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]

I doubt that any of the paks will hit bases long-range. At least, not if I've designed the map properly. I won't get in the way of parking a tank somewhere and shelling long-range, I just don't want it to happen with the pak guns.

The original plan was to allow the two "forward" position paks to shell bases, but that plan got scrapped when I had to wipe out the pak guns in the farm area. (Too many active vehicles = crashed server.)

Of the remaining 7 paks (out of the original 12), there are two on the Russian side that can be used to attack the base right in front of them. And there's a single one on the German side that can attack the base right in front. That's kosher in my view... if the team isn't defending the area around their bases, the other team should be able to turn their weapons against them.

I've also placed the heavy tanks in a manner that mostly precludes them being able to shell long-range from their starting position. You have to at least move the tank around a bit to find a spot to shell-long range. That makes it more of an effort (similar to shelling R3 from G3 on Barbarossa by parking next to the G3 base).

The german tank scrapes are probably going to be the best spots from which to do long-distance shelling. If so, I'll need to make sure that the Russians can return the favor.

...

I know Silver doesn't want it this way... but I suspect he'll be figuring out locations to long-range shell using his Jagdpanther.

I feel that the long-range shelling with paks on Barbarossa is a mixed blessing. It speeds up the rounds, but makes life hellish for the Germans because the guns aren't properly balanced. Having all three bases breached within the first 4 minutes of the round turns the game into a defensive slug-fest. It also frustrates the newbies.

Smolensk was worse. All (3) german pak guns at the bases were able to shell at least one of the Russian bases. Which meant that three players could wipe out all of the russian bunkers within the first 3 minutes. The russians were really only able to shell G2.

I think that by not allowing long-range pak shelling, the map will play out at a better pace. Newbies will be less frustrated because they will be able to see the threat and know where to go to stop the base shelling. Fire-support will need to be done by tanks that have moved up to at least the middle of the map.

...

So, we'll see how it plays out.

[Silver]

I know Silver doesn't want it this way... but I suspect he'll be figuring out locations to long-range shell using his Jagdpanther.

bob that water on cobra would look SSSOOOOOO sweet!