I think I need to change my hobby...

[JudgeDredd]

AI Axis on normal.

[sabre1]

JD,
 
I hear/feel your pain.  I love these games but usually the AI kicks my ____.  We could do a PBEM, and you can kick my _____.  It might make you feel better.
 
I think that is why I never do PBEM, because everyone can kick my _____. [:D] 
 
Just gotta love that old wargaming hobby and move on into the sunset...

[Zap]

ORIGINAL: sabre1

JD,

I hear/feel your pain.  I love these games but usually the AI kicks my ____.  We could do a PBEM, and you can kick my _____.  It might make you feel better.

I think that is why I never do PBEM, because everyone can kick my _____. [:D] 

Just gotta love that old wargaming hobby and move on into the sunset...

I'll bet you I can't kick your butt, yes ,there are worse players than yourself out there. [:)]

[JudgeDredd]

k Sabre...lets PBEM.

I don't normally PBEM, but you are new to this engine and so am I...

Choose what side and options and post here...then we'll start.

[oldspec4]

Can we expect an AAR?

[Ralph1961]

My first game of Kharkov. I did decide to play as the Axis since they get to react and I did read through some of the post so I guess that I had a minor advantage.
Computer + was the opponent with historic AO.
I have started a game as the Soviets which I think will be more cahllenging.

[sabre1]

Ok Judge,
 
I accept, I emailed you a note.
 
I have no objections to an AAR, but personally have never done one.  I prefer Germans.  I am not familiar with the game mechanics on PBEM, working on Lesson 2 as I type.  Go ahead and choose the settings, AO's etc... and send me your turn unless the Germans are suppose to go first. 
 
If someone can clue me in on an AAR and how to do them, I am willing to learn.
 
Ok may the best man get his _____ kicked...[:D]

[JudgeDredd]

lol

Ok. I'll look for your email (Soviets go first). If you want, we can delay until you finish the tutorials...I think you need at least the tutorials under your belt before starting a game (although it didn't appear to do me any good).

As for an AAR, normally what I do is look at the battlefield and make some notes on what I see/envisage...I just write them down in note form...then make your moves, making notes as you go along then type it up at the end (because of the apparent random time out issue in the forums, I suggest writing them up in an external program, then copying and pasting as you go...Open Office is free and a very good tool for this)

Generally, my layout would be...

Turn 1
Plan
Description of overall plan this turn
Who is going to attack where and why
(add some pictures with arrows showing direction of attack, defence lines etc)

Execution
How did each attack go...
(add pictures)

Turn 2 etc are in exactly the same format. Unfortunately, you have to be very careful with your screen shots, as you can add a maximum of 3 and up to 500KB (unless the AAR forum is different)...so you may have to make several posts about Turn 1)

You can read my COTA AAR here...not the best, but it's the only one I have done.

Pictures are essential so the user can see what you mean and don't get bored...you can use CTRL-Print Screen (button on the top right of your keyboard normally) to take a picture and CTRL-V to paste it into a document.

As we are playing PBEM and each one will have pictures, might I suggest we do separate AAR threads...JudgeDredd v Sabre1 AAR (SOVIETS) and Sabre1 v JudgeDredd AAR (AXIS)...and we don't read each others...that way people can flick in and out and we don't lose Fog of War.

[Wallenstein]

Okay, I´ve taken my seat...

[JudgeDredd]

Got your message before it was edited, and that's exactly what I found out tbh....moved way too fast and strectehd the line...left units exposed, lines exposed, lack of friendly area control meant less units dug in...took some very hard hits.

[Wallenstein]

Sorry, I wanted to reply to your other thread, my previous post is over there now.

[sabre1]

Sounds good to me, I hereby swear not to read posts by you in the AAR. [&o]
 
I sent you an email by clicking on your name in this forum.  I am assuming this sends mail to your email account?  I will play throuh the scenarios ASAP.  Should be no later than the middle of the week.  Plenty of time for the lousy pinko redbelly commies to figure out a line of attack.   Be gentle German Wermacht doesn't take kindly to being called fascist pigs..., but lipstick on a pig, now that's a whole nuthr ballgame...[:-][:D] 

[JudgeDredd]

I didn't get an email, and I've just tried to send myself a test one through Matrix and it didn't work.
 
Want to email me at wmar67 at yahoo dot co dot uk??

[sabre1]

Ok JD, email on the way.  I am working on the tutorials as we speak...
 
 

[JudgeDredd]

Got your email. I will do my turn in the next day or two (maybe not tonight, as I have some baby sitting to do)...

Just fyi...I don't expect any fixed time for turn around of turns...whenever is convenient for you. One of the things I hate about pbem is the expectation (not always imposed by the opponent) of turns nightly)...so I'm just letting you know I don't expect a turn every night.

[sabre1]

Thanks JD, that helps, and I agree, that was one of the reasons that I have rarely done PBEM.

[JudgeDredd]

You'll have to hold off on the PBEM at the moment...for the bloody life of me, I can't figure out the PBEM screen!! I've never seen anything so bloody confusing.

I've tried to start 3 times and each time I just get lost in what's going on.

I typed my details in (Soviet player) then yours...then turned on security and it decided to swap the details round...then the email...I wasn't sure if it was sending you the game (I hadn't actually made any moves) and have you start as Soviet or what it was doing...god...my head hurts. I'm going to bed and look at it with a fresh head tomorrow...my head hurts now!

Guys, if you're listening...you need to make that alot less painless than it is. If it's just more infor in the manual or a re-write of the procedure, then fine...I don't care which one...it just needs doing.

And tbch, before any experts chime it, I don't really care how easy it is for you. This is the first time I've used this PBEM feature and it sucks.

[Fred98]

The Soviet player goes first.

And therefore the German player sets up the game at the PBEM screen and sends an email with the set up file attached.

The Soviet player receives the first email and plays the turn.

Sabre1 sent the first turn to JD so there is no need for JD to use the PBEM screen. Rather, JD would start by clicking on the email and the set up file. The game will automatically open with the turn open in front of you ready to start.

-

-

[e_barkmann]

 
from the manual.
 
If you have feedback on how better to word the section please post away.  The item I would change is the secure game option description as this will change the order of players - so select this option before you start filling in the other details.
 
cheers
 
 

[font=dinengschriftstd][left]3.4 Setup Email Game Screen[/left][/font][font=myriadpro-regular][left]This screen allows you to set up an Email game. The fields on the left side of the screen[/left][left]should be filled in appropriately. Once you are satisfied that the data in these fields is[/left][left]correct, you may proceed.[/left][left] [/left][left]The scenario designer determines which side will go first in a battle. If a game is Unsecured,[/left][left]the player whose side is going first should set up the game. If the game is a Secure Game,[/left][left]then the player whose side is going second should setup the game.[/left][left] [/left][/font][font=myriadpro-bold][left]Select A Profile: [/font][font=myriadpro-regular]If you have PBEM Profiles setup on your machine, right click in the Profile[/left][left]field and select your player Profile if available (your name and email address will then be[/left][left]automatically entered)[/left][/font][font=myriadpro-bold][left] [/left][left]Your Name: [/font][font=myriadpro-regular]Your name as it appears in the game (maximum of 45 characters)[/left][/font][font=myriadpro-bold][left] [/left][left]Your Address: [/font][font=myriadpro-regular]Your Email address (maximum of 45 characters)[/left][/font][font=myriadpro-bold][left] [/left][left]Select A Profile: [/font][font=myriadpro-regular]Right click and select your opponent’s Profile if available[/left][/font][font=myriadpro-bold][left] [/left][left]Opponents Name: [/font][font=myriadpro-regular]Name of your opponent (maximum of 45 characters)[/left][/font][font=myriadpro-bold][left] [/left][left]Opponents Address: [/font][font=myriadpro-regular]Email address of your opponent (maximum of 45 characters)[/left][/font][font=myriadpro-bold][left] [/left][left]Email File Name: [/font][font=myriadpro-regular]This is the file name the game will use. Each turn will use this name as the[/left][left]basis for the filename and in addition have the side and turn number added (maximum of[/left][left]45 characters) i.e. KharkovTurn_Axs_01. These turns will be saved in the Send Email folder[/left][left]in the Kharkov directory.[/left][/font][font=myriadpro-bold][left] [/left][left]Security On/Off: [/font][font=myriadpro-regular]Enabling email turn security ensures that each game turn can only be[/left][left]opened by the player it is destined for. If this feature is set to off then all game turns can[/left][left]be opened by any player.[/left][left] [/left][left]A secure game must be started and finished on the same computer.[/left][left]Additionally, any change made to your computer operating system software such as[/left][left]reinstalling Windows or performing a System Restore will invalidate any secure games in[/left][left]progress.[/left][/font][font=myriadpro-bold][left] [/left][left]Profiles: [/font][font=myriadpro-regular]The profile button will take you to a screen whereby you can create and store[/left][left]profiles of PBEM players to simplify email game setup.[/left][/font][font=myriadpro-bold][left] [/left][left]Accept Email Game: [/font][font=myriadpro-regular]This will accept the information as entered in the fields above and[/left][left]return you to the Scenario Options Screen.[/left][/font][font=myriadpro-bold][left] [/left][left]Set Bid Game: [/font][font=myriadpro-regular]Email games can be set up as Bid games. Handicap, Supply, Replacements,[/left][left]Combats and the Combat Advisor settings can all be changed.[/left][left]The changed options constitute a Bid game. These details are then sent to your email[/left][left]game opponent, who has the option to choose to play either side (thus ensuring that your[/left][left]bid is reasonable).[/left][/font][font=myriadpro-bold][left] [/left][left]Cancel and Return: [/font][font=myriadpro-regular]This will cancel the current email game and return you to the Scenario[/left][left]Options screen.[/left][/font][font=myriadpro-bold][left] [/left][left]Go Back: [/font][font=myriadpro-regular]This will return you to the Scenario Options screen but will not cancel the current[/left][left]email game.[/left][/font]

[sabre1]

Thanks Chris, working through the tutorials. 
 
I keep going back and looking at the game as I play through the tutorials.  After the initial Russian attacks, I stare at the map thinking how in the !@(& do I stop them. [X(]
 
Of course JD I'm sure is thinking the same thing...[:D]
 
Can we all just share some beer and sauerkraut and go home...