Campaign Series Middle East - 2.30 UPDATE

[Jason Petho]

Campaign Series Middle East v2.30 is a free update that features the same improvements released earlier in the year for Vietnam v1.30. Included in both game's updates are UI and QoL features, graphical improvements, and bugfixes. Download the new launcher here: Campaign Series Middle East 2.30 UPDATE



The full changelog is posted below:

Enhancements
    • Implementation of new Game Action Speed system for speeding up, slowing down, pausing the AI turns, PBEM replays and human player turns. See Status → Action Speed → AI Play → Slow Down and Status → Action Speed → Replay → Slow Down for setting the AI play and Replay speeds while in the Human Player turn mode with new ALT+ and CTRL+ associated HotKeys.
    • Implemented a message to display a confirmation of the changed Action Speed.
    • Unit List and Info Box were given makeovers to make it easier to read the information with larger and bolder fonts, revised layout and new graphics.
    • Implemented Options → Unit List → Unselected Highlights → White, Black, Alternate, and None options for the Unit List.
    • Implemented new side bar Unit List icons, including new icons for Double Time and Slow Time
    • Implemented a white halo for red Unit List values.
    • Implemented Display → Roaming Mode (CTRL+SPACE) for quickly identifying units as you move the mouse over the map. Clicking anywhere on the map will toggle OFF Roaming Mode.
    • Implemented Slow Time for all units except Aircraft that allows units to expend more.
Action
    • Points when moving to reduce the likelihood of casualties from Mines and IED's.
    • Updated the Toolbar to incorporate buttons for Slow Time, Roaming Mode, and Game Action.
    • Speeds and revised placement of the Jump Map button.
    • Implemented new, dynamic, random Hex Info Box CSLogoXX images, with the option to fix images on a per scenario basis by appending [LG##] to the scenario description in the scenario.
Editor
    • Implemented Options → Damage Results → Position → Center, Upper Left, Upper Right, Lower Left and Lower Right, allowing the user to display the Damage Results where they prefer.
    • Overhaul of Mine/IED system with improved movement effects, including the addition of night.
    • and enemy proximity effects, delayed side awareness and several bug fixes.
    • IED's now operate much like Mines in most ways. (For instance, step-down reductions, on activation and removal, not all in one go.)
    • Revised the Scenario Information dialog to display the scenario's map region and biome.
    • Implemented the Scenario Information dialog in the scenario editor.
    • The Location Dialog will no longer display the '=' and '+' border labels, just the relevant place
Names
    • Implemented a new Place All button in the Arrived Dialog for placing all listed reinforcements with a single click.
    • Units moving Double Time will be more likely to lose concealment and Units moving in Slow Time will be more likely to remain concealed.
    • Implemented single button Opportunity Fire Limit adjustments within the Opportunity Fire Dialog.
    • Implemented new XAlliedAttack/XAxisAttack hex flags that has the game engine recording any combat action originating from any hex and for any such hex, the "authorization denied" will not apply to artillery fire and.
    • Implemented additional Lua CSEE Debugging capabilities in the scenario editor.
    • Updates/improvements in the Find Organization Dialog in game and the Forces Dialog in the scenario editor providing additional information such as the hex location.
    • The Units/SPs/Losses Dialog will now also show unit type surviving Strength Points in addition to Strength Point losses.
    • Watercraft out in open water and in waterways will no longer have a chance of being concealed.
    • Implemented additional testing features, for on the fly toggling ON/OFF new and workinprogress features.
    • Implemented several new CSEE functions: fire_indirect_nearest_from(), garrison(), accompany(),  order_airstrike(), move_slow(), has_attack()
    • In the Scenario Editor, implemented a new, standalone Missions Dialog, for specifying one or more Mission Types for each side. (We anticipate making expanded use of this legacy capability, both in the EAI and the CSEE/SAI.)
    • Expanded the list of Mission Types from the legacy 11 to 23.
    • Extended the sound categories from 35 to 43, to accommodate the eight new aircraft/helicopter sound types.
    • Extended Map Hints to display 'W' marker labels at inland Waterway hexes.
    • In 2D, when direct firing blindly into apparently empty hexes, the tracer fire and explosion graphics will newly display.
    • Trace fire and light arms explosion graphics will no longer display, and map recentering to the target hex will not happen, if the target hex is out of Line of Sight.
    • Implemented the new CSEE functions: game(), game_name(), scenario(), missions(), mission_name(), region(), region_name(), biome(), biome_name(), condition(), shuffle().
    • Implemented a new CSEE/SAI uber function, attack_sequential().
    • Implemented a new CSlint utility, csflgfix.pl, for modifying unit flag values.
    • Revised the CSlint utilities csscnchk.pl & csluachk.pl to accommodate the new Mission Types and new CSEE functions.
    • With the -V command-line option, every game EXE will display its version # and build time/date.
    • Revamped the log system ERRID codes, for better CSEE/SAI debugging.
    • Updated several CSlint utilities.
    • Ambush situations will now come with assault background sounds.
    • Implemented several new CSEE functions: attack_nearest_arc(), hexes_habitat().
    • Enhanced Developer debugging.
    • In the game engine Status Bar, spread out display elements to mitigate info crowding.
    • Implemented new CSEE function: counters_active(), function_name().
    • Removed the OK button from most reports, clicking anywhere will dismiss the dialog.
    • Added new command-line parameter (-V), for reporting the EXE version and whether or not the built in DEBUG or RELEASE mode.
    • Implemented new and improved Tool Bars.
    • Implemented colour-coded border map labels.
    • Implemented dynamic, customizable message dialog backgrounds (with all such image BMP's in a new game folder, Backgrounds).
    • Implemented two new CSEE message dialogs: Bulletin (between Message & Report in size), and Remark (the smallest, smaller that Note). Also implemented new CSEE functions pertaining to the new dialogs, including an auto sizing, all-purpose dialog function.
    • Incorporated the previous Monochrome ("Coin") bases mod as the new Alternate Bases. The earlier Alternate Bases have been retained as Insignia Bases.
    • In user.lua, revised csee_check() with improved CSEE memory management (garbage collection.
    • Reinforcement arrival scatter extends to all types of reinforcements, not just paratroops. Implemented Help →Unit Handbook (Passenger) (ALT + F2) to reveal stats of passenger.
    • Implemented Higher Organization Highlight (select and press CTRL) in the scenario editor.
    • Implemented dialog windows minimize, maximize and restore for many of the larger dialogs.
    • Improved Highlighting of selected unit in Unit List.
    • Changed and increased font for numbers in the Unit List.
    • Implemented Display → Hex Jump for map, scn editors and in game (ALT + X).
    • Updated Scrolling Options and Screen Edge default.
    • Added new assault sounds to enhance play.
    • Added new combat and assault graphics with much more variation.
    • Added aircraft ordnance indicators to quickly identify ordnance loads in CAS dialog.
    • Airstrikes are centered on the map when they arrive.
    • Added "Ambush" feature where 0 Assault value units will potentially suffer losses or eliminations if attempting to perform an assault.
    • Implemented Separate Side A and Side B Objective Points displays in Victory dialog.
    • Implemented ability for selecting unit in the Organization dialog to find a unit on the map.
    • Implemented cycle through currently selected/highlighted company using Next.
    • Implemented Option for centering map on combat area.
    • Implemented Option → Center on Action to recenter the map to where combat occurs.
    • Implemented TrackID Jump (ALT + K) to find and select a unit by its TrackID
    • PBEM: With Enhanced Reporting ON, no dialogs are displaying during replay. With
enhanced reporting OFF, dialogs will display with full details.
    • Helicopters flying Nap of the Earth at night have an increased movement cost over day time flight



Fixes
    • Fixed the unscripted (no Scripted AI) artillery blind fire strikes. The AI will no longer fire blindly (to be implemented in the future).
    • In the map editor, fixed an issue where the region and biome changes were not saving to the .map file.
    • Fixed several LCG issues in the code, including more than one Crash to Desktop.
    • Fixed color inconsistency in Command Report and Damage Results Dialogs.
    • Fixed a bug in the map editor where the biome would not show properly in Values → Region and where the biome would not show properly in the Values → Biome.
    • Updated the frontend code to process the latest version # LCG .scl files properly.
    • Fixed a bug possibly preventing an amphibious unit moving from land to water or vice versa.
    • Fixed a bug where Landing Zones might be cleared in waterway hexes.
    • Fixed a bug where loaded waterway transports may be prevented from moving.
    • Fixed several bugs preventing the display of the on-map Unknown Unit marker.
    • Fixed a bug where a ferrying watercraft unit may leave a hex and potentially strand a ferried ground unit in the water. Ferrying watercraft will no longer be able to move if any potential
    • Ferried units have moved to shore. This action costs 50 Action Points.
    • When entering a roadblock hex, the moving side will gain side awareness immediately and the roadblock marker will instantly show.
    • Fixed a bug for some Options changes for the Unit List would not update automatically.
    • Fixed the broken Static All toolbar option.
    • Fixed a bug where the DaisyCutter operations were not working for ground units.
    • Fixed a bug where on PBEM (and LAN Play) scenario start, the New Scenario dialog (and Player Dialog), the Rules button was broken.
    • Fixed a bug with Units → Move Air Units Off Map in the scenario editor.Revised CSEE counters_weakest() function.
    • Fixed several UI color and background pattern issues.
    • Extended the game opening splash video by 10 seconds, in case the Windows Media Player is unusually slow to start.
    • Fixed other minor bugs and made other code improvements.
Graphics
    • Revised Water graphics.
    • Revised Dune graphics.
    • Fixed several unit display artifacts.
    • Cleaned up some game engine and scenario editor dialog display issues.
    • Replaced new Toolbar graphics.
    • Implemented new "button" monochrome unit bases.
    • Tweaks to "coin" monochrome unit bases graphics.
    • Minor UI graphics fixes.
    • Added ~60 new Backgrounds images.
    • Fixed a number of *.bit unit outline files.
    • Fixed several minor UI color issues.
    • Fixed several 3D map graphic issues.
    • Added photos for the new dynamic, random Hex InfoBox CSLogo## images.



Data
    • Numerous unit data edits.
    • Massive update for French forces.
    • Updated all maps with side awareness.
    • Revised aircraft statistics based on OOB file enhancements.
    • Added additional background sounds.
    • Revised movement values in Scrub and Paths for infantry.
    • Updated csluachk.pl file with additional functionality for checking Lua files.
    • Map Editor – Plain, Water & Forest labels have been renamed Anthro, Hydro & Natural.
    • Revised LUA_FUNCTIONS_REFERENCE.txt
    • Revised CSlint tools.
    • Revised Digging In chance.
    • Revised Lua scripting to speed up unit movement.
    • Revised the airstrike scatter probability.
    • Revised the Weapon.pdt to incorporate the new special forces supply units.
    • Raised village TEM to 0.70.
    • Added new Special Forces supply unit to France/UK.
    • Revised the Weapon.pdt to incorporate the new special forces supply units.
    • Revised the Sounds.dat to incorporate the new sounds for aircraft and helicopters.
    • Fixed several other sound issues.
    • Updated cswpnchk.pl to check for fire capable units with a zero-fire cost
Scenarios
    • Fixed Map in Bootcamp 4.
    • Revised Sirte scenarios with scripting.
    • Removed scripting for all other scenarios.
Mods
    • No new mods for the 2.30 UPDATE

[Jason Petho]

Keep in mind, this is more than just an update, this is a whole new version.


That being said, you should do the following:

1. Back up the CSME 2.01 installation. [optional]

2. Using Windows Add/Remove Programs, uninstall CSME.

3. In File Explorer, manually delete the old "Campaign Series Middle East" folder, which will be crufty after the uninstall. [important]

4. Run the new installer.

Jason Petho

[Old TImer]

This is excellent!!

[SirAndrewD]

Nice update.

Odd for me though, scenario briefings no longer show or and aren't accessible through the status tab.

[Jason Petho]

Keep in mind, most of the scenarios do not have briefings as of yet, as they are not scripted. They are using the legacy AI until I have time to script the scenarios (the briefings are in the lua script files).

You may find briefings in the SIRTE scenarios as Petri had scripted those.

[SirAndrewD]

Ahh, gotcha.  I must have it confused with Vietnam.

[Jason Petho]

The Middle East game has all the same goodies now as Vietnam, but doesn't have the scenarios scripted  - YET!   I will start doing it and they will be available in future updates.

It takes a lot of time to script scenarios, so be patient. The briefings will come!

[Crossroads]

Out of the four Sirte 1985 what-if scenarios, the first one is the most complete.

As a Libyan player you can observe AI performing an air assault towards the city, with Helo transports choosing one of the three battle plans, then executing it.

After that, it is more of a brute force attack, as there's lots of open space for the British paras to cross before inside the city. It was a fun one to write, then seeing those transports indeed approaching, unloading, and flying out. A human opponent will be a more competent one and that, but again, to watch that air assault unfold was fun.

Sirte #2, #3 and #4 are better playes as Side A, as there's less logic for the AI for attacking.

[Jason Petho]

It finally released! YAY! The 2.30 UPDATE is available for Middle East. I go through how to install it and give some hints and tips about what has changed throughout the session as I play Humbling of the Tank. I ended up playing as the Israeli's although I meant to play as the Egyptians, but it was still an interesting experience. Keep in mind, that scenario is designed for Head to Head play. It is interesting to see how the Legacy AI plays, or doesn't. Intriguing experience for me as I prepare to script these scenarios.

[Jason Petho]

Good day.

It seems there were some organization edits that was flagging some errors when trying to open the ORG editor.

The following BETA 2.31 PATCH will remedy these until we release a proper 2.31 UPDATE later in the fall.

BETA CSME 2.31 PATCH

Unzip and overwrite the OOBs folder in your install, or copy and paste the .oob files from the zip file into your OOB's folder

Thank you for your patience.
Jason Petho

[Jason Petho]

Another session with Middle East. This time I ended up playing a couple scenarios. I played both sides of The Last Stand about an Israeli kibbutz defending against an Egyptian assault in 1948. And then played the classic "Long Walk Home" scenario where a French company sized unit is trying to head back "home" in the Algerian countryside. While enjoyable, I do miss the scripting, it makes the game far more enriching. I look forward to creating the scripts when I have time. OH! I also made mention of a BETA 2.31 PATCH that is available on the Matrix Games forum that corrects the Org Editor.

[Boggit]

Thank you Jason. 

[CaptainKoloth]

Wonderful!

A few years ago I remember you were working on an Iran-Iraq War DLC for this, is that still in the hazy future?

[Jason Petho]

A few years ago I remember you were working on an Iran-Iraq War DLC for this, is that still in the hazy future?

Yes, absolutely!

I have some help with the Iranian OOB's, so that will help me put things together for the Iran/Iraq War. Keep in mind, that our standard is to build each nation from 1948-1985, which is a challenge indeed.

[CaptainKoloth]

A few years ago I remember you were working on an Iran-Iraq War DLC for this, is that still in the hazy future?

Yes, absolutely!

I have some help with the Iranian OOB's, so that will help me put things together for the Iran/Iraq War. Keep in mind, that our standard is to build each nation from 1948-1985, which is a challenge indeed.

Fantastic. I will continue being patient  You guys are doing an amazing job keeping this and CS:V in tip-top shape.