"Battle of the Bulge" - recruiting Betatesters -

[firefish]

I would'nt worry so much what people say .Your work is excellent always has been they scream like little girls.Noone has done what you have have done.If so show me your work or stay silent .You sir have an awesome talent .Dont give in to the dingbat's for they are many.I for 1 am glad to know you.For me I haven'nt seen any better ww2 combat game mod on any level.and I've been doing this a long long time.If you don't think there all crazy check out mc look at the problems .I for one admire your work to me it's awesome.You can't make everyone happy .Do your work which is amazing and the chips will fall.And I for one will be glad to see your next effort sir.

Maybe you haven't a clue (no offence here) what a forum like this one is meant for?

The minor bugs are listed just to give him the chance to see and to fix them. This hasn't anything to do with "scream like little girls". So what is your prob?

I think that we all appreciate his work a lot... And for this reason we are eager to help him making it even better. I bet this would become more handy than just praising the work...

[Halftrack]

@FF: bangalor did help a lot in the last months. so he is not just praising. btw, fixed the StuP IV, thanks for the hint .
whish every bug report was that useful. And yes, in fact I appreciate any reports a lot. Thats no nitpickig at all.

@bangalor: Never mind, if you are a modder, you have to live with criticism, also with flaming.
But of course I listen to what people say, either positive or negative. it helps, even if its unpolite sometimes.

but fair enough, this mod lacks (multiplayer) balancing.
BotB does not seem to have a big MP player base, and even if people do, almost no balance reports float in.
And if they do, its often the same: ooohh, my Kingtiger is too weak.
And as all my time goes into modding, I try to do my best , but thats not too much as I am not much of a gamer (anymore)
So my efforts tend in the direction of giving the single player a challenge.

[Celution]

For me its sort of killed playing the mod, although the surrender stuff is nice ect, all the other modes and beefed command trees ect have just taken away the classic feel the mod had before. Plus even on a 4 v 4 large map i never had graphic lag before, until this version. Nice but i think overdone, just seems to have too much now where as before it was just fun to play, now it become a chore.

I quite understand why you say that, I have had that with certain mods as well. Sometimes there's just too much to choose from (units, upgrades, abilities) that it completely (for me) ruins the gameplay and fun of the game in general.

[bangalor44]

I understand we all have a point of view.One's man junk is another man's treasure.So we may not see things the same.I may sound like a cheerleader.Have you heard the new arty sounds? good stuff.For me the surrender one is just good stuff.And the new trees even better.Sometimes playing these mods can get old.Same thing Same thing.For me this gives some depth I think it's good.Why change nothing and call it 3.0?I play skirmish vs A.I so that may be a different thing.I probably get a little too passionate sometimes.I really like this stuff

[ds_vet9091]

Man, I can't believe all the whining. I have 35 COH mods on my PC and I can run all of them that are 2.602 compatible with no problem. I also have several hundred maps and I never have lag, even though I've got my graphic setting jacked way up, I love the detail and really appreciate the amount of work that it takes for these mods to get done. My advice is get a new system. My biggest issue with most mods is that they limit the populatin too much, not this one thank god, since I like to play against multiple AIs on Ex Large maps.

[nemo]

Playing skirmishes against AI I have to say that the new version is BY FAR the best of the BotB series. The quality of skins is superb(I 've found only minor glitches in Fallschirm-Pionieres), the new POW's system is bloody immersive (I have no problems with it) and there are plenty of choices in order to configurate your gaming experience. Honestly, in my eyes this is the best modification ever made for COH and the thing that most intrigues me is that HT is always trying to inject something NEW and refreshing in the game i.e. Automatic Territory Capture (a complex but EXCELLENT idea) in 2.7, POW's system in 3.0.*
I really dont care about command or tech trees, upgrades, abilities, balancing etc; Halftrack's BotB is something MORE than just a COH mod: is a major historical reconstruction -a hardcore war simulation. And taking into account that this is a solo production, it's a MASTERPIECE...

* Yea I know I am annoying you insisting on this. But please find a way to introduce the "mortar teams firing illuminating flares (e.g. red color) to reveal enemy position territory (removing FOW) for a short period of time" idea..:P

[capitansalam]

Thank you for the great MOD

[XAMOT]

I have to agree on a lot of these comments, At this time the BotB 3.0 is by far and away the best AI I have played against. The skins and units are top drawer, and the action is constant. Has been the most challenging mod played in recent months.

[DMz]

@ds_vet9091, of course i know nothing about what it takes to make a mod or the amount of work that goes into it, and of course ive not made over 50 models and got them all into game,because my system runs using elastic bands and flints, and would never be able to do that, it donsnt really have 15 plus mods running, worldbuilder and oe plus a pipeline, & my maps folder isnt really over 1.5 gb in size, forgive me for being such an idiot and actually posting a polite critical comment. I think in future ill just post facetious comments as they seem to draw fewer stupid replies.

[Celution]

DMz, can you clear your inbox ?

[Instago]

For anyone experiencing crashes, try lowering texture detail to medium and sound quality to medium. That fixed all my errors. Also, try reinstalling CoH and updating all drivers (which I also did).

[kapulA]

Personally, I'm quite happy with the new version of the mod, even though a slight issue does exist with the sheer amount of new units that we have to choose from. However, it's not something like, f. e. in N44 (a mod which I really liked in the earlier phases, but felt that in the later versions it just became too much of a hog, with all the variation and all) as most of the new units are basically graphical/eye-candy variations of existing units, as they serve similar roles (75mm Stubby HT/75mm Stubby SdKfz 234, SdKfz 222/SdKfz 234/SdKfz 250/9), and as such don't really present a great complication of gameplay. And as has already been said, the skins are top-notch as usual, as is the new surrender mechanic, the gameplay and all the 2D environment work. Can't wait 'til I get back home so I can make some small alterations to the inf. squad loadouts and such

[matt57]

Hi,another suggestion : i think it would be nice to replace the stug 4 by a stug 3 for the panzer brigade 150 (there was no stug 4 in this brigade) and you could even add an m8 greyhound (but the price would be higher, i think 1500)

[Halftrack]

yes, I have been thinking of that before release, too. unfortunately, making variants of the stug III is no fun.
Its divided into so many model parts and skins,I decided to delay that for a later version. Besides, it was too
much effort for a unit that is mostly invisble.

[ArtilleryHell]

i would also like to thank you on the new update of the mod ..i'm loving the skins, and new sounds.My only gripe before were the sounds. keep it up!!.

[Dosenmais]

Transporting vehicles now have just one slot for loading troops.

[Nurbsico]

Well, I finally managed to get this giant famous mod and all I can say is awesome job. You've got the snowy environment and textures spot on. This mod kinda feels just... Cold!. Just like it was. Sometimes the snowy weather can have an effect on a user. I salute you. Well done. Of course my only real complaint is the AI. You need something bolder for this kind of work. Seriously!

Quick fix for everyone:

In '\COHTOV\BotB\Data\ai\strategy_unit_purchase.ai' find and replace with the following:

function AccumulateReinforceDemand( availableResources )

	strategy_unit_purchase.trace("   <AccumulateReinforceDemand>")

	if ( AIProduction_AnyReinforcementsNeeded( s_selfplayer ) ) then

		if (Task_CountProduction( s_selfplayer, PITEM_SquadReinforce ) < 3 ) then
			local reinforcecount = AIProduction_GetReinforcementSquadCount( s_selfplayer )
			strategy_unit_purchase.trace("   Units needing reinforcement:"..reinforcecount)
			for i=0, reinforcecount-1 do
				local reinforce_cost = AIProduction_GetReinforcementSquadCostAt( s_selfplayer, i )

				strategy_unit_purchase.trace("   ReinforceCost:"..res_to_str( reinforce_cost ))

				local eta = GetETAFromCost( reinforce_cost, availableResources )
				
				if (eta <= s_reinforce_wait_time) then

					local reinforce_ratings = {}
					local reinforce_anti_ratings = {}
					for ci=0, k_unit_class_count-1 do
						reinforce_ratings[ci] = AIProduction_GetReinforcementSquadClassRatingAt( s_selfplayer, i, ci )
						reinforce_anti_ratings[ci] = AIProduction_GetReinforcementSquadAntiClassRatingAt( s_selfplayer, i, ci )
					end

					local sk_reinforce_mult = 25

					-- determine the demand for this unit
					local demand = CalcSquadDemandFromRating( reinforce_ratings, reinforce_anti_ratings )
					strategy_unit_purchase.trace("   Reinforce demand before:"..demand.." after:"..demand*sk_reinforce_mult)

					local squadpbg = AIProduction_GetReinforcementSquadPBGAt( s_selfplayer, i )

					SetSquadDemand( squadpbg, demand*sk_reinforce_mult, PURCHASETYPE_REINFORCE, DEFAULT_HERO_ID )
				end

			end
		else
			strategy_unit_purchase.trace("   Cannot reinforce right now. Happy Donkey!!!")

		end


	end
	
	strategy_unit_purchase.trace("   </AccumulateReinforceDemand>")
end

Will allow the AI to reinforce up to 3 infantry squads as opposed to 1. Should spiff up the AI infantry at least. Good job man.

[matt57]

Hi, some ideas and questions :
-is it possible to delete german flags on the sides of the american hq
-is it normal if the impact of the hellcat m18 appears in more time than other tanks?
-why is there no voice for the fallschirmjägers?
-it would be nice to add the 6th airborne division as a reinforcement when using "airborne division"
-a nice add would be a new reinforcement for the 6 SS Panzer Army from the 3rd parachute/fallschirmjäger division, available just once. This would be composed of 2 squads of fallschirmjägers and a beutepanzer m8 greyhound
My two suggestions are completely historical correct, here you can see :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_...rder_of_battle
http://beute.narod.ru/Beutepanzer/us.../greyhound.htm
I hope you can considerate my ideas if you plan to change/extend the trees ^^

Thank you in advance for your answer

[Zardoz4]

Hey Halftrack - this is a great mod! I haven't played for quite some time but just had to try this mod once you released version 3. One thing - I get a scar error when playing on-line using BotB maps. It works fine against AI but online I get a crash about 10-15 mins. into the game every time.

Any ideas?

[GreenGriffon]

Use the quick-fix file posted a page or so back, to disable the Surrender script.

That's probably what's causing the SCAR error.

[Halftrack]

@Matt57: I must admit I didnt look so much on the Hqs... but the HQs are different and quite a few. which map are you referring to? do you have a screenshot?
Hellcat is not normal. its a bug and will be fixed for the next patch.
Fallschirmjager voices work, but unfortunately not for everyone. I ll try to fix that. Somehow. Hopefully.

I am not going to change or even extend the trees by now, but if I do, I will take your propsals into account.

[matt57]

Ahh very good to know It was on "Lorraine" map, sorry i don't have a screenshot.. I will prevent you if i notice this bug on another map.

[Halftrack]

Lorraine is a default map, i wont fix that.

[Niftyeye]

Fantastic mod, the AI are very challenging as well, they use a great variety of units and it makes them appear so much more realistic.

Only minor nitpick I have is the surrender mod, I love the mod itself but when troops surrender they seem to sprint off the map, is there a reason for this? I thought they were supposed to put their hands up and march off.

Thats only a minor nitpick, mod itself is fantastic

[Halftrack]

yes, kind of odd, but that can happen sometimes. most times, they do as expected though.
Take into account, that CoH soldiers are not used to surrender. They didnt do anything like that for
almost 6 years now, how are they all supposed to know how to behave right then? ^^

[matt57]

So for 2vs2 maps in:
-"Schneeifel" there is a german flag behind the hq.
-"Dasburg" there is a watchtower in the forest next to the hq with this flag too.

PS : i clicked on determined positions.
I will edit this post as soon as i notice other things like that.

[Niftyeye]

I know, if that was the most nitpicky thing I could find, hopefully that tells you how much Im enjoying the mod

[saukopf]

Hi HT, some players have found a bug in 5th Panzer Army's Command tree. All of the abilities in this tree need 24 points, but seems like the points are limited as 22. So the last ability (SturmTiger or 9th Panzer Division) could not be achieved. The other 5 command trees are OK. One Chinese player has created a fix patch for this. If you need I will ask his permission to post it here.

[Halftrack]

hey saukopf, thanks for the niceoffer. but the bug has already been discovered and I fixed it for the next patch.

@Niftyeye: If our customers are happy, we are happy.

[matt57]

Hi Halftrack. I have found a glitch : when i replace a men lost in an AT team the new guy doesn't carry a weapon but he fires as if he had a bazooka.
For the flags i am maybe too much demanding...

PS : where did you find all the pictures needed for your beautiful skins? i don't find some of them! (for the tiger I or the sd kfz 222 by example)
And i love the new maps, the new vehicles...everything new : version 3.0 is really, really awesome.

[fragiator]

just re-installed coh for this one. and i simply want to thank again all the guyz involved in this mod.
...the new skins, sounds, everything...mindblowing.

awesome work, soldiers. botb rocks 4ever!

[GreenGriffon]

Hey Halftrack, another odd bug but this one is a pretty big deal.

Seems the Panther is able to roll right through tank traps without crushing them (if they're even supposed to have that ability).

It's like a ghost passing through a wall.

[Halftrack]

The Panther is already on my radar, but do you know WHICH Panther it maybe was? 5th Panzerarmy or 6th SS ?

[GreenGriffon]

We played several games, but I'm pretty sure it was the 5th Panzer.

EDIT: I take that back, it wasn't the 5th Panzer. I just tried to recreate the bug with that doctrine and it's not the one.

[Halftrack]

tried to recreate that too. neither happened with 5th nor 6th SS Panthers here... buildable US tanktraps or on-map ? and if, which map was it?

[GreenGriffon]

Sorry, should have been more specific - I didn't realize there's more than one type of tank trap.

I meant the metal ones that look like crosses (think they're called dragon's teeth?), and they were placed on-map already.

[Zardoz4]

Hi Halftrack,

Thanks GreenGriffon but the link isn't working for me!

I was trying to apply your fix for the fatal scar error but the link (http://botb.fiffa.net/index.php?topic=9834.0
) seems to be dead.

Any ideas?

[bangalor44]

@Zardoz4 you can go to www.moddb.com/mods/battle-of-the-bulge go to downloads the disable surrender script is there.

[GreenGriffon]

Hey Halftrack,

My buddies and I have played about 25 matches so far with 3.0, and a few things are a constant gripe for the Allied players:

1. The Axis pioneers seem to be able to walk right through blistering rifle and MG fire, stroll up to trenches or tanks, and flame the heck out of them, long before suffering any casualties. It's even more apparent when playing against the AI. Very frustrating.

2. King Tigers are WAY too common on the battlefield. Yesterday against 3 Axis AI's, there were two KT's on the battlefield, at all times, throughout the entire 2-hour battle. This is very hard to stomach in an otherwise very historical mod. Aside from the fact that the Allies really have no answer for the KT, their scarcity (and ferocity) should make them a rare but feared opponent on the battlefield. Right now, they're feared, but everywhere! I'm not even sure I could believe it if they were Tigers, let along King Tigers. I strongly recommend a hard limit of one that can be produced in a single battle.

Conversely, we rarely ever see regular Tigers....very strange.

[matt57]

@Green Griffon : why not limit the reinforcements from the "schwere abteilung 506" to only 2 for the 7th army doctrine (the first a tiger, the second a king tiger)? It would avoid the AI (which uses this doctrine..) to use non-stop heavy tanks, moreover the player (using 7th army) would have to be more careful with these beauties.



PS : for the 6th SS i see no real problem : only one KT can be used in battle and it needs a lot of resources.

[GreenGriffon]

The problem is, it's only one KT at a time. As soon as it's dead, the AI just cranks out another. And on and on it goes. If you're playing against 2 or 3 (or God forbid 4) AI opponents, it's an endless King Tiger parade. Ruins the whole true-to-history appeal of the mod.

Definitely needs to be toned down a lot. I would limit the use of KT's to only a single doctrine, as a start, and have it be one massive call-in (maybe give a very slight buff to KT health to make it a truly dreaded event).

If nothing else, the KT's should be swapped out for Tigers. It would still be unrealistic, but slightly more believable.

[nohant]

noticed that too. mine airborne still have some problem on countering KT.

[Lethal Dosage]

One bug i found while playing the other day, the Sturmpanzer IV has a Skirts upgrade that cannot be researched. Even when in friendly territory next to a repair center or Sturm Armoury, it still says it requires it be in territory. Plus, the cost is a bit strange, as it costs 200mp and 100 munitions. It's text is also off, as it relates to the StuG instead.

[Halftrack]

man, seems the StuP IV is the most bugged unit by far. how could I not see all this ? :-/ fixed for the next patch now, thanks for noticing,LD.

Well, about the KT: In fact it was a quite common sight in the Battle of the Bulge, 2 heavy tank batallions ( 501st SS and 506th Heer )
with approxiamtely 80 King Tigers altogether and about 10 Tiger Is ( 4th Company of sPz Abt 506 ) were in combat there. This was the only
battle were KTs were used in such high numbers. This should be and is reflected in the Mod. And they were MUCH more common than Tiger Is, which were completely
out of production then. Only the aforementioned ca 10 Tiger I of 506th 4th company saw combat in the Ardennes.
Only thing I could do is to give the 506th call in for 7th army a time penalty.
Naturally, its hard to counter KTs, but not impossible. Dont want to make it a dreadnought.

[DMz]

Dont worry bout it m8, happens you were doing most of it yourself. Small errors were bound to happen. At least your fixing them, some people would just let players suffer for months on end lol. .

[GreenGriffon]

DMz is right. Some mods just toss out new units or gameplay "features", bugs and all, and make you wait 6 months before someone even bothers to fix them

[yurek]

hi, i've been playing the new version for a while and it is truly amazing! i don't have any major problem to report (beside the already signaled jagdpanzer shooting blank), only random glitches and a few minor issues:
_the super powered american scouts who can take down a full ss squad without even getting injured, super frustrating.
_the sherman 76, which is a little too good at destroying tanks in one shot, but also can withstand 3 panther shells before getting destroyed. i only mention it because it happened to me quite a few times, and felt weird. i know too that it was frustrating in the previous version to have such weak american tanks, but here it seems a little overpowered. maybe it should just have a lower armor?
_the wurfrahmen 40 doesn't make any smoke when it shoots. it's just cosmetic, but hey...
once more, this is all minor, the mod is just awesome. thanks again for the great work.

[rajicb]

I have no problem that King tiger can be killed with normal fire. In fact any Mod that has a UBER units is for kids in my humble opinion...
This MOD is the best for i'ts game system. Thanks again for this Mod!.
Do you have any plans for a new operation?
Is there a way to delete the snow layer from the maps and add new textures for units, summer edition of the mod ;-) ?

[serg_codmod]

Russian translation for "Battle of the Bulge" v3.0.
Credits:
Napoluskr Beast W
serg_codmod
http://www.gamefront.com/files/21764...n_v3.0_fix.rar

[GreenGriffon]

I've never had a single Panther shell bounce off a Sherman 76, much less 3 shells. In fact, in the last game I played, I ditched building 76'ers altogether because they were getting killed so easily by German armor, and weren't worth wasting the fuel.

No need to weaken them further, they're fragile enough.