Stalingrad, Come and Get It!

klesh · January 29, 2003, 19:58

Sort of

Well to make a long story even longer, I have decided to release what I have finnished of Stalingrad. These files were sent out as a playtest almost a year ago... Since then I have pretty much stopped working on it intensly, whilst focusing first on MP 2194, then Lebensraum-1939.

Having finnished those 2, I have gone back to Stalingrad, and made some more changes... but you knoiw what, it doesn't satify, not in the least.

I find it to be amaturish and really not up to par at all. Unfortunately attempting somthing like Stalingrad as your first scenario (before ytou learn any tricks) is pretty silly. This is what you end up with. I even was shocked to see that I apparently hadn't been saving my 'build' file as a sav, but rather as a scenario file each time. Ugh... the things you do in your reckless youth.

So, I have decide to scrap this incarnation of the scenario. No more work will be done on this for a number of reasons that make continuing not worth it. The end product would always be hampered by immature design descisions made 2 years ago.

However, the people who've played it seem to like it enough, and the demand is actually bordering on the fanatical, so I present thee with four zips:

I believe the first 3 phases are somewhat playable. This is a playtest that was sent out , and of course I got feedback etc, so don't expect things to be perfect.

I am not even sure if this is the file that has been hex edited such that global warming will not occur. If not, you'll find huge swaths of factories comming your way! Heh. Feel free to discuss it though, as I will be carrying as much as I can over to the next incarnation of this scenario. Lots of artwork will be changed as all of this is even before I knew what the Civ Pallete was. Event texts will probably carry over, but with a new map, of course specific coordinates and such wouldn't be useful. I plan on making the new map about 2-3 times bigger, and using a better thought out terrain gfx, as well as a tasty new idea I have regarding infantry. I really feel I can make a much better 'city' too. I am rather embarrased at what this thing even is

but since its going to the scen graveyard anyway, I figure I might put this up for grabs as sort of an idea of what the new Stalingrad will be. Trust me, I am excited one again about this project, and am a bit more confident with designing now, thanks to hanging out with you unsavory lot.

So blah blah blah, the saga continues. Just realize that I am blindly putting these up. I haven't even looked at the zips, they've just been cluttering up my desktop. So, no guarentees that it'll satify you.

Darth, isn't it about time to redo the Kyokujitsu map and start all over again too?

Have fun guys.
-FMK.

ravagon · January 29, 2003, 20:01

The ANZAC · January 29, 2003, 20:04

So there is hope for a Stalingrad v2.0?

techumseh · January 29, 2003, 20:08

I'm not getting anything but a Yahoo blank page.

ravagon · January 29, 2003, 20:10

Type in the link without the [filename].zip at the end and you end up in the right directory.
I've managed to get the first file but the others are proving a little more difficult ...

[Edit: For some reason I can't seem to pick more than one file each time you open the page. I had to do it separately for each one. Not quite sure why.]

klesh · January 29, 2003, 20:18

lol, its always something isnt it. It is intended to just be right-clicked, but I am getting either the Apolyton 'attatchment'php or 'go' of the 'all file types'. The addresses are correct, just double-checked... Whatever, geocities obviously isnt the best anway. So what should I do? I do not care to upload this to either Apolyton or CFC.

-FMK.

Edit: I can get them all by manually putting the addy in my browser window.

ravagon · January 29, 2003, 20:27

Is Cases scenario graveyard (I forget what its called

) still working?

DarthVeda · January 29, 2003, 21:30

Hey Kyokujitsu is perfect... I just need to finish it

Case · January 30, 2003, 00:31

Quote:

Is Cases scenario graveyard (I forget what its called ) still working?

The Dead Scenario Office is still running, but only because I don't have to pay money to keep it going

As I'm getting ready to go on holiday (I'm leaving in under 48 hours), I don't have the time to add Stalingrad, but Rob, if you want to put it up on my lousy site let me know and I'll send you the site's geocities password.

techumseh · January 30, 2003, 03:43

Congratulations! I wondered if it would ever see the light of day.

It looks pretty cool. I'm wondering if the bat file will work properly with a WinXP OS? So far, most of the files seem to have been recopied OK - I'll let you know.

Michael Daumen · January 30, 2003, 07:56

Quote:

Originally posted by Case

The Dead Scenario Office is still running, but only because I don't have to pay money to keep it going

What a good idea. Unfortunately, I have some contributions to make for inclusion.

klesh · January 30, 2003, 11:34

Quote:

Originally posted by techumseh
Congratulations! I wondered if it would ever see the light of day.

This is hardly what I want for the scenario, but I get PMs and emails on a daily basis from people I dont know. Hopefully this will appease them.

Quote:

I'm wondering if the bat file will work properly with a WinXP OS? So far, most of the files seem to have been recopied OK - I'll let you know.

I think attachment will solve your problem. I cant seem to find the info on where it goes in your directories... This was posted awhile ago, but I've lost the installation instructions.
I'll see if I can find that.

-FMK.

techumseh · January 30, 2003, 12:18

Thanks, I installed it some time ago when DV posted it. It allows the bat file to actually operate, but it often doesn't operate properly after the first time.

Insurgent · January 30, 2003, 12:33

THANKS! I love you, FMK (in a strictly non-romantic, non-sexual, and even non-emotional way!)
Finally, the suicide rate of the Civ2 community may fall!

DarthVeda · January 30, 2003, 12:43

So can we expect a Stalingrad version 2.0 or do I have to finish this for you?

Insurgent · January 30, 2003, 12:52

Will you give us a v. 2?

klesh · January 30, 2003, 13:54

Yes, of course. This is the point. I am excited to work on this agin but after so long I now notice that Its better to start over. So thats what I am doing. I have been working on a map, but I am not sure if the dimensions are going to work. I am a few days into that. Been playing with some artwork too, redoing allof of old graphics I found were corrupted in this version etc.

-FMK.

DarthVeda · January 30, 2003, 14:30

You need any help with this you just give me a ring, k?

greeny · January 31, 2003, 19:08

Thanks for this FMK!

Man this scenario is HARD, the first part went OK, I got the objectives just in time. But the city fighting is a serious bloodbath! The battle in the North went OK and I've captured 3 "cites" inside the city proper by the end of part 2 (Spartakova, Gorokov's HQ and the Tractor factory) . The battle for the Mamayev Kurgan has been incredibly bloody with neither side able to keep contol of it. However in the South it's a different story my whole army there was destoyed, mainly due to the complete destruction of Yelshanka which was followed by the death of 11 units stacked there!

In other words great job! It feels authenticly desperate, nearly all of my forces have been destoyed on this my first attempt. I definatly need to develop new tactics for this innercity fighting. The artillery came as as delightfuly nasty shock. I will be far more protective of my troops in the first part next time (every unit counts!), and get more of them to veteran status (by shooting farmers!

).
I think I spread my troops too thin in the south, while I bunched up too much in the North slowing my advance, I need to send more troops to the Mamayev Kurgan also.

Best of luck on the brand new attempt FMK!

This could turn into one of the classics.

p.s. you put my anti-tank DOGS in yay!

Pablostuka · February 1, 2003, 10:24

Great work, FMK! This is one of the best scenarios I've played, and I hope you'll continue working on it

I have a question: There is no way to capture the 2 railyard stations? (they are cities with size 1, and when captured, dissapear

).
But all is an amazing work. Thank you very much!

klesh · February 1, 2003, 11:36

Hi all, Thanks for those kind words

There is lots of potential in this, but the ideas just wont be realized as they should, not in this incarnation. For instance this scen was made before 'stackable' terrain was in use. Thats perfect for inside the city, but it not there now. That would prevent you losing so many troops to the artillery (which I made to be a pretty much guarenteed kill. Also, try to use your planes to keep the Soviets off your bulk of troops, as they Red Airforce is no where to be seen all you've got to protect against is the AA guns.

The Railstations were wrecked in the historical assault, and rendered unuseable. Hence their destruction. It also frees up a city gfx slot for the docks you build to cross the Volga.

-FMK.

HAND · February 2, 2003, 01:57

Hi FMK. i'll certainly get into stalingrad ASAP!
Just one question: Where can i get Lebensraum-1939? I've been itching to play it for months! Have you realesed it yet?

DarthVeda · February 2, 2003, 02:02

The anti-tank dog sound is a classic. I laughed

gerryandersson · February 2, 2003, 05:56

There is Global warming!!!

Darius871 · February 2, 2003, 06:18

Don't be so hard on yourself Rob, this is fantastic!

Insurgent · February 2, 2003, 07:46

After playing this for a couple of hours, I realised this might be one of the best scenario ever released. Especially if you make a v. 2.00 with the bugs fixed and even improved settings. It has the right graphics touch and that "feeling" of Stalingrad. That desperate fighting to conquer street by street consuming vast forces.
The desperate attempts by the Luftwaffe to clear the way for the German troops while simultaneously trying to recon the area. The fighting is so bitter and so challenging, while aesthetically it is near perfection.

Well, enough talking, now back to the game. I'm almost glued to my computer now, trying to clear the outskirts. I like the way Blitzkrieg pays off, if you avoid the enemy strongholds, they become in significant. I also think the mine fields are a good job.

Finally, about the dogs - they shouldn't really be that strong. They were in reality a failure, it would seem highly unrealistic for a pack of dogs to destroy a tank battalion, at most they would be able to damage it...

Caspian · February 2, 2003, 19:59

Oh no, incoming dog attack. Quick deploy the secret weapon!!

*breaks glass case

Weapon primed and ready sir! Fire!

*stick is thrown towards soviet lines.

Rover, Fetch! uh oh, it's not working. Hang on. Rover, Fetchski! Woof woof woof KABOOM!!! (Missle.wav)

*black smoke obscures Soviet lines.

Sorry couldn't resist it

jim panse · February 3, 2003, 05:02

Shaka Naldur · February 3, 2003, 14:09

HI, I played the first part, of the scenario, and it is a very interesting one, I think there should be a few more units around the objectives cities to make it more challenging but it´s ok

I accomplish the objectives in the very last turn, now I´m waiting to take a look at the second part

my strategy was to move first the planes to explor and find soviet units and then attack the strongest ones always from a place where a road exists to not let them to move

very fun escenario fmk!!!!!

Caspian · February 3, 2003, 18:32

Hey, I just thought. Has any one realised that yesterday (2nd Feb) was the anniversary of the final German surrender at Stalingrad?