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#91
Computer Gaming / Re: Crown Wars: The Black Prin...
Last post by Grim.Reaper - May 23, 2024, 01:43:11 PMQuote from: Gusington on May 23, 2024, 09:39:16 AMDefinitely still interested and loitering with intent over the purchase button.
Seems like not a lot of great feedback, everything from optimization not being great and not liking the controls. No involvement from devs that I can see. I won't have a chance to really play until next week but it might be one of those wait and see things for people who haven't bought yet. Surprisingly, the download was tiny, like 6.8GB with expected footprint of 14GB. Very small for games these days....
#92
Computer Gaming / Re: Strategy is not hip
Last post by Skoop - May 23, 2024, 10:55:44 AMQuote from: jamus34 on May 22, 2024, 06:18:42 PMWaiting for the big screen release of "Ass"
(For you Idiocracy fans)
With the way the 2024 election is going, I wouldn't be surprised if 2028 election will put the Terry Crews idiocracy character in the White House.
#93
Digital Gaming AARs / Re: All the colors of the RAIN...
Last post by Tripoli - May 23, 2024, 10:18:23 AMAfter a 3+ month hiatus, I'm back to this AAR. When I last left the AAR, war with Italy was brewing, and the Naval War College was asked to update the war plans. Here's what they came up with:
Strategic Situation: Italy has bases only in the Mediterranean and a single base on the Red Sea at Eritrea. Eritrea has a base capacity of only twenty, as well as an airfield. Italy has no allies and is unlikely to get any allies in the next three years.
In contrast, the US has no bases in the Mediterranean, but has Djibouti, within amphibious striking distance of the Italian base at Eritrea. These two bases are the only facilities in the world that either Italy or the US can invade. Djibouti has a capacity of forty and an airfield. This gives the US a slight basing advantage in the region, and a similar airborne scouting capability.
The lack of any US bases in the Mediterranean gives Italy a decided advantage in this region. Further, the lack of any USN airbases in the Mediterranean gives Italy a decided scouting advantage in its home waters. Outside of the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean areas, the strategic positions are reversed, with the US having a definite advantage because of superior bases and airbases. Like Italy, the US has no allies and is unlikely to get any allies in the next three years. Finally, the inability of the US to invade any Mediterranean targets means that there is little reason to move major fleet units to contest this region.
Force Comparison: The US has only 76% of Italy's fleet tonnage but has 2.5 times the tonnage in terms of commissioned battleships. However, Italy has commissioned an additional six battlecruisers. When these are added to the Italian tonnage, the Italy has a 6% lead in capital ship tonnage. The USN has only fourteen heavy cruisers compared to Italy's 18, but the US cruisers average about 750 tons greater displacement. The two sides are almost identical in light cruiser tonnage and numbers. The Italian navy has eighty-one destroyers compared to the USN's 60. However, the USN destroyers average 750 tons displacement compared to a mere 458 tons for the Italian navy. Italy has more airships, but no air capability outside of the Mediterranean and Red Sea areas. With 23:17 superiority in submarines, the US has a slightly more capable submarine fleet.
Italian vessels are likely to be technologically inferior to ships. US Battleships are significantly larger, with an average displacement of 26,500 tons, compared to the average Italian displacement of only 20,150 tons. The latest information known about Italian battleship, the VITTORIO VENETO has 10x13", and 14x4", but the Italians invented 14" guns in 1908, so some battleships may be equipped with them. There is no information on Italian training emphasis, so it is likely that the US has equivalent training in torpedo and night fighting, while being superior in gunnery. USN officers are also more likely to be superior compared to the Italian officers, due to their combat experience, and the naval academy training.
War Objective and Strategy: Based on this, the US war aim will be to fight a limited war, with the following war aims, in order of priority: 1) an early war end; with 2) seizure of the Italian base in Eritrea. To accomplish this strategy, the US will forward deploy the entire Pacific Fleet to the Philippines to support offensive operations in the Indian Ocean/Red Sea area, aimed at capturing Eritrea. A decisive daytime fleet battle will be waged in the Indian Ocean/Red Sea area to both seize Eritrea and to deal a psychologically destructive blow to the Italian population with the aim of quickly brining Italy to negotiate an end to the war.
To support this strategy, the Pacific Fleet will be reinforced with all the dreadnoughts and the most modern cruisers. Meanwhile, the pre-dreadnoughts and older vessels will be transferred to the Atlantic Fleet, which will adopt a defensive posture in the East Coast/Caribbean. Heavy USN fleet units will avoid entering the Mediterranean, as the superior Italian basing and airborne scouting capability in the region too risky for the limited strategic gains achievable by such a deployment, at least until the Italian fleet is significantly reduced.
By itself, it is unlikely that a single fleet action in the Red Sea will drive Italy to negotiate an end to the war. Further, with the loss of Eritrea, it is unlikely that the Italian fleet can be lured into a second action outside the Mediterranean. Because the strategic environment in the Mediterranean makes deployment of heavy USN surface forces too risky, the USN will adopt a commerce raiding strategy based on the deployment of surface raiders globally outside the Mediterranean, and a heavy deployment of submarine forces inside the Mediterranean.
In preparation for this strategy, the USN base at Djibouti will be expanded and fortified. Additionally, a crash submarine building program will expand the USN fleet to at least thirty units. A complementary crash ASW program will build cheap corvettes to protect USN fleet units and commerce against Italian submarines.
War Plan RAINBOW GREY-1913
Strategic Situation: Italy has bases only in the Mediterranean and a single base on the Red Sea at Eritrea. Eritrea has a base capacity of only twenty, as well as an airfield. Italy has no allies and is unlikely to get any allies in the next three years.
In contrast, the US has no bases in the Mediterranean, but has Djibouti, within amphibious striking distance of the Italian base at Eritrea. These two bases are the only facilities in the world that either Italy or the US can invade. Djibouti has a capacity of forty and an airfield. This gives the US a slight basing advantage in the region, and a similar airborne scouting capability.
The lack of any US bases in the Mediterranean gives Italy a decided advantage in this region. Further, the lack of any USN airbases in the Mediterranean gives Italy a decided scouting advantage in its home waters. Outside of the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean areas, the strategic positions are reversed, with the US having a definite advantage because of superior bases and airbases. Like Italy, the US has no allies and is unlikely to get any allies in the next three years. Finally, the inability of the US to invade any Mediterranean targets means that there is little reason to move major fleet units to contest this region.
Force Comparison: The US has only 76% of Italy's fleet tonnage but has 2.5 times the tonnage in terms of commissioned battleships. However, Italy has commissioned an additional six battlecruisers. When these are added to the Italian tonnage, the Italy has a 6% lead in capital ship tonnage. The USN has only fourteen heavy cruisers compared to Italy's 18, but the US cruisers average about 750 tons greater displacement. The two sides are almost identical in light cruiser tonnage and numbers. The Italian navy has eighty-one destroyers compared to the USN's 60. However, the USN destroyers average 750 tons displacement compared to a mere 458 tons for the Italian navy. Italy has more airships, but no air capability outside of the Mediterranean and Red Sea areas. With 23:17 superiority in submarines, the US has a slightly more capable submarine fleet.
Italian vessels are likely to be technologically inferior to ships. US Battleships are significantly larger, with an average displacement of 26,500 tons, compared to the average Italian displacement of only 20,150 tons. The latest information known about Italian battleship, the VITTORIO VENETO has 10x13", and 14x4", but the Italians invented 14" guns in 1908, so some battleships may be equipped with them. There is no information on Italian training emphasis, so it is likely that the US has equivalent training in torpedo and night fighting, while being superior in gunnery. USN officers are also more likely to be superior compared to the Italian officers, due to their combat experience, and the naval academy training.
War Objective and Strategy: Based on this, the US war aim will be to fight a limited war, with the following war aims, in order of priority: 1) an early war end; with 2) seizure of the Italian base in Eritrea. To accomplish this strategy, the US will forward deploy the entire Pacific Fleet to the Philippines to support offensive operations in the Indian Ocean/Red Sea area, aimed at capturing Eritrea. A decisive daytime fleet battle will be waged in the Indian Ocean/Red Sea area to both seize Eritrea and to deal a psychologically destructive blow to the Italian population with the aim of quickly brining Italy to negotiate an end to the war.
To support this strategy, the Pacific Fleet will be reinforced with all the dreadnoughts and the most modern cruisers. Meanwhile, the pre-dreadnoughts and older vessels will be transferred to the Atlantic Fleet, which will adopt a defensive posture in the East Coast/Caribbean. Heavy USN fleet units will avoid entering the Mediterranean, as the superior Italian basing and airborne scouting capability in the region too risky for the limited strategic gains achievable by such a deployment, at least until the Italian fleet is significantly reduced.
By itself, it is unlikely that a single fleet action in the Red Sea will drive Italy to negotiate an end to the war. Further, with the loss of Eritrea, it is unlikely that the Italian fleet can be lured into a second action outside the Mediterranean. Because the strategic environment in the Mediterranean makes deployment of heavy USN surface forces too risky, the USN will adopt a commerce raiding strategy based on the deployment of surface raiders globally outside the Mediterranean, and a heavy deployment of submarine forces inside the Mediterranean.
In preparation for this strategy, the USN base at Djibouti will be expanded and fortified. Additionally, a crash submarine building program will expand the USN fleet to at least thirty units. A complementary crash ASW program will build cheap corvettes to protect USN fleet units and commerce against Italian submarines.
#94
Current Events / Re: Russia's War Against Ukrai...
Last post by Uberhaus - May 23, 2024, 10:13:19 AMQuote from: Jarhead0331 on May 23, 2024, 08:56:05 AM^What is the motive behind the "purge"? Isn't the Russian military finally making measurable strategic gains?
I'm going to have to be brief, I have to rush off for training. Maybe I'll need to add something later.
The Russians are saying that the senior officers are being arrested for corruption. Shoigu's friendship w/ Putin probably saved him and such a move would be a threat to others in the kleptocracy. Rosenberg states that it is for the reasons Prigozhin staged his mutiny, incompetence and corruption, however, R states that Putin won't be told what to do.
Obviously, the purge is not for Stalin's reasons, they're not a threat to Putin's leadership. They're incompetence is well documented and the corruption is well known but personally, I think Putin wants major reforms so that the military isn't lacking for its equipment and ability in the future. With the leaked document on Russia's borders at sea, it looks like the Russians will keep pushing, not respecting the rule of law.
With Western equipment beginning to arrive and how it will impede the Russian offensives, there may be a connection to failed promises by the leadership but that's just speculation.
Not my best response, but I'm pressed. Excuses, excuses.
#95
Computer Gaming / Re: Crown Wars: The Black Prin...
Last post by Gusington - May 23, 2024, 09:39:16 AMDefinitely still interested and loitering with intent over the purchase button.
#96
Current Events / Re: Russia's War Against Ukrai...
Last post by Jarhead0331 - May 23, 2024, 08:56:05 AM^What is the motive behind the "purge"? Isn't the Russian military finally making measurable strategic gains?
#97
Current Events / Re: Russia's War Against Ukrai...
Last post by Uberhaus - May 23, 2024, 08:01:23 AMSteve Rosenberg has some interesting commentary on what he is calling a purge in the Russian military. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c900qz4wll4o
QuoteIt failed. President Putin sided with his military chiefs. Prigozhin lost his power battle with Mr Shoigu and Gen Gerasimov. And, shortly after, he lost his life in a plane crash.
But one year on, a Kremlin-backed purge of the army has started.
And this tells us something about Vladimir Putin. The Russian president is averse to acting under pressure. Order him to sack a minister or an army general, and he's unlikely to agree to it then and there. He won't be told what to do.
That doesn't mean Mr Putin won't act. At a time of his choosing.
What isn't clear is how far this purge of the Russian military will go; how many more senior figures will end up behind bars.
#98
Current Events / Re: South China Sea Heats Up
Last post by Uberhaus - May 23, 2024, 07:06:48 AMChina has launched two days of military drills around Taiwan. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cqvv29gpqn1o
This is in response to Taiwan's newly inaugurated President Lai's speech. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-69036373
The BBC's live coverage of events seems to have vanished but it covered the facts that planning for this exercise would have taken months and that China could attack the Taiwanese islands close to mainland China. What China continues to do in the next few days and weeks will have to be watched.
Reuters is stating that China is making mock attacks against Taiwan. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/with-mock-attacks-china-sends-honed-warning-to-taiwan-s-new-president/ar-BB1mUkPI
QuoteThursday's drills for the first time simulated a full-scale attack, Taiwanese military experts said, rather than an economic blockade.
The exercises took place all around the main island, and for the first time also targeted the Taipei-controlled islands of Kinmen, Matsu, Wuqiu and Dongyin which lie close to the Chinese coast, according to maps released by China's People's Liberation Army (PLA).
The drills also included a component to the east of Taiwan - the island's rugged east coast on the other side of a mountain range has long been its military redoubt.
Taiwan has built much of its hardened military infrastructure along this coast, including a large underground airbase inside a mountain near the city of Hualien. It is also close to Japan's southern islands, and a natural resupply route.
By sending naval and air patrols to the east of Taiwan, China aims to show Taipei that its east is now exposed to Chinese attack, and to show the Americans that any effort to resupply or re-enforce Taiwan from the east is vulnerable to Chinese missile strikes and naval attack.
This is in response to Taiwan's newly inaugurated President Lai's speech. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-69036373
QuoteTaiwan's newly inaugurated president William Lai has called on China to stop threatening the island and accept the existence of its democracy.
He urged Beijing to replace confrontation with dialogue, shortly after being sworn in on Monday.
He also said Taiwan would never back down in the face of intimidation from China, which has long claimed the island as its own.
The BBC's live coverage of events seems to have vanished but it covered the facts that planning for this exercise would have taken months and that China could attack the Taiwanese islands close to mainland China. What China continues to do in the next few days and weeks will have to be watched.
Reuters is stating that China is making mock attacks against Taiwan. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/with-mock-attacks-china-sends-honed-warning-to-taiwan-s-new-president/ar-BB1mUkPI
#99
Computer Gaming / Re: WarNo by Eugen - aka WARGA...
Last post by Destraex - May 23, 2024, 03:42:47 AMWARNO is finally released from early access and into the wild. Might have to give her a whirl.
The gold edition discount will be retro actively given to early access buyers when they finally get that item into the store.
The gold edition discount will be retro actively given to early access buyers when they finally get that item into the store.
#100
Computer Gaming / Re: Crown Wars: The Black Prin...
Last post by Grim.Reaper - May 23, 2024, 03:26:10 AMReleases today. Liked the demo enough to give it a go. Although seems devs been quiet a bit, hope not a train wreck:)