View Full Version : Battlefields! Q&A may interest a few TOAW players
Stop by and read our newest Q&A with Battlefields! Project Manager Erik Rutins.
http://www.warfarehq.com/previews/battlefields.shtml
One of the interesting portions of the article is this:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Erik Rutins
The WEGO system enables us to add an unique feature called multi-player PBEM that allows a Commander in Chief to delegate command of groups of units to other players on the side (each player can only use his own units). This parallel approach allows faster PBEM play for large scenarios; each player issues his order in a separate file, these files are sent to the Commander in Chief who lets Battlefields! automatically integrate them at which point the one file is sent to the opposing Commander in Chief. Of course, there will also be head to head PBEM, play vs. the AI and normal in person head to head play.
That may stir up some interest.
laszlo.nemedi
15 Jan 04, 13:03
Sounds good...
Sounds very good indeed... It definitely conjures up some reminiscence of the V4V series but with new and quite promising feature - the multi-player PBEM for instance.
Hope the development team can keep up with the mid-2004 release date.
Nemo
I like the idea of WEGO in this way of handling it :D - simulates well the problems with battlefield command and control with subordinate officers. :p
Sounds like a great method of team play - but will suffer from the usual problems of some people backing out half way through I suspect ! :mad:
I'll be looking to get this when it comes out.
The other form of WEGO I like is in Combat Mission - simultaneous order resolution ! :)
Does sound great! :D
I'd love to see which of the ladder players would have the flamboyance of a Patton, the caution of a Monty and the cool managerial skills of an Ike to keep the team in hand!
RhinoBones
21 Jan 04, 20:33
I like the idea of WEGO . . . I'll be looking to get this when it comes out.
Not too many months ago I made the prediction that when Battlefields is released a large number of TOAW players would migrate to the new game and that TOAW would experience a sharp decline in active players. I still hold to that opinion and your comment reinforces the point. Fact is, it’s a new game and people love to try new games, especially when the new game appears to offer advances over the current game. Battlefields offers WEGO, fixes some of the major gripes about TOAW (advanced C&C, hex side rivers, attachment of units to different HQs) and comes stocked with a new set of scenarios developed by respected designers. And oh, did I mention it's WEGO?
So really, who isn’t going to pick up a copy when it becomes available?
When I initially posted this prediction some individuals went as far as to say it made them “laugh out load” that Battlefields would draw players away from TOAW, but I still think the prediction will prove to be accurate. If Matrix should ever get off the stump and publish the game, we will see a big swing in activity. You will probably be part of that swing!
Regards, RhinoBones
As far as drawing off TOAW users go I wonder... of course everyone will want to try it, and the wego, and also the multiplayer aspects sound great. BUT the scale sounds fixed. No Fire in the East with only 250x250 maps. Granted the true flexibility of a game engine is rarely explored to its fullest extent by the design team (go figure) on most games so who knows. While indeed it might end up being the successor to TOAW, if it's smaller scale can't be overcome it may have an HONORABLE role as a little brother to TOAW.
Of course I am a TOAW Noobie so what can I say...
Michael
RhinoBones
21 Jan 04, 21:28
. . . BUT the scale sounds fixed. No Fire in the East with only 250x250 maps. Granted the true flexibility of a game engine is rarely explored to its fullest extent by the design team (go figure) on most games so who knows. While indeed it might end up being the successor to TOAW, if it's smaller scale can be overcome it may have an HONORABLE role as a little brother to TOAW.
Agree, however, if Matrix does come thru with follow ons and the upgrades they have advertised, these limitations may all go away. Time will tell.
Regards, RhinoBones
laszlo.nemedi
22 Jan 04, 00:08
If it will be released I hope we will make section here, as I love to be here!
Menschenfresser
22 Jan 04, 09:56
If it will be released I hope we will make section here, as I love to be here!
Yea, this has been the first game in ages that I am actually saving my nickels to purchase when it comes out. I'm the type that usually waits until the ultra platinum box comes out...and then I wait until that falls in the bargain bin.
As far as drawing me off of TOAW, I don't think that will happen. I've played more tactical scale (1 km and smaller) games than I have played operational games like TOAW...and I like the larger scale.
But there are some scenarios I'd like to see that TOAW can't handle. For instance, Berlin 45. TOAW can't effectively simulate the feel of Seelow Heights or the Berlin fighting itself. I hope this one can...and with 250 km maps, it could do both in one scen.
laszlo.nemedi
22 Jan 04, 10:02
Yea, this has been the first game in ages that I am actually saving my nickels to purchase when it comes out. I'm the type that usually waits until the ultra platinum box comes out...and then I wait until that falls in the bargain bin.
As far as drawing me off of TOAW, I don't think that will happen. I've played more tactical scale (1 km and smaller) games than I have played operational games like TOAW...and I like the larger scale.
But there are some scenarios I'd like to see that TOAW can't handle. For instance, Berlin 45. TOAW can't effectively simulate the feel of Seelow Heights or the Berlin fighting itself. I hope this one can...and with 250 km maps, it could do both in one scen.
Yeah!
In TOAW I cannot make the Budapest battle (too small, but will good for this game), but Hungarian campaign could too much for that game, but perfect for TOAW...
Mensch: :devious: how is your turn in MG44? (I can only handle 4 hours from now, so you have time) :D
Menschenfresser
22 Jan 04, 10:12
Mensch: :devious: how is your turn in MG44? (I can only handle 4 hours from now, so you have time) :D
:cool:
Boss isn't in office today and lookin' over my shoulder...so I can get it to you soon. Gimme 30 minutes.
Yea, this has been the first game in ages that I am actually saving my nickels to purchase when it comes out. I'm the type that usually waits until the ultra platinum box comes out...and then I wait until that falls in the bargain bin.
As far as drawing me off of TOAW, I don't think that will happen. I've played more tactical scale (1 km and smaller) games than I have played operational games like TOAW...and I like the larger scale.
But there are some scenarios I'd like to see that TOAW can't handle. For instance, Berlin 45. TOAW can't effectively simulate the feel of Seelow Heights or the Berlin fighting itself. I hope this one can...and with 250 km maps, it could do both in one scen.
Agreed.
I can't see anything pulling me away from TOAW, but the possibilities of "Battlefields" is quite intriguing.
I'm eagerly looking forward to this one, and you can rest assured that the game will receive a detailed review from the ACG/WFHQ review team!
There aren't too many games of this nature in the works right now, so we have to hope like mad that they can get them right. I've been twitching for this one for ages now, and they still don't have it available for preorder. My thought is that it's still quite a ways away!
I must say, although it does seem to have several new features that will improve on TOAW, the graphics remind me of something back in my Commie 64 days. This will make it even more important that the game system itself be strong. Gargabe graphics can be accepted when the game itself is sterling; however gamers are less forgiving when the engine isn't strong enough to carry the day in and of itself.
At any rate, this title is eagerly anticipated! Hopefully, I'll be able to get some preview copies, and will keep all of you up to date!
Tim McBride
22 Jan 04, 12:45
So really, who isn’t going to pick up a copy when it becomes available?
Me.
laszlo.nemedi
22 Jan 04, 14:28
Me.
:surprise:
Me.
Expand on that thought?
I won't be getting it either, Shane, it's just above and below the radar horizon of my interest! At 1 Km it is not a tactical game and with 250Km limit is just too small. You'll have to have an excellent PO for it to be worth, and frankly, I think they are triying to achieve too much and the end result is going to be too complex to be appealing, reminds me of the old "Patriot" game.
You may just be right, JMS (although for obvious reasons, I hope not!) However, even considering that I agree with what you're saying above (I'd like to see a larger scale as well), there's really nothing on the radar for the scales that I prefer. My choice is to either play nothing new, or to play this.
I'll give it a shot! Who knows, we may all be in for a pleasant surprise!
Indeed, we may be the smaller group of hobbyist around, other than the can-openers owner club, so we can't reallistically expect the ultimate wargame. I wonder if Battlefields couldn't be expanded to 10 and 20 Km/hex so map size could go up to 5000 Km which should be enough for most scenarios (Barbarossa at Squad level ain't going to fit anyway...). The other issue is the one on unit's strength: you just put what you feel like, at least TOAW starts with a common DB that could be argued about.
Bob Cross
24 Jan 04, 15:20
I expect I'll get Battlefields. I can't see why not to, since it's peanuts. But I'm pretty sure it won't replace TOAW for me. It's really comparing apples to oranges.
What I'm really waiting for, though, is War in the Pacific, although I haven't kept up with how it's coming.
Tim McBride
25 Jan 04, 11:26
Expand on that thought?
Hum, I don't know how much I can legally say. I was on the Scenario design team; I removed myself due to a dislike of the system. Personally it did not have the feel I had hoped for. The features I wanted in a good wargame were missing. They did have some other ideas that were just awsome though. but the good things didn't outwiegh the bad for me.
Mind you this was still the early version of the game. Who knows they may have radically changed things since I last saw the engine.
NDA, I understand. Thanks for sharing with us what you could, Tim. I can understand you pulling out if you had problems with the game, I'm just hoping (as you say) that perhaps they've really picked it up since then!
Have to be optimisitc, there really isn't alot out there to be hopeful about!
laszlo.nemedi
25 Jan 04, 12:55
Of course TOAW will be the base of our life ... :hail:
Menschenfresser
25 Jan 04, 13:14
Yes...so long as there is one CD left to pass around between us...civilization can continue.
I've always kind of blamed two things for the "downfall" of old school wargames on the computer: A) graphics and B) RTS. I know...it's just my unwillingness to confront the future which makes me cringe when I see real-time strategy printed in small letters on the side of a game box in GameStop, but as far as I'm concerned there is still a place for some bigotry in this world.
Anywho, I also think graphics because for a long time, turn-based wargames didn't require 21st century graphics and the tinkerers could focus on the complexities of the battle calculations. Tabletop conversions were perfect for 80's to mid 90's graphic capabilities. But even here, among a bunch of very forgiving gamers, people draw up concerns about less than stellar graphics.
I guess downfall isn't the right word. There are still productions out there...just seems like the playing field shrank by about 50 yards.
Dunno...living in the past, I guess.
Siberian HEAT
25 Jan 04, 18:42
Of course TOAW will be the base of our life ... :hail:
I actually agree with this statement. However, perhaps we are overlooking the fact that they are NOTdesigning Battlefields! with TOAW players in mind. There are only a few of us left (a dying breed) and I doubt that we will ever be happy with anything unless it is a game system designed for .5km up to 50km hexes and all the scales in between.
It looks like the game system is designed to appeal more to the grand tactical gamer a la Korsun Pocket than it is for the operational/strategic crowd like us. I will certainly be interested to take a look at the game and will keep an open mind. HOwever, I have been warped by years of TOAW - so it will have a lot to overcome for this gamer :D
EDIT: There should have been a NOT up there :D
Incidentally, one of the reasons that I've been so tardy in resuming my former level of obsessive TOAW playing is my recent induction into the betatesting group for this game. Obviously, due to the NDA, I can't say much about it.
I predict that it will exist alongside TOAW, and not replace it. Its design focus is still operational warfare, but the scales that it will recreate occupy a narrower band than TOAW. The emphases in game play will be less technical in some aspects, yet more detailed in others, in comparison to TOAW. It will be a different gaming experience. A matter of taste, if you will.
Like a basket of fruit, in a room full of people...some will choose the pears, and some will prefer oranges. Some may pick the apples, and others...the bananas :banana:
I am looking forward to this game fo one reason; the
wego-system. But I think the scale is too little and I am
still hoping for "the road to Moscow". Much interest was
invested in that game or rather that game idea. But
this could be a first step in right direction and I hope this game will be a success. GoranW
laszlo.nemedi
28 Jan 04, 17:57
Incidentally, one of the reasons that I've been so tardy in resuming my former level of obsessive TOAW playing is my recent induction into the betatesting group for this game. Obviously, due to the NDA, I can't say much about it.
I predict that it will exist alongside TOAW, and not replace it. Its design focus is still operational warfare, but the scales that it will recreate occupy a narrower band than TOAW. The emphases in game play will be less technical in some aspects, yet more detailed in others, in comparison to TOAW. It will be a different gaming experience. A matter of taste, if you will.
Like a basket of fruit, in a room full of people...some will choose the pears, and some will prefer oranges. Some may pick the apples, and others...the bananas :banana:
Jamiam, maybe we will meet soon in the battlefield as I am too...
I'm hoping to be able to arrange an exclusive preview into this system, so hopefully I can become part of the 'enlightened', and spread the joy! (At least, that's my hope!)
Moriturus
25 Feb 04, 22:09
Not too many months ago I made the prediction that when Battlefields is released a large number of TOAW players would migrate to the new game and that TOAW would experience a sharp decline in active players. I still hold to that opinion and your comment reinforces the point. Fact is, it’s a new game and people love to try new games, especially when the new game appears to offer advances over the current game. Battlefields offers WEGO, fixes some of the major gripes about TOAW (advanced C&C, hex side rivers, attachment of units to different HQs) and comes stocked with a new set of scenarios developed by respected designers. And oh, did I mention it's WEGO?
So really, who isn’t going to pick up a copy when it becomes available?
When I initially posted this prediction some individuals went as far as to say it made them “laugh out load” that Battlefields would draw players away from TOAW, but I still think the prediction will prove to be accurate. If Matrix should ever get off the stump and publish the game, we will see a big swing in activity. You will probably be part of that swing!
Regards, RhinoBones
Battlefields sounds like a good game, as described on the Matrix boards (I've posted a few scenario suggestions myself). But then again, Matrix's "Korsun Pocket" got rave reviews last year and for the life of me I can't see what the fuss is about; TOAW-COW kicks KP's ass from here to Moscow and back. I spent a pretty penny on KP, including $15 for a single, download-only expansion scenario ("Across the Dniepr"), and I'm feeling pretty burned. :mad: Regardless of what is said about Battlefields, I'll be waiting until the price drops a LOT before even thinking about buying it. (Unless, of course, everyone currently playing TOAW-COW throws it away and starts playing Battlefields; I couldn't argue with that kind of endorsement . . . :D )
I may have missed and answer to this question. But does any know what type of AI opponent capability this game will have?
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