Slitherine

quote:

ORIGINAL: 76mm

Actually I can't take credit for the server-save game idea, I think lots of people have asked for it.

I'm assuming that this wish list could apply to a Field Marshall edition, rather than just an average patch, so:

1) Fix the map east of Lgrad, make it more heavy woods/swamp (see seperate thread...);
2) Fix rail somehow so that cutting one track near Stalino doesn't render all of the track south of the Dnepr and in the Crimea "dead". Given all of the ports in this area, it seems rather unlikely that there would be NO rail in the entire Crimea for instance. This has important gameplay effects because it makes if very difficult to move troops through the Crimea and beyond. EDIT: Elsewhere I've suggesting leaving track "live" if it is connected to a port, or a certain level of port capacity (under the theory that where there are ports, there are trains).
3) One niggle, not sure if I'm the only one to notice it: in the Strategic Reserve, when you try to filter by type of plane, it is almost impossible to select/deselect fighter-bombers. Everything else is fine, but whenever I want to select FBs, I need to select everything and then deselect everything but FBs. Irritating.
4) Also, why can't we sort the National Reserve by type of plane (ie, Yak-1)?
5) Greatly reduce the AP cost of transferring empty armies/corps, etc. Why does it cost as much, or more, to re-assign an empty army, than to disband it and create a new one? Let's say an army has fifteen CPs. You decide to reassign these units to free up the army, and then would like to transfer it to a new front. You've already paid AP to transfer all of the units, why should I have to pay another massive chunk of AP to transfer an empty army?

That's all for now...

quote:

ORIGINAL: Varity

It might be my particular play style, but right now I have huge problems keeping track which units I have already moved, which units I don't intend to move and which units I haven't even looked at or forgotten to reexamine after deferring their move initially. In consequence, I spend about 1/2 hour for every turn reexamining all my units both on the map and in the commanders report (sorted by MPs remaining) to figure out if I'm really, really done with the turn or if I've forgotten anything.

Therefore, it would be nice if every unit had a informative flag that you could set and clear at will that has no impact on the rest of the game and just serves as an organizing tool for players. With such a flag, I could mark units that I'm done with for the turn and quickly find those still waiting for orders.

You should be able to set and clear the flag for units that are selected on the main map, pressing the insert key might set the flag, the delete key might clear it. It should be visible in the unit bar and as a soft factor.

Pressing Ctrl-Insert should highlight all flagged units on the map, like f.e. Ctrl-9 now highlights rail repair units. Ctrl-Delete should highlight the non-flagged units.

The flag should be visible as an extra sortable and filterable column on the units tab of the commanders report screen. There should be a function to set or clear the flag for all selected units on the commanders report, like the refit/reserve, Max TOE% and support level functions.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sabre21

Looks like more than one of you would like to see this type of functionality or something like it. Right now when you select a stack the right panel appears and the stacked units are displayed allowing for pretty easy selection or deselection of whichever unit you want. I really don't see a problem with the way it currently works.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sabre21
5. Hq's are supposed to be cheaper to transfer with fewer units assigned. I just checked in my last game and a German Corps with 3 divisions cost 26 ap to transfer in its entirety to OKH. Removing 1 division cut the cost down to 24, losing another division cut the cost to 14, losing the 3rd division cut it down to 12. No idea why the big jump after the second division was reassigned, but it appears WAD.

quote:

ORIGINAL: 76mm

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sabre21
5. Hq's are supposed to be cheaper to transfer with fewer units assigned. I just checked in my last game and a German Corps with 3 divisions cost 26 ap to transfer in its entirety to OKH. Removing 1 division cut the cost down to 24, losing another division cut the cost to 14, losing the 3rd division cut it down to 12. No idea why the big jump after the second division was reassigned, but it appears WAD.

Uh, maybe for the Germans, not for the Sovs. I just checked in my PBEM, and to reassign an army which has 4 command points, it will cost me at least 53 AP; for the same amount I could simply create 2 new HQ. Surely this can't be WAD?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sabre21

quote:

ORIGINAL: Zoetermeer

I've said it before so I don't want to be annoying about it, but an open savegame format would be great for those of us who are willing to write some really cool third-party tools.

I'm not sure I understand this one, I doubt anytime soon the code will be opened for others to work with if that's what you are suggesting. This engine will probably be around for sometime.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sabre21

quote:

ORIGINAL: Aurelian

Would like seperate save game folders.

Unless they're there and I'm missing them.

Do you mean between ai vs pbem games?

quote:

ORIGINAL: Zoetermeer

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sabre21

quote:

ORIGINAL: Zoetermeer

I've said it before so I don't want to be annoying about it, but an open savegame format would be great for those of us who are willing to write some really cool third-party tools.

I'm not sure I understand this one, I doubt anytime soon the code will be opened for others to work with if that's what you are suggesting. This engine will probably be around for sometime.

No -- I didn't mean exposing the actual code to us, just making the actual format of savegame files human-readable (text-based) instead of binary, as it is currently. Making it text-based, or at least giving us a guide which explains to us how to parse it, would allow people to write third-party tools which can present game data in new and different ways to the player.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Zoetermeer

One thing that would be nice would be to have a setting which allows us to limit the number of admin points the AI can have each turn. Currently, I think the AI has basically unlimited admin points, which allows the Soviet AI to build endless numbers of new units and create huge carpets very early in '41.

quote:

ORIGINAL: molchomor

- buildable SUs for axis (somewhere to put all that outdated equipment never used)

The game models the German side strictly from a historical perspective when it comes to su's and reinforcements. Maybe down the road when and if we ever get to see a War in Europe, then hopefully we will have a production model for both sides.

- introduction of the exact same system for units to change their tank types used as is already in place for flight squadrons to change their plane types (this woukld in turn solve alot of other "features" and complaints)

This was discussed quite a bit by the testers way back when and the design decision was to not allow this due to a number of historical production limitations.

- editable start positions (especially in '41)

You can do this with the editor.

- make axis able to actually use their initial air superiority for something (like using your JU87G squadrons to hit those tank armies and actually do some damage)

The air model is currenyly still being worked on. Some refinements have been made with 1.04. I'm sure more are forthcoming in future patches.

- The automatic usage of captured tanks for axis is just annoying currently. Like having 50+ captured t34s and 2-3 PzD:s using that type, but they never seem to stock up with more than 3-4 tanks each. Same for the Finnish PzD. Either fix so that types can be swapped as per the earlier suggestion to avoid this or fix the "feature" that seemingly limits the number of captured tanks in units.

I'm not totally familiar with how the sytem works, but I believe what happens is that a unit will request replacements automatically and production tries to provide them. If none are available, then it is possible for captured equipment to be used. I think there is a minimum number that needs to be in the pool. I have seen Soviet armored cars appear in German infantry units but this type of thing is out of the player control.

- and what is up with captured tanks btw ? The number seems very low. Like in my game, having killed some 50 tank corps and untold number of tank brigades and just a few tens of captured t34s ?

I would suggest asking this either up in tech support or in the general forum section where Joel or Pavel are bound to see it. I don't have an answer for that.

- A new button "Jump to next unit on rail". I find myself constantly scanning the entire bloody Russia for fear that I forgot to move some units that I am railing.

There is a train symbol on those units you have entrained, and if you have the mp value displayed, you can easily see which ones might still have movement, I would think that would be sufficient We run into problems with adding buttons due to interface limitations (you must accommodate different screen sizes) and I think pretty much most of the hotkeys are used.

- Limiting some things the AI does on normal or introduce switches. I don't want teleportations or unlimited CPs for the AI, need an option for that.

Read section 3.3.2 of the manual on what the ai gets at different difficulty levels.

- Possibility to streamline axis production (e.g. cancel Elefant production against some AP cost and start producting something else)

German production is strictly historical. That was an early design decision and won't change for WitE. Maybe if War in Europe ever comes about we will have full production flexibility on both sides.

- add some graphics to indicate that a unit in the current stack is withdrawing within say the next 5 turns. Not something that sticks out much but enough so you can spot it while scanning the front. Firing up your round and seeing gaps in your line is not funny.

The Reinforcement/Withdraw schedule provides very specific dates on when units withdraw but finding where they are at times can be a problem. There are a couple possible hotkeys still available, I'll see if this one is doable.

- Popup to warn that your HQ will be displaced if you carry out the move (just annoying if it happens, having to reload and replay)

Everyone of us testers has had that happen on more than one occasion, so you can bet this one was discussed. I don't think a pop-up would work with the way the engine is designed.

- add some incentives for capturing cities. Morale bonus for Soviet units that cap a city, a chance of capping some armaments/resources/HI for axis ?

You can capture resources and oil factories but everything else is destroyed if taken. Victory points are allocated for certain cities in the various scenarios, so the incentive is already there. Not just vp's though, you deny the enemy the manpower and use of any factories that are destroyed.

- Radar units for axis ? Radar was a big advantage not modeled  in the game.

I don't know how widespread this may have been on the Eastern front. We have some pretty good researchers and if it isn't there then chances are it either wasn't or not in any significant capacity. I would ask this up in tech support though, Jim or Trey would be the guys that could probably answer this one.

- armored train units :) Would basically work as an FBD with some combat value, bound to use tracks.

This was a tester suggestion, and I think due to the scale of the game, armored trains just wouldn't work.

• Production screen: I would find very useful that there was available a more "logical" set of filter settings, such as by type of element (i.e. what kind of TOE slot they're meant for), if they're or not obsolete (# elements), or if they're "future" elements (** elements).
  
• Commander Report: would it be possible to export the current data shown by CR (after filters have been applied) to a CSV file?
  
• Air Mission Selection Dialog: it would be useful to have air units arranged by commanding Air HQ.
  

quote:

ORIGINAL: Aditia

I have 2 suggestions, one of which is cosmetical:

1. when I am moving tons of counters I sometimes forget I have a HQ in the stack. Getting an HQ displaced during your own turn because you move out combat units really sucks, and is a weird mechanic imo. How about doing the displacement during the logistics phase if a player leaves an HQ in contact with hostile units (or give a warning), in order to avoid forcing players to look at all their stacks like a hawk. I don't think getting an HQ displaced during a player's own turn is ever intentional, so the mechanic is dumb.

2. I haven't tested it properly yet, but in my 43-45 campaign I am getting to the point of setting different air doctrines for my own turn and for my opponent's turn because ground support missions during my opponent's turn are very VERY costly to my bomber force. I consider this very gamey and if the developers consider this gamey as well I would like to suggest only being able to change air doctrine once every few turns (say 3 or 4). If developers are of the opinion that setting different air doctrines for your own offensive phase and your opponent's offensive phase is as intended, well, then tbh there should be 2 different air doctrines, an offensive and a defensive one, so you don't have to switch it up EVERY turn.

Edit: - add some graphics to indicate that a unit in the current stack is withdrawing within say the next 5 turns. Not something that sticks out much but enough so you can spot it while scanning the front. Firing up your round and seeing gaps in your line is not funny.

This exists already. You can click a state button to see all units that are refitting/static/reserve/withdrawing

quote:

ORIGINAL: 76mm

I guess it depends on leader quality, as you say, but in my Army HQ with 4 pts it still costs more than 50 AP to transfer. Even in your example, an empty army costs more to transfer than to simply create a new army. This seems pretty goofy to me, clearly it would be easier for Stavka to simply transfer an existing unemloyed army HQ than create a whole new one?

Also, I like Aditia's ideas; similarly, what about air doctrine at a Front level? You might want totally different air doctrines in diff parts of the front.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Bletchley_Geek

Here go a couple feature requests / suggestions:

• Production screen: I would find very useful that there was available a more "logical" set of filter settings, such as by type of element (i.e. what kind of TOE slot they're meant for), if they're or not obsolete (# elements), or if they're "future" elements (** elements).
  
• Commander Report: would it be possible to export the current data shown by CR (after filters have been applied) to a CSV file?
  
• Air Mission Selection Dialog: it would be useful to have air units arranged by commanding Air HQ.
  

quote:

ORIGINAL: morvael

The Axis withdrawal/reinforcement is too scripted and rigidly historical in that always the same units will be withdrawn at the same time, completely disregarding their current situation and overall situation on the front. The same with reinforcements - they come when Axis fared badly on the front in reality (like SS divisions to rescue AG "A" in early 1943 used so well by Manstein) and not when the player has big trouble. Soviets have quite flexible play with the ability to buy units as they like. I propose that:
1) withdrawals be re-made in such a way so when OKW needs some divisions moved to other fronts they will ask "we want 2 infantry divisions" and the player will have the option to specify which divisions (sometimes those scripted to withdraw are in the most important parts of the front, while others that could be easily withdrawn are not called by high command)
2) allow to use AP to postpone withdrawals (20-30AP for 2-3 turns for a single unit, so the player would be unable to delay many units, but some in the most critical times)
3) allow to use AP to request reinforcements, with random chance if and what will come (up to the historical limits or with rising cost with each successful request).

That would offer more ways to use AP (currently they are used mainly for HQ buildup) which would be good and make the Axis play less scripted.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Red Lancer

I'd like the following:

- the ability for the Axis to create Corps HQ - reflecting the German ability to group to meet threats. All the more important with the new command rules in 1.04 patch.

- embedding generic data in scenarios so that the generic data can be modded. As it is quite clear that axis production is not going to be used in game this would allow it to be changed in scenario design but without changing every other scenario.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sabre21


These were all already asked for in an earlier post in this thread. I will reiterate that the German side of things were designed to be strictly historical and won't change for WitE. Maybe when and if War in Europe ever comes to be there will be a more flexible production capability for both sides. I know many folks, myself included would like to see that.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sabre21
If an empty army is 27 points on average, and a new army is 25, that's not much of a difference to really worry about. Especially when you consider in many cases you change out the leaders of nw armies for better ones at a cost of 10 to 15 more ap's.

quote:

You can already do what you ask for with the current editor. Go into the editor, load the scenario you want to edit, and go for it. Just make sure you save it as something other than the same scenario or you will copy over the original. A detailed editor manual is being worked on.

quote:

- embedding generic data in scenarios so that the generic data can be modded.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Red Lancer

quote:

You can already do what you ask for with the current editor. Go into the editor, load the scenario you want to edit, and go for it. Just make sure you save it as something other than the same scenario or you will copy over the original. A detailed editor manual is being worked on.

No - that is not correct. The generic data - i.e. TOE(OB), Devices, Ground Elms, Aircraft and Leaders are the same for every scenario. Any change to one of those files will effect every single scenario - and is done when the generic data is loaded. If you change them when in a scenario (scenario data loaded) the change won't stick. So any generic data change if not carefully considered can be catastrophic. Please don't think that I am decrying any of the excellent work in this game but in its current format it's a scenario creator / modders nightmare. I don't know how much attention you pay to the modding and scenario forum but the fact that there have been more graphical mods been produced than new scenarios tells its own tale. I have two installs on the game on my system for just this reason. I'd love to share some more of the work that I have done (especially on production) in an easy to use format but I can't.

As for my other request then so be it - but why then can an Axis player create Fortified Regions? The argument of staying strictly historical has already been broken.

Having had a moan I'd like to finish by saying that this is amongst the finest games I've ever seen and I love it.