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Digital Gaming => Computer Gaming => Topic started by: Strela on November 20, 2018, 01:38:31 PM

Title: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: Strela on November 20, 2018, 01:38:31 PM
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theblitz.org%2Fuploads%2Ffiles%2F619%2FBlog%252042%2520-%252018.jpg&hash=5656273b1f208f492c69358cb611b3fc39a53d92)

We're happy to announce the release of the latest entry in the Panzer Battles franchise. Developed by Wargame Design Studio for John Tiller Software you can get more information here;
https://www.wargamedesignstudio.com/2018/11/21/battles-of-north-africa-1941-released/ (https://www.wargamedesignstudio.com/2018/11/21/battles-of-north-africa-1941-released/)

The game covers the major battles in North Africa and Crete from December 1940 to December 1941. Operations included are Compass, Sonnenblume, Tobruk, Corinth Canal, Brevity, Crete, Battleaxe and Crusader
With 115 scenarios and 3 variable scenarios/campaigns there is a lot of included game play. The included game maps cover Egypt, Libya, Crete and some of mainland Greece. The largest map, stretching from Derna to Mersa Matruh is over 1.23m hexes in size.

Here are a few images. All can be clicked/right clicked for full size. There are more screenshots on the above link or at the JTS Product Page;

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theblitz.org%2Fuploads%2Ffiles%2F354%2FBlog%252055%2520-%25202.jpg&hash=74aa4cea69f20252273af94cef59659b73bfac60)

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theblitz.org%2Fuploads%2Ffiles%2F354%2FBlog%252055%2520-%25204.jpg&hash=c9bba17fe4353e6d687eb8ffb4c8ea89b84fc72e)

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theblitz.org%2Fuploads%2Ffiles%2F270%2FBlog%252055%2520-%252010.jpg&hash=3e78c7a0aef87c3612b85df1e142eb9963502325)

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theblitz.org%2Fuploads%2Ffiles%2F270%2FBlog%252055%2520-%25209.jpg&hash=5e2415d92a9b5fb6eb129a2d8a885261972df5fd)

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theblitz.org%2Fuploads%2Ffiles%2F354%2FBlog%252055%2520-%25203.jpg&hash=861346ffa51575e675cd7c9b8a057f07a3aa278a)

The games product page can be viewed here – don't forget to download the free content;
http://www.johntillersoftware.com/PanzerBattles/BattlesOfNorthAfrica.html (http://www.johntillersoftware.com/PanzerBattles/BattlesOfNorthAfrica.html)

Link to the John Tiller store to purchase;
https://john-tiller-software.myshopify.com/products/battles-of-north-africa-1941 (https://john-tiller-software.myshopify.com/products/battles-of-north-africa-1941)

Not certain about this game? Download the Panzer Battles Demo from here;
http://www.johntillersoftware.com/PanzerBattles/PanzerBattlesDemo.html (http://www.johntillersoftware.com/PanzerBattles/PanzerBattlesDemo.html)

Thanks!

David
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: Sir Slash on November 20, 2018, 02:43:50 PM
I wish Richie 61 could be here to see, and mod, this one. Looks great! Does it include an Italian Pasta Rule?  ;D
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: Staggerwing on November 20, 2018, 08:30:04 PM
^LOL!
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: JasonPratt on November 21, 2018, 09:26:12 AM
I got that! -- I got that reference.  O:-)
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: Sir Slash on November 21, 2018, 12:03:17 PM
Put yourself on Gus' 'Hero's List'.  O0
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: MengJiao on November 21, 2018, 03:10:48 PM
Quote from: Sir Slash on November 21, 2018, 12:03:17 PM
Put yourself on Gus' 'Hero's List'.  O0

  This goes back to the publicity for some SPI game around 1980, right?  I definitely never played that version of 1941 in the desert.  Which reminds me that I should go buy this one right now.
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: Strela on November 22, 2018, 08:17:23 AM
Quote from: Sir Slash on November 20, 2018, 02:43:50 PM
I wish Richie 61 could be here to see, and mod, this one. Looks great! Does it include an Italian Pasta Rule?  ;D

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theblitz.org%2Fuploads%2Ffiles%2F9d8%2FPost%252020181122_5.jpg&hash=756f8a3c5229ba1e98372eebc885bcc280470acb)



This is the only game I know of that had such esoteric rules;

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theblitz.org%2Fuploads%2Ffiles%2F322%2FPost%252020181122_6.jpg&hash=ba2fed5f3a60915c57a84eccb51d3b10dc57ebce)




David


PS Richie61 created a number of the top down views of the vehicles in game. We put an 'In Memoriam' to Ed in the credits for the game...

Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: MengJiao on November 22, 2018, 08:41:32 AM
Quote from: Strela on November 22, 2018, 08:17:23 AM


PS Richie61 created a number of the top down views of the vehicles in game. We put an 'In Memoriam' to Ed in the credits for the game...

  Good to know.  Supposedly the initial German food problems in the desert environment were even worse so probably pasta was a reasonable compromise choice and the extra water could not have been as big a problem as the excess fats in the German food (so I have heard).
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: Barthheart on November 22, 2018, 09:27:02 AM
Quote from: Strela on November 22, 2018, 08:17:23 AM
...
PS Richie61 created a number of the top down views of the vehicles in game. We put an 'In Memoriam' to Ed in the credits for the game...

O0
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: Sir Slash on November 23, 2018, 10:58:59 AM
Truly a 'Class Act' Gentlemen.  :clap:
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: MengJiao on November 24, 2018, 01:41:23 PM
Quote from: Sir Slash on November 23, 2018, 10:58:59 AM
Truly a 'Class Act' Gentlemen.  :clap:

  Grinding Battle Axe at the moment.  One of my favorite scenarios.  The scale helps out a lot with fighting in trenches and forts.  The maps are the best I've ever seen of North Africa in a game.  And one of my somewhat rare but favorite North African moments just happened when a section of Rajput rifles knocked out an 88 with rifle fire at 500 meters.  Historically, of course, the Australians were famous for that "rifle takes out 88" moment, but I'm sure the Rajputs were capable of the same moment of ballistic refinement.
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: Gusington on November 24, 2018, 05:48:27 PM
Learning about things like the Italian Pasta Rule is one of the reasons why I love it here.
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: bayonetbrant on November 24, 2018, 07:46:55 PM
Quote from: Gusington on November 24, 2018, 05:48:27 PM
Learning about things like the Italian Pasta Rule is one of the reasons why I love it here.

we talked about it on the GrogCast in 2017
http://grogheads.com/podcast/grogcast-season-5-episode-12-a-cast-of-many

Around the 27-minute mark or so.  The whole CNA discussion starts around the 22-minute mark
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: Sir Slash on November 24, 2018, 11:50:59 PM
Less well known is the German,' Brat & Beer Rule' which gives them +1 detection for belches and farts after dark.  ::)
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: MengJiao on November 25, 2018, 09:29:46 AM
Quote from: Sir Slash on November 24, 2018, 11:50:59 PM
Less well known is the German,' Brat & Beer Rule' which gives them +1 detection for belches and farts after dark.  ::)

  Healthwise the Germans did very badly in the desert.  Massive gastric distress probably propelled them as much as their elite natures.  Capturing Imperial gear and food was a crucial thing.  The food as much as anything, I would suspect, BUT some sources suggest major hygene problems in the area of poop might have plagued the German part of DAK.
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: DennisS on November 25, 2018, 09:54:53 AM
Quote from: bayonetbrant on November 24, 2018, 07:46:55 PM
Quote from: Gusington on November 24, 2018, 05:48:27 PM
Learning about things like the Italian Pasta Rule is one of the reasons why I love it here.

we talked about it on the GrogCast in 2017
http://grogheads.com/podcast/grogcast-season-5-episode-12-a-cast-of-many

Around the 27-minute mark or so.  The whole CNA discussion starts around the 22-minute mark

I was part of a group that played the first six turns of CNA, back in the '70's. We gave up.
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: Rayfer on November 25, 2018, 11:43:08 AM
Quote from: DennisS on November 25, 2018, 09:54:53 AM
Quote from: bayonetbrant on November 24, 2018, 07:46:55 PM
Quote from: Gusington on November 24, 2018, 05:48:27 PM
Learning about things like the Italian Pasta Rule is one of the reasons why I love it here.

we talked about it on the GrogCast in 2017
http://grogheads.com/podcast/grogcast-season-5-episode-12-a-cast-of-many

Around the 27-minute mark or so.  The whole CNA discussion starts around the 22-minute mark

I was part of a group that played the first six turns of CNA, back in the '70's. We gave up.

Just curious...why did you give up?
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: Gusington on November 25, 2018, 02:06:16 PM
^Great post hahaha
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: Jarhead0331 on November 25, 2018, 02:15:21 PM
This wasn't on my radar at all...then I saw it has all the Operation Mercury scenarios. SOLD!

...IL-2 Battle of Bodenplatte will have to wait.
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: Grim.Reaper on November 25, 2018, 02:39:13 PM
wish i could... these titles just become too tedious for me:(
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: Jarhead0331 on December 22, 2018, 07:05:53 PM
http://grogheads.com/whatever/19826#more-19826 (http://grogheads.com/whatever/19826#more-19826)
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: Strela on December 23, 2018, 01:37:47 AM
Craig,

Thanks for the great After Action Report. We have been very happy how the game has been received (and enjoyed) by the community.

You should try the Variable Victory Point version of the scenario and see how you fare!

David
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: MikeGER on December 23, 2018, 03:06:45 AM
for those now on the fence about Panzer Battles, here is a Demo  :D

also a Getting Started Guide (25 page 4mb PDF file) and a User Manual

http://www.johntillersoftware.com/PanzerBattles/PanzerBattlesDemo.html
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: -budd- on December 23, 2018, 11:15:13 AM
Strela,

I know you guys are busy. Any idea when the variable VP will be ported back PBK/PBN? Seems like a game changer.
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: Strela on December 23, 2018, 03:45:15 PM
-Budd-,

I'm doubling down to get the remainder of the Panzer Campaigns series upgraded to Gold status currently. After that, we will patch the two earlier Panzer Battles games. That said, there won't be any scenarios that use the new feature as every scenario would need to be redone and rebalanced.

I may choose a few to upgrade as examples if I can find the time. Operation Bluecoat comes to mind from Normandy as that was the scenario that convinced us we needed the feature...

David
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: -budd- on December 23, 2018, 05:21:20 PM
Thanks for the info, sir. Kind of figured it would be to time consuming to port the feature back.
Happy Holidays to you and yours sir.
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: Rayfer on December 23, 2018, 06:19:22 PM
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on December 22, 2018, 07:05:53 PM
http://grogheads.com/whatever/19826#more-19826 (http://grogheads.com/whatever/19826#more-19826)

I really enjoyed the AAR...I've played Panzer Campaigns and Squad Battles but never Panzer Battles.  Looks great. On my wish list.
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: -budd- on December 23, 2018, 11:02:27 PM
Quote from: Rayfer on December 23, 2018, 06:19:22 PM
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on December 22, 2018, 07:05:53 PM
http://grogheads.com/whatever/19826#more-19826 (http://grogheads.com/whatever/19826#more-19826)

I really enjoyed the AAR...I've played Panzer Campaigns and Squad Battles but never Panzer Battles.  Looks great. On my wish.

hits the sweet spot for me for movement and ranged fire.
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: demjansk1942 on December 24, 2018, 08:00:33 PM
Quote from: Sir Slash on November 20, 2018, 02:43:50 PM
I wish Richie 61 could be here to see, and mod, this one. Looks great! Does it include an Italian Pasta Rule?  ;D

Those counter graphics?  Do you play the game from that view? 

I have France 40 and the counters look different, is there something I need to c change?
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: Boggit on December 27, 2018, 09:36:33 PM
Quote from: Rayfer on December 23, 2018, 06:19:22 PM
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on December 22, 2018, 07:05:53 PM
http://grogheads.com/whatever/19826#more-19826 (http://grogheads.com/whatever/19826#more-19826)

I really enjoyed the AAR...I've played Panzer Campaigns and Squad Battles but never Panzer Battles.  Looks great. On my wish list.
I haven't played Panzer Battles in a while, but they are really nice games and a sufficiently different experience from PzC and SB. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Try out the demo first, as it offers a variety of scenarios (13 in total) from 1940-43. I thoroughly recommend it.

http://johntillersoftware.com/PanzerBattles/PanzerBattlesDemo.html
https://john-tiller-software.myshopify.com/products/panzer-battles-demo
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: demjansk1942 on December 28, 2018, 06:49:36 AM
I like the games as well.  I don't use all the bells and whistles but I play well on the games.  I probably should learn more of the various buttons.
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: ludi1867 on December 31, 2018, 01:16:20 PM
How do you shoot?  I have the demo and shooting is NOT intuitive!
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: Jarhead0331 on December 31, 2018, 01:17:51 PM
Quote from: ludi1867 on December 31, 2018, 01:16:20 PM
How do you shoot?  I have the demo and shooting is NOT intuitive!

There are two modes. Movement and Fire. The default mode is movement. In order to switch to fire, you click on the button located in the top menu bar. It is located all the way on the far right of the menu bar. Look for the tool tip.
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: ludi1867 on December 31, 2018, 01:20:27 PM
I have done that for the demo.  Is there any other hints?
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: Jarhead0331 on December 31, 2018, 01:21:34 PM
Quote from: ludi1867 on December 31, 2018, 01:20:27 PM
I have done that for the demo.  Is there any other hints?

Is your unit activated? Is the unit actually under your command? Have you expended all action points? If you move too much before firing, you may not have enough points left for combat.
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: ludi1867 on December 31, 2018, 01:40:03 PM
I am trying to fire a French armored car.  It has a movement of 78 (has not been moved yet), its morale is "C", and it has a fatigue of "12".  I have pushed the key that causes the cursor to switch to a target sign.  What am I doing wrong??
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: berto on December 31, 2018, 02:04:54 PM
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on December 31, 2018, 01:17:51 PM
Quote from: ludi1867 on December 31, 2018, 01:16:20 PM
How do you shoot?  I have the demo and shooting is NOT intuitive!

There are two modes. Movement and Fire. The default mode is movement. In order to switch to fire, you click on the button located in the top menu bar. It is located all the way on the far right of the menu bar. Look for the tool tip.

Or, while remaining in Move Mode, for individual unit firing, with a unit selected, you can hold down the Ctrl key.  You will see the cursor change from a + crosshair to a targeting circled crosshair, just like you would if you do the general toggle from Move to Fire Mode.
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: berto on December 31, 2018, 02:06:45 PM
Quote from: ludi1867 on December 31, 2018, 01:40:03 PM
I am trying to fire a French armored car.  It has a movement of 78 (has not been moved yet), its morale is "C", and it has a fatigue of "12".  I have pushed the key that causes the cursor to switch to a target sign.  What am I doing wrong??

Look at the Status Bar at the bottom of the game screen (where, at game idle, it says "Ready").  If you cannot fire, usually a Status Bar message will tell you why.
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: ludi1867 on December 31, 2018, 02:29:20 PM
BY STATUS BAR, DO YOU  MEAN THE PART Where the game indicates that it is '' 0730 12 May 1940, Allied turn, turn 3 of 21, Normal Conditions, Day"  There is NO indication in this field AT ALL
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: Jarhead0331 on December 31, 2018, 02:33:40 PM
Quote from: ludi1867 on December 31, 2018, 02:29:20 PM
BY STATUS BAR, DO YOU  MEAN THE PART Where the game indicates that it is '' 0730 12 May 1940, Allied turn, turn 3 of 21, Normal Conditions, Day"  There is NO indication in this field AT ALL

Can you take a screenshot?
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: berto on December 31, 2018, 02:41:53 PM
Quote from: berto on December 31, 2018, 02:04:54 PM
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on December 31, 2018, 01:17:51 PM
Quote from: ludi1867 on December 31, 2018, 01:16:20 PM
How do you shoot?  I have the demo and shooting is NOT intuitive!

There are two modes. Movement and Fire. The default mode is movement. In order to switch to fire, you click on the button located in the top menu bar. It is located all the way on the far right of the menu bar. Look for the tool tip.

Or, while remaining in Move Mode, for individual unit firing, with a unit selected, you can hold down the Ctrl key.  You will see the cursor change from a + crosshair to a targeting circled crosshair, just like you would if you do the general toggle from Move to Fire Mode.

With your firing unit selected, and (one way or another) the unit being in Fire Mode, position the cursor over the target unit, then click the right mouse button.  Either the fire will happen, else a Target Dialog will pop up.  If the latter, select the target unit, then press OK.
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: ludi1867 on December 31, 2018, 02:47:16 PM
To Jarhead: I cannot take a screenshot

To Berto:  I have done what you say. but there is no reaction whatsoever!!
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: berto on December 31, 2018, 05:34:09 PM
I have called on the Dev Team for reinforcements.  Maybe somebody else on the Team will know what to suggest.
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: nelmsm on December 31, 2018, 08:41:14 PM
Make sure that you're in range for the target type.  Right click on the unit and it will show the ranges for hard targets and soft targets. It's possible that you may be out range for the target type though I think it would show on the status bar. 
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: ludi1867 on January 01, 2019, 01:22:55 AM
To NELMSM:  I don't think range is my problem
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: Strela on January 01, 2019, 05:38:44 AM
Quote from: ludi1867 on December 31, 2018, 01:16:20 PM
How do you shoot?  I have the demo and shooting is NOT intuitive!

Ensure you select the unit you want to fire.

Press 'T' to highlight all valid targets. If no targets are highlighted then you are usually out of range or can't see the enemy unit. Please note that there are usually different ranges that you can hit hard and soft units.

Hold the Ctrl key down and the cursor will turn into the 'firing' cross-hair cursor.

Right click on the target hex and your unit should fire, as long as it has sufficient movement points.

You do not have to change between move and fire mode as the Ctrl key provides a temporary change while pressed.

Hope that helps and it does become intuitive when you get use to it.

David

PS I have seen some confusion in movement. You do not have to move hex by hex, but rather can drag and drop and your unit will move to the desired hex if possible. To determine hexes you can move to press H and the possible destination hexes are shown after selecting the unit. Drag and drop after that.

All the above is explained in the Getting Started scenario & documentation. I suggest you play through that first.
Title: Re: Panzer Battles of North Africa 1941 Released!
Post by: ludi1867 on January 01, 2019, 03:42:40 PM
THAT did it!  Thank you Strela!  It is the highlighting with "T" that seems to make the difference.