Upcoming JTS game - Panzer Campaigns: Scheldt '44

al_infierno · June 01, 2020, 06:46:30 PM

It'll be the first JTS game created entirely in the new engine. O0

https://www.wargamedesignstudio.com/2020/05/30/wds-lockdown-update-1/

https://www.wargamer.com/articles/scheldt-44-wargame-design-studio-new-engine/?fbclid=IwAR2x1KHO75l0kYNAKeyeLZTLYb0nXXLv17RDoXpIqkTG-I4LL68KkpPlMbA

ArizonaTank · June 01, 2020, 10:13:46 PM

When I heard that JTS had updated their creaking game engine my heart leapt for joy.... only to come crashing down when I realized this is just a graphics over-haul. What about the F@#$#*% 1993 UI? I can't get excited about anything JTS does until they deal with the UI.

-budd- · June 02, 2020, 02:22:45 AM

The extra zoom is long overdue. I don't mind the UI too much, there all pretty similar among all the series. I prefer the Panzer Battles UI, i'm a mouse clicker more than i'm a hotkey guy and i think all the commands are clickable. I've been getting into the Panzer Campaigns series more lately, mostly Moscow 42.

rocketman · June 02, 2020, 10:13:40 AM

I like the changes, but still in the Campaign series I find the UI makes it way too hard to keep track of formations and several layers of info at the same time. I find myself having to check things over and over. Probably a result of the counters not having info on them. I wonder if the new graphics will work with mods (Jison)?

devoncop · June 02, 2020, 10:42:44 AM

Quote from: -budd- on June 02, 2020, 02:22:45 AM
The extra zoom is long overdue. I don't mind the UI too much, there all pretty similar among all the series. I prefer the Panzer Battles UI, i'm a mouse clicker more than i'm a hotkey guy and i think all the commands are clickable. I've been getting into the Panzer Campaigns series more lately, mostly Moscow 42.

I agree re the UI ..........only having an interest in the Seven Years war or Napoleonic titles I will jump in as soon as the 2D and 3D sprites and maps have been upgraded to what we see here.

-budd- · June 02, 2020, 07:39:18 PM

Just spent a gift card I received for my birthday. Picked up 1776 and Smolensk 41 to add to my collection. First title in the early American war series.

Blucher · June 02, 2020, 11:57:50 PM

Quote from: -budd- on June 02, 2020, 07:39:18 PM
Just spent a gift card I received for my birthday. Picked up 1776 and Smolensk 41 to add to my collection. First title in the early American war series.

Smokensk 41 is supposed to have one of the most balanced grand campaign scenarios. Either side can win.

devoncop · June 03, 2020, 12:16:07 AM

Quote from: -budd- on June 02, 2020, 07:39:18 PM
Just spent a gift card I received for my birthday. Picked up 1776 and Smolensk 41 to add to my collection. First title in the early American war series.

Budd......am I right in thinking none of the EAW or,Seven Years War or Napoleonic wars titles have yet got the improved map and unit resolution graphics ?

I want to expand my titles and the EAW and Napoleonics are on my list but I would need the improvements I think.

-budd- · June 03, 2020, 01:34:11 AM

Quote from: devoncop on June 03, 2020, 12:16:07 AM
Quote from: -budd- on June 02, 2020, 07:39:18 PM
Just spent a gift card I received for my birthday. Picked up 1776 and Smolensk 41 to add to my collection. First title in the early American war series.

Budd......am I right in thinking none of the EAW or,Seven Years War or Napoleonic wars titles have yet got the improved map and unit resolution graphics ?

I want to expand my titles and the EAW and Napoleonics are on my list but I would need the improvements I think.

For 1776 there are totally new 3d stuff, map and units. The units are a separate download in the Tiller update section. The 2d map colors are ...well ...not good, i downloaded a map mod from the SDC site but it only covers 2 out of the 3 zooms, so it's mostly better. The 3d map and units look like the civil war series, style wise. The 2d counters are same style as the civil war also. give me a few, i'll snap some screen shots and be back.

-budd- · June 03, 2020, 01:49:18 AM

Here's the 1776 screens

This is the original map colors/style for 2d, in my opinion ugly color palette. It's the only zoom level not covered by the mod.

modded map 2d

another zoom level modded 2d level map

3D stock map, downloaded 3d units from the JTS update page for EAW

al_infierno · June 03, 2020, 02:40:03 AM

Some of the color pallets in the older JTS games are pretty egregious. What were they thinking splashing the screen in puke-green?

devoncop · June 03, 2020, 04:16:06 AM

Thanks Budd.

They are much much better. The toolbar is better too.

Is there any chance JTS will incorporate the map and unit improvements into their default offering in the store as I am not great at downloading and installing mods in the correct place.

I assume the mods you refer to need putting in one of the game folders ?

If it is a default now offered by JTS I would buy today. If it relies on manually installing the mods.....it's a "maybe" :)

-budd- · June 03, 2020, 05:16:34 AM

I was surprised and never really did think about it before purchase that they changed to the nice 3d graphics but left the ugly palette 2d map. Looks like all the EAW games have the ugly 2d palette, but the
mod i installed for 1776 for those 2 zoom levels will probably work for the other EAW games.

In the above shots the 3d map, that ugly colored palette map, and the 2d counters are stock. The stock 3d units are OK, but the modded 3d you see above are better. There not to hard to install, i just make a copy of the original folder for backup, then just overwrite with the modded folder, or you can use JSME to swap mods. I could walk you through it. The worst that could happen is you have to reinstall the game.

All i need is that last zoom level for the 2d map modded to get rid of that ugly color palette and i'm satisfied. I have no idea how to mod those graphic sheets.

One more thing, the music is very cool, period appropriate. Haven't played enough to know how many you get to play before then repeating of the music starts.

devoncop · June 03, 2020, 05:53:28 AM

Quote from: -budd- on June 03, 2020, 05:16:34 AM
I was surprised and never really did think about it before purchase that they changed to the nice 3d graphics but left the ugly palette 2d map. Looks like all the EAW games have the ugly 2d palette, but the
mod i installed for 1776 for those 2 zoom levels will probably work for the other EAW games.

In the above shots the 3d map, that ugly colored palette map, and the 2d counters are stock. The stock 3d units are OK, but the modded 3d you see above are better. There not to hard to install, i just make a copy of the original folder for backup, then just overwrite with the modded folder, or you can use JSME to swap mods. I could walk you through it. The worst that could happen is you have to reinstall the game.

All i need is that last zoom level for the 2d map modded to get rid of that ugly color palette and i'm satisfied. I have no idea how to mod those graphic sheets.

One more thing, the music is very cool, period appropriate. Haven't played enough to know how many you get to play before then repeating of the music starts.

Thanks Budd

That is really helpful. Looks like the wallet may be getting prised open again.....I have only recently got 7 Years War and really enjoy it (though the AI is a bit dense!) so improved units and mods for 1776 and later 1812 would be brilliant.

It seems both unit and map mods get installed into the map folder of the game .....

I will give it a go later today . :hide:

Cheers

Ian

-budd- · June 03, 2020, 07:06:31 AM

Good Luck, no worries, worst that will happen is a reinstall. Holla if i can help.

I thought about REN and 7YW, but it looks like all/most of the scenarios have a ton of units. Same with Nappy games, the armies are so big. I've been trying to branch out from WW2 games. Picked up 3 modern war titles, Gettysburg, and Moscow 42 with a gift card during the holidays.