Matrix Games Forums

It's rather late in the day but has the arrival of off map reinforcements (ala Campaign series) been considered? Seems to me it would add a very usefull scenario/campaign tool which all other versions of SP series lack. The only alternative would be a very large map, short game time and the reinforcements started as far to the rear as possible. Scarcely ideal.

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Wait for Death. There's a choice?

The game is based on SP3 - which does allow for reinforcements in scenarios. There are 4 entry hexes and the scenario designer can designate the turn of entry. In battle generator games the AI will sometimes "hold back" some its forces in its rear, and they appear during play to behave as "reinforcements".

The game will also feature Paratroops and Gliders that will be able to land in an appropriate fashion as the game starts.

The player will also have an option to attempt a Commando raid if special forces or guerrillas are available. That will enter as reinforcements at a random time (if ever:-) near a point of the players choosing!

In SP II units are allowed to exit from any edge hex (possible just their side?), but in SP III units must exit using the Exit Hex. I didn't like the fact that retreating unit had only one hex to retreat from, it seemed more realistic that they could just leave the area of combat. But I do like the an exit hex for the idea of exiting units as part of a victory condition.

Paul, could you enlighten us on how SPWAW will handel these issues.

BTW I think it is great that you guys have opend up this message board. I think that the TGN boards have dried up due to poor design, crash etc etc........

We use SP3's exit hex. Rather than having the retreat direction fixed to a board edge, this lets you place it in a more appropriate place in a scenario.

It may be restrictive, but to me that is a good thing because it forces you to protect a specifc "supply line" or "retreat corridor" if you want to preserve your core troops. If unis get seperated off from your main body, it may be difficult to get them off the board in a manner that they aren't "lost" for some time or take up with another unit, get captured...etc.

Except for a campaign game gone terribly awry, I don't retreat troops off the map much, so I may be a bad case study

Originally posted by Paul Vebber:
Except for a campaign game gone terribly awry, I don't retreat troops off the map much, so I may be a bad case study

Haha, I just want to give my opponents an easy way to end their suffering.

Reinforcements are only one of many features that we have kept from SP3. We have enhanced many of these. Not only are you able to schedule reinforcements, but you can change the status of troops to an advance or defend posture. You can also set the time that units already on the board will move and the path they will take. It makes for an interesting game.

I just received a letter from one of our scenario testers talking about the surprise appearance of computer led enemy troops that ruined his chance of flanking a pillbox.

These kinds of things really add to the variety and unexpectedness of real war. What is on the other side of that hill? Is that all that will be there? Are there more thanks coming? It's a lot of fun.



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Wild Bill Wilder
Coordinator of Scenario Design
The Gamers Net

Originally posted by Wild Bill:
[snip]
Are there more thanks coming? It's a lot of fun.

Certainly there are more thanks coming. Thank you sincerely for carrying on with the SP series which would otherwise almost certainly be dying out. It's a lot of effort and is much admired by me and everyone else here I'm sure.
ThanksThanksThanksThanks..........

HEH



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Wait for Death. There's a choice?
Recon

Sorry Recon, I really meant to say,
"Are there more 'things' coming, not "thanks"

I apologize. And you thank you for the thanks. I'll re-read my posts from now on before doing the posting.

I was looking at the new graphics, many new types of bunkers, pillboxes, MG nests and caves that look like caves. Tremendous changes for the better.


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Wild Bill Wilder
Coordinator of Scenario Design
Matrix Games

Actually, I thought you meant 'tanks'.
Commando raids eh? Now THAT is something to look forward to. Hellllooo there artillery - Gotcha.

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Wait for Death. There's a choice?
Recon