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Post by Major Pain on Dec 27, 2014 13:55:51 GMT 1
Members who have useful or helpful information about the game should post it here.
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Post by Major Johnson on Dec 31, 2014 13:56:13 GMT 1
I'm not exactly sure what kind of useful info we're talking about here, but I would like to know if BK and it's various expansions are compatible with Windows 7? I'm one of those XP holdouts that doesn't want to go through the time and expense of upgrading, but I know it's only a matter of time before my 7 yr old mobo is going to totally give up the ghost. It's already showing signs of aging.
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Post by Herr Kodax on Dec 31, 2014 14:16:18 GMT 1
I'm playing BK using my desktop with Windows 7 Major Johnson.
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Post by Mascarenhas2 on Dec 31, 2014 15:44:12 GMT 1
No problem with Win7 32 here. The whole set of BK and its offspring run perfectly, even a a Mac/Parallels environment.
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Grot
General
J-23 znowu nadaje
Posts: 4,047
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Post by Grot on Dec 31, 2014 15:47:23 GMT 1
Win7 64 ..everything works as it should.
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Post by Major Johnson on Dec 31, 2014 20:48:46 GMT 1
Thanks guys! Now I don't feel as paranoid about upgrading. But going back to my original post where I said I wasn't sure what kind of BK related useful info to post here, I'm assuming that most players are pretty well seasoned and in-game tips, like mechanics and strategy tips aren't generally needed. But whereas I started playing BK some years ago, I don't play constantly. Like it's been a few years since I last played with any regularity. So for me, when I do get in a BK mood, I tend to need a refresher, like when I installed Stalingrad a week or so ago. But the artillery ranges are way different in Stalingrad, so I find I have to find new strategies to overcome these increased ranges. At first I was using airstrikes to soften up the enemy artillery, and that was working fine, but now in this latest mission, I don't have air strikes, only observation. I'm trying to find a different way of completing the objectives. I do have some artillery of my own, but not nearly as much as the enemy. Seeing how the moment I use my artillery, the AI automatically starts firing it's artillery at mine, I decided to separate my artillery and use them individually, hoping to draw away enemy fire and hopefully get lucky with a few of my own shots. Then use the observation plane to assess the damage before starting the main assault with my tanks. Does anyone have any other recommendations??
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Post by Major Pain on Dec 31, 2014 23:29:57 GMT 1
To echo what a few others have said... Blitzkrieg does work on Win7 and Win8. The installation is the key to a successful game environment.
We are advising all players whether they have Anthology, or any original CD, and especially the STEAM release to install the game in the following manner:
C:\Nival Interactive\Anthology
or
C:\NIVAL\Anothology
The primary reason to add the NIVAL folder allows you one place to install all of your BK games and add-ons which is unaffected by the Windows Registry.
If your game is installed in the C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files (x86) Folders, the game cannot read Multiplayer Maps, it cannot log into any Multiplayer Server with all of the options, and it cannot access any Add-ons or MODS. The reason for this is due to the way the Windows Registry tracks the game resources. It will not allow navigation to the support folders required for Add-ons or Mods, or Multiplayer.
The only reason the game file objects can be read for maps is due to the Objects.xml pushing the data through the game.exe... although the map editor will not work properly using the same objects.xml. Any other version of BK will use only the first game.exe and all of the associated game files for that version.
This is a long standing issue in the Windows Operating Systems, and not anything in the Blitzkrieg Game Code that is incorrect. Windows left at its own devices, just does not like some games and their structures... and Blitzkrieg is one of them.
At the moment I am writing a document that will be distributed for Blitzkrieg Installations on most Operating Systems for all Blitzkrieg Versions. I have tested Blitzkrieg on MAC OS, Win7 and Win8 with success. I currently use a LINUX system with MINT XFE which seems to mirror XP very well.
All of my design and model work is still done in XP because most of the software will not run in Win7 or Win8 or MAC OS. I am changing all of it to LINUX as I have time... and I have found no issues yet. I use MAYA 8 for some of my work, along with MAYA 4.5 for the final Exporting. My Commercial work is usually in another 3D program like 3D Max, Granny and Blender, which all run under LINUX.
Since LINUX (with MINT) is a freely distributed Operating System, you might consider adding it as a 2nd System along with your XP. It can be set up to look similar, but there is a learning curve. Although the learning curve is not a step as going from XP to Win8.
I would not recommend Win8 for any reason or purpose. It is a poor Operating System for anyone on a desktop or laptop. I'm not holding hope for Win10 to be much better.
Win7 is a good operating system for BK and most of what anyone might need. It is not a good platform for model or graphic artists. Most of my professional peers seems to be using XP or LINUX or UNIX based systems.
I hope this helps.
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Post by Major Pain on Jan 1, 2015 2:54:03 GMT 1
I will concede to some of what you suggest Nephilim. You are an advanced user, most are not.
Advanced users can make the switch from XP to Win8 and find the correct OpenGL Work-arounds.
For most users however... there are significant issues trying to acquire the solutions on much of the Software written before 2005. Running in a previous version of Windows does not always mean you actually can.
In our Fire Department for instance, we have many advanced Users, but our Governing Authority maintains XP and UNIX systems based on what our IT Department advises. I don't always agree with the IT people, but in this case, I do. Almost all of the Software is XP proprietary. Our software vendors still do not offer upgrades for Win7 and Win8, but do offer upgrades in UNIX. That is something the collective sector pushed for... to get away from Microsoft. The limiting issue for XP is the memory allocation on 64 bit machines, but using LINUX has presented no issues for our Fire Department Personnel or other Departments within the City and County. In my travels over the years, I see more and more LINUX systems and still the older XP.
In my own case, I can run and launch Maya, 3D MAX and Blender without issue in Win8, but my own graphic software and utilities that I wrote were not written for that Operating Systems and have a proprietary purpose in XP. Even Running Virtual XP in Win7 causes some conflicts.
From the Players aspect, I do recognize Blitzkrieg will run, and stated so. But most professional artist are avoiding Win8 for the most part. It is not so much the desktop or start button issue, it is more that Software is not as user friendly within the OS.
In my experience, it was a requirement in my last Commercial Artist Job to operate in UNIX, or LINUX. Primarily the purpose was the risk of acquiring a virus or malware was believed to be almost non-existent. We have found out recently there is a particularly nasty issue with Spyware which has compromised many UNIX Servers. So we are making corrections and reconfiguring our systems to prevent that issue. The overlying moral here is it does not matter what type of system you use... you always have a threat of attack. XP just happens to be at risk more than most right now... and Win7 will soon join it.
Microsoft is leaving few options for users when they force an Operating System into oblivion to advance something new. I agree that some of the forward advance is due to changes in technology, but users are not so quick to change as Microsoft would like. All I have suggested is looking at all options before you jump. Just because Microsoft is number #1 does not mean it is the way to go. Still about 1/3 of all Microsoft Systems are running XP. Seems to me Microsoft walked away from many of us when they should have been paying attention to what was going on. But this is common in Humongous Businesses... they think they are driving markets... when all they are really doing is ticking off their customers, with many seeking a way to get off...
I don't really think we are very far apart on the issue. It is more about how much pain one must suffer to change their computer and Operating System... some of the pain is the cost of a new Computer with the OS.
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Post by Major Johnson on Jan 3, 2015 15:59:12 GMT 1
I've read in an older post about never using the default install path for the game which puts it in C:\Programs.... For reasons of not losing Saved game files due to an operating system crash on my main harddrive, all my games get installed onto a secondary harddrive, ie D:\Nival Interactive, or in the case of the game I'm currently playing, D:\Stalingrad. Other than the occasional game freeze due to my dual core processor, I've had no problems playing. Is there anything I should be aware of with my installation??
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Post by Major Pain on Jan 3, 2015 17:32:29 GMT 1
Actually a 2nd hard Drive or external drive is a good idea. If you run the game from the 2nd Drive, you will have pretty good luck and no issues with the Win REG.
You should be able to have the game.exe and mapeditor navigate where they need to as they acquire data.
Great Question...
MP
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Post by Major Johnson on Jan 4, 2015 0:50:07 GMT 1
It looks like most of the people on this site are modders. I'm just a player......in more ways than one ...... but I really enjoy the series. I have the original cds for BK1, BH and RT, and have played them all. But I also bought Anthology, just because. LOL!! I also have the cds for MB, Kursk and Stalingrad (which I'm playing right now). I might have a few more that I purchased and just forgot about, that's how I found Stalingrad! I've been going through the first 10 pages of threads and have already picked up a few tips and downloaded an 2008 version of game.exe in the hopes of lessening a game freezing issue.
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atlas555
General
I know not what course others may take. As for me, give me liberty or give me death.
Posts: 1,069
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Post by atlas555 on Jan 4, 2015 15:59:20 GMT 1
I learned today that if you active a truck and hold down the shift key, one can put several waypoints for it to travel with the right mouse clicks. Like a beam of light from Heaven shown down on me.
Kursk on!
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Post by Major Pain on Jan 4, 2015 21:29:27 GMT 1
lol...
this was known by our early tribesman way back in 2003.
This is not documented in the Manual.
But if you look at the Tutorials, it is documented.
Tutorial 2 explains how to give a unit or group multiple commands. Note the word commands.... this can be changing any posture or formation as well as setting waypoints.
From 20.txt from Tutorial 2: You can issue multiple commands to a unit or group of units to be executed by holding the <Shift> key down when giving the orders. When finished, release the <Shift> key and the orders will be carried out in the order that they were given.
Tutorial 4 explains how this can also apply to Aircraft.
From 6.txt in Tutorial 4: Close support planes can hunt for single enemy units. It is useful to provide several points for a flight patrol. To designate theese points hold <Shift> and click at defined places, marking them as circles at the minimap. An aircall to several points can also be used for recon planes and fighters.
I am very glad you mention this... I am certain most players were not aware.
Funny how the little things like this are beginning to show up.
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Post by Major Pain on Jan 4, 2015 21:32:48 GMT 1
It's not exactly an in-game helpful piece of advice but, if you have purchased the Steam version of the BK Anthology, right click on it in your library, click properties and change the language to Russian. Let the download start, then rename your existing Steam BK Folder (I renamed it to Blitzkrieg ENG. If you rename it AFTER the download has begun, it won't try and download the entire thing again). When the download finishes, go into the newly downloaded Russian version of Blitzkrieg, and you'll find in the Mod folder that you now have all 5 Total Challenge mods, Ostfront (Mission Barbarossa) and Green Devils. Copy and paste them into your English Steam BK Folder, then delete the Russian one and rename the English one back to it's original name and tada, you have those mods for free. (albeit in Russian) Great Information!
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Post by Herr Kodax on Jan 4, 2015 21:42:27 GMT 1
That works for all units atlas555.
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