Tuchola Forest 1945 preview Options

[ScrapyardBob]

(He's not dead, he's only mapping.)

Some of ya'll might've heard rumors about an upcoming map release. Well, here are a few teaser screenshots.

The basic premise is that it's Jan 1945 and the Russians are getting ready to push towards Berlin through Poland. This means it's a winter map, using the After-Hourz vehicles (including the Jagdpanzer), and the Germans are on the defensive. Tuchola Forest is a large forested area in north Poland which seemed appropriate.

(I have no clue whether there was any actual combat in Tuchola Forest.)

Key points:
- Primarily designed for BAS gameplay
- Will probably support CNQ (but with an S-shaped objective path)
- CTF is also probable
- Map size is very similar to Barbarossa
- Visual conditions will change from round to round
- Beta testing will probably be in May 2006 with a Jun 2006 release
- I'm 4 weeks into the construction and about 40% complete (100-120 hours so far?).

...

Early pictures of the South Forest. This stretch of trees forms the majority of the south flank on the map. Visibility is heavily obstructed but it's still easy to drive vehicles through the trees. Infantry have the clear advantage as they are short enough to be blow the bottom branch level and can also hear vehicles approaching.







Bridge that leads west out of the South Forest and into the german area (a.k.a. the "Southwest Bridge"):



The north bridge out of the south forest (looking west). It connects north to the farm fields in the middle of the map. This bridge is actually called the "South Bridge".



German defensive position that overlooks the German #2 base area. The firing slit allows portable MGs to be setup to help guard the pak40 gunner.



There's a pass along the north side of the russians that looks like it was formed by a glacier. Haven't decided whether to simply label this area the "North Pass" or stick with calling it "Glacier Pass".












One unique feature of the map is going to be the addition of foot trails through otherwise impassable ridge lines. This allows infantry to slip through enemy lines and to help neutralize defenses prior to armor being brought forward. They also serve as escape routes for infantry that are being pursued by vehicles.














Finally, some fresh shots of the middle fields (middle area of the map and the main battleground):



















Note: Some of the screenshots above were taken during a winter storm where visibility drops to about 2/3 of what it normally is. You'll encounter winter storm conditions in about 10% of the rounds right now. There's also a 10% chance that you'll get better then average visibility which lets you see about 25% farther then normal.

[ScrapyardBob]

More pictures...

A Jagd tank sitting up on a hill, shelling the area around one of the russian bases.



Updated shot of the Russian's middle flank bunker, now surrounded by dragon's teeth tank obstacles. They're not perfect, but it still requires a good bit of finagling to get a tank or other vehicle past them.



More dragon's teeth



The north bridge with a few dragon's teeth on the far side.



Another shot of the middle of the map during a round where visibility was really horrid (very thick fog and light rain).



Pak45 position that overlooks the Russian #1 base.



Russian spawn area, this barn holds a pair of KV1s during Base Assault.



The north flank Russian base, parked in the middle of a field.



Ruined tank against a backdrop of bunkers.



Russian's middle base showing the trench position.



A darned foggy round (it's actually raining, once you pick a side and spawn in). Definitely not sniper weather during this round of play.



Another shot of the russian spawn area.



A russian tank scrape overlooking their southern base.



The southern radio shack (taken from the russian point of view).



One of the bridges down in the southern forest.



A more recent shot of the south forest area (and the bunker in the middle of the forest).



Another bridge in the south forest (there are 3 bridges on the south flank). The terrain needs to be dressed up with another bush or a few rocks.



A view of the farm area during a poor visibility round (complete with a light drizzle).



Another shot of the middle russian bunker and the dragon's teeth.



Another shot of the forest trails. Battles in the forest trails tend to be very CQB, especially of both teams are running instead of moving slow and listening.





Last 5 for today.

A closup of the pair of KV1s parked in the Russian's spawn barn.



Here's an example of what the map looks like on a clear day (10% chance). Visibility is probably around 9500u (upper limit of the random fog settings in my GSC file). On the right side of this picture is the exit of the north pass as it dumps out on the Russian's north flank.



Closer shot of the middle farm area. You can see a lot more detail now that it's stopped raining.



A screenshot from a similar position as one of the earlier pictures. On a clear day, you can see all the way west to the far side of the farm fields. Most rounds (60%), you'll just be able to make out the German defensive bunker on the far side.



A clearer shot of the north bridge.