Observer status

[General Area]

My apologies if this has already been suggested.

How about an option to enter the battlefield as an 'observer'. When you go to a MP room that has already started a game, a question would appear in the box. Something like, "Observe battle? YES/NO". If you say no, you are back at the Lobby. If you say yes, you appear as a non-aligned horseman in the town of Gettysburg and can move around the battlefield watching the action.

[DavidAcheson140PVI]

i love that idea B)

[norb]

Joining a game already in progress introduces a ton of difficulties. We have considered observer mode, but not one that would join an in progress game.

[Armistead]

You can do that now already. When you create/edit an OOB just inculde a Division of Observers, which are nothing more than Infantry Brigade commanders will no troops(Regiments). Just be sure to change their flag so not to get confused in battle. The flag we use is the white flag with a red circle (like Jap Flag) I think its the flag for the federal 1st corps, but don't count me on it.

We use these slots for ppl to come see our campaign battles, and for current members who are not assigned to play in the battle to ride along as an observer to take screen shots and to write an article for the Harper's Weekly. Then the screen shots are put on the home page with our random image generator, and the articles are placed into the paper which is also on the front page of our website.

This will be alot easier then for Norb to change the code in the game. With future maps/oob releases inculde the Observer Division, and we don't have to await for another patch if you have the SDK and oob editor.

[norb]

Excellent solution

[Armistead]

Thank you. Another tactic(?) we use is the idea of reinforcements. We have had a couple of battles where to storyline had a unit pinned down (Division lvl) and one or more other divisions had to come to the rescue of the other, but they were at a different location on the strategic map. So when the game starts we make sure that the reinforcements are located on the farthest point on the map away from their objective, and they all the troops at lest half strength on the fatigue meter. This to done to simulate that the troops have conducted a force march, and making it as to where the players of the reinforcement army has no choice but to rest for a little then march (not run) to the aide of their brother division.

Again might be the easiest solution to simulate joining a "battle in progress". If your boys are fatigue enough you have no choice but to rest them up a bit otherwise when you go into battle they are likely to break after the first volley. And of course after they are rested and you make it onto the battle field that battle has been in progress for several minuets.

Which also forces the hand of the pinned unit commanders: Do I leave? Can I stick it out longer? Can i send a courier msg and it make it past enemy lines? Should i send a part of my force to find the reinforcements and urge them to pick up the pace? Do I find my self in the best defensive terrain or position?

WE have found this approach exciting and it has worked every time we have used it.

[DavidAcheson140PVI]

that sounds very intense and cool. id love for that to be a feature

[Armistead]

DavidAcheson140PVI wrote:

that sounds very intense and cool. id love for that to be a feature

That's the point, sir. It is already a feature. Just edit the oob to reflect all of this and play a sandbox game. Or you can join us for a campaign game.