WW2-Global

[Adler17]

What version do you have, Kaiser Franz? Just retry it again. And have patience. I suggest to start it when you have to do something else- or just go to look TV. It can be loading for an hour or even more, probably less with your configuration.
Do you have a non English civ III version (German?) you should be aware that you probably have to rename some unit names into English one. This means you have to make copies of the unit files and rename the copies with the English pendant.

Adler

 

[Adler17]

Is there anyone who played the Allies and though the U-boats were too strong? I mean only a good playtest there would give a hint if the U-boats are too strong or not.

Adler

 

[Rocoteh]

I'm sorry to pose such a stupid question - I just downloaded Global 1.3 and have it installed - the problem I have is not knowing how long it should take to load ?? I have 1024 RAM and am running at 3 ghz so I should have sufficient hardware to load up fairly rapidly - 15 minutes into the process my screen still says "configuring scenario..."
-- I hear the music playing but can't see any activity on the screen. Is this normal and to be expected? Any idea of what the loading time should be??

Thanks

Kaiser Franz,

I have 2048 RAM and Pentium 4, 3 Ghz.It takes 15 minutes to load
with that capacity. If you wait some minutes more it will load.
I estimate it will take 25 minutes.

Rocoteh

 

[Rocoteh]

Japan Hight Command Special Report :

"Singappor has fallen ! I repeat Singapor has fallen"

Pfuuuu, take me 1 year and 7 month to take this city



Others news :

-> Allieds declared war on Soviets ...

-> I've definitly broked the Allieds defenses lines in India, I've begun to capture the cities

-> I've opened a second front in north Australia, hoping that they will not be able to defend properly on two oposite fronts in the same time.

-> Hunting of US ships in Pacific is going well ! 1 Battleship, 5 Heavy Cruisers, and 1 Transport sunk... I only lost an Heavy Cruiser and a bomber.

-> Preparing to land troops in Wake within the week. I must retake this island at all costs...

LBPB,

Thank you for the report.

1 year and 7 months. That is a hard struggle!

When you have secured Australia and India the British Empire should
be in trouble. In 1.4 it will be harder to occupy Australia since the new
version will se the new autoproduced ANZAC-unit.

1 Battleship and 5 Heavy Cruisers, that is a very good reduction.

Welcome back.

Rocoteh

 

[Rocoteh]

Just a small update.
Both Brest and Lyon have fallen after massive air bombardment.
Brest was taken by me and Lyon by my Italian allies.

silver 2039,

A very good start for your playtest!

Rocoteh

 

[Rocoteh]

I find my armies to not be very powerful in this game. Plus, in late 1940, I only have 3. At this point, I plan on moving the latest one I found to an island to rush an offshore platform. If you put 2 units in that both have blitz, you are removing 1 attack (since the army has 3 movement, both units together would have had 4).

One thing that would cut down on armies is to remove the militaristic trait. That would cut down the # of elites you have.

Also, after I(Japan) finish kicking Britian out of SE Asia(1 city left in India, and the 2 cities south of Thailand), I plan on seeing if I can revolt to Democracy. You might want to disable that if I can. If you can't disable it, ensure that each civ only knows the gov't it's in so they can't change. Right now, I can only research at 50% before I start losing money. I have a feeling that after I switch to Democracy, I'll be able to research at a much higher clip.

As for letting Japan build the Battleship C2, thanks. I like variety, and the cities that take 19 turns to build a Yamato I planned on having build a C2 instead. Tokyo builds a Yamato every 10 turns, so that production is good enough for me. I planned on make 1 for each fleet I had, then switching over to other support vessels. I still have no plans to rebuild my sub fleet at this point.

allin1joe,

Thank you for the report.

On armies: I think I will leave Army-related issues unchanged in 1.4.
Notes have been taken on your suggestions. Its possible I will make
changes on this subject in 1.5.

OK, I will look over the government issue.
It should be possible to find a solution.

Yes, Japan will be able to build Battleship C2 in version 1.4.
Players should have a large number of choices concerning
which units to build.

Rocoteh

 

[KristiB]

I don't think the issue with the subs is neccessarily with them being too strong in AI hands, but in the hands of the player. Clearly, the AI sucks at naval warfare, I think we can all agree on that. The problem is that a German player can do FAR more damage with the VII's having a blitz ability than the AI.

As a player VS German subs, no, I don't think the German subs are overpowered, although obviously we don't often see what the German AI does against OTHER civs AI who don't correctly position their fleets... But as a German player, yes, I think they are WAY overpowered...

And bear in mind, without spending a SINGLE shield, German players get a free sub every turn. It doesn't sound like alot, but over time they add up, believe me... Having a SINGLE sub type unable to use the blitz just doesn't sound too unreasonable to me...

 

[Beathoven]

Letter from the front
It is New Year 1941/42 week 52. I am writing from the front.
Dear friends. Our strategic plans have been focused on Operation Sealion. The times have come and the British Islands lies ahead of us. In week 46 we have completely isolated the British Islands. 2 Bismarcks battleships forms the taskforce with Gneisenau, Scharnhorst and couple of heavy cruisers. They are flanked by no less than 35 submarines. 35 Stuka bombers have been reallocated to Amsterdam from where our Aerial Headquarter will be situated. I am quite confident that this operation will be a proof of German military efficiency. Our armies are fighting on all fronts. Armygroup Scandinavia is fighting in Finland, Sweden, Norway and the Kola Peninsula. Armygroup Soviet is crushing the Russian bear in the far east. Armygroup India is fighting the last British Armies trying to secure spices and other vital resources. Armygroup Africa is rushing for South Africa in order to give the British the last blow on the continent. And at last our Armygroup London is gathering in Amsterdam. No less than 12 armies, 15 Tiger regiments and 25 Panther regiments are ready to board the vessels.

End of the month week 46. Tactical breakthrough. Our Stukas have cleared the Garrisons around London. The have taken some blows but we have air supremacy. Our armies have been landed on the Coast. Next month will show if we were right or wrong.

Week 47. Our spy have investigated London and we are confident that the city cannot hold for a month

End of week 47. London, Birmingham and Plymouth are ours. Victory is close.

End of week 48. Liverpool and Wick has given up resistance. Two of our London armies have not been replenished but nevertheless they have been landed on the coast of Ireland.

End of week 49. Belfast has fallen. The myth of Phoenix rising from the ashes is a myth only. This blow is vital for the Allies.

End of week 52 1941. The German Army is celebrating its 1941 victories. World dominance is a matter of time only. Europe, Scandinavia (Iceland incl), England/Ireland, Turkey, Russia, India, Saudi Arabia, Iran/Iraq, Africa (Expect minor pockets in Central Africa) are claimed “German controlled” (30% of world area and 61% of population) Our naval are counting 17 transports, 3 Carriers, 4 Bismarcks, Scharnhorst and Gneisenau and 40 subs. Our army has 27 Armygroups, 86 German Infantry, 24 SS Infantry, 83 Panthers, 7 Panzer 3, 13 Panzer Grenadiers, 38 Tigers and 13 StuG3G. In the air 9 FW190, 31 Bf109, 37 Stukas and a couple of heavy bombers have claimed air supremacy. This overwhelming force is only matched (numerical) by our ally in Japan. But when it comes to firepower no is even close to us.

I am looking forward to see you all in the New Year. Our headquarter has granted us one month of rest before the battle of North America begins.

Yours sincerely
Fritz



Financial Times
It is our pleasure to inform you that our economy is alive and kicking. Our tax on science is set to 50%. Even then we will finish research on “Land 1944” in 5 turns only. With this scientific breakthrough our armies will be strengthened by magnificent King Tiger. We are generating 1594 gold per round and our treasury is up to 17000 gold. It is hard to be a pessimist these days. Maybe we can book some US entertainers for New Year celebrations.

Spy Daily
We have Embassies and spies in all countries. No plans will go unnoticed.

Diplomacy Weekly
Only 9 civilizations can claim independence. Axis: Germany, Italy, Japan. Allies: USA, England, France, Russia (3 cities). Others: Greece (Crete only) and Netherlands and Portugal (only colonies). It will be our hope that this will be further reduced in order to define a “normal and consistent” foreign policy.



Thx to Rocoteh for magnificent entertainment. I’ll try another CIV later. But as this game will only be a matter of time I see no argument for keep playing. Cya later – Emperor Beathoven (I’ll try a tougher one next time – deity or worse)

 

[LBPB]

My advice on Armies.


-> Scratch them totally !!!
This is unbalancing the game. In my Japan game I don't use them at all, and when I get a MGL from a battle I fortify him on a remote location.

Armies are a too big advantage against the computer. If you've followed my playtest, you have saw that even if I had hard times fighting for my empire, I do get victory. The game is much more fun and interesting this way !


Also no Civs should be able to conquer the whole world. Seeing German army conquering Australia for exemple, would be a nonsense for me

==> so please Roco remove them completly from the Scenario

 

[Rocoteh]

That depends on whose tanks we are talking about. Now Japan, Italy & China at least have weaker tanks, that also do not have blitz. putting them in armies of 2 units restores the blitz and makes them a bit more survivable. I have had a tank army get attacked and destroyed by a Japanese marine unit after it got modestly wounded, so the AI WILL attack them if it calculates it has a shot at you. It is those 19 hp Elite Marine armies that are maybe too much. If you reduced the hp on those units to be more in line with tanks I think it would work better.

I can see where allin1joe is coming from on the Heroic Epic issue, since I also have only seen 4 MGL in a year of the Japan game. I do put my vote with Krisiti though, since the AI does not get many either and never uses them right. Dropping the Epic is fine with me; I still think removing armies altogether is more realistic and will force the players to actually build up an offensive force instead of relying on the armies. Trying to take a well-defended city without an army is very challenging!

Rocoteh: I see in the Air 1942? 3? tech box there is a Japan bomber with a range of 15!? Is that correct, it has even more range then the US Heavy bombers??? I think it was the Betty.

Also, how does one use a fighter with a higher defense then offense properly? Use them as a bomber? Recon? I'm at a loss on that one.

Sasebo,

As mentioned here earlier, I have decided that Army-related issues
will be unchanged in 1.4. I will not rule out changes in version 1.5 though.
My first goal now is to complete 1.4 and for that reason I want to
avoid to many last-minute changes.

On G4M Betty: In fact its range was better than for example B-17.
That is not what one expect with regard to Japanese bombers.

On the high defense fighters: I would use them for incerception,
to case attrition.

Rocoteh

 

[Rocoteh]

Adler,

Thank you for the report.

"I just thought about the invasion of America. Most probably I will invade from 2 sides, one from the Atlantic and one from the Pacific. Then the enemy has to split his forces, while I can easily take him off from both sides, like a piece of metal between hammer and anvil." Adler

That should work well.

"Therefore Mao, Kong, Freetown (shouldn´t it be better US since it was a US formed state for liberated Slaves?)" Adler

OK, I agree on that.

"Italy makes peace with the USSR! How stupid are they???"

This type of events are very disturbing!
One can only hope there will be a way to exclude it in Civ 4.

"Katanga in Africa is destroyed due to the same reasons like Elisabethville the turn before. Kanakry (or Conakry???) is defended by 2 French tanks and a garrison. 2 Pz IIIe are too much for them" Adler

The campaign is going well!

"1. British infantry is too strong! I had conscripts killing veteran tanks quite often.
2. Will you introduce the S- Boats, Rocoteh?
3. The more I think the more I am the opinion not to cancel the Blitz ability on type VII boats: Uboats are the only weapon the Germans can use because the big ships have to wait due to the fact they are outnumbered. Also an allied player has much more ships. Ships that can handle the stupid AI with ease. So all´in all there is no reason for changing IMO.
4. What stats the German torpedo boats will have or will you introduce them as full DD?"

1. On the other hand the British Infantry division was a strong unit,
although there were not many of them.
2. I have thought of it, but I think I will leave them out due to the
game-engine. I mean this was coastal defense units. Its hard to give
them a relevant role within the current system.
3. I think I will stay with the solution last mentioned: No blitz for type VII,
but blitz for tyoe IX. Should the result be to weak U-Boats I will change
it again in 1.5.
4. The German torpedo boats had in most other navies been called
destroyers, thus I will give them stats close to the 1939 Destroyer.

Thank you and welcome back.

Rocoteh

 

[Rocoteh]

I don't think the issue with the subs is neccessarily with them being too strong in AI hands, but in the hands of the player. Clearly, the AI sucks at naval warfare, I think we can all agree on that. The problem is that a German player can do FAR more damage with the VII's having a blitz ability than the AI.

As a player VS German subs, no, I don't think the German subs are overpowered, although obviously we don't often see what the German AI does against OTHER civs AI who don't correctly position their fleets... But as a German player, yes, I think they are WAY overpowered...

And bear in mind, without spending a SINGLE shield, German players get a free sub every turn. It doesn't sound like alot, but over time they add up, believe me... Having a SINGLE sub type unable to use the blitz just doesn't sound too unreasonable to me...

KristiB,

I think the earlier mentioned solution will work well in version 1.4

If not, I will make new changes in 1.5.

Rocoteh

 

[Rocoteh]

Japan - Emperor - v1.3

We start by trying to trade with the Germans for oil and rubber but they want everything so we will have to take it from the Chinese (SE Asia is just too far and given that the US fleet will be upon us we cannot go for it until we stop the Americans.

Chinese infantry are well outclassed but we have limited units. After a two months of limited success we take our excess units out of Japan and go full throttle for the Chinese rubber. Almost losing we manage to take out Sian and Yenan and start on marines. But wait, our cities are not fully developed and marines will take too long! We switch back to infantry and use our airpower to pound down the Chinese although there are so many! Nevertheless by the year end we have taken Lanchow and Chengtu.

Meanwhile the American show up - first with destroyers. We make an error and leave our northern fleet carriers unprotected by BBs and lose the carriers!
Never again! We shift into a defensive naval posture and have managed to hold the Americans at bay and have only lost Marcus Island. (It is now week 11 1940)

We have progressed and taken Wuhan despite having to move forces to the North based on the European war with the Russians. Germany seems to be holding out fairly well against the Russian surge - they have lost Warsaw and Lodz and Bucharest has gone red. Other than that the Germans have taken Amsterdam and Brussels was burned (not sure by whom). Usual early stalemate in Africa.

I fear I am not making fast enough progress to hold off the Americans. My first Yamato has been launched but I lose ships faster than I can produce and the Americans seem to have endless streams of ships. Just a matter of enough time to get the production levels ups.

Why do Japanese cities not have Cathedrals? Seems strange that such a strong culture have so many unhappy people.

"Forgot to mention this but obviously KristiB is a fantastic player. However, I think the rest of us need Heroic Epic. We have already significantly reduced armies. If we were all as good as KristiB we would not need it" Bob1475

Bob1471,

Thank you for the report.

On the campaign in China: I think what you descibe above, confirms
earlier reports, the Japanese campaign in China is well-balanced.

On the naval combat: Adding ice in the north in 1.4 should make
thinhs tougher for US-AI.

On Japanese cities and Cathedrals: I think you are right.
I will probably implement the change in version 1.4.

On the Heroic Epic: Again, no changes with regard to 1.4
It will stay.

Welcome back.

Rocoteh

 

[Rocoteh]

Beathoven,

Thank you for a very interesting report.
This was really a fast victory.

Version 1.4 will see a heavily increased static British defense.

I hope will report from your next playtest.

Welcome back.

Rocoteh

 

[Rocoteh]

My advice on Armies.


-> Scratch them totally !!!
This is unbalancing the game. In my Japan game I don't use them at all, and when I get a MGL from a battle I fortify him on a remote location.

Armies are a too big advantage against the computer. If you've followed my playtest, you have saw that even if I had hard times fighting for my empire, I do get victory. The game is much more fun and interesting this way !


Also no Civs should be able to conquer the whole world. Seeing German army conquering Australia for exemple, would be a nonsense for me

==> so please Roco remove them completly from the Scenario

LBPB,

As mentioned earlier I will wait with changes related to armies
until version 1.5.

On Panzers in Canberra: This is nonsense for many.
South America invaded during WW2 are nonsense for others.

Its interesting that when it comes to WW2 many people (a majority?)
reason in this way. I also did that many years ago.

However, if you one assume Soviet had collapsed winter 1941-1942
almost everything is possible: including Panzers in Canberra.

No war in history have been so analysed as WWII, I think its for that reason its so common to think that certain events could not have occured.

I aware of the fact some historians think all what-if discussions
are 100% pointless. However as you understand I am not one of them.

Welcome back.

Rocoteh

 

[allin1joe]

I aware of the fact some historians think all what-if discussions
are 100% pointless. However as you understand I am not one of them.

Welcome back.

Rocoteh

If it was 100% pointless, there would have been no sense in creating this game in the first place

 

[Rocoteh]

If it was 100% pointless, there would have been no sense in creating this game in the first place

allin1joe,

I agree. As I said I am not one of them.

The reason to why I mentioned it, was the "what-if" discussion.

I can see a "what-if" history where Germany occupied both South America
and Australia.

I can see a "what-if" history where Japan invaded Africa!

Rocoteh

 

[LBPB]

LBPB,

As mentioned earlier I will wait with changes related to armies
until version 1.5.

On Panzers in Canberra: This is nonsense for many.
South America invaded during WW2 are nonsense for others.

Its interesting that when it comes to WW2 many people (a majority?)
reason in this way. I also did that many years ago.

However, if you one assume Soviet had collapsed winter 1941-1942
almost everything is possible: including Panzers in Canberra.

No war in history have been so analysed as WWII, I think its for that reason its so common to think that certain events could not have occured.

I aware of the fact some historians think all what-if discussions
are 100% pointless. However as you understand I am not one of them.

Welcome back.

Rocoteh

Roco,

I completely agree with you, except for one point.

But this isn't your fault, it's a game flaw...

In real world, soldiers in an army cannot multiplicated themselves for ever !
In Civ their is no max number for troops...
In the real world, the Wechmacht had "limited" troops. They would never had enought to occupy Europe + Africa + Middle East + Russia + India + Australia, and still enought to fight the USA. this is a nonsense

 

[LBPB]

allin1joe,

I agree. As I said I am not one of them.

The reason to why I mentioned it, was the "what-if" discussion.

I can see a "what-if" history where Germany occupied both South America
and Australia.

I can see a "what-if" history where Japan invaded Africa!

Rocoteh

roco,

I'm not against a "what if" sort a things.
See my previous post

If Germany occupy only Europe, India and Australia that's fine, cause they had enought troops to do so. But more territories... I doubt...

 

[Rocoteh]

Roco,

I completely agree with you, except for one point.

But this isn't your fault, it's a game flaw...

In real world, soldiers in an army cannot multiplicated themselves for ever !
In Civ their is no max number for troops...
In the real world, the Wechmacht had "limited" troops. They would never had enought to occupy Europe + Africa + Middle East + Russia + India + Australia, and still enought to fight the USA. this is a nonsense

LBPB,

OK, I understand your point, although I have another opinion.

I will however abstain from discussion this time since I do not want
to go off-topic.

Rocoteh