pre battle deployment

[Amish John]

I remember we discussed this concept a long time ago over at the MMG forum. If I remember correctly, the concept of a video using the game to show the actual battle of 2nd Manassas was not possible or maybe possible but not practical based on the amount of effort needed to produce it. Personally, I can't think of a better educational tool to show how either the 2nd Manassas or Gettysburg battles played out. Maybe someone who was involved in the design of TC2M can elaborate.

Of course, even if it can be done, you need a market of sufficient size to recover your investment time. Potential market? How about every history class in the country and every visitor to the Gettysburg visitor center gift shop?

"Nothing is impossible if you don't have to do it yourself."

[Ephrum]

"Nothing is impossible if you don't have to do it yourself."

Well said, Amish John.

[Hancock the Superb]

Someone should start to put up stuff on Youtube already! People need encouragement to come and get a good look at the game!

[estabu2]

Hancock the Superb wrote:

Someone should start to put up stuff on Youtube already! People need encouragement to come and get a good look at the game!

Forget YouTube, lets take out a half our times slot before the world series!! Oh wait, that has already been taken...hmmmm....ok, YouTube it is:laugh: :woohoo:

[69th NYSV]

Amish John wrote:

I remember we discussed this concept a long time ago over at the MMG forum. If I remember correctly, the concept of a video using the game to show the actual battle of 2nd Manassas was not possible or maybe possible but not practical based on the amount of effort needed to produce it. Personally, I can't think of a better educational tool to show how either the 2nd Manassas or Gettysburg battles played out. Maybe someone who was involved in the design of TC2M can elaborate.

Of course, even if it can be done, you need a market of sufficient size to recover your investment time. Potential market? How about every history class in the country and every visitor to the Gettysburg visitor center gift shop?

"Nothing is impossible if you don't have to do it yourself."

The biggest hurdle (I said hurdle, as it's not impossible) is the lack of an in-game recorder. While you can use utilities such as FRAPS alone, you are limited to the view of the in game camera as the action happens. This means replaying the scenario that was setup many times to get different camera views/angles that can be spliced together. This also means the action and result will never be the same, further complicating the effort.

With an in game recorder you usually get the option during playback to move anywhere during the battle to view the action. This significantly cuts down on the work and time needed because there is only one "take" and you have unlimited access to the action. Even then some of the "epics" I've seen with other games have taken years to produce with volunteer productions teams.

Also, this new game with multi-player, even with out a recorder, is a much better candidate because you gain the ability to script the action. You get several M8's together with each controlling a unit(s) to carry out the script using TS for cues. This way the needed result is easier to achieve.

Again, not impossible but a lot of work made harder with out an in game recorder and multi-player.

[norb]

We NEED a replay feature. It's on the list, but I can't guarantee it for the first release.

[Hancock the Superb]

That would be nice. We could use that to our advantage.

[Edwin Jemison]

In Total War, you can place your units in a strategic manner prior to the start. There is a boundary that is used so you don't start on top of your opponent.

[Hancock the Superb]

There would then be no historical factor involved.

I believe that the game should start like Pope 1 - you place them where you want and the battle goes.