Blitzkrieg I : Generation II

[ariete]

i've installled the la plata gold pack just in the mother copy of the various BH-RT i have, with iron division. all other BH-RT copies run just with the fix high textures (and the other things for kursk, but we're talking about RT here).

[Grot]

Yes it is tedi88. I just removed LP gold pack to see what happens and got Ju-52 back and instead of T-34's I got Brummbar

(for that Grey Tigers map )

[tedi88]

OK. So that solves it. Thanks for the help, gentlemen.

[Major Pain]

From memory, the Gold Pack did change some models.   Don't worry on this... they will not be used...

I'm using a customized objects.xml which only registers the objects used; buildings, bridges, flora, terrain objects.  The Sounds and Effects will also be included.

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I have been approached on upgrading the ACKS and Weapon Sounds.  That would be great if we do that on the fly... meaning... adding them as a replacement Sound pack, or new original Sound packs.    I would also like to see this available for BK 1.

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I still need a few languages, Polish, French (Expanded), Finnish, Chinese...   

Can someone explain the Finnish Language Dialect which would be the most correct?

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I need you guys to check something in your RT Sound Folder.   Do you have the Italian ACKS?

I just discovered some RT versions in Anthology do not have these.  STEAM does not.

If you do not have this, let me know.

[ariete]

i'll let you know later

[tedi88]

Major Pain in mine GOG version only Italian ack present is death scream.

[Major Pain]

Thanks

A couple of us are trying to run this down right now.... all feedback is helpful.

[Grot]

Blitzkrieg Anthology released in 2013 on Amazon same as tedi88 mentioned.

[ariete]

yes, in 00_data.pak

mine is Blitzkrieg Anthology: Burning Horizon - Rolling Thunder 2005 version Burning Horizon 1.4 - Rolling thnder 1.3

[ariete]

ahahah rolling tenders i was writting

[Scyooff]

A little lightning going through my mind () about fuel consumption when a vehicle don't move, maybe you already think to that :
is it feasable to add a "Stop engine" command for the vehicles, like this you're don't obligated to move out the crew.

[Major Pain]

Apr 3, 2015 22:12:25 GMT 1 Scyooff said:

A little lightning going through my mind () about fuel consumption when a vehicle don't move, maybe you already think to that :
is it feasable to add a "Stop engine" command for the vehicles, like this you're don't obligated to move out the crew.

At the moment, if the Crew is on the vehicle, the vehicle is idling and using fuel.   The fuel usage will be very low...   The intent is not have vehicles run of of fuel while idling... but based on fuel consumption when units are moving, fighting, etc.    I'm likely to not use a true idle consumption.   Perhaps, Idling only uses about 10% of the amount as Driving and Fighting.



Let's examine the Fuel Consumption Aspect.



Technical Data on US M4 Sherman Tank

Fuel Tank holds 660 liters of fuel  / ~174 gallons
Operational Range of 193 km / ~120 Miles
Speed is 39 km/h....  or about 24 mph

The Average Fuel Consumption = 3.4 l/km  -  (1.5 Mile per gallon)

Ok... now we need to Scale all of this data and define new Scaled Values.


DISTANCE

A 'Scaled' Square Km is about the same as a 21 x 21 size map, 1008 m.  This means each side is 21 Squares.  1 Square is 16 x 16 tiles.  A tile is 3 meters x 3 meters.  So 1 Square is 48 meters x 48 meters.

To put this into a Scaled Perspective...  A sight range of 32 equals 48 meters and a Square is 48 x 48 meters.    So basically,  if Sight = 32, your unit can see 1 Square.    48 meters in the game is 16 tiles.   So those are the current Scaled Differentials for distance. 

We cannot use the 193 km range in this scale.  
The Sherman could cross a 21 x21 map 193 times before it is out of fuel.  We must scale the Operational Range.

A kilometer = 1000 meters.   In BK, a meter = 1 Square or 16 tiles.   So lets calculate the Scale Multiplier.   1000/48 = 20.8, I'll use .20 or 20% for the Distance Multiplier.

So lets look at the Operational Range of 193 km again applying the multiplier:   193 x .20 = 38.  So now the Sherman can cross a 21 x 21 map 38 times before running out of fuel...  again, depending on the terrain.   Consider:  21 squares x 16 tiles = 336 tiles.   Does this seem high?   


Distance Multiplier = .20


Fuel Consumption

Ok...  we know that the Real Life Average Consumption is about 3.4 liters per kilometer.   Since we know that 38 is the Scaled Operational Range, we can now calculate the Scaled Fuel Capacity.     

Consumption l/km   X   Scaled Operational Range   =   Scaled Fuel Capacity 

3.4 x 38 = 130 liters.    So our Sherman Tank carries 130 liters of fuel in the game.



Now we have worked out several parts of key data we will need for our Fuel Function

So, the best way to answer the question at this moment is,  you will need to refill your tank before you cover 38 scale meters or use 130 scale liters of fuel.   

Ok... I know...  that is a 'duh' answer...



So...   Read below...



SPEED

There is not a standardized ratio on vehicle speeds in the game... meaning a scaled speed versus real life speed.   This has been an issue on many models over the years.  Some models move too fast while others move too slow.   

In GEN II, I plan to resolve this issue and use a Multiplier on all models:   Real Life Speed x (_xM)

I'm running some test to determine if we need to use Actual Time or Blitzkrieg Scaled Time to Calculate Speed.   So far, using a Scaled Time does not make much sense to me.   So I'm leaning toward Real Time.     Remember, we have already Scaled the Distance, so that is also going to affect Speed and Time.  I don't see a reason to Scale Time as a factor.



Let's imagine a track that is 1000 meters or 1 kilometer long.   Given that the real life speed of the Sherman Tank is about 39 km/h (24 mph), it takes about 1.5 minute (92.3 Seconds) to travel the distance of the track.


**  Now that I have the time it takes to travel 1000 meters or 1 kilometer, we can calculate how long it will take to go through your fuel.

First we need to calculate our speed based on Meters per Minute.   

1000 x (39/60) = 650 Meters per Minute   Note:   We use 1000 meters as our overall distance times (the real life speed divided by 60).        We now know that the Sherman is traveling 650 Meters per Minute.


*  Now let's convert 38 kilometers to Meters = 38 x 1000 = 38000

*  Now let's divide 38000 meters by 650 (meters per minute) to get the time the fuel will last:

38000 /  650 = 58.5 game minutes.


So does this mean your fuel will last about an hour?  


Nope... not unless we work out the Scaled Speed for our Sherman.   Depending on the BK Speed, it might takes less time, or could take longer.   Everything comes down to the BK correct speed now.

In theory... if we want to be accurate...  you should be able to drive and fight for about an hour before you run out of fuel.

Now this is not how long it would take in real life.   Remember, we Scaled the Distance, using our Distance Multiplier value of .20, which works out to be 1/5th.   So in real life it will take 4.97 hours, almost 5 times longer.



So we need to work out the BK Scale of the Time to Distance Ratio so we can calculate the Speed Multiplier.   Remember, our goal is to have the Sherman travel 1000 scale meters in about 1.5 minute (92 Seconds).

On the map, we can lay out a 1000 meter track easily.   As mentioned, a 21 x 21 Sized map is about 1000 meters Square.   I'd like to have a little extra room so lets make our map 22 x 22; each side is 1056 meters in game scale.

We can calculate the 1000 meter distance with the Grid on.  Each one of those little Squares on the Grid is a Tile and is 3 Meters x 3 Meters Square in Game Scale.    Count 16 of these Tiles in a straight line, and you have the distance of 1 Square or 48 meters.  Remember, If our Sight is set to 32 , that is also 48 meters.   So when we move the Sherman on the track, it can see 48 meters down the track.  

To cover 1000 meters, we will need to use 333.33 of these tiles, or right at 21 Squares.  21 Squares is actually 1008 scale meters and covers 336 tiles; 21 squares  x  16 tiles  x  3 meters  = 1008 meters.

Now that we have the map scale, we know how many tiles we need to use on our track; 333.33.   Mark the start point and lay down an asphalt road down the length of our 22 x 22 map (in a straight line of course).    

From the Start point, place a marker every 16 tiles... this is 48 meters.    I usually use the little Stone Mile Markers in the game, but you can use any terrain object.    We can calculate time/distance with these markers. 

When you have 21 Squares defined, count back 3 tiles and place the end point.   Our track is now 333 tiles or 999 meters.   You can fudge about one third of the 334th tile to round it up to 1000 meters.  



OK... let's recap for a second.  

We know it takes about 1.5 minute (92.3 Seconds) for the Real Sherman to travel 1000 meters.   The trick right now is figuring out the BK Speed that we need so the Sherman takes about 1.5 minute to travel down our track.  This is perhaps trial and error and does require a little testing.   But once we have the BK Speed, we can calculate the Multiplier.

IN BK, the Sherman Tank is given several different Speed values.   NIVAL used 13.97 and 14.5.    My models use 14.5.    Various MODs and Add-ons have used various values.    There has never been a good study on the Scale Speeds, although I know Herr Kodax did some research not long ago.  I've conducted research over the years, but did not use most of the data presented here.   But since we have most of the other Scales defined, it seems to be a good idea to work on this.


So......  

TEST QUESTION:   Using the 10% Idling Fuel Consumption discussed at the beginning of this post -

  Calculate how long your Sherman can Idle before you run out of Fuel...


 

HINT: It will be ten times longer than if driving, but ten times longer than what?

And now the kicker...     Depending on how the Alpha 1 Testers score the Fuel Function... the final Formulas and Multipliers may actually be different from this Illustration.  

Doesn't an hour seem way too long in a game to have fuel to burn?   

[Scyooff]

So to make short, there's no need of a stop engine command 

I had in mind a game like Sudden Strike Ressource war where your fuel tank is quickly empty.

[Major Pain]

That is kind of what happens in TDA... Fuel doesn't last long, so you have to keep your tankers close by.


I think the original concept was how they thought about fuel, and tried to equate that to ammo.    The more you fire your guns, the quicker you run out of ammo.   But firing your gun is more like a matter of choice, where fuel is a matter of necessity.    When you are moving or fighting, you are using fuel at a constant flow.   Where when you fire the guns, it is not a constant useage... it varies by the operator.   

I think the TDA developers wanted to add another handicap to the game.   Well I'm ok with that, but it does not have to be at the same elevated stance as Ammo Supply or HP.   No doubt, a good map will force the player to think about Logistics and Engineers.  

Some venues, real life and games, consider the Engineering (repair) Function as a Logistical Mission, but it really is not.  


Logistics is the stuff (SUPPLIES and RESOURCES) you need to accomplish your mission:  Food, water, ammo, items that are disposable, etc...  

Engineering is a Support System that usually is conducted from other resources; Repairs (Parts), Construction (Material), Recovery (Tow Vehicle), etc...

In the game, we use a single Resource, called RUs.   The RUs are then translated into ammo, human reinforcements, repairs, trenches and fences and mines.   Everything has a cost which is defined in the const.xml file.  

I still use the RU System, but the changes are more direct and reflect more correctly what something costs, or how much a truck can transport... or a man can carry.  

The original system does not seem to have been well planned... there are three things that NIVAL wanted to include, but didn't.... so it is kind of lopsided.  

Moral was certainly not included.... but does anyone know what the other things was?  

The Command Pool and Medics.  

In almost every War game, Moral and Command Structure are key aspects of the troop health.   But when Moral was not included, the Command Pool went with it.    

They did maintain the Medical Aspect, but reassigned it as an automatic function of a truck or building.   The code reveals that was not what was intended.   I'm sure from the Moral Code that still resides in the master Source Code... they tried to do the same with Moral, but it was too unstable...  

Moral is more Volatile than HP health, and can actually do more damage to the HP than the enemy can if things are not going well.   Soldiers must have confidence in their Commanders;    most of the Moral must come from the Command.  

There is, of course, a thing called Self Determination which is less dependant on Leadership provided Moral... mostly because the moral comes from within a person or group... the so-called self starters... Compare to the SAS, Navy Seals and Delta Force.  

While they do have commanders, the team command structure is short because the members derive most of their moral from within themselves.  The Team Moral can be shattered instantly if they are hit hard and take huge casualties, but by their very nature, this is the exception, not the rule.   Their mission is to strike fast and hard and kick ass... not to eat up ground and hold it.  So moral is not going to change much when they are working and is mostly affected by success and failure.



Back to Fuel:

In my view, fuel is as important as food, water and ammo.   I could add another level of supply called Soldier Stuff,  just an example for Food (K-Rations), Water, Butt Wipe, Socks, etc...    But that adds another layer to keep up with on a more personal level... down to the individual soldier.   Well the game is doing that right now when it comes down to ammo and moral.   Yes, the game is already tracking Moral... it just does not do anything with it because the Function Code has been turned off with some removed.  

I mention the Soldier Stuff for a reason....  Would a lack of a Soldiers personal needs also affect Moral and Health?    Soldiers who are hungry or thirsty are not happy campers.   If they don't have the regulation wad of Butt wipe, they can be irritated.  If they don't have dry socks, they soon become a casualty due to trench rot.

Well Fuel is right up there with ammo and soldier stuff... the army cannot move without soldier stuff or fuel.   But I did not consider adding the soldier stuff on that level... and assume if the Player is taking care of Logistics... it is taken care of in the other stuff.


I don't think fuel consumption should be scaled so fuel only lasts during the 5 minute firefight... like TDA and numerous other games.  

You can tell from the way I described it above, I'm trying to re-define most of the various pieces of data to a real life comparison... even though it is scaled due to the Map Measurements.   A 1 to 5 Ratio is a pretty good starting place in my mind...     By adding an extra bar in the HP/Ammo/RU Area, we can visually see our Fuel.   The Moral Bar is already there. but turned off in the code.

Now I only discussed the Technical Data for the Sherman Tank... well it was a fuel hog.   A 2.5 ton truck is another story...

The GMC CCKW 2.5 ton truck carries 150 liters of fuel and has an Operational Range of 482.8 kilometers.   It can travel at 72 km/h.

When we apply the same formulas to the CCKW we find it can travel a 1000 meters in 50 seconds, compared to 1.5 minute for the Sherman.   Its Fuel will last about 80 minutes compared to the Sherman's 58 minutes.      One key factor is the Meters per Minute... which is very telling... The CCKW is 1200 M/M  where the Sherman was 650.   So the truck is a lot more efficient.



More later...

[ariete]

... ahahha ... major pedia