Request for Playtesting : Dispatches from Hell

[Shieldwolf]

Hi guys! I've resurrected this project of mine, a hybrid of the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

I have just downgraded my Win8 to Win7, EE is functioning, but I can't properly PT and create scenarios since the laptop is freezing and occasionally crashes. I guess it's related to my graphics card?

Anyways, here's the files, together with my realistic mod in the db folder. I suggest you install everything, and have a taste of the mod itself.

As always, feedback is much appreciated.

data.zip (414.75 KB)

[Soty]

mhm.. the game does constantly crash.. what graphics card do you have?

[Shieldwolf]

Jul 29, 2014 18:14:02 GMT Soty said:

mhm.. the game does constantly crash.. what graphics card do you have?

Tsk tsk... So it means it's just not my laptop. There's something wrong with the file itself.

Still, my new laptop is having NVIDIA GEFORCE 8GB dedicated graphics. I have spent almost a day trying my best to make EE work flawlessly, but to no avail. Everything the net says I need to do, I have done. I did even a clean reinstall of the OS and the drivers!

[Soty]

Mhm.. I have a NVIDIA Geforce 8600 MGT. But EE runs smoothly with any other scenario....

[niektb]

Always make sure you run it with your NVidia Card rather than your Intel Integrated Card (Intel iGPs are real bad with old games)

[Shieldwolf]

Jul 31, 2014 16:16:04 GMT niektb said:

Always make sure you run it with your NVidia Card rather than your Intel Integrated Card (Intel iGPs are real bad with old games)

Actually, it's the other way around. The game is hopelessly unplayable when using my NVIDIA card, but freezes every 20 minute interval when using integrated. Right now, I chose the lesser of the two evils, so I can use EE with freezing now and then.

[Shieldwolf]

Hi Guys!

I've found the cause of the crashes. Any playtesters out there?

Attachments:

your EE folder.zip (780.96 KB)

[niektb]

Small install instructions? (Especially for your mod)

(Can't remember if I already installed your mod, and if yes also the latest version)

What actually was the cause?

[Shieldwolf]

Hi Niek!

I'm glad that in your busy schedule with 0 AD you are finding interest with this. Just copy & paste the folders to your EE directory (it will overwrite all files of the same name, so I suggest you to backup - especially the language.dll).

The cause of the crash were land and air units being created on sea areas.

[niektb]

I started playing but I quite struggle with the difficulty level. I already had some troubles defeating the rebels (till I came at the bright idea to use the LOS of snipers in combination with an Armored Cruiser) but invading Cuba was/is nearly impossible. After the first attempt not only a Tank Division settled on the invading point but also those Planes kill of my whole army every time I attempt to attack.

Lastly I was at several stages a bit clueless on what to do actually due to a lack of a clear objective.

I haven't finished the map though and I will try to invade Cuba succesfully.

[Shieldwolf]

The difficulty may be because of the modded stats? Just take into account that the mod now is as realistic as it can get. So tanks make short work of infantry, planes basically rule the land and sky, ships are mobile artillery platforms, and everything else is just the way they are supposed to work in real life.

Invading Cuba and progressing properly would need tactical combinations. It won't be a piece of cake and not a simple point and click. Let me do a total run through this weekend and see if I can make a full-pledged Strategy Guide.

Thanks for playing Niek!

[niektb]

Well no, I've played your mod before (including the Gibraltar map). It was different but doable.

Is it BTW intended that only the Dominican republic has an iron mine? I found it pretty hard to get enough iron to recruit AA or build Airports.

I encountered one crash. I assaulted Cuba for the first time and was surprised by the pillboxes. All were killed save a sniper. I ventured with him to explore inwards but after moving a little (the marines weren't spawned) the game crashed.

[Shieldwolf]

Hmmm. Let me check on the resources placement. Maybe having an iron mine near the base would help? All defense units by the way use Iron, so it's quite essential. Let me revisit the scenario again, and I hope you'll have time to playtest this weekend.

[niektb]

Alpha 17 is delayed anyway, so there is a good chance that I have some time to playtest the map again.

BTW: shouldn't the purple and orange player have some kind of name instead of a '.' or '..'?

[niektb]

That is, coming weekend is my birthday (the 28th). That could take some time away on the other hand.

[niektb]

I think an iron mine either at Nicaragua or Haiti would help. Currently I had to cut my way through the forest (as I teamed with Haiti instead of the Dominican Republic) to get my iron. Another BTW: there were still some purple soldiers present in the Dominican republic after destroying the purple Dominican forces (directly after allying with Haiti)

[Shieldwolf]

Sept 22, 2014 17:50:56 GMT niektb said:

That is, coming weekend is my birthday (the 28th). That could take some time away on the other hand.

OH, let me great you in advance then, HAPPY BIRTHDAY NIEKTB!

I think there's a barracks left away in the Dominican Republic. I need to fix that. Also, I put the ". and .." name since those players encompass a lot of countries and are place holders for mixed civs.

[niektb]

Thank you!

And BTW (yes, another one ): is the Dominican republic the only one that has a Siege Factory?

[Shieldwolf]

Sept 22, 2014 19:30:21 GMT niektb said:

Thank you!

And BTW (yes, another one ): is the Dominican republic the only one that has a Siege Factory?

Ah, yes. I believe so. I think I put it there as a direct choice between having a dock and a siege factory (Haiti vs. Dominican Republic). Let me review again.

[niektb]

I could recall that DR has a dock too but even if they have no dock, it seems a bit of an unfair choice to me. Docks are absolutely necessary to get across the sea and attack Cuba (if you loose you initial ships). Siege Weapons only make it easier.

[Shieldwolf]

Sept 24, 2014 15:02:27 GMT niektb said:

I could recall that DR has a dock too but even if they have no dock, it seems a bit of an unfair choice to me. Docks are absolutely necessary to get across the sea and attack Cuba (if you loose you initial ships). Siege Weapons only make it easier.

Thanks, Niek! I have revisited the scenario, and I'm changing some aspects. Once done, I'll repost.

[niektb]

Looking forward to it!

[niektb]

Are you planning it in the nearby future or should I restart and try it the easy way (by choosing DR instead of Haïti and having access to a dock, a Siege Factory and an iron mine)?

[Shieldwolf]

Oct 24, 2014 11:37:57 GMT niektb said:

Are you planning it in the nearby future or should I restart and try it the easy way (by choosing DR instead of Haïti and having access to a dock, a Siege Factory and an iron mine)?

Oh, hi Niek! Just had to time to upload the updated one. Here's it, in scenario form:


dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/47464522/Data.zip