noxious

Actually, right now you have infinite loadouts of each type carried by each and every of the a/c based onboard or at a base. And moving them from base to base doesn't change this. The point system would put a ceiling on how much weaponry you can replenish from a supply point (carrier or base). but would not limit a particular weapon over another. I will be writing more on the topic a bit later on, as I think a pure point system is fine for consumables (food/water/minor equipement/toiletries, etc.), diesel, and aviation fuel. (might forget something there) Consensus yesterday on spare parts/major repairs is that there isn't a need to model it in the game engine as for the most part, these kind of repairs are beyond at sea capabilities, while it can be safely assumed that minor repairs and juryrigging of parts is already "modelled" since it's part of daily life onboard ships to repair all the little things that go wrong all the time. So no change there. Ship ammo can be modelled with points pretty safely, as it'll only serve to replenish stores as they were at scenario onset : if you didn't have TLAMs at the scenario onset, you won't be able to buy them... (Hmmm, albeit might be nice in a latter iteration to add scenario level modifications of such constraints. More on this in my writeup) As for ammo for a/c, well ,that's why I want to write more on it : I have trouble with the fact that it'll invalidate scenarios like Fleet Defender (example for the scent, the drift, as it's not quite exact. Thx ) by allowing the player to go around scenario design and get whatever weaponry he wants for his a/c. Without forgetting that from where I stand, it really contradicts anecdotal evidence on the topic of weaponry where one particular type of loadout is in short quantity, not permitting a certain kind of sorties with any sustained rate. That said, I think we can safely assume it'll be a point system, and that the first iteration of it will in all likelyhood conform to Akula's plan, in beta/internal release form for some hardcore testing and breaking of things

Which scenario, if you recall ?

As TonyE reminded me, they're all here : http://harpgamer.com/harpforum/index.php?a...&showcat=15

, I've not racked up a record like that since the 110nm Phoenix and that was rare because I always make some mistake and get some poor A-6 pilots killed due to inattentiveness or a E-2 goes down when scouting a little too far ahead or ... or ... Tony explains it, but yeah, basically, I've never downed so much a/c without losing some myself... Going to play the two versions of that scenario and see how well I measure up, hehe

Oh my, how could I miss the 3rd and 4th screenshot !!! Respectively 394 downed a/c vs 0 and 456 downed a/c vs, yes, 0 Indeed, at the risk of sounding like a parrot, insane results !!!

Insane results I would say : in the second screenshot, he's up 125+ downed a/c vs what, you guessed it, not a single a/c loss. The only dark side, is two Green units sunk/killed, hehehe. Incredible !!

You mean, get shot by one of their own escorts, not one of yours, just to suffer like you did ? Classic fog of war in submarine warfare

So, is this one a case of the looser not being happy nationalistic sentiments didn't get him the contract, and then posturing as the Good Guy, or is it that the Northrop Grumman/EADS consortium really did use underhanded tactics to get the contract in the first place ? In other words, is Boeing making a tempest in a teapot because the contract was properly awarded, but not to them ? Or are there any (or more) shenanigans than is "normal" for military appropriation contracts ?

Makes you wonder why they didn't work on this earlier, but better late than never Cool stuff indeed

No, it's the beginning of an external API allowing us to write "plug-ins" to complement, or maybe eventually override stock behavior. It's a toy for programmers to bring new toys to the players and designers alike

Well, I think the point system is quite elegant in its simplicity, especially after reading Tony's take on it right after your expose. I tend to think it's absolutely in-line with HCE's other modelling approaches, which are all quite simple, as I've been led to believe And if I understand things right, HCE is first and foremost a game that tries and does a great job at giving a feel of reality to the experience. It's not a hardcore "real" simulator posturing as a game, so simplicity and elegance to model complex situations are good. Hats off to Akula !!

Bold emphasis is mine, which brings : Where do we sign up Canada for that program ? 8p Seems the Growler will be an interesting platform to follow up on

Wow, they got it out of the Caribbean after shooting Thunderball ? Beautiful bird, indeed.

Enjoy !!

BSB from 2008.44 handles spaces in paths just fine now, and it overwrote the placeholder hdsu.rsr file when it moved the "new" battleset to the game directory, asking for permission to do so first. So issue resolved, if TEPonta can confirm things are working for him.

Thanks for the two links, obligado !!

Here is my log file Tony, as per requested on IRC : 2008/07/02 21:40:22 Program Started v.2008.0.41 on Windows 2000 2008/07/02 21:41:46 Entering btnMakeMapClick 2008/07/02 21:41:46 strPathMap: M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\map_img\ 2008/07/02 21:41:46 strPathBS: M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\ 2008/07/02 21:41:46 strPathBSres: M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\res\ 2008/07/02 21:41:46 strFPathMap_Compressbitmap: M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\map_utils\map_compressbitmap.exe 2008/07/02 21:41:46 strFPathMap_Makebitmap: M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\map_utils\map_makebitmap.exe 2008/07/02 21:41:46 strFPathMap_Projector: M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\map_utils\map_projector.exe 2008/07/02 21:41:46 ***Delete BattleSet\res contents: 'M:\Matrix' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file. 2008/07/02 21:41:46 ***End Delete BattleSet\res contents 2008/07/02 21:41:46 ***Run BattleSet\BSDBBlank\start_edit.bat: M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder>rem @echo off M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder>set DB=BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder>rem if NOT ""=="" set DB= M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder>echo Processing BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset Processing BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder>if not EXIST BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset.res goto instructions M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder>rem stupid M$ - the recursive delete is different between NT and W98 M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder>rem try them both M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder>deltree /y BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset 2>nul: M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder>if exist BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset rd /s /q BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset 1>nul: M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder>mkdir BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder>mkdir BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\res M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder>cd BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\res M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\res>echo Processing .RES file Processing .RES file M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\res>echo Extracting .DB files from the .RES file Extracting .DB files from the .RES file M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\res>..\..\..\..\db_utils\res_explode res db ..\..\..\..\BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset.res beginning to process 77 sections, LenIncluded = 0 M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\res>echo Creating .HDR, .BIN and .LZH files from .DB files Creating .HDR, .BIN and .LZH files from .DB files M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\res>..\..\..\..\db_utils\res_remove_headers res db M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\res>echo Creating .BIN files from .LZH files if required Creating .BIN files from .LZH files if required M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\res>mkdir decomp M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\res>for %J in (*.lzh) do ..\..\..\..\db_utils\hcompress d %J decomp\%J M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\res>..\..\..\..\db_utils\hcompress d res0004.lzh decomp\res0004.lzh M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\res>..\..\..\..\db_utils\hcompress d res0027.lzh decomp\res0027.lzh M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\res>..\..\..\..\db_utils\hcompress d res0068.lzh decomp\res0068.lzh M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\res>..\..\..\..\db_utils\hcompress d res0069.lzh decomp\res0069.lzh M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\res>..\..\..\..\db_utils\hcompress d res0073.lzh decomp\res0073.lzh M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\res>..\..\..\..\db_utils\hcompress d res0076.lzh decomp\res0076.lzh M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\res>cd decomp M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\res\decomp>ren *.lzh *.bin M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\res\decomp>move /y *.* .. 1>nul: M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\res\decomp>cd .. M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\res>rmdir decomp M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\res>rem echo Creating .CSV files from .BIN Files M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\res>rem ..\..\..\..\db_utils\db_make dump . M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\res>rem cd ..\.. M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\res>rem mkdir BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\rsr M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\res>rem cd BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\rsr M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\res>rem echo Processing .RSR file M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\res>rem ..\..\db_utils\res_explode res bmp ..\..\BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset.rsr M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\res>rem cd ..\.. M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\res>goto done M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\res>rem pause 2008/07/02 21:41:47 ***End BattleSet\BSDBBlank\start_edit.bat 2008/07/02 21:41:47 Copying: M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\BSDBBlank\battleset\res\res0000.ext to M:\Matrix Games\HCE\BSBuilder\BattleSet\res\res0000.ext

Page in question is http://home.att.net/~jbaugher1/f8_16.html Anyone found an easy way to navigate that site ? It's got a lot of info on the "F" series (19 pages on the Crusader alone !!!) Can't seem to find an index for it, so I had to bookmark it with notes on how to find the other pages....

Complete article : Here

Quick note : GDIPlus.dll is needed in the path or installation folder for it to work. I noticed, as I'm running Win2k on that machine, and GDIPlus is not in my windows install. I have numerous copies in the installation folders of quite a few apps, so I just copied one to H3DSEditor's folder, and it works fine now. Just might want to mention that in the app notes. Cheers !!!

Oh, okay, thanks, wilco.

Originally, I meant : Do you still want feedback on that beta, or you have a new release coming out so soon that I could save myself the download But I just looked again at that download, and realized why I didn't download it upon buying the game : the beta member download has the same version number as the latest released update, so I guess it's obsolete. So I guess I'm asking : since Matrix probably doesn't update members specific downloads that often, do you need additional betatesters, outside the Members thingy from Matrix ? And if you guys want any development help, I'm a veteran of the game industry, with a few shipped titles and a few cancelled ones. I could help with programming and design as well, and of course, searching for DB images and contacting copyright authors. Cheers !!

Oh, here is a Venezuelan Mirage 50EV picture that would be perfect for the Americas DB missing platform picture, comes from http://www.acig.org/artman/uploads/fav_mirage_50ev.jpg Which leads to my question : what is the procedure to officially add media to DBs for public distribution ? e.g I know i can add this picture to a local copy of the Americas DB if I'm not going to distribute it at all, as that would fall under fair use. I'm just wondering how you guys go about contacting rights holder for platform media (pics for HCE I guess). And what has been the response from right holders ? Do they grant you usage of the pictures for the DBs most of the time without asking for copyright fees ? I could also lend a helping hand with this As I, for one, still like to look at the pictures et al. at my leisure while browsing the DB, even familiar platforms and weapon systems, hehe. I find it helps my "situational awareness" when creating scenarios.

Hmmm, wondering something : start time for the scenario is around 19:30 or so right ? So, how come in my saved game, 90 mins in (and roughly 6 to 3 air kills in favor of Venezuela, with the Huey halfway to Cartagena) is now in the middle of the night ? Could it be that saved games revert to Zulu time to display current game clock ? Or is the starting time randomized and it's possible that my game started at 2 in the morning or so, local time ? I don't think so, as I just did a quick test of restarting the scenario multiple times, and starting time was constant. Thought I'd mention it here, in case it's a a known bug, but since it's somewhat minor it could have been skipped for inclusion in the Bug Tracker. Wondering... Other question : the beta update in members section @ Matrix. You guys need more input, and I should install it, or new version is round the corner ? Also, if you need help with programming tasks, be glad to help.

Right, thanks. Of course, I'm just surprised that it's apparently still half of them, maybe more... Nice pics btw, thanks for posting them