Update from the VASL Map Cabal on the status of their project

[Dr Zaius]

Here is some good information from Kenn Monte and Rodney Kinney of the VASL Map Kabal on the status of their project to update all the VASL counters with really high quality counters. When complete, these counters would bring VASL up to par (at least) with the real thing. Now bear in mind that these guys have been working on this for some time and it is going to be a while before the project is 100% complete. The reason is that we're talking about hundreds and hundreds of counters, each with multiple facings, front and rear. It takes a lot of time and effort to do this type of thing, but if you've seen the work then you know it will be worth the wait. They took a brief time out to answer a few of my questions.

Warfare HQ: I understand there was a debate a while back about exactly how the counters would get added to VASL.

rk - Most likely, the basic VASL module will have only the info counters. Extensions for the other nationalities will be downloadable separately, including extensions for third party or HASL counters.

Kenn Monte - This is for rk, but as I understand the direction, there will be a version of VASL (download required) which will support the use of counter modules. These modules would be Nationality OoBs, HASLs, TPP, etc. Allowing scalability, without causing the VASL download proper to get too large. More in line with how Maps are used today.

Warfare HQ: Will the counters be released as each nationality is completed, or will they all be released at the same time?

rk - Interesting question. One thing we could do is keep the basic VASL module as it is, then release each nationality extension one at a time. Then when they're all done, strip the old counters from the basic module. That would be a way to get the new counters into circulation without having to wait for everylast one to be compelted.

Kenn Monte - Again, for rk, but I hope to see them as they are completed, since there will be a not insignificant amount of time from Nationality to Nationality.

Warfare HQ: What additional counters are going to be available besides the basic squads and vehicles?

Kenn Monte - All the 1/2" Nationality Counters, Guns, Vehicles. We will also do, eventually, the counters that come with TPPs and HASLs. (say HOB BRV, MMP OVHS, CH G48, etc). I do not know if the system counters need redone or not. I suspect there is WAY more bang for the buck in redoing all the OoB counters first. And of course the HOB stuff (Hey Klaus), and MMP HS/HASL stuff. Then...who knows.

Warfare HQ: Are there any estimates when we may see this work released?

rk - Yes, and they're all inaccurate.

Kenn Monte - No. Sorry.

Ken will need to address where he is with the British Vehicles. Dennis can address the Russian vehicles. I am both behind and ahead of schedule on the 1/2" counters. I am out of town this week on business and intend to post the American OoB (MMC, SMC, HS) fronts yet this week. Then I will do the backs of the 328 counters that I have already redone. (hint for the naming, that will be version 3 of my counters). Then I will go back and complete the SW front/back for each Nationality.
That will bring all of the OoBs up to version 4 of my zip files. It also means that if rk wants to, he can release the updated OoBs and then re-release them as new Nationalities are completed. THEN, hopefully Dennis, Ken and I can commence on the Guns for the Brits and Russians. This will allow those to be the first two Nationalities to be completed.

I hope after that, that our enthusiasm remains undimmed, even though Tom called us ugly little creatures on ConsimWorld, and we can complete one Nationality at a time after that; using some useful division of work.

Thanks for taking the time to answer this stuff.

 

[Dr Zaius]

To learn more about this project visit the home page here:

http://www.communique.se/dreadtom/cabal/

and the message board here:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vaslmapcabal/

 

[Priest]

Thanks for the info Don. :laugh:

 

[Chris Milne]

Thanks for the info Don. :laugh:

Come and join us - the more the merrier. I know the counter trolls are actively recruiting, and they claim that no graphical talent is needed!

 

[Priest]

Come and join us - the more the merrier. I know the counter trolls are actively recruiting, and they claim that no graphical talent is needed!

I may do that, how would one get a hold of the "counter trolls?"

 

[Chris Milne]

I may do that, how would one get a hold of the "counter trolls?"

Just head over to yahoogroups, join, and post. They'll find you, trust me...

 

[Priest]

Thanks Chris.

 

[Dr Zaius]

Here is some additional information that I just received:While I was asleep, it seems you already have gotten your answers.

Let me just add to the estimated release dates. This is taking more time than any of us expected. This is mainly due to having a life beside ASL (job/family/dog etc). So expect all counters to be done in maybe a year or two.

Personally, I'm working on the british vehicles which is the largest of the nationalities with about 120 different silhouettes - several of them with optional MG's and such. I would say I'm between 50-60% done. As of right now, I'm working on my final thesis for graduating lawschool, so it's not like I'm cranking out counters on a daily basis at the moment, but still get a few done per week. I expect the british vehicles to be done in October though. Add another month for the guns and you have it. The next nationalities will get done slightly faster do to having no more than 60-80 different sils or even less.

I havent heard from Dennis on the progress of the Russians and he haven't posted any samples as of yet.

The non-official order of nationalities to be done are:
British - Russians - Germans - US - Japanese - Italians - French -
Allied Minors - Axis Minors(AoO) - Finnish(HP) - Info Counters - TPP
stuff.

Kenneth

Perhaps we could speed up the release time if we can get some more volunteers to help out.

 

[Dr Zaius]

Here is some additional info on VASL. The plan seems to be to split VASL into separate components for download. This will allow the designers to update the game engine, while allowing people to download only the latest version and not all the excess material. With all the new high quality counters being created this will be an important step forward, otherwise the downloads could become very large and unmanageable.

I'm not sure what the timetable is going to be for all these things to happen. It's going to take a while to finish all the counters.