Shadows of Steel Panthers People [Archive]

Double Deuce

13 Feb 05, 14:42

Where have all the Steel Panthers people gone?

I've noticed lately that other than a few regulars theres nobody posting here anymore,people have defected the ICW campaign,and there seems to be a lack of interest in general regarding SP related games. :blab:

Has everyone migrated to other software? Has George Jr's War on Terror got you down? :jack:Based on looking at the page views on some of the threads and the membership list my guess is that there are probably alot of lurkers out there.

I am currently working on some things to get more players involved BUT, RL issues have been interferring of late.
:whist:

danstudentvcc

14 Feb 05, 16:29

Where have all the Steel Panthers people gone? ...
Has everyone migrated to other software? Has George Jr's War on Terror got you down? :jack:
I am up with George Bush and down with the terrorists!:D

Once upon a time ago we used to have this other terrorist organization called the "Communists". I am down with world wide revolution as well!:D

So that makes two Bush thumbs up and two terrorist organizations thumbs down.:laugh:

It seems to be a natural attrition of some kind. Some aliases come and go depending on other activities. I have rifled thru the WHQ membership and found a few bites. In a few months we should have even more new names and as veteran SP players come and go and bring in new people in their wake.

... today I got new opp number three from the membership list [it would be cool if we could search by game played category; but a few emails queries every couple of months produces results as well].

Lastly, we could probably raid other ladders for aliases and encourage them to split their time spent on the game with the site here, otherwise I agree. Since '95 when I first encountered the Leadeater's Ladder I have never since seen a site with hundreds of aliases with stats in the W-L-D column!

danstudentvcc

dita

14 Feb 05, 16:45

Hopefully, we may have a surge in recruits when SPMBT (and SPWW2) goes to full windows compatability.

danstudentvcc

14 Feb 05, 17:00

Hopefully, we may have a surge in recruits when SPMBT (and SPWW2) goes to full windows compatability.As I recall it was SP2 that caught the gleam in my eye. SP1 and SP3 were ok but SP2 ruled.

Now after waiting many years for MBT battles on the SP2 scale [tank by tank shots vs Platoon fire] it has returned! I agree it is only a matter of time till the other 2/3 of the SP population become interested again.

Good point DITA

danstudnetvcc

Double Deuce

14 Feb 05, 17:02

Hopefully, we may have a surge in recruits when SPMBT (and SPWW2) goes to full windows compatability.I think there is a large following for SPMBT if they can get it into Windows. There are many SPWAW players eager for a Modern version but would rather not face the current DOS issues.

Jim H. Moreno

14 Feb 05, 17:12

Here here!

Skirmisher

14 Feb 05, 21:05

Win SPMBT as well as WIn SPWW2 should both be excellent products,though I'm alitle perplexed at the complete lack of interest at CAMO to make it internet compatible.
Think about that for a minute,a newly coded windows based game that does not have internet compatibility in 2005. :eek:

They will still be great of course.If people only knew what they were missing in regards to Steel Panthers on the internet.

Some people have the impression you must sit down and play an entire internet game in one sitting,this is not so.
You can save it and restart it as needed.

danstudentvcc

14 Feb 05, 22:55

Win SPMBT as well as ... needed.
It would be nice if it was possible to play a campaign mode pbem game.
Having the units replenished at game's end.
It would be cool if it were possible to do so for both opp's.

If it did happen it would be possible to start 8 to 12 turn games where the map objectives are more immediate and move back only as progress is made by either opponent.
Being able to add in custom maps and victory flag edits and a scenario change when objectives are met would be cool as well.

danstudentvcc

Double Deuce

14 Feb 05, 23:29

It would be nice if it was possible to play a campaign mode pbem game.
Having the units replenished at game's end.
It would be cool if it were possible to do so for both opp's.

If it did happen it would be possible to start 8 to 12 turn games where the map objectives are more immediate and move back only as progress is made by either opponent.
Being able to add in custom maps and victory flag edits and a scenario change when objectives are met would be cool as well.Does anyone think a Combat Campaign could be run using it? :cool:

Skirmisher

15 Feb 05, 17:46

Using what? The online version?

Double Deuce

15 Feb 05, 17:51

Using what? The online version?Yes.

Skirmisher

15 Feb 05, 18:16

I dont see why not. I would recommend using an upgraded version of it though. Much better availible units ,graphics,sounds,etc.

Double Deuce

15 Feb 05, 18:21

I dont see why not. I would recommend using an upgraded version of it though. Much better availible units ,graphics,sounds,etc.We could see whats out there run some tests and if workable settle on a version to use as standard.

Skirmisher

15 Feb 05, 18:43

Theres abit out there now ,but I've been collecting those files since 1999 and alot of what I have is no longer easily availible.

Aries

15 Feb 05, 19:26

I had a messy forum divorce in 2004 :)

Took a step away from a lot of my old favs in the process.

Plus, Steel Panthers WaW seemed to have exhausted me in a lot of ways.

Currently just waiting for SP Camo to determine if they can grace us with a Windows friendly version of their two variants.

Not gone (feeling a bit forgotten though), but still out there hehe.

Suffering a lot of winter blah (I miss my woodworking badly by this time of year). Once I get a bit of sawdust in my lungs I will likely become more my usual self eh :)

danstudentvcc

15 Feb 05, 21:07

Does anyone think a Combat Campaign could be run using it? :cool:
The SPWAW game's Campaign Generator and the older SP SSI issue WW2 Campaign are standard issue in WAW version releases. Double Deuce was mentioning these campaigns that end after each battle with a points screen that lets you buy new units to replace previous formation choices or to repair elements of the formation you selected at the start of the Campaign. [There are also other Campaigns that come with the game; in fact the SPWAW Depot released the 2SS Campaign recently]. Double Deuce runs a human controlled Combat Campaign -regularly- and has run others in the past. Not to mention that he has been asked by sites other than WHQ-AG to join forces with them, I am sure (we suspect). Fortune however smiled on WHQ (we know).

It would be great if it were possible. Currently however there are severe issues with using the SPWAW Campaigns. For instance it requires editing to select the reinforcement points to avoid unbalanced continuous battles.
Custom maps and OOBs are hard to work in as well without alot of effort.
Not that these things can't be done. In comparison we can do each of these things more freely without using the game's campaign modes.

For a solitaire campaign less work is involved if the custom and campaign generator are used.

Lastly, it is only possible for one Nation force to be replenished in the end-battle screens that precede further combat.

I spent 2 hours a day ago trying to use any combination of file manipulation to allow for a pbem series of games say for Guadalcanal that I could then play against John Fedoriw. However despite lucking out and getting a replacement screen for the US Marines, I was back to square one with the problem of successive battles either being on the same map or a new one. The point being that it is too much work to manipulate the files just to keep that end game screen that comes only with SPWAW Campaigns.

danstudentvcc

Skirmisher

16 Feb 05, 03:54

I thought SPWAW was the most campaign friendly game? Having the most editing tools and whatnot.

I see a potential problem using the SP3Online Program.
I started to use the editor that comes with it but it would not save a map I was making. No idea why. :o

So I guess maps will need to be made using regular SP3 and imported if its a program flaw.

Double Deuce

16 Feb 05, 12:03

I thought SPWAW was the most campaign friendly game? Having the most editing tools and whatnot.It is the easiest for Combat Campaigns mainly because of Fred Chandla Map tools. You can create large maps then just chop out the sections you need for a particular battle. The main probalem is the inability for both sides to deploy in a predesigned battle like I have to do for the Combat Campaigns.

Secret Agent

17 Feb 05, 16:54

I think there is a large following for SPMBT if they can get it into Windows. There are many SPWAW players eager for a Modern version but would rather not face the current DOS issues.

Yes! I have SPMBT downloaded, but discovered that it won't work on my XP. :cry:

dita

17 Feb 05, 19:09

Yes! I have SPMBT downloaded, but discovered that it won't work on my XP. :cry:

What is the problem exactly, I`m sure someone here may be able to offer assistance.

Secret Agent

17 Feb 05, 22:51

What is the problem exactly, I`m sure someone here may be able to offer assistance.

From reading through the manuals, it appears that SPMBT will not work on *most* XP computers becuase they lack a (VESA?) drive...apparently, I am among the "most." :cry:

danstudentvcc

17 Feb 05, 22:55

Actually VESA drivers are what Windows uses when you don't install video drivers.
This means that Windows when installed scans your hardware and then decides on a VESA driver. Drivers are software that allow peripheals to be communicated with by whatever OperatingSystem you have.

When you buy video cards and Windows detects them yu can choose not to install the software that comes with your video graphics card. If you select not to install that software then you are running in VESA mode.

Gus

Secret Agent

17 Feb 05, 23:04

When you buy video cards and Windows detects them yu can choose not to install the software that comes with your video graphics card. If you select not to install that software then you are running in VESA mode.

Gus
Hmmm...So what you are saying is that I should 're-install' everything on my computer, and then decide NOT to install my video-card software?

-SA

PS: My HD is partitioned; could I uninstall my video-card software in just one of those partitions?

danstudentvcc

17 Feb 05, 23:13

Definitely. In fact that is how new video cards or updated drivers are installed.

First you uninstall the old software. Since you are keeping the vidoe card you can now simply reboot.

When Windows comes back on it will detect your graphics card and ask you if you want to proceed with the install etc ..
hit cancel instead.

Your video card should now be in VESA mode since you uninstalled your video cards drivers.
.... you are now in VESA. To confirm it check in the hardware screen.

Some people just uninstall the driver and keep the graphics card software.

Others do that and make a new 'Profile'. This is the instance of setting up some hardware to show up in a particular Hardware 'Profile' [usually due to an IRQ conflict or memory assignment conflict] but not in other 'Profiles'.

danstudentvcc

Secret Agent

17 Feb 05, 23:16

Thanks! I'll try that, and then I can join you guys.

danstudentvcc

17 Feb 05, 23:19

Hardware profiles. In the past I have used them/
I got a scanner 2nd hand but it was a parallel port scanner.
At the time I was also using a burner in one of those external CDROM boxes.
The two items caused a conflict. They both had Adaptec drivers. The scanner needed alot of memory to run. The Burner set this amount too low and would overide the scanner.

To get both of them to work [like two bickering wargamers] I had to get windows to start in different hardware configurations/ one was scanner the other was burner.

In the end I settled on a multi-boot HD since the slightest error of hooking up the burner in the scanner profile would cause the darn thing to stop scanning when I used it next. Since Windows does such an ornerly good job of finding drivers once you've installed or uninstalled them I always ended up having to format the scanner partition then reinstalling/

Multi-boot partitions of WIn98/WinXP have been with me ever since.

danstudentvcc

danstudentvcc

18 Feb 05, 18:13

Hmmm...So what you are saying is that I should 're-install' everything on my computer, and then decide NOT to install my video-card software?
-SA
PS: My HD is partitioned; could I uninstall my video-card software in just one of those partitions?

Sorry for the time delay.
NO no non nine etc ...do not uninstall everything. Yes you can do it in one partiton. You can even keep it in both and select one partition to have two hardware profiles [opne regular one vesa]...

You can uninstall just the one thing: Video card software and its driver that comes with the CDROM or diskette or online dload etc that you bought with the card.

To un-install just the one thing you can go to control panel.
Select Add or Remove programs.
Then uninstall the software that is related to your card.
--this method works well since there is a possibility that even if you choose to uninstall the Vid-card driver in the system hardware manager; that one of those programs that came with your card may be tied to the Card's proprietary Driver. So removing all the software helps. Such a program would cause windows to search for the non-windows-vesa driver and to reactivate it without even giving you a screen!
From experience I format Windows partitions before reinstalling because Windows has a great knack for finding drivers I thought I had deleted.
[Recall LG burners with Adaptec drivers? even after uninstall I always have to go and search for them manually or XP keeps giving me warnings about their prescense/ even worse Win reactivates proprietary drivers without my input!

danstudentvcc

Secret Agent

18 Feb 05, 19:45

OK, one more really quick question: If I un-install the video card, will Windows Media Player (or Real 1 Player) still run?

danstudentvcc

19 Feb 05, 17:25

OK, one more really quick question: If I un-install the video card, will Windows Media Player (or Real 1 Player) still run?
Certainly. By uninstalling the video card's software you are only asking Windows to work with Windows provided software. All Windows products can work with most brand name hardware that existed at the time your version of Windows was made.
So Windows programs that come with your version of Windows will work without your video card's software.
Similarly with any other self contained product you may have dloaded or bought.
They can continue to work independently of your Video cards software.

Now you may want to go to the Microsoft site and install DirectX9 and the most up to date Windows Media Encoders. The Encoder package update will allow your media player to work with more recent file types or simply improve it.
The DirectX9 will improve your onscreen graphics for this things like DVD movie files, 3-D wargames or generic and of course other media types that are now using improved video imaging techniques.

If after uninstalling the V-Card and rebooting the MBT does not run install the Direct9X and reboot.
You can also try starting the vesa detect program that comes with Windows in a DOS screen.
If it still does not run try going to your V-cards website and install the updated software for the card. With your DirectX9 drivers and WinMediaEncoders still on plus the updated Video card software files your chances of getting it to work should be good.
--if its any consolation to you i did it in this same manner and lucked out for MBT but not for my $100 TV card!:cry:

Gus

Secret Agent

19 Feb 05, 19:10

OK, I un-installed my graphics software, but MBT is still not looking right...what now? :o

-Concerned MBT Wanna-be

danstudentvcc

19 Feb 05, 19:23

Go to MS-Windows update site and get the DirectX9 and the Media Encoders while there.
Install them and reboot your system.

danstudentvcc

Secret Agent

19 Feb 05, 19:32

Media Encoders

Which ones?

TURRET

09 Mar 05, 11:01

I think there is a large following for SPMBT if they can get it into Windows. There are many SPWAW players eager for a Modern version but would rather not face the current DOS issues.

I have the original SP 2 Modern Battles and the original STEEL PANTHERS PC CD ROM DISCS...Last weekend I got an urge to play again but ran into the DOS/XP issues..loaded intellimouse to speed up the mouse..but the scrolling fix I read about I cant do cause these were STRAIGHT DOS versions (no .ini file) and the mouse after mousectl and all that is still crummy...but in my downloads and searching I found SPWAW and it rocks...

NOW WE NEED ONE THAT ENCOMPASS WHAT SP3 brigade command did and were all set...(y'know from '39 to '99)

Double Deuce

10 Mar 05, 11:59

NOW WE NEED ONE THAT ENCOMPASS WHAT SP3 brigade command did and were all set...(y'know from '39 to '99)At this point its not gonna happen UNLESS Matrix gets Combat Leader off the ground and running. Right now they are stil in development and there is no estimated release date. I know they have been working on it for several years now.

Skirmisher

10 Mar 05, 13:41

And thats only for a Russian/German front WW2 Combat Leader,much more work needs to be done to bring combat leader out of the WW2 era and into the present and future. :cry:
And its taken 3 plus years so far.

This is what happens when a game is only a hobby.They should all dump thier day jobs and get to it. :laugh:

danstudentvcc

10 Mar 05, 13:59

Skirmisher

10 Mar 05, 14:29

Well how many wolves did you manufacture?

Matrix is a slow moving company with big ambitions,but how can you do something only part time and get anywhere? If the game flops it will probably be up to the reworking type people to acomplish this modern Combat Leader work. I think they could get it done faster in any event.
Matrix people have allready stated that yard work comes before CL work. :blab:

Double Deuce

10 Mar 05, 16:03

Does it pay enough? I've got hungry wolves to feed.I have 2. How many do you have?

danstudentvcc

10 Mar 05, 17:38

I have 2. How many do you have?
Well I have 6 gorgeous little pups from Burnaby .. however they are not my own!
Fortunately I do not have to feed them all the time .. their parents and step/granparents taake care of that business.
Actually I was just curious. I didn't know if it was actually possible to make a living doing that sort of thing.
With so many of the games either out of print; or their companies bought up and shredded; not to mention all the bankruptcies..

danstudentvcc

TURRET

10 Mar 05, 18:26

Im going to pick up a 200 mhz pentium with windows 95 fresh clean install from packaged discs just for steel panthers 2...

and of course the first original WW2 steel panthers....

50 BUCKS...

I think its worth it to have a dedicated machine for steel panthers....

Going to tie up the loose ends now ...see ya later peeps..

Skirmisher

10 Mar 05, 18:31

Turret,

What kind of machine do you have now?

I'd get win 98se instead of win 95. Same operating system but nobody supports win 95 anymore.

TURRET

12 Mar 05, 00:26

Yeah your right skirmisher I ended up loading 98 ....

I have lots of pc's but they all run xp...Ive got a 2.8 ghz dell, an 800 mhz dell and the system I wanna use for steel panthers 2 is a HP 200 mhz with win 98 and 80 megs of ram...

Just a nice little standalone system for steel panthers 2..

THATS HOW MUCH I LIKE THAT GAME...got hooked on it the first time I played it...

P.S. Thanks for the advice..