New Players - i'm concerned.

[Scorched Earth]

Hi all, (or the few out there). A while back i asked for some new games by PBEM, i got a zero response. I've asked again and gotten two games. I have even volunteered to play friendlies and training games (to impart what little i know), and no response. I looked at the table of players, 92 at last count, some of whom have not registered a game since 2001! I realise this game is now a niche market, but there are great players out there, and Jason and others are keeping the game alive with new scenarios and much anticipated PB 2 disc. So what are we doing wrong? , are we not promoting ourselves enough? In the hope of stimulating debate i leave the door open for comment.

cheers
Robert :(

[Krink]

I wish I had an answer for you Robert. I think part of the problem is the lack of activity on the forum. If our members would visit more often, they would notice the requests for games, or other topics to talk about on a regular basis. I have tried to engage in requests for games when it seemed no-one else would, but my plate fills up quite often, and I really don't want to over do it.

I feel most members are just happy to play the odd game, and visit the forum once in awhile. I am here every day, many times during the day, and I notice that most of our members are not here when I am. It's usually visitors that are here checking our forum out.

There must be some things the CS members would like to discuss. I have tried to get some debate going over different issues and polls, but still not too much input. I have noticed a little more activity over the last couple of weeks, but that is mostly from the new members, and I appreciate that. The more info the new members get, the better the chance they will play more games and stick with it. I understand how frustrating it can be to join the club, start to play some games only to get clobbered while not learning anything from your opponents. I always try to point out a few things to my opponents if I feel it is an area they can approve upon, and they are not offended by someone giving them tips. Thats the kind of treatment I got from a few of my opponents I played when I first joined.

Thanks for bringing this up Robert. Hopefully it will open up some discussion, and we can improve where we need to.

Maybe everyone should just make a point of visiting the forum once a week or preferably more to start with, and things may evolve from there.

Cheers,
Ray

[KG_Norad]

:OHNO: Unfortunately I do not contribute much to this section by way of post or play , but I just wanted to chime in that I still think CS is a great game and drop by the section now and then to see what is going on. Now if I could just find the time I will have to try to get a small game going.

Glad that you're here Krink! Keep up the good work.

[Jason Petho]

Although I visit on a regular basis, at least a dozen times a day, the visits are primarily to see if anyone needs assistance.

I don't play much at all, I don't even think I have any games going with anyone on this ladder. When I'm finished with PB#2, I'll see about changing that.

Continue starting new topics, Ray, eventually the community will join in.

One thing I'd like to see, is possibly offering the World at War and Divided Ground CD's here at WarfareHQ for sale. I'm not sure that it's possible, but would give possible newbies a place to acquire the game!

Take care and good luck
Jason Petho

[Scorched Earth]

Ray, i agree with every point you make. I visit this site every day to see what's going on, and the silence is deafening. One of the things i would like to try is to build a scenario, but i lack the PC skills to get my head around it. Does anybody what to post some guidelines/thoughts as an idiots guide?

Jason, great minds think alike. I have been wracking my brains on what can bring in more players, and that's availability of the game itself. I personally dont have all the discs, so i'm missing out on some great games. If there is anything i can volunteer to do let me know, or yourself as well Ray.

The other issue is (i think), is modifying the game or at least correcting some of the errors/glitches in the game. Now i know this has been discussed before about re-issuing the game/upgrading it etc and the difficulties this entails re programming rights/ownership. Is there anyway this can be moved forward? Please correct me if i am wrong Jason, but is all the work you do on the PB discs within the existing set up of the Game. Could we issue a patch (ver 1.04 for example), that corrects known faults. If you'll excuse my limited knowledge, does this kind of software ever enter into public domain rights?

On another tack, look at the amount of players/interest re posts on the Blitzkrieg site. Could we not join forces on pushing the above or at least generating discussion on this issue. :)

[Jason Petho]

The other issue is (i think), is modifying the game or at least correcting some of the errors/glitches in the game. Now i know this has been discussed before about re-issuing the game/upgrading it etc and the difficulties this entails re programming rights/ownership. Is there anyway this can be moved forward?

Unfortunately, Take2 owns the rights to the Campaign Series and, at last attempt, is still not willing to part with those rights for a reasonable amount of USD. I'm not at liberty to discuss in detail as I'm bound by a non-disclosure agreement.


Please correct me if i am wrong Jason, but is all the work you do on the PB discs within the existing set up of the Game. Could we issue a patch (ver 1.04 for example), that corrects known faults. If you'll excuse my limited knowledge, does this kind of software ever enter into public domain rights?


I don't see the Campaign Series hitting the public domain anytime soon, tis a dream of mine that it would! The work I do for the PB#1 and PB#2 discs are within the guidelines presented by Take2 to the Blitz in order for the Blitz to sell the discs. Code changes/corrections are not allowed under these guidelines, although we are adding a new feature - which I'll keep quiet until the testing has been successful on it.


Take care and good luck
Jason Petho

[SoccerDJ]

Im glad someone brought this up topic up. I usually visit this site 4 or 5 times a day and this is usually the only CS site the I frequent. I really enjoy the community here and have enjoy myself immensly. I wish I could take on more games then I do but I usually can only handle two seeing how Im still learning alot about this game. Another thing is that I dont usually introduce new topics because I feel as if I still have alot to learn before introduceing anything. But as I learn more hopefully I will be able contribute more. Right now I have an idea of a tactical discussion that hopefully I'll post this weekend. I also have been wondering how the word about this club gets out and what is being done to spread the word. If there is anything I can do Ray, just let me know. And hopefully we can attract some more people and try and jump start this section. But I think Ray does a great job with this section and we owe him our thanks for sticking with it.
DJ

[John Given]

Robert, I am still in the process of getting up to speed on this pbem thing. Before I jump in though, I need (ok, want) to download many of these mods and custom scenarios for the CS. Also, I've had a terrible toothache this week (got it capped today) and my internet is intermittent (they are still working on the problem). Once I get these things ironed out, I will be much more open to pbem; hell, I'm even looking forward to it!

I'm not sure, but some of the threads hint that folks are playing customized games. Which brings me to another question; won't tinkering with a scenario, in any way, make it incompatible for pbem? What if you just add scenarios to your existing cs game? You ca nstill play a scenario BOTH of you have, right? (dumb question but I had to ask)

I'm currently slogging my way through a West Front campaign called "Hohenstaufen's Armored Fist." Damn thing is hard, heh. :cheeky: :p

[Jason Petho]

I'm not sure, but some of the threads hint that folks are playing customized games. Which brings me to another question; won't tinkering with a scenario, in any way, make it incompatible for pbem? What if you just add scenarios to your existing cs game? You ca nstill play a scenario BOTH of you have, right? (dumb question but I had to ask)

There's an abundance of user created scenarios for all the Campaign Series games that you can find for free here at WarfareHQ, Wargamer and The Blitz.

As long as both parties are playing the same version of the scenario there are no conflicts. Keep in mind that the stock scenarios are not changed, just new scenarios are added.

Take care and good luck
Jason Petho

[Gnrl Confusion]

Ray had an idea for a tournament for new players only. I think that's a pretty good idea for attracting new players. Maybe giving them access to a staff of veteren advisors, one group for the axis player, one for the allies. That way they could pick up pointers as well as experience.

[06 Maestro]

CS is a great game, and I hope to be able to do some PBM with it sometime. Like many, I have a favorite, TOAW, that takes up whatever gaming time I have through most of the year. I've only played one pbm gmae of CS, but many against the AI, and enjoyed the action. I'll get my Europe in Flame installed and will put in a request here for the proper patches/mods and good scenarios. I'd be open for a small to medium scenario-I did the Kursk scenario once against the AI; very interesting, but a just tad large.

I check this forum weekly (TOAW almost daily) and was concerned about the lack of activity. My suggestion for revitalizing this forum is to intice just a few members of similar clubs to register and report here also. I know that some CS players are registered elswhere, as are many TOAW players are.There is nothing wrong in that, and there is at least one club that has hundreds times (thousands times?)more reported CS games than here that could supply a few new players. Once they start reporting here, they may start posting. WFHQ is well known for it's TOAW support, but I have not the same exposure for CS.

[michammer]

I check here daily for any advice and updates, but I don't get to play as often as I would like. I have not asked for a PBEM opponent or replied to anyone asking for an opponent, as, at this time, I do not have the time. I would only be able to turn around maybe 1 turn a week.

[Scorched Earth]

Hi all, especially those i have never played/spoken to before. I think a tourney for newbies is a great idea. Anything i can do to assist let me know.

I would like to build a scenario (a small one), if anybody has advice/text they can share that would be great.

cheers
Robert :)

[BarcelonaBlom]

I'm in on that... I'm a newbie to the community at least... I've gotten some challenges but I've lost them all.

[Scorched Earth]

Ok guys, this is good, anybody lurking out there and not spoken before, step up, make yourself known and grab a partner for a game. 1st one to post gets to kick my backside, any theatre, any game, you pick. Friendly, training or a points game your choice. I have RS Gold (not played any), WF ver 1.05 (i'm hopeless at WF) and EF II ver 1.02. Go for it, you know it makes sense!!! :)

[jesdazone]

I think that one of the major issues we are all facing at this time or I shoudl say I am is that when a request is made withthe exceptionof Jason Petho the answers take so long to arrive to ones email box that eventually you get the feeling that no one really cares bout the problem. For example i was asking about my other favorite game by TalonSoft (sorry still cant bring my self to call it TAKE2) is TAOW and i had some questions about how do i go about installing it to my computer becuase I run Windows Xp and the response i got was you need to buy another version of the game, come on now that was a crass answer no assistance and absolutley no help to anyone in any way or manner. To take the opposite tack Jason Petho has been a godsend to me as he gave me very good instructions on how to install EF2 and i have been playing the heck out of it and begging for someone to challenge me in PBEM game (still no takers). Would love for some more assistance in installing WF as i still cant seem to get it to work properly but I guess that is really my problem as they say as I refuse to buy another copy with a minor tweak here and there jsut to be able to play a favorite no matter how hooked i may be on a game, i think they call it planned obsolesence now days. But to recap I visit the forums every single day and look forward to any information i can glean from the posts and if anyone at all wants to play a game let me know i am willing ot at anytime. Opps one more thing where the heck can i get a copy of hte disc that JAson mentioned with the additional scenarios etc and would lov eto put in line for the second disc as well.

Jerry Sanford

[Jason Petho]

Opps one more thing where the heck can i get a copy of hte disc that JAson mentioned with the additional scenarios etc and would lov eto put in line for the second disc as well.

Jerry Sanford


Good day, Jerry!

Thank you for the kind words!

In regards to your question above, here are two links:

For information on PB#1:

http://www.theblitz.org/member_sites/project_blitz_sneak/index_1.php

To order PB#1:

http://www.theblitz.org/member_sites/project_blitz_sneak/index_pb1.php

Hope this helps
Take care and good luck
Jason Petho

[Jefferylau]

The idea of NEWBIE tournament is very good and I will help in anyway to get this tourney up and running.

I had a part in running a similiar one for the Panzer Campaign Club (www.panzercampaignsclub.com) some years ago and although is very time consuming and a lot of problems but at the end . it has help to get the newbies involved and breathe new life to the club

Cheers

[John Given]

I love this idea also. If someone will just show us pbem newbs the ropes, we're likely to be here often for some cs gaming.

Almost forgot; I'm going to post any useful pbem tips I learn on this site (probably in this thread) so others can learn this more easily. Actually, I think all us newbs should do so.

P.S. Scorched Earth, I will gladly challenge you if you want to set up a training game. I prefer to play German, and long scenarios, but any side/complexity is ok.

:cheeky:

[Scorched Earth]

Ok John, your on, I'll have a think of a game to play (that i have played that demonstrates CS basics). You can play the Jerries. My address is: Veggies@rcousin.fsnet.co.uk. :)

[John Given]

Ok. The "zipping" of files might be a little tricky, but this doesn't look like it would be too difficult. I think the computer gives me the option to zip a file if I right click it.

Also, is zipping a file recommended? Will it corrupt the file if you don't zip it?

It's gonna be fun trying to beat you, Robert.

P.S. Almost forgot. I've seen a thread or two about rules of engagement (roe); what is fair, different peoples' opinions, etc. But I've yet to see a thread on what the actual roe are. I like the idea of all optional rules checked, though when I play vs. the computer I do not have extreme fow checked.

So, what are the usual r.o.e. around these parts? Can you remove units from the map to prevent their destruction? Can you fire artillery into unseen areas, etc? Feel free to respond everyone.

:rolleyes:

[Scorched Earth]

To be fair these are the ones i use, but everybody is different, so always ask beforehand.

1. No trucks/non offensive units to be used as arty spotters or as scouts.

2. No trucks or other units to be exited from map, if you can find it and kill it, the points are yours.

3. If you can spot for arty, fire away, even fire blind into rear areas where you suspect enemy forces are concentrating.

4. No use of trucks/non offensive vehicles to block line of sight.

5. No use of non offensive units in surrounding dispruted units to capture them by blocking lines of retreat.

6. If you have played a game before always say so.

7. Dont block your opponents re-inforcement hex.

8. Always utilise the optional armour facing/fog of war rules.

These are the ones i can think of off the top of my head. Feel free to add any others. If we can all agree to these, perhaps we can come up with a formal list for all to follow that can be pinned on site?

cheers for now
Robert
:)