery seems to be at a much higher sound level then other sound effects. It's so loud, my fairly good (if not old) 16 channel sound system is vibrating with every shoot. Man it's really loud! I'm 48, so no: my electric bass amp and the car stereo never get to '11' anymore. I like the power of it but in comparison to other sound effects, it rattles the speakers. I'd sheepishly suggest that be turned down just a tad-but whatever the majority wants, I'll go along with. Maybe you could turn up the other sound effects, and I could just turn down the sound-I don't know what would be easiest programming wise for you guys. I don't think it's my sound system. Personally, some of the new track sound effects are a little annoying too-just a personal taste thing. Just wondering if any others might feel the same way. The 'clank' combined with the heavy artillery described level are different. Others may love the change. I also am not crazy about the 'screaming guy' when units get hit by small arms fire. It sounds strange because we practice theoretical violence so much more violent then any first person shooter games, yet I kinda like some of that violence to be 'implied'. I KNOW and feel bad when I put a unit needlessly into a bad situation and I think about what those real consequences are, but to hear those poor guys scream...It is a reminder though that the pieces represent men. I like to look at these games as teaching tools and exercises in analytical thinking. Some people love 1stP-and I imagine one can learn a lot more than old Squad Leader, but this game is 'class'. A war gamer's game. I'd leave out the screaming. Kinda like assaults on pillboxes. We all know what's happening when a flame-throwing tank makes it's attack, but the graphics have never depicted it.

I also am 'jonesing' for EF corps level action. I will try the Scenario Complexity-level 10's you suggested and I also decided that I need an old XP laptop because I have thousands of bucks in games sitting on the shelf that are perfectly good. I can run the old EF Talonsoft version for Dynamic Campaigns until the fix, but having a time frame might make that unnecessary. The last major fix was last August if I'm not mistaken. It's not a big deal-I need the XP for games that just were not brought forward. I have a dedicated 95 and 98 just for games and will do the same with XP...but I love the new version very much. Just completed my first WF corps action-game performed flawlessly. A/I much more aggressive it seems...

Please don't misunderstand. The new game is great and there's a lot to explore until the EF fix comes out. I can 'make do' with Tsoft for EF corps level campaign for a long time. The new game is just so good, I'd really like to see that working. I've just been off the forum for so long, maybe some of these issues like the screaming guy have already been decided collectively. I just wanted to give you some of my impressions after playing 1.03 and now 2.02. The game is outstanding.

ORIGINAL: Tim41

The new field and heavy artillery seems to be at a much higher sound level then other sound effects. It's so loud, my fairly good (if not old) 16 channel sound system is vibrating with every shoot. Man it's really loud!

Thank you for reporting this Tim41.

So that I can figure the exact sound files, could you please name the units in question. Which nation, which unit (full name if possible).

I played 'The Road to Germany'-. II Corps as the Americans. First battle. I don't know-maybe I'm just 'old', but I was ducking under the desk and hugging carpet. I tried obviously turning down the sound, but the other weapons seemed too low. Then I cut out the sub wof. completely but the Logitech speakers were still vibrating. It was a meeting engagement and the artillery came on in batteries. It was the 8in, 6in,.155mm and 105's (don't know about the 105's-I think the M-7 Priests were lower), US,. I can't give you specific unit names as I don't much pay attention in meeting engagements-you have what comes on the board and I was a bit busy with 'Mr.German', who was very good for an 'Average German Commander'. Don't know but was there a big change in the sound between 1.03 and 2.02? I think so-funny, I was just playing 1.03 a few weeks ago. The artillery pattern now bursts differently-or am I imagining that? Seems improved animation?
Maybe it's just me getting use to the new SE's. I'll play with the equalizer on the system-I think there is one here.
I'm playing RS, Return to the Philippines (?) XIV Corps (I think) now and have had no combat yet...another meeting engagement. I'll let you know. It might be me just being sensitive to the change. Actually, it sure wakes you up at the start of every turn! The game changes are many. It's like taking out a brand new sports car after driving a Pinto. Pretty good Pinto though.
I really hope you don't take anything I suggested as negative-I'm loving the game. I have to get use to some changes. I played all weekend and was on the edge of my seat with it the entire time-down to the last turn on some points. That's fun!

ORIGINAL: Tim41

I played 'The Road to Germany'-. II Corps as the Americans. First battle. I don't know-maybe I'm just 'old', but I was ducking under the desk and hugging carpet. I tried obviously turning down the sound, but the other weapons seemed too low. Then I cut out the sub wof. completely but the Logitech speakers were still vibrating. It was a meeting engagement and the artillery came on in batteries. It was the 8in, 6in,.155mm and 105's (don't know about the 105's-I think the M-7 Priests were lower), US,. I can't give you specific unit names as I don't much pay attention in meeting engagements-you have what comes on the board and I was a bit busy with 'Mr.German', who was very good for an 'Average German Commander'. Don't know but was there a big change in the sound between 1.03 and 2.02? I think so-funny, I was just playing 1.03 a few weeks ago. The artillery pattern now bursts differently-or am I imagining that? Seems improved animation?

Maybe it's just me getting use to the new SE's. I'll play with the equalizer on the system-I think there is one here.
I'm playing RS, Return to the Philippines (?) XIV Corps (I think) now and have had no combat yet...another meeting engagement. I'll let you know. It might be me just being sensitive to the change. Actually, it sure wakes you up at the start of every turn! The game changes are many. It's like taking out a brand new sports car after driving a Pinto. Pretty good Pinto though.

I really hope you don't take anything I suggested as negative-I'm loving the game. I have to get use to some changes. I played all weekend and was on the edge of my seat with it the entire time-down to the last turn on some points. That's fun!

Thank you again Tim41,

Yes, there was a big change in fact between 1.04 and 2.00. From 2.00 lots of sounds were replaced with new ones. It is possible some sound files have too high level of sound.

If you could please once you spot a loud sound next time, write it down. Then, when you have a good few units identified, post them here. I will then look at the respective sound files.

And no, this is not negativity at all. Thank you for reporting these issues. [:)]

Perhaps I made too much out of the 'screaming guy'...which does sound a little 'hammy'. If I was the director of that 'movie', that might be edited in post production...I find Mr. Tiller tends to add some humor here and there in the games (or is that Matrix?). There is a pond in Shiloh-I think it's Shiloh, (Battleground Civil War)that has the shadow of a large shark in it. I know I'm not 'imagining' that. I like to laugh and no-I'm not so 'serious' as to be greatly offended, though my point about flamethrower attacks not being graphic I think is correct. I actually look for these little 'find Waldo' humorous things now. I find a lot of gamers who have a great sense of humor, though our humor is not always in good taste...whatever that means in today's world. It's a dark subject and sometimes dark humor IS appropriate. If you know of any I missed-please do tell!
I have to go back to the Wolfpack game testing at HPS for a few games, but I will be playing Campaign when I have time. Specific notes will be kept and I hope they are of some help. Jason went out of his way to help me get my favorite game working again. He was kind ten years ago when I felt a little bullied on the forum, and he spent a considerable amount of time helping get this running. That's a really good guy you have working there. I was kinda of hurt ten years ago-more trolls back then I guess, but Jason privately forwarded all Forum topics and questions to me all those years. I won't forget that. He's a good man. All those years of extra effort so I was 'included'. You just can't forget stuff like that.

Far too kind, Tim.

Thank you.

Not my imagination. Identified at least three units louder than other artillery by a big margin. Batteries A, B & C, 306th FA, 77 ID, XXIV Corps (M1 155mm) (RS-Return to the Phil.). Some of the other artillery...believe it or not...sounds too low. I'm trying to pin these down. It's a corps level game. May take a few turns.
(later)
At least 6 batteries-155's from the direction of 306th fine this turn but the 155's, M7MGC and M2A1's in many units were much higher. Mortars all sound normal. Enemy units up. Were the sound levels set to vary in any way on the units? Again-maybe I'm oversensitive to it if no one else has mentioned it?
(8/1)
All the M2A1 and M7MGC are louder than the 155's. One specific is M7MGC 383 IR, 96 ID. Another-Batt's A,B & C, 361st FA, 96 ID (M2A1). The 155's are at a much lower volume except perhaps the 306th, which I know was very loud. At least the first turn I used it.

Off to the Africa after this...this one was a sleeper compared to the Normandy battle. I'm running as many test campaigns as possible in corps level.
I'll leave off here reporting until you give a listen and see if maybe I'm too sensitive. I don't think the 155's should be quieter than the 105's, but I've only heard 155's live.

Thanks! I will have a look at these in a couple of weeks time and go through them lot all.

Well, I'd be happy to know if it was me or the machine. Please let me know. The artillery in some units just seems much louder than other SE's. Perhaps people like that-I just thought I'd report it.

You're probably right on them, I recall picking the loudest sounds for heavy artillery. I tested these using my little Sennheiser anti-noise headphones that I have with me when I travel.

I don't have full size stereo speakers attached to my computer so you're probably right about them. I will tone them done, then.

I have a pair of those-great for Ipods, etc. My sound system is an old Logictech with three speakers and a big sub w. I listen to classical music more than I use to and they handle the 1812 OK (Perfect for Battleground Napoleonic Wars), so I think the heavy stuff is a tad high. The 1812 does not vibrate the speakers-the hv. art. does. I don't see any strings on the issue. Perhaps others feel differently and like the extra punch. What's surprising is how well classical music goes with these games. The more pastoral...the better. Verdi's Four Seasons goes surprisingly well with war gaming. Especially Summer...

If I can be of ANY assistance-testing, whatever, on getting EF LCG for Corps level going, please let me know. I'm testing for HPS now, and I owe them some reports, but I rank Campaign as the most important game I have-well more than that actually. It's a requirement of life like breathing.