Google Maps

Hobbes · 03-28-2013, 04:23 AM,

Hi folks, as an only sometimes lurker here these days I don't know if this has already been posted - but the Google maps street level view would be a good aid to scenario designers. A good topographical map is obviously essential but as a secondary aid for hills, streams etc it would be quite useful. For lower level wargames it would be a great tool.

Cheers,
Chris

Hobbes · (This post was last modified: 03-28-2013, 05:59 AM by Hobbes.)

As I'm thinking of CS I thought I would play a couple of turns of the scenarios I made years ago v AI. I never really gave any thought to the AI game as they were only meant for human v human play. The AI really is pretty awful isn't it - especially in scenarios without a fairly static line. Can Matrix not improve AI play a bit? For example one thing immediately apparent was a vanguard of indirect fire units. Leading the attack in one scenario was a loaded AT gun and several mortar units. Surely it would be easy to force units capable of indirect fire to remain in place for the first turn or two of a scenario (unless fired upon) - at least then it would take some time for them to appear at the forefront of an attack. I'm sure there are quite a few simple changes like this that could improve the AI game. There also seems to be quite a bit of "milling about" that could be changed. It seems strange that Talonsoft obviously put such a lot of money into developing a wonderful wargame but put so little effort into the AI.

Cheers,
Chris

John Given · (This post was last modified: 03-28-2013, 04:42 PM by John Given.)

Hey Hobbes, you mention google maps - have you downloaded google earth? I have, and it's downright creepy - it's like a computer game where nothing shoots at you, but the game world is the size of the real world. You can zoom in or out however much you wish.

When you're in 'flying' mode, you can set the altitude for the height you wish, and it's fantastic for giving you the 'lay of the land.' I've 'flown' all over my hometown, visited the deepest parts of the ocean, 'climbed' mount Everest, toured Miami and the Florida keys, and climbed Tycho crater's central peak on the moon with google Moon (it's a part of google earth).

Also, all the terrain is based on satellite photos, and it's in 3d. In cities, many buildings are also in 3d. Amazing program.

as far as improving the AI - don't hold your breath. I'm not expecting any changes to this engine. Once we've had the new 1.05 patch come out AND the graphics engine update (which I thought we were getting a few years ago) then I'll hold out hope for AI / game engine improvements. Till then, it's merely a game program based off of the old Panzerblitz series, and I'm ok with that. I have to be realistic about what this old game engine is capable of.

Btw, the computer player is a much better defender than attacker - if you find your self playing against the computer often, be the attacker. It's much more challenging.