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Introducing Wargame Design Studios.
We would like to officially announce the formation of Wargame Design Studio (WDS).
WDS is composed of industry veterans with experience in building games for the grognard war gamer.
WDS will be initially focused on the John Tiller Panzer Battles game system and has the right to build and modify the game code as required. This is the first time that John has licenced his game code for external commercial use. Any resulting titles will be published by John Tiller Software. To drive change in the game code, Robert Osterlund (Berto) is joining WDS as lead programmer and architect. Berto has been working with the Campaign Series Legion to update the Campaign Series games published by Matrix Games. Berto will continue to work with both design studios.
The team at WDS have previously published Panzer Battles – Kursk the Southern Flank, Panzer Battles – Normandy, Panzer Campaigns – Kharkov '43 and Panzer Campaigns – Moscow '42.
We are working on a number of projects currently. The third Panzer Battles title is set in the Desert and the official campaign covered will be announced soon.
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We are also working on a Demo that will be available for free. The initial scenarios to be released with the Demo will include actions from the Eastern & Western Fronts, Desert and Pacific theatres. We expect to make more content available for the Demo over time. We're committed to bringing both new players and new designers into our hobby and the Demo will be a perfect way to promote that.
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With access to the source code we will be enhancing and adding a range of new features in the game. We are currently testing a beta patch for both Panzer Battles Normandy and Kursk. This beta patch will be released soon for broader testing within the community and will include a number of enhancements;
Firstly, Panzer Battles – Kursk will be bought up to the same standard as Panzer Battles – Normandy v1.01.
In addition, we are adding completely new short-cut keys for nearly every in game function;
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With the advent of high resolution monitors, we are providing double sized Classic and Standard (new) toolbars. All have tool tips including the applicable short-cut key. There are 70 icons now available in either a single or double row;
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Below is an example of the new standard icons at the 'small' size. The 70 icons fit across a 1920-pixel screen width. Lesser screen resolutions will be supported;
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theblitz.org%2Fuploads%2Ffiles%2Fdfa%2FPB%2520Graphics%2520473.png&hash=09d5b5fe8d8d62346d084c3470a941bf692033c5)
We have also included double sized 'classic' icons;
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theblitz.org%2Fuploads%2Ffiles%2Fdfa%2FPB%2520Graphics%2520474.png&hash=ee45a5e165fb56955d2ebc1788637df7d13c63e5)
Finally, there are a lot of additional informational filters – below is one example showing height elevations;
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These are just a couple of examples of the changes that will be coming in the Beta release. There are a lot of data and scenario updates being worked on currently and once the new Beta has been reviewed we will release the next official patch with all the changes included.
We have quite a long list of enhancements to be considered including everything from victory points to supply, through artillery & artillery spotting. We also hope to enhance reporting and other player aids. All of these are yet to be committed to but with access to the code there is a lot we can do.
Finally, we have quite a number of other projects underway and look forward to sharing those at an appropriate time in the future.
Thanks,
The team at WDS
Looking good!
Great news! :D Will be following regularly.
We will have to introduce PanzerDe to this post slowly.
His heart may not be able to take it in its entirety.
The hi-rez toolbars in particular are wonderful.
Great news, Godspeed!
Platoon sized tactical games are my sweetspot, both with computers and with boardgames. Looking forward to the new titles!
:smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
Can't wait for the Pacific stuff! 8)
+1
Nice, I think I will return an old friend touched up ;)
Sounds great. Where will the information hub be? Here, new web site, somewhere else?. Looking forward to the changes.
Quote from: -budd- on August 20, 2016, 10:50:30 AM
Sounds great. Where will the information hub be? Here, new web site, somewhere else?. Looking forward to the changes.
We got asked the same thing at the Blitz.
We have the domain name registered but really don't have much to show currently. We will be using sites like Grogheads, Dogs of War & the Blitz to get all updates/teases/notifications out.
We can't see any point hosting our own forums as we prefer to go where people already are.
All actual game releases will go through John Tiller's site. He is now essentially a publisher for all the content we generate, so we will continue to use his site for launch and distribution of any future games.
David
Excellent news. Looking forward to this.
Wow! Congrats and good luck. I'll be watching with interest. O0
Quote from: bbmike on August 20, 2016, 09:59:26 AM
Can't wait for the Pacific stuff! 8)
Second this. With Bells on.
I thought this might be an elaborate hoax to begin with...
Without an official web presence it's hard to take such things seriously... hopefully WDS will have an official presence and we can all refer to it, and make it part of our surfing rotation in the future.
If the future is to bring Tiller games kicking and screaming into the future (present) then I'm all for it, and am right behind you.
Here's hoping every success to you!
Get an official site, and the relevant communities will be 100% behind you.
With a niche as small as ours, I'm hard pressed to see how a site matters. The proof will be in the pudding and these folks have already done a good amount to haul my beloved Tiller engine nearer the end of the 20th Century...not to speak of the 21st.
What's particularly exciting for me is that Dr. T. has allowed someone else to have the code. He will live many more years but not forever and his approach to gaming is unique and uniquely suited to the way I like to play games. I had earnestly hoped he'd trust another group or two to walk his efforts forward. Perhaps, perhaps, someday my much-word Napoleonic battles will be graced with divisional morale and a host of other changes we in La Fraternite des Boutons Carres have been clamoring for.
These are my favourite games, so the news couldn't be better - just make sure they keep working on the Mac :)
Godspeed!
It looks like I picked a good time to start playing JT titles. I absolutely love PB:N (warts and all) and look forward to the next update.
Have you guys considered changing the way hex information is conveyed? Either fitting it full time in the Info Panel or a shortcut to show it? It would really help mouse fatigue if you didnt have to move the pointer from the hex to the panel and then right click for every hex.
Great game and great news.
Quote from: Moreb on August 20, 2016, 08:30:07 PM
It looks like I picked a good time to start playing JT titles. I absolutely love PB:N (warts and all) and look forward to the next update.
Have you guys considered changing the way hex information is conveyed? Either fitting it full time in the Info Panel or a shortcut to show it? It would really help mouse fatigue if you didn't have to move the pointer from the hex to the panel and then right click for every hex.
Great game and great news.
Yes - we're looking at all ways to simplify how information is shared.
The filters are the first way - there are many more of these than previously as shown by the elevation display in the original post. We will have more including a hex specific one where you can see the terrain values in all hexes at the flick of a button.
It's actually surprising how many filters already existed but due to lack of a shortcut/button were never used - we're fixing that and adding more.
I agree on the mouse fatigue and we're trying to reduce it. So you have alternate ways to look at hexes and units without having to move across a screen - a particular issue with bigger monitors.
Finally, we haven't even started on the reporting in game - we have a lot of ideas there including clearer combat reporting so players understand why things happen/don't happen.
David
PS If you like Normandy, after we release the beta patch we will have a big official release which includes a heap of data fixes. One of our researchers, Chris Haigh has reviewed the whole map and added a ton of extra locations as well as checked a lot of scenarios setups. The map looks absolutely fabulous and Chris found a few things such as we had Utah beach too far north, these things have all been corrected and increases the historicity.
Quote from: spelk on August 20, 2016, 04:31:02 PM
I thought this might be an elaborate hoax to begin with...
Without an official web presence it's hard to take such things seriously... hopefully WDS will have an official presence and we can all refer to it, and make it part of our surfing rotation in the future.
If the future is to bring Tiller games kicking and screaming into the future (present) then I'm all for it, and am right behind you.
Here's hoping every success to you!
Get an official site, and the relevant communities will be 100% behind you.
Did you see the number of new icons and game covers? We don't have time to create 'elaborate hoaxes'!!! ;)
Hopefully my authorship of the Normandy is released thread is sufficient to prove we're genuine! Releasing the betas will probably cement it!
As mentioned we will put up a web site when we think it's relevant and we have sufficient information to share.
We are really focused on the user interface up front and it's really important to note that this is only impacting the Panzer Battles titles that are planned and already released. We have no responsibility for John's other series and there is no plan to retrofit any UI changes at this point. This is one of the reasons we're announcing our independence (yet dependence for publishing) from John Tiller Software.
David
Quote from: Strela on August 20, 2016, 08:47:10 PM
Yes - we're looking at all ways to simplify how information is shared.
The filters are the first way - there are many more of these than previously as shown by the elevation display in the original post. We will have more including a hex specific one where you can see the terrain values in all hexes at the flick of a button.
It's actually surprising how many filters already existed but due to lack of a shortcut/button were never used - we're fixing that and adding more.
I agree on the mouse fatigue and we're trying to reduce it. So you have alternate ways to look at hexes and units without having to move across a screen - a particular issue with bigger monitors.
Finally, we haven't even started on the reporting in game - we have a lot of ideas there including clearer combat reporting so players understand why things happen/don't happen.
David
PS If you like Normandy, after we release the beta patch we will have a big official release which includes a heap of data fixes. One of our researchers, Chris Haigh has reviewed the whole map and added a ton of extra locations as well as checked a lot of scenarios setups. The map looks absolutely fabulous and Chris found a few things such as we had Utah beach too far north, these things have all been corrected and increases the historicity.
Thanks for the reply. I'm a new fan with deep gaming pockets and a history of impulse buying. I'm your best friend.
EDIT: As a show of support, I just purchased PB:K.
Not a hoax, and not sure why a development group needs a website and a forum, as that is basically requiring someone to focus on marketing instead of development.
I am not sure that people quite realise exactly the nature of these; this sort of thing is not a full time job (in fact it is secondary to other jobs). You are not dealing with a company as much as you are a coop.
Produce and the communities will be backing. I don't think I have seen too many guys as accessible as David.
Just my 2 cents (although I guess technically I don't post here all that often).
I realise its not a hoax, whether a game design studio can get on without a definite web presence I suppose is conjecture, but to get the word out there, it is nice to point to a place for all the information (press announcements, patches, notes, media etc..) and all the purchasing options. If these updated titles are all going through JTS then why not announce it there and point people there? Posting detailed information like you have is very much appreciated, but having somewhere "official" counts for a lot, if people are to know your product and brand.
I like what I see, and will be keeping a keen eye on progress. Deffo.
Quote from: Moreb on August 20, 2016, 09:00:17 PM
EDIT: As a show of support, I just purchased PB:K.
Thanks Moreb!
Do ensure you update with the patch that was released for Kursk.
Obviously the Beta patch will be out soon as well.
Spelk, thanks for your commentary and support. I will look to get a web page/blog up soon - time permitting. I understand the need to be 'professional'. ;)
I do personally like spreading the word in forums like Grogheads as it is a great word of mouth destination and having our own site has been low in the current list of priorities. I'll see what I can do to remedy that...
David
Strela, this is just fantastic news. This is a win for players, a win for you and your team, and a win for JTS. I'm very, very pleased this is happening!
Best of luck with this. I am ready to assist in any way I can, from obviously buying and playing the games to helping with play testing and promoting your work.
Great news!
Quote from: Cyrano on August 20, 2016, 04:53:45 PM
What's particularly exciting for me is that Dr. T. has allowed someone else to have the code. He will live many more years but not forever and his approach to gaming is unique and uniquely suited to the way I like to play games. I had earnestly hoped he'd trust another group or two to walk his efforts forward. Perhaps, perhaps, someday my much-word Napoleonic battles will be graced with divisional morale and a host of other changes we in La Fraternite des Boutons Carres have been clamoring for.
This. This needs to happen SO much...
Quote from: Strela on August 21, 2016, 08:33:19 AM
Quote from: Moreb on August 20, 2016, 09:00:17 PM
EDIT: As a show of support, I just purchased PB:K.
Thanks Moreb!
Do ensure you update with the patch that was released for Kursk.
Obviously the Beta patch will be out soon as well.
Spelk, thanks for your commentary and support. I will look to get a web page/blog up soon - time permitting. I understand the need to be 'professional'. ;)
I do personally like spreading the word in forums like Grogheads as it is a great word of mouth destination and having our own site has been low in the current list of priorities. I'll see what I can do to remedy that...
David
What would be really good is an OOB tree on the left hand side like command ops has. Would really help with situational awareness rather than the current tiny modal dialog under show organisation.
Also - some more esoteric stuff such as WWI Africa - battle of tanga for example.
Quote from: Zulu1966 on August 23, 2016, 03:35:20 PM
What would be really good is an OOB tree on the left hand side like command ops has. Would really help with situational awareness rather than the current tiny modal dialog under show organisation.
Also - some more esoteric stuff such as WWI Africa - battle of tanga for example.
There are lots of requests for UI changes currently. We're taking note, but will be covering these things in phases with the short cut keys/expanded icons the first step. Additional reporting and displays is definitely a future deliverable, but one I am keen to get across. As mentioned elsewhere we are balancing between infrastructure improvements like game UI's and new content.
David
Quote from: spelk on August 20, 2016, 04:31:02 PM
Get an official site, and the relevant communities will be 100% behind you.
Time to get 100% behind us!!!
http://www.wargamedesignstudio.com/ (http://www.wargamedesignstudio.com/)
David
PS This is still in Beta but you get the idea. We will be posting announcements etc here officially.
Woohoo!
Consider it plastered all over my social media... :)
Just a quick call out that we have started publishing an (approximately) weekly blog on different aspects of the game series.
You can find out more here;
http://www.wargamedesignstudio.com/#latestnews
Web site address;
http://www.wargamedesignstudio.com
David
Quote from: Strela on September 09, 2016, 07:24:12 PM
Just a quick call out that we have started publishing an (approximately) weekly blog on different aspects of the game series.
You can find out more here;
http://www.wargamedesignstudio.com/#latestnews
Web site address;
http://www.wargamedesignstudio.com
David
Very pleased to see crete featuring so heavily - is this the first game ?
Quote from: Zulu1966 on September 10, 2016, 07:40:33 AM
Very pleased to see crete featuring so heavily - is this the first game ?
Panzer Battles 3 is the first title to be done under the WDS label but the team did the first two JTS Panzer Battle titles; Kursk & Normandy. Crete is part of the 3rd title - it's not part of the demo if there is any speculation on that....
David