GS v3.01 slight modifications for testing

[Peter Stauffenberg]

We will look into the cost of strategic bombers after getting some test data in. My current GS v3.01 game is only in the Summer of 1942 and not many strategic bombers are on the map yet. I'm playing the Allies and had to build quite a few naval units to deal with an Axis strategy to build lots of subs.

The strategic bombers are currently the most expensive unit (110 PP's per unit). So we have already before increased the cost.

[Peter Stauffenberg]

Any feedback from GS v3.01 testers about how the changes made are working out?

[Kragdob]

I have some feedback on the new features, but I would like to post them after my game with Morris which is stalled now. When we are done I will post my comments.

[rkr1958]

I have two games going as the axis. I'm on turn 97 (12/3/44) in one and on turn 57 (9/25/42) in the other. Though I followed the same basic strategy in both games, Poland, Low Countries, Denmark (no Norway), France (Sitz), Yugoslavia and May 1941 Barbarossa, they have taken different directions. However; I feel I have both game in hard and will / should win both. I think the changes and tweaks made since the release of GSv3.00 add more realism, fun and better balance the game without adding any more complication. I really like the changes that reduce rail in the Soviet Union during the initial year of the invasion and that make the capture of Archangel divert the Murmansk convoy from Russia (to the UK). And in response to previously comments about the price of Strategic Bombers, I feel the "Price is Right". And, I do like the change where you can toggle Strategic Bomber attacks from strategic to tactical (i.e., hitting targets in the bomb hex provided you have spotting to them). Bottom line is that I give the changes "two thumbs up".

[TotalerKrieg]

Are you also considering putting in the option of strategic bombing for tacs? I don't know how often tacs would actually be used for strategic bombing, and therefore it may not be worth the coding effort, but since they were used for strategic bombing at times in the real war It might be fun to have that capability..

At some point, are you going to open up the closed beta site for read--only access for the community? It would be great to be able to read your discussions and see what was tried and didn't work well.

[Cybvep]

BTW what exactly is a strategic bomber in-game? Because AFAIK, Germany didn't really have any "real" strategic bombers (long range, heavy bombs etc.) and bombardment of Allied cities was done using tactical bombers. Yet in-game they start with one STRAT unit.

[rkr1958]

Ju88A's maybe?

[Kragdob]

Ju88A's maybe?

and mostly He-111.

[pk867]

TAC's in the game represent dive-bombers and medium bomber aircraft.

As a suggestion we could reverse the option for TAC's vs SAC's where it performs a Tactical attack (default) and the player can choose the Strategic attack if needed.

Whereas SAC's will perform Strategic attack (default) with the option of Tactical attack. I do not believe the TAC unit values would need to be altered.

We could also change the images instead of Stukas for level 0 and level 1 we could change the image for level 1 for Germany. I believe the other countries are ok.

Unless there is a medium bomber that is not represented.

tactical_bomber_germany1_256.png (33.9 KiB) Viewed 4336 times

[Peter Stauffenberg]

What about the changes to experience? In GS v3.01 you gain more bonuses to unit stats than in GS v3.00. Does this change work? E. g. experienced units can now become really strong compared to newly built units.

[pk867]

Yes. I believe it makes the game better. The Germans are strong earlier and then the Allies later.

[rkr1958]

Though I don't have any hard data my feeling is that the change to experience works very well. It makes veteran units that much better and harder to kill, which I believe is the intended effect. Overall, I think this change benefits the axis player and benefits him the latter part of the game when he needs it most.

[Peter Stauffenberg]

Do you think GS v3.01 is ready to be released to everybody?

[Kragdob]

Yes it is. For me experience tweak is one of the major changes for 3.0. It balance the game pretty good and gives new flavour for the Players.

[captkiwi]

Are you getting close to releasing v3.01? So far I do like what v3.0 has to offer except for the convoy movement locking up the game.

[Cataphract88]

Do you think GS v3.01 is ready to be released to everybody?

Hi Stauffenberg,

Will 3.01 be released as a patch, or will it be released as a full download (like 3.00 was)

Also, does it address the single-player problem, where the game freezes

Many thanks,

[rkr1958]

Do you think GS v3.01 is ready to be released to everybody?

Yes. In my opinion it's the best, most historical and most stable GS version that I've played. And, I've played them all.

[Cataphract88]

Do you think GS v3.01 is ready to be released to everybody?

Hi Stauffenberg,

Will 3.01 be released as a patch, or will it be released as a full download (like 3.00 was)

Also, does it address the single-player problem, where the game freezes

Many thanks,

Hello! Any info yet

[Peter Stauffenberg]

Not decided yet

[Peter Stauffenberg]

Question regarding the Italian surrender cities.

I'm playtesting and as the Allies captured Tripoli, Tunis, Cagliari, Palermo and Messina, but have not captured anything on mainland Italy. Under the current rules it means that Italy will surrender.

Is that maybe too harsh or should we e. g. make a slight modification so the Allies must capture at least 1 extra rail depot or city, e. g. Reggio.

The surrender limit is now 5, but we can e. g. alter the value to 11 and let a rail depot count as 1 and a city as 2 instead of 0.5 and 1 as now.

Do you think this is a good change or should we keep the surrender rules as is?

With the change you have to capture something on mainland Italy or Albania to enforce a surrender.