I second Agent Smith here...i went back to AGW (but prefer to play MDE) as it has more flexible interface especially at mid map display. MDE's clicks are way to much for functions we had before. I.E. w/AGW at mid zoom we can assign all AC or naval units while the stack display was locked, we could click on HQ units and dislay OOB & Highlight OOB, we could right click on map and get list of available operations w/o clicking on a unit.

Also, while i'm at it i like the shortcut ICONS (Display...attribute tool)that were on the toolbar, etc. and the combat counters  (as a quick on-map visual/w results). Why did we lose operations such as Give Ground, Hold ground, Capture, etc?

The new features added with MDE are good...but i didnt want to lose fuctionality we had with AGW and RGW.

For WWEII...i suggest follow AGW as basis with select add ons from MDE (i.e. reports, graphics, etc)

If u could release update to MDE for mid map functions asap...would be great!

Just my humble opinions. For me...the less clicks the better.

cheers.

+1^

I plan on getting MDE for the holidays, Is there a pbem group? I have RGW so I assume play is somewhat along those lines although it should be interesting to see how modern warfare is modelled. One thing I would really like to see is playback of previous turn, especially in a pbem game.

Hi Ralph,

We use this forum for finding RGW, AGW and MDE opponents.  MDE has a lot of improvements over RGW and AGW.  MDE has the modern weapon systems such as assault helicopters, SAMs, and even tactical nuclear cruise missiles.  The battles in 1948 are similar to WWII battles though.  The MDE user interface is better that RGW or AGW, with a new command panel.  There are ten battles between Iran and Iraq in 1980-1988, some of which have never been modeled to the best of my knowledge.  Gulf War 1991 and Operation Iraqi Freedom are also included.  There is also a battle modeling the situation in 2010 for hypothetical battles that could have occurred but did not.

No playback for a previous turn.  We are in development of WWII Europe, which does have a report showing all operations performed during each phase of a previous turn.

Thanks for the interest,

Ron

Originally Posted By Ron Dockal
 I will put on the MDE priority list for this Christmas patch. 

It might be time to review the bidding for the next MDE patch? 

@pzgndr - you are right.  I have been thinking about some of the improvements from WWIIE, and how many of them could be put into MDE.  My dilemna is that I am making great progress on WWIIE, and the MDE patch will bring that to a screeching halt for a couple of weeks (at least).  I want to get to a good stopping point on WWIIE, before I break off into MDE.  Until then, I will be happy to entertain suggestions....

One easy one I want to add to MDE is the additional level for Highlight OOB operation.  Adding display and commanders would be a nice to have, but would be a lot of work.

Ron

I checked my list of potential fixes and improvements that did not make it into patch v1.1.  I also added a few improvements from WWII Europe that I believe would be of value.  So, drum roll, the Middle East War 1948 - 2010 v1.2 patch content is proposed to be:

1. Combat markers

2. Additional level of marking on "Highlight Order of Battle" ops 

3. Mid level map operations

4. Limit Air Tactical ops so that it cannot destroy a ground unit, only greatly weaken it.

5. Nuke attacks cause a variable amount of damage to each unit in the hex.

On the basis of your feedback, number 3 above is the most important one, followed by number 1.

Did I get it right?  Request your comments on the content list, please.

Thanks,

Ron

Ron,

Your list looks right on...nice improvements to a already great game. Item 3 and 1 should help with game play flow allot.

Thanks for this and looking to startup with MDE again and purchase of WWIIE too.

cheers!

Will 1.2  be a Christmas present, or New Year's resolution?

Patch list and emphasis of importance is spot on.

@Agent, I hope to have the MDE patch done before Christmas.  The week between Christmas and New Year is one of the best wargaming weeks of the year.  Many folks get some time off, the weather outside is usually "frightful", the fire (and the wargaming) is so delightful.......

Status for last weekend:

1. Got WWII Europe development to a "pause" point.  Next steps there are to get more of the terrain array and city array complete, so that some additional code can be developed and tested.  I need them to try marking each hex in/out of supply for example.

@spelk- How is the city array going?

2. Began Middle East patch v1.2 development and test.

a. Re-learned my tools (I use an older version of MS Visual Studio for MDE) and used the MDE System Design Notebook to familiarize myself with the data structures and code.

b. Completed the mods to Highlight Order of Battle and display.  Four levels are now displayed. HQ unit selected = white box, parent = yellow box, child units = green box, and grandchild units = purple box.  Tested successfully on the maps and on the OOB display.

c. Completed the mods to allow operations on the Mid Level maps.  Coded the boxes on mid level maps (e.g. defender hex, moving units, etc).  Used Desert Strom scenario to test.  After some debug, it works!  Mid Map level operations is back!

c. Modifed the code to more clearly show where combats have taken place on the mid and low level maps.  Tested successfully.

Good progress.  I should have the MDE patch ready for playtesting very soon, and then it is back to WWII Europe.

Ron

Originally Posted By Ron Dockal

Status for last weekend:

1. Got WWII Europe development to a "pause" point.  Next steps there are to get more of the terrain array and city array complete, so that some additional code can be developed and tested.  I need them to try marking each hex in/out of supply for example.

 

@spelk- How is the city array going?

I've not had a chance to put more time into it, but I can look at it later on this week and get some more done. 

Sounds good, spelk.  First opportunity for me to make use of it is about Dec 19th.  I hope to have the MDE patch complete at that time, and can move toward WWIIE again.

Thanks again for your hard work on this,

Ron

Thank you Ron!