For those who bought AP Op. Star during the recent sale

[sandman2575]

You might be interested to know that the latest patch is now available, the "March 2013" patch:

http://www.graviteam.ua/help/download-patches.html

The changelog for this patch is very extensive -- it is a serious revamp of the previous version and includes an entirely new C&C system whereby your platoon leaders and above have to relay orders to subordinates via voice, radio, or laid wire.  I've only fiddled with the new game as yet, but it's immediately apparent once you patch and play that many interesting changes have been made --



Change log:
1) Fixed crash when pressing ESC while loading district maps in operation.
2) The algorithm of broken tracks is improved.
3) Weapons overheating algorithm is adjusted.
4) Differentiation and locks for paths on operational map is introduced.
5) Principle of editing paths in operation editor is improved.
6) The ability to import a database description for operation from other operation is added.
7) Fixed a bug with the repair in the abandoned vehicles (crew members now leave repair).
Cool Added a separate button for the ambush. At this command the infantry and gun crews will be lie, vehicle crews will be close a hatches.
9) Removed the option for buttoned state for vehicles.
10) Now you can set the "level" of defensive structures in a quick battle.
11) Added the ability to set placement in defense without digging trenches.
12) Fixed a bug with the canceling of serial orders in battle.
13) Adjusted indication and view modes for serial orders in battle.
14) Added button for automatic platoon placement.
15) Added separate command teams for different types of troops.
16) Added the support units in a quick battle.
17) Added a separation for radio stations by type and his type indication.
18) Fixed a bug with icons remain after disable (and enable) the mini-map.
19) Added the indication for the radio/voice/wire communications in battle.
20) Button for platoons table in operational phase is changed from F1 to F3.
21) Added an antenna on KV-1S and KV-8S tanks.
22) Added an option for icon types on operational map (option 4.20).
23) The algorithm for ammunition and fuel replenish is cahnged, added indication for supply level on map.
24) Command radii is removed.
25) Company and battalion commanders are added in a quick battle.
26) During the retreat without a combat (in operational phase) platoon loses morale.
27) Added the fire platoon commanders in artillery batteries.
28) Staff for the troops in quick battle has been modified and expanded.
29) Added a group of messages for breaking and restoring wired connection.
30) Adjusted an algorithm offers ceasefire from AI (removed immediately cancel after offer).
31) Added target designation by flares.
32) Added a button to apply the last selected filter for soldiers or vehicles.
33) Staff for the troops in operations has been modified and adjusted.
34) Squad parameters panel is changed.
35) Rotate order is moved to squad panel.
36) Added a separate button for reverse move.
37) Added indication for suppressed squads in 3D and on the map.
38) The "quick" orders adaptively vary depending on the number of troops who are given the order.
39) Added a button on the orders panel, which allows to transfer troops under the control of AI.
40) Put a penalty at the start of the operation if allied troops is transfer under the players control.
41) Added automatic movement for signalers to laying wire communication.
42) Added restriction for valid orders, depending on the level of command.
43) Added indication and options for valid orders.
44) Removed the outline of the selected units if individual icons is displayed.
45) Added a separate option for block of squads exchange in the operational phase (by default is enabled).
46) Added tank Pz I ausf. F and a platoon of this tanks in a quick battle.
47) Tankers do not close the hatches and do not climb into the tank if detecting enemy.
48) Added icons in Wehrmacht style on operational map.
49) Fixed a bug with the wrong choice of the level of detail for grass when you attach the camera to an unit.
50) Corrected the appearance for contact signs.
51) Added full automatical firing on external target designation.
52) When the defence "flag" is set during placement mode, changed the principle of defence points selecting.
53) The base color for summer camouflage on some vehicles of Red Army is changed.
54) Visual look of vehicles is changed due to humidity level.
55) Added Red Army's icons for operational map.
56) Fixed a bug with incorrect display of sides color in Quick battle editor due to change side.
57) Fixed a bug with black squares on an operations map.
58) Added Dunkelgelb 1943 color scheme for Pz III ausf. N tank.
59) For external target designation spot time and target direction will be transmitted.
60) Added ability to set delay for order execution until some time (right click on the "Stop" order).
61) Vehiles and squads that left without user control automatically returns to the commander.
62) Added ammo reallocation for guns and mortars at the end of the battle.
63) Slight adjustments for opponents AI.
64) Changed some icons of the squad and vehicle information.
65) Fixed disappearance of the sounds for rolled guns.
66) Added a color scheme selection for the map marks on operational and tactical phases.
67) Added NATO icons for operational map.
68) Fixed bug with unit dragging on the map in deploy phase.
69) Added an option for showing an alphanumeric platoon's codes on the map.
70) Added the wire-reel model for signalman's in the battle.
71) Added muzzle velocity dependence from the temperature.
72) Sounds for Pz III and Pz VI tanks engines and Marder SPGs based on the Pz 38(t) tank caterpillars are changed.
73) Added Soviet Army icons for operational map.
74) Display on the map ally AI plans and their changes during the battle is added.
75) Some shot sounds are corrected.
76) Added some armor piercing ammunition to the penetration diagrams.
77) Added detailed description for the orders delay and for player's command level into the built-in help system.
78) Built-in help system is adjusted and improved.
79) Added an option to select the speakers layout.
80) Fixed a bug with the inability to lock resupply on infantry squads.
81) Adjusted combustion at different soils after exploding shells and bombs.
82) A crew members from the destroyed vehicles can be used to supplement other squads or crews in the platoon.
83) Area of sight is not canceled when choosing a new unit and when it dragging.
84) For platoon's arrangement and rotation with respect to one squad/vehicle will be used its (unit's) direction.
85) Fuel will be leak when vehicle will burned and it's level will appear on the squad's panel.
86) Fixed a bug when displaying the description of the score's calculation criteria for operation.
87) Algorithm's for hit and kill soldiers inside vehicles will be improved.
88) Increased error for targeting when shooting at night or evening time.
89) Added portable radio for German radio squads (in quick battle states).
90) Changed the display units for refueling and ammo replenishing costs (from % to conventional ammo and fuel).
91) Fixed game crashes on some configurations after the end of battle.
92) Improved algorithm for mapping the signal and lighting aids, they divided on day and night types.

[WallysWorld]

"Added a separate button for reverse move."

That was a sorely needed addition.

The additional DLC's will be updated soon according to the developer to take into account the numerous changes with the new patch.

I'm very glad I bought this game when it was on sale. Well worth the price!

[Nefaro]

Wow.

The new command & control sounds verrrry eeenter-esting.

[Bismarck]

After downloading all three patches, should they be installed in a specific order?

[Bismarck]

I have the Matrix version and the updates don't like it,

[WallysWorld]

Hmmm..the patches would work, Jim.

It looks like 'budd' on the Matrix forum got the patches installed:
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3285309

The order I do them is:

1) Core update which is an executable.
2) The March 2013 patch which is an extension file which you have to install through the Game Updater.
3) The optional polygon patch which is also an extension file like #2.

[Bismarck]

My problem is the way my gurus configured my HDs.  Have to re-install.

[panzerde]

Wow.  Lots of stuff in here I'm interested in, not the least of which is the new C&C stuff.  Looks like a fair bit of eye-candy, as well.

Between this and a renewed interest in Scourge of War, I may be moving away from chit-shuffling and back into 3-D battle spaces for a bit.

[Wolfe1759]

This is probably the only game I have that a spiffy new patch with great new features results in the following response

***** **** ***** another patch I have to ****ing try and apply using the ****ing awful patching system, the current build seems OK to me maybe I'll save myself the grief and just stick with it.

Two questions

1) has the patching system been made better

2) if not is the new patch worth going through the grief

[Bismarck]

This is probably the only game I have that a spiffy new patch with great new features results in the following response

***** **** ***** another patch I have to ****ing try and apply using the ****ing awful patching system, the current build seems OK to me maybe I'll save myself the grief and just stick with it.

Two questions

1) has the patching system been made better

2) if not is the new patch worth going through the grief

I'm hearing that.  Maybe a better man could walk us dummies through the procedure. I get the exe but not how to handle the other files.

[Wolfe1759]

The above is my reaction even after following a walk through of the patching process last time round  :(

[WallysWorld]

Here is what I did to update APOS:

1) Download the following three files from http://www.graviteam.ua/help/download-patches.html

CORE update:      gtos_cu_581_eng.exe
March 2013 patch:    apos_upd_tar_rak_mar13_eng.gt2extension
Polygon update:    k43t_apos_patch_march13_eng.gt2extension      This is optional, but I recommend it!

2) Run the Core update executable and point it to your APOS home folder.
3) After the Core update is done, start APOS and on the main screen, you should see the following at the top right corner:
              Version 5.81 (2101)  Update: mar 13
4) Close APOS.
5) Start the Game Updater which should be found in the APOS start folder. You'll see something like the following screen, but with less entries and no mods:

6) Click Install and find the location where you saved the March 2013 patch. Make sure your file type is set to the .gt2extension and then click Open:

7) You should see a clock graphic and a counter telling you that the patch is installing. Once done, you should see your Game Update entry set to 4.02:

8) Now click Install again to install the polygon update. Navigate to where you stored it and once again, Open the k43t_apos_patch_march13_eng.gt2extension file as you did with the March 2013 patch in step 6. You should another clock and counter which tells you the polygon update is installing. This took about 5-7 minutes on my PC to install.

9) Make sure to click Save and Play! APOS will start. Exit and run Game Updater again.
9) You're finished and should see about same entries as I do in Game Updater:
      A) Game Update: 4.02
      B) District update: 1.03
The three Addon entries you see are the official DLC's and the top two are mods (one is a sound mod and the other is a blood mod, of course).



Dane49 gives a nice written explanation on how to do last year's update. It's quite similar to what I wrote so you can also refer to it.
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=3199630&mpage=1&key=&#3216149

[Bismarck]

Very good. Thanks.

[sandman2575]

Good man, WallysWorld.

No question that this continues to be the most unnecessarily difficult game to update and install add-ons that I've ever seen.  Partly the language barrier is to blame -- the dev's are not native English speakers by any stretch -- but I do think it's compounded by a pretty blatant indifference on Graviteam's part to making anything clearer and simpler in order to assist their Western customers.

Case in point -- as usual, no documentation describing the new features in any detail.  We have to figure out for ourselves what all the new 'radio' and 'transmitting' and 'receiving' icons and colors mean.  Thank goodness for a few really dedicated fans like Dane49 who make the effort to figure out and explain all these things for us -- in essence, doing Graviteam's work for them, for free.

If it were not such a brilliant game, I would have ditched it a long time ago for thee reasons.  But...it's undeniably unique, and worth putting up with all these hassles, IMO ...

[Tuna]

Is the update cumulative or do you need to install Last Year's update if you don't have it?