Napoleonic Wars mod

[born2see]

So while we're on the subject of NW games, has anybody played HistWar : Les Grognards and if so, what did you think of it?

B

[Jack ONeill]

B,

Yes I have and was not impressed. SOWGB's game engine is far superior to Histwars. It seemed really busy and requires a super-fast comp to play. By busy, I don't mean lots of troops, that was okay. Busy as in trying to keep up with the command structure. I think that's what I want to say.

Jack B)

[gunship24]

Well, but what about other important units and things?.
...
Is it possible include at least a trifle these needed things?

Nowy, you obviously know your Napoleonic stuff. I have it in mind to expand the unit range. It takes sometime to create new sprites so I can add them as I go.

But, the bottom line is that it has to be some-where close to being playable, considering that gunship24 has spent several-hundred hours of his time modding it!

Now, who in the #$!! would do that for a crappy-game?

Thanks, and I agree. I wouldnt spend time doing it if I thought the game wasn't good.


I'm making the mod because I want to make the mod. For me SoWG and its predecessor are the best games I come across for simulating the epicness of this type of warfare and it does the civil war era justice. The engine isnt entirely suited for napoleonic warfare but im aware of that.

I've played Histwar but couldnt get my head round it. For one thing the units look all squashed, but the combat seemed rushed like total war. I do like the unit look though as you can see the elite companies and the artillery limbers etc. Its got lots of official mod tools also which are easy to use. I prefer the sprite look of SoWG and its game play. Havent played the latest version of Histwar though so maybe its got better.

[born2see]

gunship24 wrote:

but the combat seemed rushed like total war.

Can you elaborate on that a little? We are often compared to TW and always favorably but having never played it I'm always looking for first hand accounts.

Thanks,

B

[Marching Thru Georgia]

born2see wrote:

So while we're on the subject of NW games, has anybody played HistWar : Les Grognards and if so, what did you think of it?

I play HistWar quite a bit. It is a work in progress, with progress coming at the French pace. :laugh: It is a very different experience than playing SOW. The player is always the army commander. He cannot fill the roll of corps, division or brigade commander. That's a future development. Like SOW, the player has his choice of commanding via the Goodyear blimp and issuing instant orders, or commanding from the saddle and having couriers relay the commands. In Histwar, the returning couriers give information about where the sub-commander is and what exactly he sees and what's the condition of his unit.

Histwar's greatest strength is it's high accuracy towards how battles were fought. The extensive rule set gives what I think is the closest experience a person can get as to how a battles actually develop. Watching a division deploy, prepare the battlefield with an artillery barrage, then commit the cavalry to feint or overrun exposed enemy units, finally bringing up the infantry to decide matters is a joy to behold. It reproduces the written descriptions of battles of that period extremely well. Infantry encounters are very short and decided quickly, as they were historically. No mass melee scrums of the SOW flavor. The arty also behave historically, deploying forward of the infantry and following along as the infantry advances. It will stop, fire a round or two, then limber up and continue to advance.

It's greatest weakness is a lack of a good AI, (something also under development). Here SOW is head and shoulders above Histwar. There are no personalities on the field, every commander is exactly the same. I don't know if Histwar can ever reach the level of sophistication of Norb's AI, but if it does, it will be a truly great game. The most disturbing aspect of Histwar, from an SOW perspective is the UI. Although greatly improved during the past year, it does not have that clean look and feel of SOW. SOW players have been spoiled, but once past that shock you'll find a very good game.

I believe both games do a very good job at displaying certain aspects of 19th century battle. The only correct decision to make is to buy and play both.

[Nowy]

Nowy, you obviously know your Napoleonic stuff. I have it in mind to expand the unit range. It takes sometime to create new sprites so I can add them as I go.

The engine isnt entirely suited for napoleonic warfare but im aware of that.

It is fine that you think about next units.
Will you add quite new persons as like drummers, trumpeters, flag bearers and officers?

Variety of soldiers and many different formations of infantry, cavalry and artillery were so characteristic during Napoleonic Wars.

Can you make something with animation, because units should move and combat more fluidly. Many animations should be improve or add e.g. few types of infantry fire systems, muskets loading procedure, bayonets combats, changing formations, walk, run, formations should not stupidly crisscross etc.

What do you think about small improvements in commanding structure which include few rank levels.
Then Marshals, Generals could operate on battlefields in accompany with few their Adjutants.
e.g.
1. star General - brigade commander in accompany with 1 Adjutant.
2. stars General – division commander in accompany with 2 Adjutants.
3. stars Marshal or General – corps commander in accompany with 3 Adjutants.
4. stars Marshal or General – army commander in accompany with 4 Adjutants.
5. stars Supreme commander – Emperor, Monarch or other with 5 ADC or Adjutants.
Supreme commander could be escorted with 1 cavalry squadron which could include 15 or 20 men.

This way all they could better represent complexity of commanding structure and commanders ranks could be easier recognised on battlefield too. Then national flags flying above generals will be useless. Less flags on battlefield will be more realistic.

I’ve got few more ideas, but do not know, will you interested to implement more improvements into the game.

I think that NW mod should more improve SoWG. It should include new interface, control and information panels, maps, units cards etc. What a pity I can not help you in that matter, however I can help as game ideas maker.

[Jack ONeill]

N,

Just as an aside on one thing you mentioned - Commanders CAN be escorted by units of Horse - There is a "Guard Unit" command on the toolbar. It is actually a good idea. However, one still needs to keep an eye on one's officers so they don't get shot. (even happens to me - the Glorious Coward.)

Jack B)

[Davinci]

gunship24 – the fact that you are a one-man-show is quite impressive, given the fact that there is not one-percent of the forum members that can do what you are doing.

I think that everyone that stands up and demands or suggest something without the faintest notion about what they are asking should take a simple but effective little test.

Just take one uniform in the game and add a hat to each of the men, just a simple hat.

Now, that might seem very simple until someone tries to do it, and then the simple becomes quite a challenge.

And, we will probably never hear from that person again!

davinci

[KG_Soldier]

gunship24 – the fact that you are a one-man-show is quite impressive, given the fact that there is not one-percent of the forum members that can do what you are doing.

I think that everyone that stands up and demands or suggest something without the faintest notion about what they are asking should take a simple but effective little test.

Just take one uniform in the game and add a hat to each of the men, just a simple hat.

Now, that might seem very simple until someone tries to do it, and then the simple becomes quite a challenge.

And, we will probably never hear from that person again!

davinci

Ain't that the truth. Of course, I wouldn't even know where the uniforms are, so. . . .

[Jack ONeill]

No kidding. I just thrilled I can do as little as I can. Outstanding concept that Gunship is willing to do ANYTHING as a Napoleonic Mod.

Jack B)