Been looking forward to this one...
http://www.commander-games.com/2012/09/artificial-intelligence-or-ai/
Quote
Hi guys, it has been a while since the last report, but we all enjoyed a well deserved summer break after finishing Panzer Corps: Afrika Korps. We are now back and finishing the last polishing on Commander: The Great War.
The game really plays nice, we have been improving the AI so it will give you a run for your money on the more harder levels, of course for those unfamiliar with the whole Commander playing style, don`t be afraid we made sure that both beginner as veteran will be able to enjoy the game.
I refer to the previous development diary, the balancing of the scenarios is going into the right direction, but here also we are now in a stage of getting it really spot on, all in all we are now confident enough to announce a release date: Commander: The Great War will release early November.
So the long wait is almost over, again we want to make sure the game is; as bug free as possible, achieve a nice game balance, offer good fun and sufficient replay value. According to the feedback from our Beta-testers we seem to have achieved that all important "just-one-more-turn" feeling.
So we are confident a lot of people will enjoy this strategy game and are looking forward to re-fight The Great War of WW1.
^I can't wait! This game looks very promising. I know I stated elsewhere that my interest in this game fell down due to all the delays in getting it released but I've changed my mind. Now if only they could incorporate hotseat play I'd be totally happy but I'm glad there is a PBEM option available.
Finally....november sounds perfect to me... 8)
E-e-e-excellent...
I wonder it if will be 11/11...oh and:
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fih1.redbubble.net%2Fimage.9836187.4488%2Fsticker%2C375x360.png&hash=36e41659fabe156451bd65370b48c301162df90d)
Quote from: Gusington on September 08, 2012, 02:02:30 PM
I wonder it if will be 11/11...oh and:
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fih1.redbubble.net%2Fimage.9836187.4488%2Fsticker%2C375x360.png&hash=36e41659fabe156451bd65370b48c301162df90d)
My youngest son's birthday. He always loves having his birthday on a Federal holiday, guaranteed day off and bbq to boot.
How old is he?
Wow. Do any of the fruit of your loins.game? Any of them going to get The Great War? For that matter...are you?
Quote from: Gusington on September 08, 2012, 07:54:48 PM
Wow. Do any of the fruit of your loins.game? Any of them going to get The Great War? For that matter...are you?
The youngest fruit is into games like Civ and anything Star Wars or Star Trek. The oldest likes first person stuff like Skyrim, the Fallout series (and he donated to Kickstarter for Wasteland like I did), the Call of Duty series, things like that. I introduced both of them to board wargaming at an early age, but it couldn't compete with our early Commodore, much less the continual upgrades of computers and games I've had every since. Oh, the days when the three of us would haggle for precious computer gaming time, lol.
The Great War has been on my radar since day one. I loved Commander: Europe at War GS 2.0 because it somewhat recreates my Avalon Hill boardwargaming days, especially mirroring Third Reich. I think the platform will translate well into a WWI game. But yeah...The Great War and Dead State are at the top of my wish list, along with Wasteland.
I'm not going to let Steelgrave hide his shame, his oldest is also staunchly liberal and an academic! (Did I get that right?) ;)
I'm not sure what to think about Commander: The Great War. The original Commander left me with a huge "meh" feeling. I hope that this supports HD resolutions and has a bit more "oomph" than the other ones. I hear Napoleon wasn't good at all.
Quote from: son_of_montfort on September 08, 2012, 10:39:25 PM
I'm not going to let Steelgrave hide his shame, his oldest is also staunchly liberal and an academic! (Did I get that right?) ;)
I'm not sure what to think about Commander: The Great War. The original Commander left me with a huge "meh" feeling. I hope that this supports HD resolutions and has a bit more "oomph" than the other ones. I hear Napoleon wasn't good at all.
The oldest one? Yeah, he leans liberal and is an academic but I blame that on his being dropped on his head as a child. He was a pretty good kid until then ;D What's funny is that his wife is a senior VP for a major banking chain and is clearly the family liberal among us. Kind of unexpected considering her line of work. My revenge will come through the grandchildren, who are destined to vote Republican for decades to come because they love their grandpa and I'm molding their impressionable young minds 8)
Napoleon was nothing special. Neither was the original Europe at War. But the GS 2.0 upgrade made it a pretty enjoyable game. Not hardcore, of course, but fun and playable.
CEAW GS 2.0 suffered from a serious flaw that allowed isolated units on their home capital rebuild each turn so that it became very ahistorical with the results. In my last pbem game of it, Denmark kept a unit on the capital and I would simply rebuild to max strength each turn. This of course was at a cost to France but our game had France surrendering in late 1940 and Denmark was still holding on as unconqured. We chuckled at the silly game and I haven't tried it since.
I am on the fence for this one as well, but will certainly check it out. I also see the makers of Making History are also making a WW1 game......WW1 getting a lot of love lately:)
^It's about time, eh? Not sure when the Making History WWI game will be available. But I am always looking for an accessible but somewhat hardcore WWI game. WWI and 25 years on either side of it is my favorite historical era.
Quote from: Gusington on September 09, 2012, 08:41:34 AM
WWI and 25 years on either side of it is my favorite historical era.
+1 brother...+1.
Quote from: son_of_montfort on September 08, 2012, 10:39:25 PM
I hear Napoleon wasn't good at all.
IIRC Cobb wrote a review of it for me (though I could be mistaken). Also, if memory serves correctly, artillery was still married to the programming of the WWII game and shot several hexes - in other words, for miles.
I could be mistaken, but those are the only memories I have of reading about the game. I did not play it.
Can anyone comment on the AI in the previous games?
Quote from: Steelgrave on September 08, 2012, 07:06:43 PM
Quote from: Gusington on September 08, 2012, 05:28:14 PM
How old is he?
26, kiddo. My oldest is 31.
Holy crap, you're old enough to be my dad! :o I thought you were only 52...?
^He is, he's studly ;)
Artillery firing for miles in WWI wasn't totally unheard of...remember Big Bertha? IIRC the Germans shelled Paris with a Big Bertha type howitzer, either during the Franco Prussian War or WWI at their closest approach to the French capital.
Unless of course it's from 25+ miles away during that era. That would be a little bit of an exaggeration.
Quote from: Gusington on September 09, 2012, 11:52:41 AM
^He is, he's studly ;)
Artillery firing for miles in WWI wasn't totally unheard of...remember Big Bertha? IIRC the Germans shelled Paris with a Big Bertha type howitzer, either during the Franco Prussian War or WWI at their closest approach to the French capital.
Unless of course it's from 25+ miles away during that era. That would be a little bit of an exaggeration.
Just to clarify: I think it was the Napoleonic game that had arty at that range.
Oh. Party pooper.
Quote from: Gusington on September 09, 2012, 12:07:24 PM
Oh. Party pooper.
I'm a wargamer. It runs on our genetic code.
Can I call you Big Bertha to make up for it?
Quote from: Gusington on September 09, 2012, 02:12:16 PM
Can I call you Big Bertha to make up for it?
If that means what I think it means... (https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi1081.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fj349%2Flongblade%2FSmilies%2Fummno.gif&hash=7be9e5847c207ac2400925e3846a95525f26d982)
Hrmph. Party pooper.
i would love to play a good ww1 game.
just not this one.
i can't stand more Panzer General - esque lightweights.
nor would i want the Gary Grigsby aproach.
just something for my truly average brain. not too dumb, not too mind boggling.
What makes you say Commander is lightweight?
Quote from: Gusington on September 09, 2012, 03:18:53 PM
What makes you say Commander is lightweight?
Because the other commander games have been beer and pretzel games.
Quote from: Keunert on September 09, 2012, 03:12:20 PM
i would love to play a good ww1 game.
just not this one.
i can't stand more Panzer General - esque lightweights.
nor would i want the Gary Grigsby aproach.
just something for my truly average brain. not too dumb, not too mind boggling.
The SC: WW I Breakthrough add-on makes Hubert Cater's SC: WW I very nice.
Beer & pretzel automatically means lightweight? Not a loaded question, as The Great War will be the first I play in the series.
I wouldn't call it "lite" Some difficult decisions are necessary.
It doesn't strike me as particularly light, not like a Panzer General or Panzer Corps. On the flip side, it doesn't seem as groggy as Strategic Commander WWI. IMHO it fits in the middle.
Quote from: Gusington on September 09, 2012, 04:04:59 PM
It doesn't strike me as particularly light, not like a Panzer General or Panzer Corps. On the flip side, it doesn't seem as groggy as Strategic Commander WWI. IMHO it fits in the middle.
I always thought of the SC series being
somewhat lightweight beer & pretzels, too. In the same category as the old Commander WW2, actually. They're both about the same level of learning curve. *shrug* These both have industrial, diplo, and nation-wide production which makes them a grand strategy whereas the Panzer Generals were "light" operational wargames, so there's more to these than PG.
If you want something with more work load & learning curve, then go get WWI Gold is my recommendation. ;)
^For whatever reason I have a mental block against getting WWI Gold...I know it's been patched but the initial poor reviews stick in my craw.
Quote from: Gusington on September 09, 2012, 04:14:26 PM
^For whatever reason I have a mental block against getting WWI Gold...I know it's been patched but the initial poor reviews stick in my craw.
Oh, sorry Gus. I meant to address that to Keunert's not enjoying the "light" grand strategies like these.
I don't think I'd recommend
you get WWI Gold because it has quite a learning curve. And that requires a lot of time spent on just one game doesn't it? :P
Ah but if it's the right game, and a WWI game...I can do that. I have spent months playing 'the right' game at the right time.
So the consensus is that Commander will be a kinda-sorta WWI game...eh? Well for me it's perfect. I can play it and master it and then possibly move on to WWI Gold.
Quote from: Gusington on September 09, 2012, 04:31:40 PM
So the consensus is that Commander will be a kinda-sorta WWI game...eh? Well for me it's perfect. I can play it and master it and then possibly move on to WWI Gold.
Kinda-sorta? It
will be a WWI game. ;D
Didn't they say that they created this one from scratch? It's a totally different engine than the previous ones so..
Quote from: Gusington on September 09, 2012, 03:32:28 PM
Beer & pretzel automatically means lightweight? Not a loaded question, as The Great War will be the first I play in the series.
Yes, but considering you're not a wargamer it shouldn't suck.
I like simple games and I like complex games. And I like middle of the road games.
But given the current state of affairs I have difficulty justifying the time investment to do something like War in the East.
Sorry Nef...above I should have put 'a kinda-sorta light WWI game.'
yes, i bought the Commander Europe at War title and found it to be too generic for my liking. i felt like it was more like a puzzle game that was really light on the theme. like if you change the graphics it could be a Napoleon or WW1 or Roman Empire game. of course such games can be fun. but it also had this feeling that you instantly felt at home but also that you knew all the pieces from other games. there was no learning curve at all.
i felt like some of the Advanced Tactics WW2 grand strategy scenarios had a lot more depth than Commander Europe At War.
Quote from: Gusington on September 09, 2012, 08:52:03 PM
Sorry Nef...above I should have put 'a kinda-sorta light WWI game.'
Ahh, yes.
Kinda-sorta.. I suppose. I wouldn't call it beer & pretzels. More like an Intermediate level Grand Strategy.
I'd bet grand strategy novices would still have a bit of a struggle getting up to speed with it, but could still do so. The ones I consider difficult would make even some self-professed grogs shy away from figuring them out, so that's the scale I use. :)
Quote from: Keunert on September 09, 2012, 10:44:26 PM
yes, i bought the Commander Europe at War title and found it to be too generic for my liking. i felt like it was more like a puzzle game that was really light on the theme. like if you change the graphics it could be a Napoleon or WW1 or Roman Empire game. of course such games can be fun. but it also had this feeling that you instantly felt at home but also that you knew all the pieces from other games. there was no learning curve at all.
i felt like some of the Advanced Tactics WW2 grand strategy scenarios had a lot more depth than Commander Europe At War.
I'm sure AT has more to it than CEAW. But the new Commander coming up looks to be notably larger and more robust than the earlier series. Also hoping the whole new "started from scratch" one has some decent AI improvements.
Still on track for an early November release...
http://www.commander-games.com/2012/09/the-final-touches/
The game will be released as a digital download, but we will also offer a Premium DVD Box-On-Demand, with a colour printed manual on quality paper.
:)
Quote from: Gusington on September 26, 2012, 04:52:59 PM
The game will be released as a digital download, but we will also offer a Premium DVD Box-On-Demand, with a colour printed manual on quality paper.
:)
I'm not sure if you're smiling because it's a physical copy, whether it's printed on "quality paper" or whether it just has a manual...
^Yes.
Hell!
Right!
Quote from: steve58 on September 26, 2012, 12:48:57 PM
Still on track for an early November release
Release date announced: 11/12/12
http://www.commander-games.com/2012/10/release-candidate
Sweet.
Double sweet.
I'm looking forward to this game. Not sure how it will play out but based on the screenies and chatter on the forums I think Commander: TGW is a better game than Strategic Command Great War. At least for my tastes anyways. YMMV.
Quote from: W8taminute on October 24, 2012, 10:20:40 AM
Double sweet.
I'm looking forward to this game. Not sure how it will play out but based on the screenies and chatter on the forums I think Commander: TGW is a better game than Strategic Command Great War. At least for my tastes anyways. YMMV.
You compare two games when one isn't out yet?
^I admit I'm judging the one that hasn't come out yet based on it's screenshots but take a look at the elements. The research tree seems ideally complex in Commander: TGW as well as how trench warfare is handled.
The proof will be actually playing the game of course but when I tried the demo for Strategic Command Great War it felt like one of those iPad strategy games.
I wish I could join in this conversation, but for obvious reasons, I can't. ;)
I will say that they are different games, and I enjoy both. I hope you will, too.
One thing I'd really like to point out, it how professional the Lordz are, and beta testing for them has been a very rewarding experience. They truly value their beta testers' comments and suggestions, and take them to heart. Great group of guys.
Can you tell us if it plays at 1920x1080 resolution? I seem to recall the old game being stuck at a lower res.NM, found it:
QuoteAn all new engine, supporting any display resolution from 1024×600 upwards and includes full wide screen support.
I must say that, if TGW is as good as the latest CEAW-GS patch, I'll be impressed.
i didn't like CEAW much but damn this one looks tempting.
Just played through my first eight turns and although I did not absorb close to everything on the screen, I did not feel overwhelmed at all. I am playing the 1914 scenario, I've learned how to do research, I've learned how to deploy fresh units, and I had Paris taken from me by probing German cavalry. I do have infantry units nearby ready to retake Paris though. Belgium is also being "raped" as it was historically.
In the Balkans I am holding off the Austro-Hungarians and in Russia the war is fluid, as it was historically.
The Lordz made this game truly absorbing and engaging...hard to really express how though. I am always intimidated when plunging into a 'real' wargame for the first time but I did not feel that here. The game felt like it wanted me to play it :) I am being sucked in.
One question: for the first campaign are players automatically assigned to the Allies? I wanted to play as the Central Powers but never got a chance to choose...
^You must've missed it. Selecting Entente vs Central Powers is on the same screen where you select the AI level and year scenario...
Hmm I guess I did in all my giddiness. I will use this game as practice then :) Thanks Steve.
Quote from: Gusington on November 19, 2012, 09:43:25 PM
Just played through my first eight turns and although I did not absorb close to everything on the screen, I did not feel overwhelmed at all....
...The Lordz made this game truly absorbing and engaging...hard to really express how though. I am always intimidated when plunging into a 'real' wargame for the first time but I did not feel that here. The game felt like it wanted me to play it :) I am being sucked in.
I agree, this is how it was for me playing for the first time. Especially the part about the game wanting you to play it.
I'm about to start my 4th game as the Central Powers after being thrashed for the third time last night. Man, if you do not concentrate on infantry research your men will get cut to ribbons. I had what I thought was decent infantry holding the line in the West. Level IV with my entrenchment tech at concrete pillboxes. It was January 1916. Since the front had stabilized I transferred two garrison units to the Italian front to help my beleaguered Austrian allies. In February 1916 France and England launch a gargantuan offensive that literally cuts through my line like butter. When I checked the stats on my next turn I noticed that the Entente had level V infantry everywhere including on the Eastern Front!
I must try to figure out how to keep up with the tech race with my limited economy. I just don't get how the Entente can field hordes of infantry and high tech aircraft while I can barely scrap up enough coinage to rebuild my damaged units.
Quote from: W8taminute on November 20, 2012, 09:11:43 AM
I agree, this is how it was for me playing for the first time. Especially the part about the game wanting you to play it.
I'm about to start my 4th game as the Central Powers after being thrashed for the third time last night. Man, if you do not concentrate on infantry research your men will get cut to ribbons. I had what I thought was decent infantry holding the line in the West. Level IV with my entrenchment tech at concrete pillboxes. It was January 1916. Since the front had stabilized I transferred two garrison units to the Italian front to help my beleaguered Austrian allies. In February 1916 France and England launch a gargantuan offensive that literally cuts through my line like butter. When I checked the stats on my next turn I noticed that the Entente had level V infantry everywhere including on the Eastern Front!
I must try to figure out how to keep up with the tech race with my limited economy. I just don't get how the Entente can field hordes of infantry and high tech aircraft while I can barely scrap up enough coinage to rebuild my damaged units.
My weakness, as the Entente, has been trying to keep up with paying for tech upgrades while paying for replacements at the same time. It's usually one or the other that gets attention for awhile and when it comes down to it, the upgrades gotta wait.
I've also had to scrap a couple units in the Med, as Britain just to get back towards the black (I started with the 1915 scenario in this one). But despite that, those colonial convoys are the bread & butter, notably for the British. I was very concerned about the Brits buckling without enough scratch to properly replace their lines but a convoy or two always shows up right when things are getting desperate. It generally goes to replacements & upgrades but when I get a big one in, I'll buy a bomber or something. It's still scraping along by your finger nails, though, and that's the way it should be. 8)
I would've liked to see the size of the map (and hence number of units) a little larger, myself, but this suffices for some lighter, faster gameplay so it still has it's advantages. My biggest positive is the stubborn AI. I can't stress how much a good tactical AI will improve a strategy game. It can not only smell weakness, but do it's best to concentrate against it. :D
Even eight turns in I could see the AI sniffing me out...it is enough to keep me appropriately paranoid. I was also hoping the map could be zoomed in a bit more but that is a minor gripe.
Quote from: Gusington on November 20, 2012, 10:22:26 AM
Even eight turns in I could see the AI sniffing me out...it is enough to keep me appropriately paranoid. I was also hoping the map could be zoomed in a bit more but that is a minor gripe.
Yeah I was a little disappointed about that too.
^I'm loving the game, but an old guy like myself could really use a zoom feature. Sounds like I'm not alone.
^Totally. My eyes are not the best either.
Played another 8 turns. I am being smacked around in the west by the Germans...to be expected I guess. Doing better in the east as the Russians against the Austro-Hungarians and a handful of Germans. It is now ~February 1915. The Christmas Truce has come and gone.
The Balkans are a fortress. For every Austro-Hungarian unit waiting to cross the mountains I have at least one infantry unit dug in waiting.
Research seems slow, but I also think it is supposed to be that way for the sake of realism. Have some airships and have used them on German troops in the west trying to knock France out of the war. Also got my first general units (Haig) for UK and one for France too.
So 16 turns in and I am holding everywhere but not really progressing. Turning the tide will clearly be a matter of balancing production with research to eventually see the results on the battlefield. Sounds obvious I suppose. I am loving the use of armored trains but the true king of the battlefield so far, to me anyway, is infantry. I know artillery is supposed to be even more important but I can't capture hexes without infantry.
Still enjoying myself, but like I said I wish I could zoom in more. Interestingly the audio is really good in this game. The sounds for each unit immerse the player, especially with headphones. The looped music reminds me of the piano tunes Schroeder played in the Peanuts cartoons...I wish the music was a bit more varied.
Most importantly the AI is not slouch. I am playing the middle level AI and it flanks, attacks to the rear and probes for weakness. It also knows when to repair its units. Kinda scary.
Quote from: Gusington on November 20, 2012, 09:41:10 PM
Most importantly the AI is not slouch. I am playing the middle level AI and it flanks, attacks to the rear and probes for weakness. It also knows when to repair its units. Kinda scary.
Gus et al I too wish for a closer zoom in feature. My eyes are old too.
I agree with the ai not being a slouch. He's a wily fellow and more than a challenge for me. I'm loving it!! <---Oops, can I use that slogan here or is Ronald gonna come after me?
Quote from: Steelgrave on November 20, 2012, 08:39:12 PM
^I'm loving the game, but an old guy like myself could really use a zoom feature. Sounds like I'm not alone.
Yessir!
Are y'all playing with sprites or counters? I find the counters go a long way towards solving the "I'm old and blind" problem.
I find that having sufficient ammunition for my arty to support an offensive is a major headache!
I'm playing with sprites, they're purty. But I still feel old and blind.
Quote from: tgb on November 21, 2012, 06:44:09 PM
Are y'all playing with sprites or counters? I find the counters go a long way towards solving the "I'm old and blind" problem.
Sprites. But besides better resolution, if I could wish for something in not only this game but in others that offer both sprites and counters....I would LOVE to be able to pic and choose for each unit type.
See, I really prefer the standard NATO type counter for ground units, I can read it quickly and like the military "feel". But I think it's cool to have sprites for airpower and naval units. So devs, if you read this stuff, think about that one. It would be a nice piece of chrome to have ;D
Sprites all the way. The only counters I can handle are the ones that are on physical board war games. 8)
Quote from: W8taminute on November 22, 2012, 10:23:06 AM
Sprites all the way. The only counters I can handle are the ones that are on physical board war games. 8)
I'm having to use counters because I can't make out the sprites too well, at 1680x1050 resolution. The sprites look great, and I'd love to use them, but they blend in too much with the map even despite having the 'glow' option on. :-[
Has anyone actually won a game yet?
^Yeah, I'm getting my a$$ consistently handed to me as the Central Powers. I can hold my own in the Balkans and on the Western Front, but once the Russians come to party, it all falls apart rather fast.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on November 23, 2012, 12:26:31 AM
^Yeah, I'm getting my a$$ consistently handed to me as the Central Powers. I can hold my own in the Balkans and on the Western Front, but once the Russians come to party, it all falls apart rather fast.
Are you playing the 1914 start, Jarhead?
I'd suggest starting at 1915 until you're comfortable, perhaps. It's more forgiving when there's less open spaces to be exploited, I would imagine. And with the scale of the map, one hole that the AI manages to rush through, at the right time, can really send the player into a downward spiral if it results in lost production or surrounded and cut off units. With attrition being such a big factor, and production devaluation from bombardment & capture of cities, it's easy to get behind the curve. At least in the '15 start the west front is firmly entrenched, and the East Front is mostly so, resulting in a more stable situation to start with.
Quote from: Nefaro on November 22, 2012, 12:26:12 PM
Quote from: W8taminute on November 22, 2012, 10:23:06 AM
Sprites all the way. The only counters I can handle are the ones that are on physical board war games. 8)
I'm having to use counters because I can't make out the sprites too well, at 1680x1050 resolution. The sprites look great, and I'd love to use them, but they blend in too much with the map even despite having the 'glow' option on. :-[
That's what I found.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on November 23, 2012, 12:26:31 AM
^Yeah, I'm getting my a$$ consistently handed to me as the Central Powers. I can hold my own in the Balkans and on the Western Front, but once the Russians come to party, it all falls apart rather fast.
The single best advice I can give you is what the Lordz mentioned in either this thread or the other one. In 1914 all you should worry about is getting boots on the ground fast. Don't blow all your money on research. In fact as Germany and Austria, you need to cut back spending on naval research. The few PP you gain by doing so will enable you to survive until 1915. For every one regular infantry you send to the west you must send either 3 garrisons or 2 regular infantry to the east or you'll be done.
Here's my situation spring 1915 on all fronts:
And finally the situation in the Middle East.
I decided on straying away from Schlieffens original plan and use the WW2 plan for striking in the West. I've slowly accumulated regular infantry in the East to stem the tide of cossack hordes. I've got to hurry up and finish the Balkans before Italy enters or I'll be in trouble as I've got nothing on the Italian border atm.
Funny as the Entente starting in 1914 I am getting my ass blasted by the Central Powers on the Western Front. Not doing terrific in the East either but at least destroying some German and Austrian units here and there. I am hanging on by my toenails in the West.
But now I have got my research and production ramped up a bit and I have noticed a difference almost immediately. Increasing the power of my artillery, researching poison gas, trying hard to get the caterpillar track upgrade for armor...and then I realize, while doing all this 'work', that it is damned fun too, even with the no-nonsense AI.
The best feeling so far in this game is when I have utterly destroyed an enemy unit. I really have to work to do that. One misstep and I feel like the whole thing can come undone. I have seen infantry attack my aircraft, which I don't like too much but I guess for 1914-1915 it is pretty realistic.
With my research upgraded, and the channel somewhat secure, I am counting on the British to save the Entente cause. Each turn for the last 3-4 I have been landing upgraded infantry and artillery in the northeastern-most corner of France...this better work.
I think that somehow sheer numbers and strategically placed upgrade will save me in the East.
Fingers crossed.
Quote from: Nefaro on November 23, 2012, 01:10:45 PM
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on November 23, 2012, 12:26:31 AM
^Yeah, I'm getting my a$$ consistently handed to me as the Central Powers. I can hold my own in the Balkans and on the Western Front, but once the Russians come to party, it all falls apart rather fast.
Are you playing the 1914 start, Jarhead?
I'd suggest starting at 1915 until you're comfortable, perhaps. It's more forgiving when there's less open spaces to be exploited, I would imagine. And with the scale of the map, one hole that the AI manages to rush through, at the right time, can really send the player into a downward spiral if it results in lost production or surrounded and cut off units. With attrition being such a big factor, and production devaluation from bombardment & capture of cities, it's easy to get behind the curve. At least in the '15 start the west front is firmly entrenched, and the East Front is mostly so, resulting in a more stable situation to start with.
I am playing in the 1914 scenario...interesting. The only reason I would be hesitant to switch to the 1915 scenario would be that the 1914 scenario seems to be the best chance to implement Schlieffen. Starting the game with the western front gridlock seems to take some of the strategy away.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on November 23, 2012, 03:55:39 PM
Quote from: Nefaro on November 23, 2012, 01:10:45 PM
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on November 23, 2012, 12:26:31 AM
^Yeah, I'm getting my a$$ consistently handed to me as the Central Powers. I can hold my own in the Balkans and on the Western Front, but once the Russians come to party, it all falls apart rather fast.
Are you playing the 1914 start, Jarhead?
I'd suggest starting at 1915 until you're comfortable, perhaps. It's more forgiving when there's less open spaces to be exploited, I would imagine. And with the scale of the map, one hole that the AI manages to rush through, at the right time, can really send the player into a downward spiral if it results in lost production or surrounded and cut off units. With attrition being such a big factor, and production devaluation from bombardment & capture of cities, it's easy to get behind the curve. At least in the '15 start the west front is firmly entrenched, and the East Front is mostly so, resulting in a more stable situation to start with.
I am playing in the 1914 scenario...interesting. The only reason I would be hesitant to switch to the 1915 scenario would be that the 1914 scenario seems to be the best chance to implement Schlieffen. Starting the game with the western front gridlock seems to take some of the strategy away.
Sure, you don't have the big initial rush. But I think the AI is best at finding such holes and exploiting them, and starting my first game in 1915 has helped come to grips with it, on the Entente side anyway.
The AI is still giving it's punches but I'd like to think I've learned faster with the 1915 start since I've gained some ground, overall. The most difficult points have been when part of my line has been breached, an opening made, and the AI delivers a swift kick to the groin that I must scramble to recover from. I'm sure that with all the extra opportunities the 1914 start provides the AI, it's probably more difficult for a time. Other than maybe the west front for the CP, anyways.
I keep running out of PP trying to repair and upgrade my units. I really need to work on how I spend PP. Also I am slowly getting the hang of rotating units out of the front line where I can.
^I am not even close to mastering the rotation. I just hold the line and feel good about myself.
Quote from: Gusington on November 23, 2012, 09:59:44 PM
^I am not even close to mastering the rotation. I just hold the line and feel good about myself.
Never said I mastered but its becomes a necessity when the cohesion of my forces falls dangerously low.
I am at the end of summer, 1915, Serbia is stable and the Italian front is stable too. Russia, not so hot, but holding their own.
France is almost out of the war! Got clobbered early but in one turn I had six infantry units deployed, upgraded and now I am on the verge of taking back some lost French cities.
And the British are really ramping up in northwest France with some well equipped infantry. I am hoping to have the Germans over-extend themselves and then pincer them to pieces with fresh French infantry from the south and a born-again BEF in the north.
One issue (possible Bug!) that keeps bothering me is when enemy subs attack and they're supposed to be 'revealed' for one turn after the attack. Problem is... my 'cruiser' squadron cannot attack them! >:(
It's kinda ruining the fun for me, as I've had three opportunities to take a shot at a German sub unit right after it attacked one of my convoys - and after moving next to it, I can't friggin' attack them! Of course, next turn they disappear again.
I'd been keeping a couple of the so-called 'cruiser' squadrons out near the convoy routes for this purpose, and they have sub attack values, but it's all for not right now.
>:( >:(
I ask this sheepishly but wtf am I supposed to be doing with my convoys?
Quote from: Gusington on November 24, 2012, 07:46:55 PM
I ask this sheepishly but wtf am I supposed to be doing with my convoys?
Nothing.
They travel & arrive at your ports automatically.
Ideally you'd be able to counter-attack any sub that happens to find one and attack it (they're revealed for one turn after attacking) but the one turn attack part seems to be broken.
Good, I was hoping someone would answer in that way.
That's something I was wondering about. How's the naval combat? And air combat also.
Naval combat is rather abstracted...it's ship to ship, as far as I have seen. I am in the middle of 1915 of the long campaign. I have had 0 air-to-air encounters although ground troops can attack aircraft (airships, airplanes)...which at first I did not like but then thought 'meh it's sort of realistic especially early in the war.'
I still can't figure out what to do with my naval units. So far they are just sitting together keeping an eye on the Germans in their port.
That's what they mostly did.
^ I have noticed a lot of historical accuracy in how the AI behaves and uses units as time goes by. Really draws me into the game. Hard to figure out how scripted the entire game is. For example if, as the Entente, I engage Central Power naval units before 1916 (as I have been doing) will that affect the game positively for me in the long run? Or somehow cripple me?
^ as the CP I had my navy destroyed in 1914 and took a nasty hit to my national morale. If you can swing it, I would try to crush them.
In my game there are not a lot of grouped naval units, they are deployed pretty piecemeal. And as the Entente my national morale for France is at 6% (!!!)...but I am staging a comeback with some nicely upgraded units.
^Got any screenies Gus? I'd be interested in seeing how you are doing.
Quote from: Sir Slash on November 24, 2012, 11:36:39 PM
That's something I was wondering about. How's the naval combat? And air combat also.
Extremely abstracted but I expected it to be for such a light wargame. Just want the chance for the one turn counter-attack on subs. :-[
Quote from: Gusington on November 25, 2012, 02:07:20 PM
And as the Entente my national morale for France is at 6% (!!!)...but
:o
Seriously!?
SIX percent?!
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ftucsoncitizen.com%2Fbaja-democrats%2Ffiles%2F2012%2F11%2Fend-is-near.jpg&hash=134f04cde41abd235090798bd67c05f6083cbee6)
The end was indeed near. In one session, France, Russia and Serbia all got knocked out of the war. I am now in mid-1916 and the Entente consists of the UK and Italy. God help me.
The UK did just order their first tanks as well as some heavy bombers. But things are bleak.
All that said I did not know how long I would last in my first campaign. I am 50 turns in to the 118-turn long campaign.
W8 I attempted to take a screenie or two but they did not come out. Just as well, it would have been embarrassing anyway, moreso than my day to day [lack of] progress report.
:(
Quote from: Nefaro on November 24, 2012, 05:11:54 PM
One issue (possible Bug!) that keeps bothering me is when enemy subs attack and they're supposed to be 'revealed' for one turn after the attack. Problem is... my 'cruiser' squadron cannot attack them! >:(
It's kinda ruining the fun for me, as I've had three opportunities to take a shot at a German sub unit right after it attacked one of my convoys - and after moving next to it, I can't friggin' attack them! Of course, next turn they disappear again.
I'd been keeping a couple of the so-called 'cruiser' squadrons out near the convoy routes for this purpose, and they have sub attack values, but it's all for not right now.
>:( >:(
Here is the rule from the manual.
Submarines are invisible to the enemy until they attack. A submarine is
revealed for 1 turn when it attacks or when an enemy unit tries to move
to its hex. Only units that have not yet moved can attack a submarine.
Thus, only adjacent naval units or air/artillery units already within
reach can attack a revealed submarine.
I read that to mean that the cruiser already has to be next to the sub when it is revealed. From your post it sounds like you are moving your cruiser to the sub.
Apologies if I misread the rule or your post.
Quote from: Gusington on November 25, 2012, 05:57:05 PM
W8 I attempted to take a screenie or two but they did not come out. Just as well, it would have been embarrassing anyway, moreso than my day to day [lack of] progress report.
:(
No worries man. I just threw in the towel on my 5th game as the Central Powers. I just don't see how you're supposed to fight a war when your income is only 6 - 8 PP per turn. There is never enough troops to cover all the fronts and therefor no way to wage an offensive war.
I need some pointers on growing the economy if it is at all possible in this game. It's not fun minimizing what units to produce and repairing damaged units and getting 6 PP per turn. And if it is not possible to grow the economy to meet the demands on war then I'm done with this game. I'm a little steamed right now. Must go read the manual and look for tips and tricks to this game because I'm missing something fundamental here...
Mid-1915 and my Central Powers are holding their own on all fronts....or so it seemed.
BAM! The Russians come roaring into the east and tear through my infantry divisions, the Italians advance against Austrian territory and France attacks along my Western Front (actually knocking me back two hexes), all while the Brits drive the Turks back all the way to the Turkish border. All at the same time and very coordinated by the AI.
Another few turns like this and Adolph won't have time to sew on Corporal before the war ends!
Serbia and the West Front just fell in my game. The Russian front is looking very bleak and I no longer control anything in the Mideast. I am having alot of similar economic problems that W8 is having. I'am going to have to work on that for my next game.
Seems we are all having the same problems. W8 maybe you should knock down the difficulty a notch and handicap the AI, as long as that AI bug has been squashed.
Anyone have any economic recommendations?
Quote from: challerain on November 25, 2012, 06:05:15 PM
Quote from: Nefaro on November 24, 2012, 05:11:54 PM
One issue (possible Bug!) that keeps bothering me is when enemy subs attack and they're supposed to be 'revealed' for one turn after the attack. Problem is... my 'cruiser' squadron cannot attack them! >:(
It's kinda ruining the fun for me, as I've had three opportunities to take a shot at a German sub unit right after it attacked one of my convoys - and after moving next to it, I can't friggin' attack them! Of course, next turn they disappear again.
I'd been keeping a couple of the so-called 'cruiser' squadrons out near the convoy routes for this purpose, and they have sub attack values, but it's all for not right now.
>:( >:(
Here is the rule from the manual.
Submarines are invisible to the enemy until they attack. A submarine is
revealed for 1 turn when it attacks or when an enemy unit tries to move
to its hex. Only units that have not yet moved can attack a submarine.
Thus, only adjacent naval units or air/artillery units already within
reach can attack a revealed submarine.
I read that to mean that the cruiser already has to be next to the sub when it is revealed. From your post it sounds like you are moving your cruiser to the sub.
Apologies if I misread the rule or your post.
Perhaps that's how it's meant to be. I must've misunderstood the ".. or air/artillery units within reach can attack a revealed sub" to mean that naval units could too, if they were in move range. :'(
Gus you're probably right. Maybe I need to step it down one level on the difficulty. Perhaps the economic handicap is part of the selected difficulty level. I've noticed that the AI fields multiple arty per front and sometimes fires both of them at the same time plus airships my cities. All of this requires vast quantities of ammo. I can barely scrape up enough ammo to fire one salvo every two to three turns unless I husband my ammo stockpile. I'm not willing to up my ammo production either because that will mean less PP for replacements.
I've been in the same boat as Steelie and TCT describe above.
Me too. Also notice that no one has posted that they have won the game yet either.
Lost the game tonight at ~ turn 75 of the full campaign (118 turns). Totally wiped out and disappointingly there was no 'you suck and are defeated on all fronts' screen. Random errors popped up towards the end too, like transport ships unable to move or be disbanded, Italy 'going over' to the Entente side (they were fighting on the Entente side the whole campaign) and the game not recognizing that I literally had no units left and locking up. I guess I played the end game so horrifically that the game just could not handle my pathetic performance.
Kinda disappointed that an otherwise bug free game just came apart at the seams as my campaign went down the toilet. Should I fire it up again, take down the AI level a notch and start a Central Powers campaign?
Quote from: Gusington on November 26, 2012, 08:44:37 PM
Lost the game tonight at ~ turn 75 of the full campaign (118 turns). Totally wiped out and disappointingly there was no 'you suck and are defeated on all fronts' screen. Random errors popped up towards the end too, like transport ships unable to move or be disbanded, Italy 'going over' to the Entente side (they were fighting on the Entente side the whole campaign) and the game not recognizing that I literally had no units left and locking up. I guess I played the end game so horrifically that the game just could not handle my pathetic performance.
Kinda disappointed that an otherwise bug free game just came apart at the seams as my campaign went down the toilet. Should I fire it up again, take down the AI level a notch and start a Central Powers campaign?
Wow..seems like a wacky ending...hopefully you'll post that in the tech forum at matrix so developers can take a look at that.
Not a member of the Matrix forum :) but I would like to see how others' endgames play out. And still waiting to read if anyone has won this frickin' game!
You know, getting games out for holidays could be self-defeating. PitF seems to have bugs and now CTGW. The problem is dev staff are all on holiday also, delaying fixes.
Quote from: Bismarck on November 26, 2012, 08:59:07 PM
You know, getting games out for holidays could be self-defeating. PitF seems to have bugs and now CTGW. The problem is dev staff are all on holiday also, delaying fixes.
I haven't seen this particular bug mentioned in the forums so the developers need to know about them before they can fix them:). They do mention a first patch coming soon but who knows what soon means yet.
^Are you a member of the Matrix forums? If so feel free to forward my bug(s) :)
I've managed to take back Belgium and into a couple hexes worth of Germany on the West front.
The East Front is stalemated pretty good but the CP seem to have a slight enough advantage to knock out one of my "garrison" units every once in awhile. The attrition battle in the East isn't all that pretty but it's holding at the moment.
The Serbs have pushed into Austria-Hungary some. Between them and the Italians, the A-H has lost both of it's seaports to me. Bulgaria will be coming at me in a few turns, though, so it could still turn the opposite direction.
Egypt has held steady, I've dug in on a 3-unit front and I'm find with just holding the amassed Turkish army there. The Persian Gulf expedition was annihilated long ago, as was the amphib landing in Turkey (I opted for a different spot than the Dardanelles but failed anyway).
Sorry for not including pics.. the screen grabber program is only picking up black screens. :-[ But overall, my 1915 campaign has been going somewhat well since my early 1916 offensives on the west front have begun making good progress. All the others are just holding on as well as they can.
Won't Bulgaria be fighting with you if you're playing as the Central Powers? In my game at least Bulgaria entered the war as part of the CP.
Commander The Great War review at The Wargamer.
It is also highly addictive and 'fun' to play, (I'm always a bit leery of using words like fun in conjunction with wargaming) but all credit to The Lordz Studios/Slitherine/Matrix. They have produced a great title, and one that is extremely enjoyable. My advice is to go and buy if you are interested; you are going to be in for a bumpy but fantastic and immensely fulfilling ride!
http://www.wargamer.com/article/3278/pc-game-review-commander-the-great-war
Lord Zimoa can you see some of my posts above about the buggy endgame? Any thoughts?
If you could post that save game and the issue please at Matrix or Slitherine CTGW Tech support, so the lads can have a look.
http://www.slitherine.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=214
or
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tt.asp?forumid=1141
Thanks for the quick response, hopefully you're still reading this. The issue was a lockup at the endgame and no final resolution screen, along with some other random errors in the production/unit management panel. To my untrained eye it looked kind of like a memory leak type problem.
It will greatly help us if you still have the save games and report it, it is otherwise almost impossible to reproduce your situation, so if you can could you post them up at Slith or Matrix please.
We are working hard on the first patch, with some fixes, balancing improvements, "undo" button etc... should be done in a few weeks, before X-mas is our goal.
We are reading all feedback and requests and we have more on the wishlist, but some will require a bit more testing, so that will have to go to updates after New Year.
But please if you can, post them up or mail me direct.
Ok I will later today.
Lord Zimoa I posted over at Matrix.