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RE: Pirate or legal earlier versions? - 6/20/2007 10:37:46 PM   
MarkShot

 

Posts: 7089
Joined: 3/29/2003
Status: offline 		I think I will definitely go with DOSBOX:

(1) Want to play in a Window on my CRT (I both an LCD and CRT hooked up). With the 20" CRT set to 720x480, the CCAW window fills the screen.

(2) I will probably want to remap some of the game keys either from the DOSBOX mapper or my G15 keyboard. Unlike CAW, this game has hot keys for running. I like that better than the mouse buttons. However, they aren't ergonomic like ALT-F#. Also, with the macro scripting of my G15, I can even hot key things by just using the DOS menus like changing the delay between clock ticks.

(3) The map does not appear zoomable. I am going to miss that.

(4) There are three speed 1 sec, 0.5 sec, and no delay. You might want to adjust the CPU cycles for DOSBOX, since no delay is like time warping. It should be possible to come up with a good compromise in DOSBOX.

Well, time to finish configuring the game and get started reading the manual. I think I am going to like it.

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RE: Pirate or legal earlier versions? - 6/20/2007 10:49:06 PM   
MarkShot

 

Posts: 7089
Joined: 3/29/2003
Status: offline 		Setting CPU CYCLES=10000 give a nice zero delay rate without time warping. Set cycle up and down for 2000 provides very good flexibility for controlling the speed of the simulation. In fact, this provides a complete alternative to using the menu option.

Here is a screenshot:




Attachment (1)

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Post #: 32
RE: Pirate or legal earlier versions? - 6/20/2007 10:55:34 PM   
MarkShot

 

Posts: 7089
Joined: 3/29/2003
Status: offline 		Just run CAWV2.EXE if you want to skip the splash. However, you will need CCAW.BAT the first time to create the INI file.

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Post #: 33
RE: Pirate or legal earlier versions? - 6/20/2007 11:03:20 PM   
MarkShot

 

Posts: 7089
Joined: 3/29/2003
Status: offline 		One final comment and then I'll leave for a while.

Part of the beauty of playing old DOS games on a 20" CRT is my old eyes have no problems with the font sizes. CAW-Matrix looks beautiful at 1600x1200 on my 21.3" LCD, but it puts my eyes to the test. Of course, I could run at a low resolution, but then the text is no longer crisp.

One thing which confuses me is how the traditional wargaming population continues to age and yet each year display resolution increases and fonts get progressively smaller. Ouch!

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Post #: 34
RE: Pirate or legal earlier versions? - 6/20/2007 11:37:34 PM   
jcrohio

 

Posts: 470
Joined: 4/4/2005
From: Ohio
Status: offline 		Mark

I am real interested on your take on the manuals on this game. That is what I think I would like to look at. Also, did you have any problems with ordering the game. I usually order by credit card on line BUT only with companies I trust. I am not sure who this company is. Any help would be appreciated.

Jack


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Post #: 35
RE: Pirate or legal earlier versions? - 6/20/2007 11:42:16 PM   
MarkShot

 

Posts: 7089
Joined: 3/29/2003
Status: offline 		Jack,

I've been busy setting up and haven't really started with the manual yet.

As far as ordering, I am in the USA and I think they are too. I ordered via credit card, $37 USD. Ordered Sunday and received it today, Wednesday via priority mail.

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Post #: 36
RE: Pirate or legal earlier versions? - 6/21/2007 1:29:26 AM   
MarkShot

 

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Status: offline 		I have started reading.

Print quality is on low grade paper b/w of varying ink intensity. Punched and bound with a cover. The manual appears to be comprehensive. However, there are seemingly quite a few typographical errors. There is only the hardcopy manual. No PDF on the CD. The intro asserts that the extensive portion on scenario creation will, in fact, help player to better understand strategy and tactics. No index, but a reasonable one level table of contents.

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Post #: 37
RE: Pirate or legal earlier versions? - 6/21/2007 3:04:06 AM   
GoodGuy

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: MarkShot

I have started reading.

Print quality is on low grade paper b/w of varying ink intensity.

You sound like a scientist analyzing some ancient artefact. Next thing u gonna do is getting a spectral analyzis in order to determine the origin of the ink/paper, then you'll verify the time period (+/- 5 yrs) when the manual had been printed. Then you'll scratch your head "hmm, wonder if someone had read/touched the book before...", so you'll get your fingerprint scanner.

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Post #: 38
RE: Pirate or legal earlier versions? - 6/21/2007 4:20:15 AM   
jcrohio

 

Posts: 470
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Status: offline 		Mark

Thanks for the information - a couple of months ago I found a Word copy of the documntation for CAW - 300 pages! - but wouldn't you know I deleted it and can't remember where I got if from.

Oh well

Also, in the manual do diagrams, tables etc. seem to be included? Again thanks for the information

JAck

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Post #: 39
RE: Pirate or legal earlier versions? - 6/21/2007 4:34:40 AM   
JD Walter


Posts: 235
Joined: 6/20/2003
From: Out of the Silent Planet
Status: offline 		Hi MarkShot,

Appreciate your posting on CCAW. I've read a couple of other posts on this board talking about the extra documentation CCAW can provide, and will be interested in reading your recommendation as to whether to pick it up or not for this purpose.

Quick question: how do you post a screenshot on this board?

I like seeing how something will actually look in DosBox or Win'95; been awhile since I put my 486dx2/66 away.

I've read the help menu, but find the explanation insufficient to actually get a screen to upload. Thanks for any explanation you can give.

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Post #: 40
RE: Pirate or legal earlier versions? - 6/21/2007 4:49:50 AM   
MarkShot

 

Posts: 7089
Joined: 3/29/2003
Status: offline 		Probably will have some thoughts on the manual and the game after the weekend. I have already completed the tutorial. It was adequate, but nothing special.

My gut feeling is that there seems to be more raw information CCAW. However, there are a number of quick shortcuts in CAW like quicky strikes, waypoints, map zoom ... not in CCAW.

Screenshots are posted by clicking on the upload checkbox at the bottom of the post box and then click on embed picture check box.

Good night, all.

PS: Goodguy, someone was asking me if it was worth buying CCAW just for the manual. So, I thought it was pertinent to cover not just the contents, but the quality of the print medium. Since I always see gamers commenting on the medium when they purchase games.

< Message edited by MarkShot -- 6/21/2007 4:50:21 AM >

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Post #: 41
RE: Pirate or legal earlier versions? - 6/21/2007 4:59:24 AM   
MarkShot

 

Posts: 7089
Joined: 3/29/2003
Status: offline 		Regarding appearance of my one CCAW screenshot, I decided to set ASPECT=FALSE in DOSBOX. The window is a little smaller, but this keeps the games original fonts from being distorted. After all, it's not like it is hard to read on a 20" CRT. Probably at the time the game was being sold, 1994, 15-17" CRTs were standard.

One other comparison between the games. CCAW is somewhat less realtime than CAW. It looks like practically in most screens and displays CAW can continue to run. CCAW only really runs when at the main map level. For giving orders and stuff, the game auto-pauses.

For those who have been discussing strike results known before the animation in CAW, it is the same CCAW too. However, it makes more sense in CCAW. The strike result is actually the one liner summary you get if you turned off the animation anyway. You always get that even if you have the animation on. The one liners take the place of the event log, since CCAW does not have an event log. In CAW, it makes less sense, since you only get the premature summary if you have the animation turned on.

That's all for now.

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Post #: 42
RE: Pirate or legal earlier versions? - 6/21/2007 5:08:07 AM   
JD Walter


Posts: 235
Joined: 6/20/2003
From: Out of the Silent Planet
Status: offline 		Ahhh... got 'ya. Thanks, MarkShot!

I was missing that the "Click here to upload" was actually a hotlink (and just checking "embed picture in post" only). Doing both works now.

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Post #: 43
RE: Pirate or legal earlier versions? - 6/21/2007 7:28:15 AM   
MarkShot

 

Posts: 7089
Joined: 3/29/2003
Status: offline 		I have read about 2/3s of the game manual and thumbed through the scenario creation manual. I doubt I am going to read the scenario creation manual (or not in the near future; scenario design just isn't my thing).

Although I haven't been reading the CAW and CCAW manuals side by side, I did not find myself reading the CCAW and being granted amazing insights. Mainly, I was reading it to understand how to navigate the CCAW screens which conceptually are not that different than CAW. The portion of the manual that deals with game play strategy is only three pages.

As far as tables appearing in the manual. There are some sample tables which appear in tutorials for scenario design, but there is nothing like a comprehensive set of tables describing all objects in the game.

Here it is - BOTTOM LINE: I don't think the CCAW manual is worth $37 USD as an adjunct to the CAW manual. Probably just sticking around the forum here over a month or two will teach you more than you are going to learn from anything additional in the CCAW manual. However, I do think CCAW, the game itself, is well worth $37 USD if you enjoy playing older games. I do as I play: AOD, SH1, RTD, 1830, ... The game seems very nicely designed, lots of scenarios, and appears to play well directly under XP or DOSBOX. Like the other classics, I mentioned, it just feels like fun.

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Post #: 44
RE: Pirate or legal earlier versions? - 6/21/2007 7:42:22 AM   
BoredStiff

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: MarkShot

Here it is - BOTTOM LINE: I don't think the CCAW manual is worth $37 USD as an adjunct to the CAW manual.

I'm curious, does that $37 include shipping? They're advertising the game itself for $27.

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Post #: 45
RE: Pirate or legal earlier versions? - 6/21/2007 7:54:26 AM   
MarkShot

 

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Joined: 3/29/2003
Status: offline 		My mistake $32.70 with shipping. However, my opinion still stands.

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Post #: 46
RE: Pirate or legal earlier versions? - 6/21/2007 12:34:56 PM   
MarkShot

 

Posts: 7089
Joined: 3/29/2003
Status: offline 		A few of more CCAW differences:

(1) The maps aren't labeled due to low res graphics. So, you need to use the movement base/port option in order to ID various locations if you don't just recognize the maps.

(2) Costal watchers are implemented as sightings, but there are no icons on the map to indicate their presence.

(3) Bombard and invasion missions do seem to take place. However, they behave implicitly as opposed to have an actual order which is issued for these.

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Post #: 47
RE: Pirate or legal earlier versions? - 6/21/2007 1:01:46 PM   
Adam Parker


Posts: 1848
Joined: 4/2/2002
From: Melbourne Australia
Status: offline 		Argh - I really appreciate the screen shot but I couldn't do this to myself!

I think the money here is best spent with CaW 2007 and let the SSG guys come up with some expansion packs which if I'm judging the mood of this game right should follow.

As for manuals, remember the release of East Front 1 - the entire world of wargaming errupted in protest at what I think was a thin 20 pages of nothing? Grognards, their wives and offspring wrote petitions to the Great Rose. It took East Front 2 to come out with the thick, meaningful rulebook collectors have today. It's acronym was TRWSHHITFP.

"The Rulebook We Should Have Had in the First Place".

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RE: Pirate or legal earlier versions? - 6/21/2007 9:53:20 PM   
mjk428

 

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quote:

ORIGINAL: MarkShot


Here it is - BOTTOM LINE: I don't think the CCAW manual is worth $37 USD as an adjunct to the CAW manual. Probably just sticking around the forum here over a month or two will teach you more than you are going to learn from anything additional in the CCAW manual.


I agree completely that buying CCAW just for the manual is probably a terrible waste of money. A reason that might makes sense, other than collecting and enjoying old games, would be to buy it for the 40+ scenarios. Might also be helpful for scenario designers of the new game.


For comparison, here's a rundown of what's included in the manuals I have of the old game:

CAW Mac (Total War collection) - About 35 pages devoted to game mechanics and a tutorial.

CAW 2 PC (1992) - About 130 pages*. 55 pages is a nice little history of the Pacific War - the rest is game mechanics and design notes. An old school, nicely done, manual.

CCAW - About 170 pages. 32 pages on how to play the game the rest is on scenario design and scenario building.



* The print is large and the pages smaller. Makes for easy reading but the higher page count does not necessarily equal more info.





< Message edited by mjk428 -- 6/21/2007 9:55:40 PM >

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RE: Pirate or legal earlier versions? - 6/22/2007 12:11:11 AM   
MarkShot

 

Posts: 7089
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Status: offline 		Mjk428,

I have searched the Internet, but did not find anything. Would you happen to have any custom scenarios that are not part of the CCAW package? If so, I would appreciate it if you could zip them up and email them to me.

Thanks.

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RE: Pirate or legal earlier versions? - 6/22/2007 1:34:28 AM   
mjk428

 

Posts: 1944
Joined: 6/15/2002
From: Western USA
Status: offline 		Sorry, I'm sure I don't. I never messed with the construction kit for the PC. Any scenario tweaking or inputting from Run5 mag by me was done on the Apple II.

So many scenarios came with the the CCaW that I never even looked into finding more. I do still have my Run5 mags but it's my understanding that those scenarios were all included with CCaW.

BTW, did you find these scenarios (Midway variants and Problem IX) at grognard.com?

ftp://ftp.grognard.com/download/comp/msdos/caw-scen.zip

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RE: Pirate or legal earlier versions? - 6/22/2007 2:14:32 AM   
MarkShot

 

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Status: offline 		I have those. Just copy them to my scenario directory?

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RE: Pirate or legal earlier versions? - 6/22/2007 2:36:55 AM   
JD Walter


Posts: 235
Joined: 6/20/2003
From: Out of the Silent Planet
Status: offline 		Thanks for your comments, MarkShot.

I think I will take your advice and continue reading the forums, instead of spending any more to buy CCAW for its manuals. I am an old-time CAW fan, and am fairly well familiar with the battles presented in the two games. I have DosBox, and although I too enjoy some of the older titles like yourself, don't feel a pressing need to add CCAW whilst I have CAW loaded on my PC.

Sounds like I will get along just fine with CAW and the books recommended to me at Amazon.com.

< Message edited by Def Zep -- 6/22/2007 2:39:15 AM >

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Post #: 53
RE: Pirate or legal earlier versions? - 6/22/2007 11:43:51 AM   
RSGodfrey

 

Posts: 147
Joined: 6/21/2004
Status: offline 		Mark, the essential question for me is your assessment of how gameplay and challenge differ between the old and new versions. Have you formed an opinion yet?

Still waiting on my copy of CAWC and on the fence regarding the new version owing to price and limited scenarios.

Richard

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Post #: 54
RE: Pirate or legal earlier versions? - 6/22/2007 3:26:17 PM   
Toby42


Posts: 1626
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Status: offline 		Where does one pick-up CCAW???

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Post #: 55
RE: Pirate or legal earlier versions? - 6/22/2007 3:52:24 PM   
RSGodfrey

 

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Status: offline 		Tony

go to http://www.ssgus.com/


Richard

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Post #: 56
RE: Pirate or legal earlier versions? - 6/22/2007 7:22:49 PM   
mjk428

 

Posts: 1944
Joined: 6/15/2002
From: Western USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: MarkShot

I have those. Just copy them to my scenario directory?


Don't know. I think they're CAW1 scenarios. You might need to load them into the editor first to upconvert them to the CAW2 standard. Backward compatibility was a touted feature so it should work.


BTW, wouldn' t it have been simpler if the new CAW was titled CAW3? It's like the original never existed. ;)

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RE: Pirate or legal earlier versions? - 6/22/2007 9:06:25 PM   
MemoryLeak


Posts: 491
Joined: 12/4/2000
From: Woodland, CA USA
Status: offline 		Hi MarkShot,

I was intrigued when you mentioned the game 1830. I would like to purchase it but I can not find it on the internet. Do you have any information on where or even if it can still be bought?

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Post #: 58
RE: Pirate or legal earlier versions? - 6/23/2007 5:31:50 AM   
MarkShot

 

Posts: 7089
Joined: 3/29/2003
Status: offline 		A few have posted questions for me on this thread. I am in the middles of a system failure and will try to respond at such time that my PC is working better.

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Post #: 59
RE: Pirate or legal earlier versions? - 6/23/2007 5:58:08 AM   
MarkShot

 

Posts: 7089
Joined: 3/29/2003
Status: offline 		RSGodfrey,

Well, I was messing around with CCAW until yesterday. Two bad DIMMs in three months!!! (on my laptop at the moment)

The question you ask about comparing game play and AI between the two versions is not something that I can answer with so little experience with both of them. I can tell you that CCAW feels like fun and now that I have got it, I definitely intend to play it. It is likely that I will invest time first with CCAW and give CAW some time to be patched and perhaps have some more content developed.

Now, here is something I cannot really explain. When I was play CAW, I quickly turned off the animations as they got old for me fast. Yet, with CCAW, I decided to leave the animations on while playing. Clearly, CAW has better animations than CCAW. Yet, the CCAW animations to seem fit in better for me with the rest of the flavor. Go figure!

Sorry, I don't have more to offer you.

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