Decisive Action version 2.0.3 Patch Now Available

[John Osborne]

I took the liberty of reposting this from the DA Yahoo Group. I beleive that there is still some players here that has DA. l'm looking foward to do some more scenarios with it.


The latest version of Decisive Action is now available for download at
http://www.hpssims.com/Pages/updates/up_DA/Patch_DA.html This version
of the game has many new features such as network play (up to 15
computers), more detailed fire support and logistics functions, AAR
playback, and a brand new help file. Plus, numerous bugs have also been
squashed.

The new Help file is a drastic improvement over the previous one. It is
much more detailed and user-friendly. Vince “TJ” Taijeron helped me
write it and his vast experience as an experienced trainer, gamer, and
retired soldier are evident when you examine the new Help file. TJ is
the chief instructor for Decisive Action at the Command and General
Staff College and wrote the manual based on his experiences helping
officers learn to play the game.

Installing the patch is simple. Download and replace several key files
and create a new folder, titled “AAR” within the root game directory.
The DA CD is no longer needed in the drive to run the game. The download
is identical to the current Army version except for the license
instructions.

Please pass this information on to other user’s groups and your friends!

Jim Lunsford

[Scully]

Thanks John. Please let me know what you think of the update as I'd like to purchase the game sometime soon.

Brian

[Pat Proctor]

Of interest to anyone who wants a little background into the inner workings of military gaming...

Vincent Taijeron (TJ) shares an office with our own Curt Pangracs, of Raging Tiger fame ;)

Oh what a tangled web:p

[CPangracs]

Be advised,...there may be another patch out soon. Yours truly found a little missing something today while teaching it to a gaggle of LTC's!;) :cheeky:

[John Osborne]

Hi Curt,

What was missing? :)

John

[Don Maddox]

I'm curious how much interest there is in revitalizing the DA section here at Warfare HQ. We used to have one, but despite my best efforts we could never get any interest in it. I think the situation may have changed now. For starters, wargamers seem to have gradually become more accepting of modern era wargames. This wasn't always the case.

DA, TacOps, ATF, BCT, and POA2 are probably always going to remain "niche" products, but I do think the potential audience has grown substantially. Unlike some other wargames, I don't see these titles are really be competitors in that most modern era enthusiasts own them all! The point being that creating a "modern wargames" community is beneficial to everyone. That was the original intent of our now defunct Military Simulations section.

It's obvious that ATF and BCT have a growing following, and POA2 and DA may be growing as well. That's good news all the way around. I have plans to change a few things on the main Warfare HQ website anyway, and I would like your input on this issue.

These wargames (simulations?) are simply too good to allow them to wither away on the vine. We want to see them thrive and this club is uniquely suited to help bring this about.

[CPangracs]

Actually, nothing that affects the civilian player. It is the Common Operating Picture (COP) set-up. DA is supposed to be able to be setup as a "neutral" machine able to visualize a multiplayer game without allowing orders input. Definitely something not normally needed by the casual gamer! As a matter of fact, he probably won't even release a patch to the public just for that. However, if you are reading through the manual, and you read about the COP function, now you know what it is,...and that YOU can't use it!:D

[John Osborne]

Hi Curt,

I've looked at the new DA manual and I didn't see anything mention about Common Operating Picture (COP) :p

John

[Scully]

Hey Don,

I don't actually own the game yet, though I plan to buy it sometime over the next few months. I would very much like to see the DA section revitalized. I'm subscribed to the DA mailing list on Yahoo and there's really not a lot of traffic there, so I'm not sure how much interest you'll get.

I don't own TacOps, though it's on my wish list. I'm not sure about POA2...my computer just can't handle it, so it's going to have to wait. I also play Harpoon3, but they already have a very active community. Though they've decided to setup a forum like WarfareHQ just for Harpoon. You may want to see if they're interested in moving here.

I agree that these games will remain niche, which is all the more reason to have a community. This may sound a bit goofy :nuts: , but ATF and this community has really changed the way I look at modern warfare. It's been quite an educational experience and I think DA would only add to it.

Anyway, that's my two cents.

Brian

I'm curious how much interest there is in revitalizing the DA section here at Warfare HQ. We used to have one, but despite my best efforts we could never get any interest in it. I think the situation may have changed now. For starters, wargamers seem to have gradually become more accepting of modern era wargames. This wasn't always the case.

DA, TacOps, ATF, BCT, and POA2 are probably always going to remain "niche" products, but I do think the potential audience has grown substantially. Unlike some other wargames, I don't see these titles are really be competitors in that most modern era enthusiasts own them all! The point being that creating a "modern wargames" community is beneficial to everyone. That was the original intent of our now defunct Military Simulations section.

It's obvious that ATF and BCT have a growing following, and POA2 and DA may be growing as well. That's good news all the way around. I have plans to change a few things on the main Warfare HQ website anyway, and I would like your input on this issue.

These wargames (simulations?) are simply too good to allow them to wither away on the vine. We want to see them thrive and this club is uniquely suited to help bring this about.

[Pat Proctor]

I do not want the following comment to be perceived as critical of HPS Sims. They are a great company with some fine products. I also don't want anyone to think I am being critical of DA or POA2 (I haven't played either of them, *yet*).

But I do think that HPS does a real disservice to these games by not offering free demos. Demos are a great way both to calm fears and to create converts. I have to say that this is part of the reason I have purchased neither game. I don't know if I have the time to devote to them and, without a demo, I don't know how much time I need to devote to them.

So, for those out there that would like to see these games grow and succeed, and if you agree with me, I would recommend dropping a line to that effect. Just please do not start your letter:

"Dear HPS Sims, Pat Proctor, from ProSIM Company told me to write this nasty letter..." ;)

[John Osborne]

Hi Scully and Don,

At one time I and some other DA players tried to support a DA Thread at WarfareHq.com. Hell I even made a scenario and post it. :cheeky:

If there is a DA thread I would support it. There should be a poll/question at the DA Yahoo Groups, which has a total of 119 members. And see if they would support it or not. Sometimes I don't think there is anybody there because it is always quite there.

As for a Harpoon 3 thread. I don't think so Scully :D I know the people who put together the Harpoon Point Fourm and I don't think that they would drop it now. They have there own web page to support it.

John

[Scully]

I do not want the following comment to be perceived as critical of HPS Sims. They are a great company with some fine products. I also don't want anyone to think I am being critical of DA or POA2 (I haven't played either of them, *yet*).

But I do think that HPS does a real disservice to these games by not offering free demos. Demos are a great way both to calm fears and to create converts. I have to say that this is part of the reason I have purchased neither game. I don't know if I have the time to devote to them and, without a demo, I don't know how much time I need to devote to them.


I couldn't agree with you more. It's why I haven't purchased DA yet.

[Scully]

As for a Harpoon 3 thread. I don't think so Scully :D I know the people who put together the Harpoon Point Fourm and I don't think that they would drop it now. They have there own web page to support it.
John

I agree with you there. I just noticed they're converting their Yahoo mailing list to a forum (I think you and I are talking about the same forum)like this. They are a great community and very well established. It wouldn't make too much sense for them to join us, but it never hurts to ask. I would love to have them here...it would cut down on the number of forums I'd have to go to every night before bed. :)

[John Osborne]

Thats true Scully :D I never thought of it like that where you can just go to one forum to read all the messages about your favorite war games :nuts:

I think that Jim Lunsford would support the DA Thread here. Here is a screenshot of my scenario titled "Axis of Evil" That I made alonnnng time ago.

John

[Scully]

Thanks for the screen shot. I just love the way the game looks. Does each counter represent a company? I'm actually pretty fired up about getting it. I'm sure you remember me asking about it around Christmas time. I ended up not getting it because I couldn't check out a demo (just to reiterate Cpt. Proctor's point).

I went with H3 (which I was probably going to get anyway) and Steel Beasts.

Once I purchase, I'd be happy to try out your scenarios. Maybe you could smack me around in a PBEM too. Though I really like the fact the patch allows up to 16 players. That could be interesting. I'm also looking forward to the H3 multiplayer, but the real time thing could make it tough. Especially in Harpoon where there's so much "down" time. You'll really have to be careful with scenario choices.

[John Osborne]

Sure I will smack you around on a DA PBEM :p

Here is a Scenario Background of Axis of Evil (June 2002): Twelve years after the last Gulf War, and after the death of Saddam Hussein. The government of Iran acted fast and made profit of the chaos. They annexed Iraq and formed the world largest Islamic Republic called United Islamic Republic (UIR). As before, they made a move against the kingdom of Kuwait. The I Corps (The Immortals) with a rebuilt Iraqi Army have decided to add the Kingdom to their new UIR. Over a period of 45 days, the U.S. has dispatched elements of II (US) Corps with a heavy Infantry Division along with 4th (UK) Armoured Brigade from the UK. Also the 15th MEU (SOC) stationed off the shore of Kuwait to help deter aggression. The 24 ID (M) and the 4th AB (UK) is already in position along side the 1st Kuwaiti Mechanized Division. The CENTCOM J-2 predicts that the UIR is poised to attack now. Saudi Arabia is committed to supporting the operation but will be unable to provide ground forces to assist with the defense of Kuwait. However the Saudi government has at Hafral Batin, a Saudi Mechanized Division station there.

Just so you know I made this scenario way before there was another Bush in the White House. :nuts:

I have plans for part two of Axis of Evil :cheeky:

John

[Don Maddox]

Okay, what would you guys think of this: I could create a new forum called "Modern Military Simulations" or something like that. The ATF, POA2, DA, etc forums would be placed under this forum as sub-forums (very similar to what you see above for AARs). This way, we would have a "generic" place to talk about modern warfare, tactics, and issues of interest to players of all the games, but we also have a place to disucss issues specific to each game. We won't be losing anything, but we will gain an additional forum devoted to the whole modern wargame concept, plus the existing forums will be easily accesible and better organized.

Sound like a plan?

Of course, the same approach will probably not work on the main Warfare HQ webpage. It's best to keep the sections separate there as people might get confused.

[Gary]

Don

I would support the reintroduction of DA to a forum. I think DA died because it still had some small flaws in it and it did not seem to be getting any further post release development. It was great to see the latest patch released and for me it has revitalised the game. I agree that Modern Warfare is a niche market but with what is currently happening around the world I am sure that interest will grow for this sector of the gaming market. Modern warfare is no longer a "What if ", it is now a "What happened".

Gary

[Rocky]

As a longtime fan of DA this is great news. I remember harrassing Jim if DA was ever going to be a consumer sim after I first read about the version he did for the military.

Now if I could only find the time to play the game. Middle-aged careerism + family & friends = too little wargaming time.:(

[Hub]

Okay, what would you guys think of this: I could create a new forum called "Modern Military Simulations" or something like that. The ATF, POA2, DA, etc forums would be placed under this forum as sub-forums (very similar to what you see above for AARs). This way, we would have a "generic" place to talk about modern warfare, tactics, and issues of interest to players of all the games, but we also have a place to disucss issues specific to each game. We won't be losing anything, but we will gain an additional forum devoted to the whole modern wargame concept, plus the existing forums will be easily accesible and better organized.

Works for me. I have a map for DA I'd like to post somewhere.

[Don Maddox]

Works for me. I have a map for DA I'd like to post somewhere.
Try this:
http://www.wargames.warfarehq.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=11