nuovo

sabato 1 settembre 2012

Altro esempio di gameplay con Command Ops

Nuovo video di gameplay con Command Ops; giocato in molti questi gioco deve essere favoloso. Sarebbe splendido usare questo engine per sviluppare un gioco strategico e non solo operazionale. Tanti anni fa era stato tentanto con Road to Moscow che poi però alla fine era entrato nella lista dei Vaporware.






Strike Suit Zero nuovo video

Dalla fiera americana PAX arriva un nuovo video del gioco spaziale di cui avevo già postato un video qui: http://warforgame.blogspot.it/2012/07/strike-suit-zero-developer-diary.html . E' davvero molto bello ed è probabilmente il primo spaziale 4 in cui vedo usare mech spaziali trasformabili stile Robotech\Macross (chi si ricorda i mitici caccia Varitech\Valkiria?).




Strumenti per giocare: dropbox e google drive

Per chi gioca PBEM la dimensione del file da scambiare conta molto; a posta elettronica era ed è lo strumento principale attraverso cui i files vengono inviati ma alcuni giochi come i CMx2 ad esempio hanno files di salvataggio estremamente grandi rendendo difficile l'invio via posta. Per questi tipi di giochi ci sono ora strumenti di cartelle sincronizzate online. Come funzionano? In parole semplici una volta iscritti al servizio, un client creerà un duplicato virtuale online di una nostra cartella selezionato nella cartella principale del software e di tutti i files dentro. Noi potremo dare l'accesso in lettura\scrittura a questa cartella web a uno o più utenti che quindi potranno caricarci o scaricarci dentro i loro files. Il client sul nostro PC si occuperà di sincronizzare la cartella web con la nostra locale, quindi importando i files inseriti nel nostro PC. Questo ci libererà del fastidio di inviare le email con files giganteschi.

I servizi che conosco attualmente sono due: dropbox e google drive; dropbox è il più vecchio, da fino a due giga di spazio libero gratuito, ma io ho preferito google drive perchè da più spazio (4 giga), il client pinga meno ed è integrato con i miei altri servizi google.

Rimane solo un problema: dato che la maggior parte dei giochi non permette di settare la cartella di salvataggio dei files in autonomia e sia google drive che dropbox non permettono di sharare cartelle che non siano nella loro cartella di installazione, bisogna necessariamente spostare i files a meno. In un prossimo post spiegherò come bypassare il problema.

Change log nuova patch Steel Armor Blaze of War

Ecco un primo change log per la nuova patch in lavorazione di Steel Armor Blaze of War:

1) Completely changed the tactical interface.
2) Added additional options for the platoons structure and parameters management in the operational phase.
3) Changed some animations for infantry.
4) All game operations is adjusted and remaked.
5) Added support for scripting in the operational phase.
6) Some changes in the operation editor.
7) Changed some of the special effects.
8 ) Added new vehicles and weapons: F5E, M2HB, G3 rifle.
9) Adjusted environments, and cockpits visualization.
10) Refined cockpits for the T-62 and M60A1: rounded some elements and reconfigured lighting.
11) Completely redesigned interface in tank mode.
12) The algorithm for shadows rendering and lighting calculation is changed.
13) New commands for platoon, tank and crew control is added.
14) Reconfigured some tracked vehicles.
15) Added tracks in grass from tanks and vehicles.
16) Added ability to perform some tasks in the tank cocpit without the interface.
17) Added new animations in M60A1 tank cockpit.
18) Added a hint what button need to press to cancel a pause mode in the battle.
19) Mini-map is removed in the battle.
20) In realism mode does not display the flags and markers for enemies (in 3D mode).
21) Removed rangefinder lock when the commander's turret on the M60A1 tank is turned.
22) Fixed a bug with the canceling of a short stop command and this command is available from the commanders site.
23) Adjusted algorithm for subtitles and narration issuing.
24) Platoon control options on the gunners site is removed.
25) Added a visual indicator for targets and goals.
26) The ability to request a priority target from the AI commander is now available.
27) Added the button to send permission to open fire on the specified target.
28) Added support for automatic setup gun direction from the AI commander on requested target (for T-62 tank).
29) Added lock for measuring range for the AI commander, if target is out of rangefinder view (for M60 tank).
30) Added feedback and indication for obstacles in the path of the tank, for AI driver.
31) Added indication that the range measurement process continues, as well as the inability to range measure.



venerdì 31 agosto 2012

Steam Greenlight è attivo

Segnalo questo nuovo servizio Steam che permettere di votare i giochi che si vorrebbe vedere e acquistare su Steam; l'elenco dei giochi da votare è ben fornito, proverò a vedere quali giochi strategici sono presenti per segnalarli e farli votare.

http://steamcommunity.com/greenlight/


Cominciato PBEM con Panzer Command Ostfront

Ho cominciato un PBEM con Panzer Command Ostfront contro un giocatore inesperto quanto me. Un primo consiglio: nel  configuratore del gioco potete decidere la cartella di salvataggio dei files PBEM (utilissimo per tools come dropbox e google drive) ma ricordatevi di settare bene il nome del vostro player o almeno comunicarlo al vostro avversario se setta lui la partita. Infatti il gioco setta questo nome sul file della partita e vi chiede anche durante il setup di settare quello del vostro avversario (che deve coincidere con il nome che lui ha impostato nel suo configuratore): se i nomi nei due configuratori divergono da quello che appaiono nel nome del file rischiate di non vedere il file nel gioco.




Decisive Campaigns: Case Blue patch 1.02c

Decisive Campaigns: Case Blue è stato aggiornato oggi, ecco il changelog:

Bug Fixes

Fixed a bug with the AI in final stages of defeat taking really long to process
engineering moves.

Fixed a bug caused by playing a regime card in the middle of giving an attack
order (like air attack).

Fixed a bug with big map modus and switching back to small map modus using
PgUp while in the middle of issuing an attack order.

Fixed a bug with the 1st Panzer Army campaign where newly created units or
empty units (by add (sub)unit) where not properly transferred to the next level.

Karl Gerat, 200 hp instead of 40

Aircobra P39 graphic is now correct

Endless battle bug in AI with naval attacks on port should be fixed.

Alfredo Guzzioni combat bonus glitch fixed

Arial Font issue with some systems missing arial is now solved. All Arial fonts are
now loaded from internal font directory.

Stated in intcp mouse over that only fighters will intercept also double checked
that no bombers are actually intercepting by accident.

There was an issue with the Germans getting told they have 1 minor order but not
seeing any items in the list. This is fixed.

When setting replacements to prio they got counted double in request stats. This
glitch is fixed. Also a minor bug has been fixed with some units being allowed to
request too many troops if they were very close to their full complement.

X and T hotkey no longer cause a crash

Fixed a bug where AI kept attacking a port hex until infinity

Fixed a bug where the AIs Stavka unit got corrupted. This bug when it is found
during a running game is fixed with this version on the fly.

An ai related bug

A pbem++ bug with some non US culture-region settings, like Norwegian.

When pbem++ you can now abort registration properly and use login with existing
username/password.

Combat popup artwork for soviet side now correct.

Fixed a Bug with aircraft not doing any structural damage when not faced with
any opponents.

1st Panzer Army campaign save in last turn and reload bug (ComradeP) is fixed.

Karl Gerat … x5 attack. (still forgot the hitpoints, its on the list for the next
version)

Caprione 311 logo vales and quite a few other aircraft used the right stats but did
not show them in their pop up window=> fixed.

1st PzA replacement troops are now working as they should!

A bug related with playing a card like 'emergency troops' and having certain tabs
open like the OOB tab has been fixed.

When clicking OOB tab close you click through on map => fixed.

Some small fixes in editor and for import zip function.

Editor Add SfType bug fixed.

Improvements

Changed the d100 dice throw for intercept algorithm, this should fix issue with too
often too large amount of enemy interceptors or to often too little amount of
interceptors.

If by some freak accident the pbem++ file (or any savefile) is corrupt the game
will exit more gracefully and actually tell you why it exits.

All scenarios now no longer allow playing an officer card on unit that has changed
HQ in the current turn.

For modding: When loading ZIP game will now display any readme.txt file
contents to player and if a file has been written to the mods/ directory the game
will advise the player to restart the game.

For modding purposes: Regime Pen color is now not used for the natocounters and
all text in the color is now correctly rendered in the Pen color. This should allow
for modding really light counters and using black pen on top of them. If none of
the rgb values of the Pen is above 128 then the text shadow is also dropped.

Message text with Intelligence card reply improved and correct strategic position
of enemy now given. (R)

Renamed reinf group light tanks to light-med tanks to take away some confusion.
So PzIIs, PzIIIs, Pz38s, Pz35s are reinfgroup ‘light-med’ and PzIVs are reinfgroup
‘medium’.

Moved Hungarian Corps to Black Sea Coast in Case Blue Campaign Scenarios.

Also moved a Security division in Uranus to the Black Sea Coast.

Made cargoships and barges weaker and thus more easily destroyed (50% less
hitpoints) as well as reducing the transport capacity of cargoships from 4 to 3
weight points per ship.

Message text with Intelligence card reply improved and correct strategic position
of enemy now given.

Now game doesn’t number newly created Soviet Engineer groups, it’s more
consistent.

Azov is now a port so Rostov can be kept in supply when encircled, in all
scenarios.

AA / Flak now have higher symbol value so it shows on counter in silhouette mod.

14th Panzer missing from Stalingrad 6th Army, added it to both Uranus scenarios.

16th Motorized added to Case Blue campaign scenarios but not to Voronezh
scenario.

Reduced number of trucks, halftracks and tanks in (to-be pocket of) Stalingrad in
Op. Uranus. (only about 100 German tanks or less left now )

Little bigger font used in combat results.

Hotkey for HQ Power (Key-5) and Air/Art Range (Key-6) added.

Super Higher resolution now supported, bug with 2600 pixel width should be
fixed.

Already registered people with Slitherine (due to playing PBEM++ with another
game) now have option to choose ‘already registered’ button and use the regular
login in the next screen.

When you switch a unit and play the speed card again it will have less effect.

New mod file lines can be added. After the buttons have all been defined there is
now an optional line that takes the number of graphicfile string replacements. For
each number add a line below. With two arguments: “stringtobereplaced,”
”stringtoreplacewith.” This functionality makes it easy to make graphic mods that
don’t overwrite existing graphics. I will give some more info on this separately.
o Wheel zooms in and out at location of mouse.

Mega offertona Paradox su Amazon.com

Su Amazon.com trovate un'offerta per giochi Paradox per 136 euro a 9 euro; i giochi sono questi:


Crusader Kings II [Download]
Crusader Kings II: Dynasty Shields DLC Pack [Online Game Code]
Crusader Kings II: Mongols DLC Pack [Online Game Code]
Crusader Kings II: Ruler Designer DLC [Online Game Code]
Crusader Kings II: Songs of Albion DLC [Online Game Code]
Crusader Kings II: Songs of Faith DLC [Online Game Code]
Crusader Kings II: Songs of the Holy Land DLC [Online Game Code]
Magicka Collection [Download]
Magicka: The Stars Are Left DLC [Online Game Code]
Majesty 2 Collection [Online Game Code]
Majesty Gold - HD [Online Game Code]
Victoria II [Online Game Code]
Warlock: Master of the Arcane [Download]

After Action Review: John Tiller's Battleground Civil War - Second Battle of Bull Run

Sempre collegato all'articolo dell'altro giorno su The Wargamer c'è un AAR con John Tiller's Battleground Civil War - Second Battle of Bull Run, un wargame classico: http://www.wargamer.com/article/3235/after-action-review-john-tiller's-battleground-civil-war-second-battle-of-bull-run

giovedì 30 agosto 2012

White Eagle Red Star

Torno a parlare di uno dei libri che ho preso prima dell'estate: White Eagle Red Star; il libro è abbastanza divulgativo nel genere ma senza cadere nel banale, inoltre tratta di un periodo e luogo poco conosciuto, l'Europa Orientale alla fine della Prima Guerra Mondiale. Come ho già accennato tratta della Guerra Russo Polacca 1919-1920, non solo delle operazioni militari ma anche delle complesse vicende politiche che vedevano coinvolti Rossi, Bianchi, Polacchi, Tedeschi e Intesa; probabilmente le operazioni militari risultano piatte rispetto alla complessità della politica all'opera. Nel complesso se si legge l'inglese non posso che consigliarlo. Come gioco in parallelo si può giocare Revolution Under Siege che ha uno scenario sulla guerra russo-polacca, ma anche The Operational Art of War III ha uno scenario bellico sull'argomento.