I know in the licensing thread we starting talking about gameplay for Steel Beasts, so in order to separate from that topic, creating this one.
This simulator has always interested me, but initially the DRM scheme of using a dongle and price kept me away. However, after the recent discussions on it and seeing that version 3.0 is nearing completion, my interest is renewed again. At this time, the use of the dongle and price really isn't an issue for me anymore, assuming I feel I'll enjoy it enough. To be honest, the only issue with the dongle is the fact I would have to wait a number of days to receive it in the mail, which makes me hesitate because of my habit of being an impulse buyer:) I am certain I would have purchased it on a whim by now if there wasn't a physical piece needed.
With all that said, I was able to get a demo license for the simulator yesterday which is basically a full license to play the game for a week or so, free of charge. The person that helped me was quick and got me up and running very fast. There are some steps you have to do (have to use Hamachi, install some codemeter software, etc.), but I got through them within a few minutes.
So far I have only been through a number of tutorial missions and have "watched" some standard missions so a little too early to know if I will be pulling the trigger on purchasing yet. But so far, I am leaning that way. Some initial comments.
- Graphically, I find the vehicles and surroundings more than adequate for my needs and I haven't even implemented any user mods yet. I posted some screenshots in the "screenshot" thread, which are pretty nice to me.
- Tutorials seemed to have been done really well. Each vehicle has its own unique tutorials that walks you step by step through gunning, moving, controlling, etc.
- The tactical/strategy map seems well done. Easy to see your situation and control things from there. I have only scratched the surface there.
- Just like any sim, it will take time to learn how to correctly control the vehicles but on first glance seems I will find it easier than controlling flights sims.
- Tons of missions created by users available for download. Seems like a lot of mods too, but haven't really looked yet.
- I am no tank expert, but seems like vehicles move and act with purpose. Haven't seen too much yet where it would suggest non-realistic things. After a tank shoots, it just doesn't stand there waiting for return fire, it moves back and away, so not to be in the same position. Also, you can use commands to tell the driver to find a battle position where they will find best spot around you to go hull down.
- I have also watched a number of missions without even participating, sort of like a movie or re-enactment and I have greatly enjoyed that as well, without even touching the controls.
- So far I have only controlled the action by keyboard/mouse, but it can support a joystick so going to try my x52 later today.
So with all the good comments, there really is only one thing that I am still trying to see if will hold me back from actually purchasing. From what I can tell, the game is not just about being a tank commander, but also controlling all the friendly units as well in combined arms combat. In multiplayer this wouldn't be a big issue since you can have people take control of things, but in single player which I mainly play, you are the commander for all forces, regardless of what position you take. Therefore, you have to come up with and alter battle plans for everything. On the surface that sounds cool, but I am not sure my brain can wrap itself around being responsible for it all and be effective. One thing that is kind of nice when you control a platoon, your supporting tanks generally mimic your orders without you having to micro-manage by issuing them quick orders for spacing, formations, etc. That helps make it a little easier.
I am hoping some other experienced Steel Beast players can jump in and give me their thoughts and/or tips. At this point, I am strongly leaning towards a purchase, but still need a little nudging and assurance:)
If you hop over to chelcos blog there's masses of immersive aars and tales over there, plus advice and guidance - more than once reading his posts has made me think about a purchase
I haven't ever played the game but I've seen a few videos about it and this must be one of the coolest ones http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O6_qrgA-eQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O6_qrgA-eQ). :)
Quote from: undercovergeek on July 14, 2013, 10:05:19 AM
If you hop over to chelcos blog there's masses of immersive aars and tales over there, plus advice and guidance - more than once reading his posts has made me think about a purchase
Great...will check it out....not sure I will be able to resist this time through:)
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on July 14, 2013, 09:07:17 AM
From what I can tell, the game is not just about being a tank commander, but also controlling all the friendly units as well in combined arms combat. In multiplayer this wouldn't be a big issue since you can have people take control of things, but in single player which I mainly play, you are the commander for all forces, regardless of what position you take. Therefore, you have to come up with and alter battle plans for everything. On the surface that sounds cool, but I am not sure my brain can wrap itself around being responsible for it all and be effective. One thing that is kind of nice when you control a platoon, your supporting tanks generally mimic your orders without you having to micro-manage by issuing them quick orders for spacing, formations, etc. That helps make it a little easier.
I am hoping some other experienced Steel Beast players can jump in and give me their thoughts and/or tips. At this point, I am strongly leaning towards a purchase, but still need a little nudging and assurance:)
Try downloading and installing this set of scenarios: Camp Hornfelt (http://www.steelbeasts.com/Downloads/p13_sectionid/24/p13_fileid/1858)
Quote from: SB Pro Player on July 14, 2013, 10:31:48 AM
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on July 14, 2013, 09:07:17 AM
From what I can tell, the game is not just about being a tank commander, but also controlling all the friendly units as well in combined arms combat. In multiplayer this wouldn't be a big issue since you can have people take control of things, but in single player which I mainly play, you are the commander for all forces, regardless of what position you take. Therefore, you have to come up with and alter battle plans for everything. On the surface that sounds cool, but I am not sure my brain can wrap itself around being responsible for it all and be effective. One thing that is kind of nice when you control a platoon, your supporting tanks generally mimic your orders without you having to micro-manage by issuing them quick orders for spacing, formations, etc. That helps make it a little easier.
I am hoping some other experienced Steel Beast players can jump in and give me their thoughts and/or tips. At this point, I am strongly leaning towards a purchase, but still need a little nudging and assurance:)
Try downloading and installing this set of scenarios: Camp Hornfelt (http://www.steelbeasts.com/Downloads/p13_sectionid/24/p13_fileid/1858)
I actually downloaded every one of the single player missions last night:) Haven't tried that one yet, but will. Thanks!
Quote from: SB Pro Player on July 14, 2013, 10:31:48 AM
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on July 14, 2013, 09:07:17 AM
I am hoping some other experienced Steel Beast players can jump in and give me their thoughts and/or tips. At this point, I am strongly leaning towards a purchase, but still need a little nudging and assurance:)
Try downloading and installing this set of scenarios: Camp Hornfelt (http://www.steelbeasts.com/Downloads/p13_sectionid/24/p13_fileid/1858)
+1 to this. These are really great for breaking out key concepts and helping you understand tank platoon command, how to use the map and UI, how to utilize supporting assets, etc.
Key point: always always always seek low ground for movement!
Quote from: undercovergeek on July 14, 2013, 10:05:19 AM
If you hop over to chelcos blog there's masses of immersive aars and tales over there, plus advice and guidance - more than once reading his posts has made me think about a purchase
Man, his write ups are good....just furthering my desire to make the purchase.....
Quote from: panzerde on July 14, 2013, 11:02:09 AM
Quote from: SB Pro Player on July 14, 2013, 10:31:48 AM
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on July 14, 2013, 09:07:17 AM
I am hoping some other experienced Steel Beast players can jump in and give me their thoughts and/or tips. At this point, I am strongly leaning towards a purchase, but still need a little nudging and assurance:)
Try downloading and installing this set of scenarios: Camp Hornfelt (http://www.steelbeasts.com/Downloads/p13_sectionid/24/p13_fileid/1858)
+1 to this. These are really great for breaking out key concepts and helping you understand tank platoon command, how to use the map and UI, how to utilize supporting assets, etc.
Key point: always always always seek low ground for movement!
Going to give them a try as soon as I finish my mission of "cut the long grass in the front yard" :)
Quote from: Tinkershuffle on July 14, 2013, 10:09:09 AM
I haven't ever played the game but I've seen a few videos about it and this must be one of the coolest ones http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O6_qrgA-eQ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_O6_qrgA-eQ). :)
That is a great video showing real world vs the sim....thanks for sharing that, haven't seen before.
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on July 14, 2013, 09:07:17 AM
So with all the good comments, there really is only one thing that I am still trying to see if will hold me back from actually purchasing. From what I can tell, the game is not just about being a tank commander, but also controlling all the friendly units as well in combined arms combat. In multiplayer this wouldn't be a big issue since you can have people take control of things, but in single player which I mainly play, you are the commander for all forces, regardless of what position you take. Therefore, you have to come up with and alter battle plans for everything. On the surface that sounds cool, but I am not sure my brain can wrap itself around being responsible for it all and be effective. One thing that is kind of nice when you control a platoon, your supporting tanks generally mimic your orders without you having to micro-manage by issuing them quick orders for spacing, formations, etc. That helps make it a little easier.
Different missions operate at different scales - so if you don't want to run the show, choose missions that only have a platoon on your side.
I know that sounds a bit simplistic, but there it is. Also, many missions come with a default battle plan, so you can in theory be a gunner and put sabots into things without worrying about the wider picture.
Quote from: James Sterrett on July 14, 2013, 03:19:26 PM
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on July 14, 2013, 09:07:17 AM
So with all the good comments, there really is only one thing that I am still trying to see if will hold me back from actually purchasing. From what I can tell, the game is not just about being a tank commander, but also controlling all the friendly units as well in combined arms combat. In multiplayer this wouldn't be a big issue since you can have people take control of things, but in single player which I mainly play, you are the commander for all forces, regardless of what position you take. Therefore, you have to come up with and alter battle plans for everything. On the surface that sounds cool, but I am not sure my brain can wrap itself around being responsible for it all and be effective. One thing that is kind of nice when you control a platoon, your supporting tanks generally mimic your orders without you having to micro-manage by issuing them quick orders for spacing, formations, etc. That helps make it a little easier.
Different missions operate at different scales - so if you don't want to run the show, choose missions that only have a platoon on your side.
I know that sounds a bit simplistic, but there it is. Also, many missions come with a default battle plan, so you can in theory be a gunner and put sabots into things without worrying about the wider picture.
Yep, that is true....only problem I have with that unless I am missing something, when I go to download and/or review mission descriptions from the site, they are not clearly marked as to their scale. I would have to open each mission to figure out the scale, unless I have overlooked an easier way. Also good point about the battle plans and taking a single position.
When I first heard about being a tank commander, I got the impression (wrongly by myself) that you could just control one tank amongst the bigger picture of what was going on, regardless of the scale of the mission and whether a plan was already put together. Thought an AI commander would give me orders and lead me around....go there, defend that, etc. But I do realize that isn't the case. Platoon is a good size for me too, just when you go above that, my head starts to spin:)
Still a good sim regardless of this....
Great Sim but it's a lot of work for me just like DCS so I don't play much.
I mostly do FSX civilian flying these days. Which is also a lot of work.
Anyone looking to see some cool co-op battles, take a look at these videos, especially the "Brave Rifles" series...pretty amazing on how they coordinate these large scale engagements.
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwwpTMCr0aPc2FQcZgNFC5Q
I think most of the missions marked as SP have a default battleplan. The coop ones have no plans usually and require a CinC position.
Man I can't wait for the M1A2 SEP. The editor is actually pretty good too, you can open any mission and swap out vehicles if you like. This will be fun to add M1A2 SEP to all those old classic M1 missions.
Definitely learn proper gunnery, it's a blast when you find a stealthy battle position and an unsuspecting company of t-72s start heading into your kill zone. It's a rush to see how many you can bag before you have to displace.
There seriously must be several hundred missions to play for this sim.
One thing with the expensive price tag, it will resell high as well if you needed to part ways with your copy. Knowing that I could probably make 3/4 of my money back ebaying it kinda helped me take the plunge. After playing though, it's such a great sim that I'll keep it forever, the constant upgrades keep it fresh and new.
Well, I gave in....big surprise there:) I rationalized it to myself that I didn't purchase any of the summer sales items....so I deserved it.
Played a lot with it over the weekend and I never got bored....that is a sign of a good game for myself. Plus, tons of missions and version 3.0 right around the corner.
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on July 15, 2013, 05:15:27 PM
Well, I gave in....big surprise there:) I rationalized it to myself that I didn't purchase any of the summer sales items....so I deserved it.
Played a lot with it over the weekend and I never got bored....that is a sign of a good game for myself. Plus, tons of missions and version 3.0 right around the corner.
Do you have to pay for 3.0 upgrade this time around? They usually charge for an upgrade.
Quote from: jomni on July 15, 2013, 05:49:14 PM
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on July 15, 2013, 05:15:27 PM
Well, I gave in....big surprise there:) I rationalized it to myself that I didn't purchase any of the summer sales items....so I deserved it.
Played a lot with it over the weekend and I never got bored....that is a sign of a good game for myself. Plus, tons of missions and version 3.0 right around the corner.
Do you have to pay for 3.0 upgrade this time around? They usually charge for an upgrade.
Yes, it will be $40 when released as an upgrade. The base game will sell for $115 so it is the same cost for me if I buy it now and upgrade or just have waited until version 3.0 released. Both ways equates to $115.
I see. So they discounted the current version for fairness.
Quote from: jomni on July 15, 2013, 08:34:21 PM
I see. So they discounted the current version for fairness.
We always do. :)
Ssnake,
how far back can my version go and still be eligible for a single paid upgrade? I have a codestick which I purchased on eBay a while back along with the disk but have not had a chance to install and try out. IIRC its version 2 point low-number-something. I'll have to go dig it out from among the rest of my post-recent-move boxes.
I think all you need is the base game and the original codemeter stick and you just pay the cost of the most recent upgrade. You can skip past paid upgrades, but once you buy the latest upgrade you get everthing up to that point. So if you missed the last couple past upgrades and are planning on getting 3.0, you should be fine with what you have.
+1
I believe Skoop hit the nail on its head there!
Quote from: Staggerwing on July 16, 2013, 07:36:58 PM
how far back can my version go and still be eligible for a single paid upgrade?
To the dawn of time.
That said, future upgrades AFTER version 3.0 will require this new version 3.0 as the new base license.
I would recommend however that you do two preparatory steps:
1) Download and install the current CodeMeter runtime version from the CodeMeter.com download/service page
2) Start the CodeMeter Control Center (with your stick plugged in), and click the circular arrow to update your stick's firmware. Otherwise new licenses won't install.
FWIW...the original Steel Beasts was a game that NEVER left my hard-drive. I must have put in literally hundreds of hours on that title, and because it had reasonable CPU requirements, I was even able to play it on my laptop in hotel rooms during my "travelling consultant" years.
When SB ProPE was originally released, I also balked at the price. Anything over $100 seemed very expensive for what I originally considered to be "computer game". Then I got an Xbox, and started shelling out $50 - $60 for AAA titles that gave me oh perhaps 15-20 hours of single-player gaming. That's when I re-evalutated my reluctance about the "price of admission" for SB Pro PE. My ONLY regret now is NOT buying it immediately, upon release.
IMHO, SB Pro PE is simply the best armored warfare simulator available. I would hardly consider it a "game" due to the incredible depth and breadth of experiences it provides. What has really surprised me the most about SB Pro PE is not just how fun and challenging the "big tanks" are, but I have also come to love playing the lighter AFVs (the M2A2 bradley) and the light AT vehicles (the TOW armed Hummer, for example). I have had endless hours of fun just modify a single scenario - Tanks! (you vs nine enemy units) - with different enemy units, friendly units (including AT infantry), UAV support, IEDs, artillery and vehicle weapon loadouts.
I have admittedly not played any multi-player games, yet. However, the crowd at the SB forums seem amicable enough, and I only balk at the time commitment (don't get many (any?) Friday nights with uninterrupted game time). I would certainly be interested in seeing if we could get a couple of grogheads games going.
This next release is going to take SB Pro PE to truly "the next level", and I anticipate that this series will eventually be first on my "most hours spent playing" all-time list.
Sabot up!
Jack Nastyface
Well said!
I am all for a Groghead SB party!
Got my dongle in the mail the other day, so I am up and running at this point...haven't done much yet, but I can tell it is worth it. If there are some beginners out there for multi-play, might be willing to jump in myself. My biggest issue is time and coordinating it with others. But I have watched some videos of multi play and seems awesome, granted they are expert players:)
The eSim store is still down for maintenance. Looks like they moved the 'up' date to 7/23.
Quote from: Staggerwing on July 21, 2013, 06:21:16 PM
The eSim store is still down for maintenance. Looks like they moved the 'up' date to 7/23.
I wonder if any chance preparing for version 3.0 and will be available then?
That would rock! I am really anticipating the release, but weren't there supposed to get some 3.0 gameplay vids out first?
Steel Beast Pro PE is hands down the best modern tank simulation since the admirable attempts in the nineties with m1 tank platoon 2 and iM1a2 (Does anyone remember this last one, it can still run on windows 7 with a 32bit installer) Actually Steel Beasts reminds me alot of iM1A2 because of the easy access menus.
It is surprisingly easy to pick up and play, the challenge is in learning how to fight in a coordinated fashion.
The AI is fine but it depends on teh scripting, funnily in my experiences though the AI tank drivers in my platoon have a perverse attraction to wanting to go and dump their tanks in water. If i am near water and dont pay attention soon enough they will all be in there like ducks in a pond!
I actually found the pro pe version easier than just Steel Beasts normal version. cant recall why though havent play sb 1 for more than 10 years.
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on July 21, 2013, 04:53:23 PM
Got my dongle in the mail the other day, so I am up and running at this point...haven't done much yet, but I can tell it is worth it. If there are some beginners out there for multi-play, might be willing to jump in myself. My biggest issue is time and coordinating it with others. But I have watched some videos of multi play and seems awesome, granted they are expert players:)
Multiplayer is by far the best way to learn SB, I've played SB since the original SB gold, I always played single player, I wanted to do multiplayer but was always afraid of making a prat of myself,
but last year a guy called Tjay started up a VU in the UK (UK Armour) and I took the plunge,
and to be honest I really should have done years ago, now as a rule I play SB online three evenings a week, twice as part of UKA and one as part of Markovskievitch Soviet VU, it's
opened up a whole new area of SB, great times :D
Quote from: agathosdaimon on July 22, 2013, 05:33:34 AM
The AI is fine but it depends on teh scripting, funnily in my experiences though the AI tank drivers in my platoon have a perverse attraction to wanting to go and dump their tanks in water. If i am near water and dont pay attention soon enough they will all be in there like ducks in a pond!
Do you think they're trying to get to low ground and not recognizing the water, just the terrain feature?
I'm up for any MP action you guys want to do. You can use simHQ or SB.com teamspeak for free, you just have to login to their sites.
Quote from: LongBlade on July 22, 2013, 10:29:42 AM
Quote from: agathosdaimon on July 22, 2013, 05:33:34 AM
The AI is fine but it depends on teh scripting, funnily in my experiences though the AI tank drivers in my platoon have a perverse attraction to wanting to go and dump their tanks in water. If i am near water and dont pay attention soon enough they will all be in there like ducks in a pond!
Do you think they're trying to get to low ground and not recognizing the water, just the terrain feature?
I never though of that - that may be the answer! It is best solved i learned by just making sure to give the units an order to stay put when making waypoints
Do you guys still get the shop closed for maintenance thing in the eSim Games store? Its weird, I get that on all of my desktops, but when I go to the site from a mobile, the shop appears open.
Anyway, waiting for 3.0 is getting frustrating. SB has the funniest community. You know everyone is checking the site every two minutes, yet nobody has uttered a peep in any of the forums. "It will get here when its ready..." is the mantra.
Quote from: agathosdaimon on July 23, 2013, 08:15:04 PM
Quote from: LongBlade on July 22, 2013, 10:29:42 AM
Quote from: agathosdaimon on July 22, 2013, 05:33:34 AM
The AI is fine but it depends on teh scripting, funnily in my experiences though the AI tank drivers in my platoon have a perverse attraction to wanting to go and dump their tanks in water. If i am near water and dont pay attention soon enough they will all be in there like ducks in a pond!
Do you think they're trying to get to low ground and not recognizing the water, just the terrain feature?
I never though of that - that may be the answer! It is best solved i learned by just making sure to give the units an order to stay put when making waypoints
I guess as long as your tanks continue to work and crews don't drown it's a good hiding place!
^^The SB forum is very fanboy oriented. There are some totally hardcore SB players, along with a good mix of former military tanker types, and a few nerds (like me). I think the reason why there are few nay-sayers is because the game is expensive and difficult enough that you pretty much have to be a hardcore realistic armor sim person to buy and play it. I think the community is also aware that esims is a very small company with all the development falling onto a few key people, so demands, deadlines, features, etc are somewhat fungible. When you consider the fairly small and intimate gaming crowd, it is perhaps only natural that a fair amount of camraderie would develop. And since the game doesn't run in true server mode and permit random "drop-in" players (like pretty much every other multi-player game out there), I would venture that all multi-player games are played by people who "know" each other via the website. They are nice to strangers, though. I had a very nice teamspeak chat with a guy from the 3rd? Canadian Armored VU. I don't think he called me a f*cktard newbie even once...
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on July 25, 2013, 08:13:28 AM
Do you guys still get the shop closed for maintenance thing in the eSim Games store? Its weird, I get that on all of my desktops, but when I go to the site from a mobile, the shop appears open.
Anyway, waiting for 3.0 is getting frustrating. SB has the funniest community. You know everyone is checking the site every two minutes, yet nobody has uttered a peep in any of the forums. "It will get here when its ready..." is the mantra.
I can get to the main order page...not sure if beyond that since I have no order to actually place right now...
Quote from: Grim.Reaper on July 25, 2013, 06:13:10 PM
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on July 25, 2013, 08:13:28 AM
Do you guys still get the shop closed for maintenance thing in the eSim Games store? Its weird, I get that on all of my desktops, but when I go to the site from a mobile, the shop appears open.
Anyway, waiting for 3.0 is getting frustrating. SB has the funniest community. You know everyone is checking the site every two minutes, yet nobody has uttered a peep in any of the forums. "It will get here when its ready..." is the mantra.
I can get to the main order page...not sure if beyond that since I have no order to actually place right now...
I get the same, it looks to me like the shop is back up, Ssnake was talking to a guy yesterday on the SB forums about his buying options and didn't mention that the shop
was still down.
Yes, the shop is working again (http://www.esimgames.com/purchase.htm). We had to shut it down on several occasions due to a server migration, and testing some new items. We want to make sure that everything works before the 3.0 release.
In other news, I've uploaded the first 3.0 video on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=tOqDIEjcMzs) a few hours ago. I hope you'll like it. :)
Wow...thanks for sharing...that really looks like some nice enhancements......release the game now:)
Quote from: Ssnake on July 17, 2013, 02:07:56 AM
Quote from: Staggerwing on July 16, 2013, 07:36:58 PM
how far back can my version go and still be eligible for a single paid upgrade?
To the dawn of time.
That said, future upgrades AFTER version 3.0 will require this new version 3.0 as the new base license.
Ssnake, if I understand correctly, I can purchase the upgrade as soon as v3 comes out and be future proofed but if I wait until after the next update after v3 I will have to first purchase 3 and then have to purchase what? v3.x? V4.0?
Yes.
Let's say we'd release a version "3.1xx" around Christmas 2014, the reduced upgrade fee would be offered only to those who have a 3.0 license on their CodeMeter stick (subscribers of those time based licenses will never have to worry about upgrade fees, of course). I wouldn't rule out that for version 2.x license owners we might offer an upgrade somewhere in the middle between purchasing a full new version and the 3.0 -> 3.1 upgrade's costs. But that's a decision that hasn't been made yet.
Thanks for the clarification. I'm looking forward to the upgrade!