Design notes

[Kerensky]

Just a few quick points. Currently the full Battle of the Bulge sequence of scenarios is in, as is the fictional branch that follows Bastogne. We deliberately left out the historical branch, because this is already a lot of content (13 scenarios, and we want our feedback focused on them). The historical branch with its extra 5 scenarios will most likely be available for testing next week.

There are some new units, and even a new type of unit (V weapons), so we are extremely curious about your thoughts on their implementation and balance. Just remember that our V weapons have been redesigned to behave more like primitive cruise missiles, not terror weapons.

Lastly, during the lengthy Battle of the Bulge scenarios, rivers are frozen and easily traversed, including the Albert Canal the first time you see it. It's possible to make these rivers NOT freeze and remain uncrossable, but that would really ramp up the difficulty and create a lot of bottlenecks for the player's advance. Let us know your experiences with this, we might change rivers accordingly.

That's all for now, have fun and give lots of feedback, thanks!

[ThvN]

I have a strange question about the V weapons... No problems so far, the V1 worked fine, and it has a nice sound (although my late grandmother would probably disagree...), I'll try them out some more, to get a better impression. But I took a peek at the equipment file and noticed that the V1 and V2, under the column 'Full name', were called 'Vergeltungswaffle' , WAFFLE? Sounds tasty, although more of a Belgium than a German specialty. Anyway, very amusing misspelling, this is some sort of developers inside joke I assume? Please leave it in...

On a more serious note, would it be possible to change two icons in the equipment file? The American towed anti-tank weapons (37mm, 57mm and 76mm) all use the same icon (which is a 76mm gun). It's not very important but now that the American anti-tank guns feature more heavily in the scenarios I found it a bit annoying to constantly check the units more closely instead of being able to rely on the icons for quick and easy identification, and the correct icons are already in the game. It would also add a little more variety to the appearance of the allied forces.

The 57mm was identical to the British 6-pdr, so 'QF_6_pounder.png' would be perfect. For the 37mm either '47mm_SA_37.png' or '25mm_SA_34.png' would be a very good match.

And while checking the eqp file I also noticed the new Arado Ar 234 B has zero initiative and zero air attack (not even a bracketed value), which seems odd for a tactical bomber. So it would behave more as a strategic bomber but without the strategic bombing effects, if these values are intentional? I wasn't sure so I thought I'd mention it. The spelling of the name is also not 100% correct.

[Kerensky]

I'll look into the ATG weapons.

As for the Arado, what part of the spelling there is not correct?

And no, it doesn't behave like a strategic bomber. It still acts like a tactical bomber, but with 0 air attack it can't even defend itself against enemy fighters... which is historically correct.

The Arado 234 (B to be exact) was an aircraft with a single pilot in the nose and this particular model also had its defensive machine guns removed. The theme of the Arado was to survive through its superior speed. This is all reflected in game with a fast moving (jet), high defense value(hard to intercept/shoot with AA guns), 0 air attack tactical bomber (no guns just bombs).

It is a pretty logical evolution of tactical bombers if you think about it. Stukas weren't exactly having a good time against enemy fighters, and even the big B-17 with its abundance of guns was pretty ineffective without fighter escort. In game play terms, it helps to have this aircraft as an alternative to extremely fragile Stukas, given the generally overwhelming air superiority the Western Allies were well known for having.

[ThvN]

Thanks for the clarification, I am familiar with the aircraft, but I wasn't sure it was supposed to be like that in the game. I assumed it could have been some fantasy version because the icon has a fixed tail wheel, while the real thing had a retractable nose wheel. I'm a bit crazy sometimes and overthink things too much. About the spelling, this is pedantry at it's finest, sorry for that, but here goes:

As it is in the game now:
Short name: 'Ar-234B', would better be 'Ar 234 B', but to remain consistent with the other aircraft names 'Ar 234B' would be better (just remove the hyphen).

Long name: 'Arado 234 B Blitz': Should be 'Arado Ar 234 B Blitz'

EDIT: same for the 'Gotha 229A Flying wing', should be 'Gotha Go 229A Flying wing'

And you are right about the niche it occupies in the game, it's just that I'm spoiled by that bonus Do 335, that thing is very powerful. I can't keep Stukas alive for long in the Western DLC's, so that thing was very welcome.

So, revenge waffles it is then? Very nice addition those V1's, and the new trait will be welcomed by a certain modder I think...

[Longasc]

I will be on advanced training next week, I hope I can contribute more for the next build of this beta.

Interesting new concepts, let's see how well the Arado does in practice. I am wondering about the V-Waffen as unit, as you mentioned they were rather terror weapons than effective combat weapons. I'm looking forward to see what you did with them.

[zappel]

same for the 'Gotha 229A Flying wing', should be 'Gotha Go 229A Flying wing'

Or maybe Horten Ho 229?
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horten_H_IX or http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horten_Ho_229

[Carius]

I do not think that rivers should freeze over. Having the Rhine freeze over is one reason I did not finish my version of "Operation Nordwind".

[tnourie]

Re-posted from St. Vith blog:

In St. Vith, they act like cruise missiles when, in fact, they had the accuracy of pop bottle rockets.

Hehe - Pop bottle rockets. Fun times those provided. . .

But that brings up a valid point. I wonder if this can be compensated for in game turns by giving the V1 a 'landing radius' of 7 hexes, (the one you pick plus the surrounding six), with maybe a 70% chance of hitting the target hex and a 5% chance of one of the surrounding hexes. Also, a small chance that the rocket will totally fail and blow up in flight, as happened in the real thing.

[Kerensky]

A few more quick comments about the equipment file.

I'll make sure the necessary adjustments get made so the Gotha and other aircraft conform to the same standard as other aircraft (short and long names). Unfortunately, we do have to remove the 'waffle' part and make it the proper 'waffen' on the V weapons.

As for altering Allied and other equipment not directly related to DLC 1945 West, both in graphics and stats, I'm afraid any of these changes will have to wait for a future patch for adjustment. Perhaps in Allied Corps, if and when we have such a title, we will get new art for the various American ATG weapons.

[ThvN]

Unfortunately, we do have to remove the 'waffle' part and make it the proper 'waffen' on the V weapons.

To be really proper, 'waffen' is plural ('weapons'), so make sure it it spelled 'Vergeltungswaffe', as 'waffe' is the singular version ('weapon').


But, guess what, based on my extensive research into the subject, I've managed to get a better picture of this 'Vergeltungswaffle'. During the war, the Americans started developing the Vought V-173 "Flying Pancake", and due to an unfortunate translating error the Germans, in response, started researching and developing batter-based experimental biological weaponry, in clear violation of the Geneva Protocol to the Hague Convention. When the war ended almost all evidence was fed to volunteers, complicating Allied attempts to reconstruct the research efforts.

What little analysis was possible has enabled me to make an artist's impression of the oft-forgotten German Vergeltungwaffle, the particular version shown here being dough-based for greater density and equipped with a syrup core for enhanced effect on exposed personnel. Its warhead had an estimated yield of 150 Calories.

Have a cookie.

[tnourie]

OMG - a UFW! I'll get the syrup.