Battle Academy Open Beta v2.0.4

[IainMcNeil]

Hi guys

NEW: Updated 2.0.4 versions now available across all platforms.
Improved MP force selection choice for even more tactical combinations!

Hoping this is the final version, thanks to everyone who has been so patient with us. We've had a rough time with this beta version!

Version 2.0.4 contains further fixes and balance changes to the force selection maps.

we have a great new version of Battle Academy available for testing. This beta adds some awesome new features. The best of which is points battles with force selection in multiplayer! Yes you can now choose if you want to buy that Panther for 180 points or the King Tiger for 220, or maybe a Stug at 105 is a better option. Don't forget to save money for your artillery support and of course infantry! This completely changes multiplayer and is a very exciting new feature.

The beta is open to anyone with the PC version of Battle Academy. You do not need to apply, you just need to download and get playing! The beta installs to a completely different folder so you can continue your existing games and Multiplayer matches. The beta uses the test server so when playing the beta you will only see other players on the beta.

You can download your beta version 2.0.4 here:

PC Version: http://www.slitherine.com/files/bbc_ba/BABeta-2.0.4.exe
Mac Version: http://www.slitherine.com/files/bbc_ba/BABeta-2.0.4.zip

NOTE: if you were part of the prior Mac Sealion beta test, you will need to go to ~\Documents\My Games\BBCBA and delete any files which start with an underscore ( the _ character). Otherwise you will recieve a CRC failure message on startup.

* You need to use your original Battle Academy serial number to install the beta.
* You must have the full version of Battle Academy installed on the PC or it will not run.
* You should install the beta to the default folder - do not install it on top of your current version of Battle Academy.

The force selections system requires the maps to be set up for it so does not apply to old maps - we have set up 5 new maps in a new folder called Force Selection Multiplayer. Please try these maps out and let us know what you think. Do you get enough money, are there enough choices, are they balanced etc. The more feedback the better.

If you have any problems please report them to the Battle Academy Open Beta forum.

Changes in version 2.0
++ Multiplayer Force Selection!
++ 2D modding option. Use 2D unit graphics and objects for modded campaigns. This means modders without 3D modelling abilities can really get stuck in.
+ further bug fixes, including MP map colouring oddities fixed.
+ Improved font rendering speed.
+ Changes to model logic to help prevent MP game sync errors.
+ fixed some mission script bugs.
+ AI bug fixes.
+ New AI script commands Get/SetTeamOrder for sequence of moves.
+ improved memory footprint and much smaller savegame files.
+ can now set VP plugin count to 9 to allow "defend" missions for all 8 VPs.

Mac:
+ can now use Backspace as well as Delete in editor (for keyboards missing the DEL key).
+ force selection now works correctly with single button mice/trackpads.

[Blathergut]

iPad eventually?

[IainMcNeil]

We'll be beta testing the iPad version next week hopefully. If you were part of the previous iPad beta you'll be getting a mail soon!

[gortwillsaveus]

I'm going to download and give it a go this weekend. I'll be providing feedback of course.

[Richcat]

Hi
Downloaded and installed ok - but can't post on in open beta forum "You do not have the required permissions to read topics within this forum"
I was going to ask about 2D modding items mentioned above, as I can't find anything about them in beta program, after having a good look around ? Probably missing something simple

Richcat

[pipfromslitherine]

There isn't anything in there regard it currently. I planned on putting up a 2D template campaign and tutorial for modders to play with when we released the update. I guess I can try and host it now though, it's pretty much done.

I will check on the forum posting issue.

I will see what I can put together .

Cheers

Pip

[Richcat]

Thanks Pip, I was interested how it looked compared to the 3D and how easy it was to create the 2D content

[morge4]

Am noticing that the replay startsd off slowly and then gets faster toward the end. have 2 games going and both are doing it. maybe 2 minutes to go through the replay...

Other than that...seems to play fine do far

[MrsWargamer]

I'd so like to get active on this, but not sure I will be able to secure the time.

But one fact is sure, I am all ears on this one.

[pipfromslitherine]

Am noticing that the replay startsd off slowly and then gets faster toward the end. have 2 games going and both are doing it. maybe 2 minutes to go through the replay...

Other than that...seems to play fine do far

Does the game perform acceptably in single player? It should run significantly faster than the last version. I can't think of anything that would cause it to speed up as the replay progresses. I will try and grab one of your games and check it out.

Cheers

Pip

[pipfromslitherine]

Am noticing that the replay startsd off slowly and then gets faster toward the end. have 2 games going and both are doing it. maybe 2 minutes to go through the replay...

Other than that...seems to play fine do far

Does the game perform acceptably in single player? It should run significantly faster than the last version. I can't think of anything that would cause it to speed up as the replay progresses. I will try and grab one of your games and check it out.

Cheers

Pip

I checked out your game against, errr, starts with a B! It seems to play through fine here. Took about 25 seconds for the replay to complete for me. It is normal for it to jump around depending on how long the opponent took to make their turns, they may have been checking out the battlefield for a while first, and then done their turns. The game has to play through all the ticks of the opposing player, and on a slower machine this might take a while.

Is the replay dramatically different to the previous version for you?

Cheers

Pip

[Brenmusik]

I think that "B" might be me. A turn did jump from around from 6% to 50% and a plane flashed across, so fast I couldn't make it out. In other games (single player) they zoom over nice and steady, dealing death from above.

[morge4]

This replay appeared normal. I'll keep an eye on this, may have just been something running in the background.

[Richcat]

Hi Pip
Just to let you know still can't get on the open beta forum.
Richcat

[pipfromslitherine]

Hmmm - I'll have to punt an email to our server guys. It looks OK to me, but I don't want to tinker and delete the forums .

You can post in the main forum for now with any feedback.

Cheers

Pip

[IainMcNeil]

Can you try again now - it should have been open already but I've reset it and hopefully this has fixed it.

[Richcat]

Thanks Ian /Pip I can confirm its open for me now

[nk418ripe]

Awaiting the OSX beta...

[pipfromslitherine]

Building it right now

Cheers

Pip

[pipfromslitherine]

Mac version now available from the top post. Enjoy!

Cheers

Pip