Matrix Games Forums

One of the things which I would like to be covered a little better is intelligence gathering and the dissemination of information. In a strategic level game information is arguably your most important resource. Who's got what and where is it?

I'm sure you've wondered where are those carriers. Does he have enough supply to hold that base?

I don't necessarily have the answer on how to make intel better but I know I wasn't really satisfied with the old version.

Also on related note. Information, I really would like to see reports print out at the end of a turn showing the status of my own forces. And a review of the previous turns battles and their results. There are often so many things going on that a printed report would really help out. And if this is going to be a window's based game which I believe it will be, it should be easy to send something to the print que.

There have been numerous instances where I allowed a base to get into trouble because I forgot to check that it had sufficient supply. And being able to read after action battle reports would be just plain cool. I know it'd make me feel more like the Theater Commander if I was getting this sort of info.

I'd enjoy hearing some of your thoughts on this subject.

Norseman

Intel has to be modeled fairly well in this game. Historically, when the U.S. broke the Japanese Naval code, the U.S. was presented with an incredible advantage (Admiral Yammamoto will atest!). It would be great if there is some randomness(sp!) to determine if this occurs or at what time it occurs in the game. It would also be great if both sides get intel reports at the begining of a turn. The report would show the info, the source of the info, and the reliablity as a percentage. For instance, "Carrier Enterprise see entering Pearl Harbor" noted by Japanese submarine IJN123, reliability 90%.
Losses by both sides could also affected by the fog of war. How many times did the Japanese think they sunk the Yorktown? Pilots (being who they are!) often exaggerated the number and type of kills. It would be great at the end of the game to be able to print out a report showing reported losses/kills versus reality.
Keep up the great work! I am eagerly anticipating this one!

I too would like to see a rework of intell in the game. The SIGINT aspect, giving the Allies the opportunity to break the code and determine Japanese objectives is very well modeled, but other parts are not.

We should get inacurrate and exagerrated reports of enemy losses. (For several weeks after the Battle of Midway, the American public credited the Army's B-17 bombers with sinking the Japanese carrier fleet -- because that is what the B-17 pilots reported!)

Both sides should be able to use HUMINT (scouts and spies) and recon to get a better picture of air and ground strength around a base, including the supply/readiness situation -- again, subject to 'fog of war' distortions.

The quality of search groups would definitely have an affect on the quality of their reports. As experience of crews increase (air, subs, ships, land units,) the accuracy would also increase.

Even land units should be able to learn more info with the units with which they are engaged, especially if they are a quality unit. Units with recon assets could also see a bonus.

Terrain, weather, quality of unit being "searched" should also factor into the accuracy.