Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor (Now with a Trailer!)

[YurdleTheTurtle]

Why are people purposely misspelling Kangaroo? Using the letter "C" for Kangaroo is a bit weird.

@Kosake: Blizzard never invented those 'custom map' genres. User generated content did. In fact, the first AoS originated from Starcraft. So, if anything, many games are copying from a user who made a map for SC, not Blizzard.

Yes, we're all whining about how Relic has not been good with modding lately, and even DoW 2 is going to lack mod tools initially. But we cannot say for sure they won't release one later on. They already know its a big deal, so I doubt whining about it further is going to make a difference.

@Senseo: In the beta, the Schwimmwagon was an alternative for both the Wehrmacht motorcycle and the PE Kettenkrad. Again, since that was a long time ago, things may have changed and this may no longer be the case. It's all uninformed guesses from here on out.

@Panzer Jager: ?? When did they say there's only 1 map for each of those modes? I think we're all jumping on the speculation guns here.

Anyways, I'd like to see the Kangaroo in action, although I highly doubt it's going to be crazy. Since it is most likely replacing the Bren Carrier, it obviously still has to have the same armour. What's going to be weird is that Kangaroos in real life could carry 22 people (2 crew + 20 passengers). In the game, that will never happen; the most a transport can carry is what, 12? At any rate it would be nice to see a transport unit that is used for transporting rather than being obsolete without a weapons upgrade.

[Pyros]

Yurdle, it appears there is only one map for each mode, as each mode shows up in the map list as a map. Plus the CoHO files/playable modes make it clear that it isn't a mode that can be applied to each map, but a mode built into the maps. Invasion and Push both take place maps that are custom designed to work for the gametype, and Panzerkrieg takes place on Villers-Bocage.

[senseo1990]

Really? Then I would have to admit ,that Tales of Valor won't be a great expansion -.- Sure we dont know everything yet...but for now ToV will only bring "mini-features": 3 mini-campaings,3 new mini-gamemodes, new "mini-units" (I dont think, that there will be more than 10, and they wont be something gamechanging that'll make the game more interesting, maybe the first 3 games will be like: "Cool, he is using the Staghound" but its just not something that will refresh the multiplayer gameplay.

[ContractHitman]

While there are some adjustments to multiplayer balance based off community feedback, the biggest multiplayer addition are the game modes. Invasion is a cooperative mode where players defend a town against waves of attackers--a very fun comp-stomp mode. In Assault, players choose a hero unit and join a larger battle to push back the front lines of their enemy and destroy their base. And finally we have Panzerkrieg. Multiplayer tank destruction using direct fire is a recipe for mayhem.

so cool

[Pyros]

senseo, there will also be new MP maps, obviously. They'll just be for normal MP games though, not Invasion/Push/TankWars, as those modes have been designed with a specific map style -- especially Push.

[Imperial Dane]

Of course, one could imagine more maps coming along as time passes.

Would not be impossible if you ask me.

Though right now i am more interested in the two other campaigns, mostly the Falaise Picket. And also the new units and the general system that seems to be implemented with them.

[Mannerheim]

I tried invasion but I guess its not finished yet cause it felt way too shallow, there was no story or proper briefing only short notice about buildings and then enemy started to roll in. Game lasted like 45min, half of the time we were just waiting for attacks. There were no sp mission like events just same messages that enemy is coming and then they came somewhere and died. It wasn't difficult at all and in the end everyone had 3-5 tigers and army of snipers. There was no info how long you had to defend and then all the sudden it just slapped 'you win' box

I hope they make it more harder and add some objective style stuff to it...

[Pyros]

Yeah, it didn't have that cinematic feel D-Day Coop does due to the fact that it more or less lacks those scripted events. It just throws troops at you. I still think it'll be popular with most players and I think the unlocking/training troops aspect is interesting, but it is clear that they decided to keep Invasion simple to attract a new audience. It isn't as complex or challenging as D-Day Coop is. I'm pretty sure that is what they meant it to be though, and my guess is that the map itself is finished.

edit: THQ has changed "Falaise picket to Falaise Pocket"

[Imperial Dane]

Might just be for the chinese version.. Who knows if relic might not go that extra length in tales of valor ?

[DarkWarrior]

Wait you guys played ToV?

[Panzer Jager]

We played a gamemode ToV will have, that's available in CoH:O.

[Mickey C]

Dunno much about this Kangaroo thing but a quick search on Wiki seems to make out that it refers to any stripped down tank used as an armoured personnel carrier.

Apparently first ones were based off of priests (so shermans pretty much) and theres even a pic of a Churchill version

Would be awsome to have a churchill troop transport !

[say1988]

Priests, Sermans and Rams (essentially Canadian built M3 with some modifications) were by far the most common Kangaroos, but any armoured vehicle they could get their hands on was used. It is really just a term for an improvised APC on a tank chassis.

Apparently in the current files they have the HP of a Sherman, and armour of a Bren carrier. I expect that is likely how they will stay with some possible balance modifications.

[Panzer Jager]

It also crushes Infantry -__-

[XreddevilsX]

Sorry if this have been asked.. Direct fire mode can only be use in single player and not multi player right? so those people that buy TOV will only have new skin for those tanks trunks?

[Mannerheim]

Yes direct fire is SP only + in one mp map (tank battle one), only TOV owners can use the new vehicles.

[Kosake]

I wonder, what about the users that wont own ToV... will they be able to play the new game-modes?

If they can - not much left in terms of reasons to byu tov.
If they can not - will probably be kind of hard to find players. So whats the deal?

[InsaneDruid]

Why are you always so extremely pessimistic and negative?

Why should ToV sell so bad that it would be "hard to find players"? Its also not hard to find PE or Brit Players and those had to buy the addon.

And of course the new modes should (and probably will) only be available for those that pay for them.
Always on the nagging side. New Factions = "ah those new factions ruin the game". No new Faction = "ahh no new factions, that will ruin the game".

[Imperial Dane]

@Kosake: Why should they get access to the new modes ? They have not paid for them, those new modes are ToV specific, and why do you assume that it will be hard to find players ?

Do you base these assumptions on anything else but your opinion ?

Always on the nagging side. New Factions = "ah those new factions ruin the game". No new Faction = "ahh no new factions, that will ruin the game

And now it's new Units = "ah those new units will ruin the game" :P

[Kosake]

Stop right there! I never said I am against new units and or factions!!! Give me as much as you can make of em!

Why I think it will be hard to find players: Well, lets see. CoH does not have many fans playing online right now. By the time ToV is there, the game will be some months older, and with every day, the comunity tends got become smaller and smaller. And finaly, when it IS there, peeps get the choice: get some expansion for an old game they even may not know or buy that new, flashy DoW2 and stuff. No matter what you say, I doubt, that ToV will sell nearly as good as vCoH, or even OF for that matter. This is no MMO-RPG wich gains momentum with each expansion. Actually it looks to me more like a last ditch effort to make some money with the old game before starting to work on something real.

So yes, I am on the nagging side, since there is a lot to nag on. I did not mean to squeal on the Kanga, just thought it would be pretty hard as a lvl 1 unit but I am fine with that (since brits don't get any reasonable units until lategame).

[Imperial Dane]

Stop right there! I never said I am against new units and or factions!!! Give me as much as you can make of em!

I think it was more of a general thing and not so much directed at you.

And to your second claim. well that is basically wrong, in fact the community is growing day by day, what else do you think has caused the server problems ? And already this year we have had the peak number overdone twice with the general community nearing at least a 10000 peak. So i would say it is anything BUT dying, and if we assume that at least most of those people like CoH like everybody else and would like to get their hands on Tales of Valor, well i don't see why there should not be enough people to play in any of the new modes in. Plus you will still be able to play regularly against the rest, so it is not as if the community will be divided, and those who just get tales of valor and then get into it will only help to increase the number of people online

[Savage Noble]

I just hope this isn't the last CoH expansion, IJA, USMC and Red Army! C'mon!

[roflmao]

HOLY SHIT those graphics look much better than vCoH

<3.

[Sinogrim]

Does anybody knows if Relic is raising the bar in terms of System requirements?

[say1988]

They say they are not. But they could still make it so that more powerful computers can get more out of it.

[Savage Noble]

Honestly though, I'd rather have them get the OE out so we can enjoy great mods like Eastern Front, Battle of the Bulge, Africa, and Italy mod to their full potential.

[Imperial Dane]

@Roflmao: they do ? To be honest haven't noticed any difference, although when looking at screenshots i have been looking for new thigns :P

@Wafflegod: in an interview Relic said that was one of the reasons they made Tales of Valor, to make an expansion, without having to raise the system requirements for everybody.. or something along those lines

@FeldMarshal: and i would rather have them focus on the games, you know, them being Game developers and all...

[Sinogrim]

@Wafflegod: in an interview Relic said that was one of the reasons they made Tales of Valor, to make an expansion, without having to raise the system requirements for everybody.. or something along those lines

doestn't that say something like "Ye, we'll raise it, but don't worry, you don't have to buy the expansion if your pc can't handle it"?

[Tseng_Fox]

And now it's new Units = "ah those new units will ruin the game" :P

Well, to be perfectly fair, new units can unless its the same stats as the unit they replace.

That, or they're balanced extremely well before releasing since people wont be able to get them unless they buy.

[YurdleTheTurtle]

@Kosake: What? Have you read the multiple threads (a while ago) about the community actually growing bigger? It's basically one of the reasons why I bothered making my guides. CoH is not dying, believe it or not. DoW on the other hand...well, let's just say it'll be revitalized dramatically in the coming months.

Tales of Valor was originally intended to be a small thing, but it switched to an expansion pack. Whether or not it is lacking is all personal opinion, but there is no reason to make assumptions on things like not being able to find players to play. Pessimism and complaining is fine, but don't get things wrong.

------------
Gah, the system requirements better NOT raise. I've been shut out from DoW 2 after months of anticipation, so I don't want to be disappointed again.

On the topic of the new units, balance is obviously a concern. I'm usually not too big on small imbalances, but I hope it doesn't end up like Team Fortress 2. In TF2, the new weapons serve as alternative options rather than "This weapon is better than the old one". The problem was, some of these "alternatives" were MUCH superior than the other. For example, the Medic's Blutsauger and Ubersaw. I really hope it doesn't end up like this in CoH.

[Imperial Dane]

@Wafflegod: you have to remember that to ensure that everybody can play against everybody, they need to release patches for starters so those with CoH or OF or both can play against those with Tales of Valor and vice versa.

That and Relic probably does not feel it necessary to increase the requirements with this expansion as well. They want to get as many new people in with this among other things ,and you don't get that by raising the specs :P

@Tseng_Fox: I imagine it is option nr 2 judging from what i have read with them actually having an impact and allowing you to change the composition of your force and what not.. besides if they were the same.. they wouldn't really be interesting :/

@Yurdletheturtle: Well only one way to find out... wait and see Though i have faith in Relic to do a proper job..

[Shaitan]

Yurdle
If they end up adding new factions (in another expansion) and thus raising requirements you'll have double the incentive to upgrade .

I'm looking forward to ToV but I hope they have a more substantive expansion in the works or planned (i.e. one with factions added).

[YurdleTheTurtle]

I doubt they're going to make another expansion. They have a 5 year plan for CoH, right? I think it's more likely they'll start work on CoH 2 after this; after all, it's already reaching the halfway mark right?

Besides, as I've stated before, it's probably a good idea to save all that new jazz (new environments, factions, gameplay mechanics, etc.) for CoH 2, when by then Relic will have had time to think of 'innovations' and to improve their engine.

Only possible concern is people growing even more restless of WW2 games; although I think this trend is kind of silly. Are there really THAT many games that you have to go "Urgh I'm not buying this because its setting is WW2?"

[Mills022]

^ my worry is that COH 2 will change the setting to Pacific or Eastern Front or some such thing, but then we will lose the Normandy theatre/units. Is it too much to ask to have all the fronts in one game...well idk maybe it is, but i'd still rather have a total WWII experience, and COH has the gameplay to deliver it.

[Kent_Lang]

Some games actually hosts many other factions, like Sudden Strike 2. Axis and Allies or Faces of War.
You could play as Japs in SS2, Russian in AaA and FoW you could play all the major powers. The problem is that FoW's interface and gameplay sucks, AaA just isn't fun and SS2 is getting old, or is otherwise too difficult.

[Imperial Dane]

@yurdle: as far as i understand the 5 year plan for CoH is just CoH 1, although i don't possess a lot of information about it.

@Mills: Perhaps it will, perhaps it won't. Time will tell.

[LoneWolf666]

I'd say CoH2 is actually well underway, perhaps a year or so in development. Of course I don't have proof and the only ones who do would get fired and sued for publishing it.

Looking forward to the Wehrmacht campaign. Even if it's only 3 missions long, this is my favorite faction and they deserve a campaign of their own.

[sturmtruppe]

looks like there is two wehrmacht campaigns (tiger ace & falaise pocket) and one allied (d-day i think)

i read about reward units, be cool if we could have the origional tiger ace as a reward unit overwriting the king tiger.

[Imperial Dane]

@lonewolf: Well it might be 4 missions long, the only one we know to be 3 missions long is the tiger ace.. But hey you might be right.

In any case as sturmtruppen mentioned, we are getting two wehrmacht campaigns

And a possiblity to exchange the king tiger with the tiger ace would be nice

although there are plenty of other possibilites as well for the axis.

[LoneWolf666]

True, I'm just guessing. It just seems right for me to assume all campaigns are 3 missions long (2 seems very low for some reason ). I also get a feeling some of the missions in the new campaigns will be meant to showcase the new multiplayer modes with some twists. All in all, I got used to the idea of ToV being a "different" expansion pack and I have to say, I'm awaiting this one as much as DoW2. CoH has much unused potential IMO.

[mr.powell]

Well, Tales of Valor looks promising and I can not wait to have my little grubby hands on the new units :P ... anyway if we talk about CoH 2 I would really, really like relic to take another route instead of the old WWII scheme that we are following the entire time!

I mean come on relic there were more big wars then just this one where you could apply the essence engine (perhaps essence engine 2 for coh 2 hehe ) with a company level kind of gameplay in mind like for example the direct war after the WWII Korea or Vietnam or even the Balkan, Iraq (gulf and new age wars etc.) ... man I would totally love the sight of modern tanks in this engine ... !

Just imagine in the gulf war iraqi T-72s (in FULL detail) in the outskirts of bagdad duking it out with M1A1s (also in full detail) where one round glances off the front armour of the M1 and the M1 returns fire and its DU shell rocks completely through the hull of the T-72 leaving a burning wreck and perhaps even fleeing iraqi troops (iraqi rifles hehe ... wow just wow ... any questions hehe .

No seriously such things would totally rock and even in modern warfare games we can still keep the company level cause AoW showed already that aircrafts can be used like in CoH as call in special powers and the choppers could also be used as special powers cause who wants choppers in such war theatres when he/she can have strykers,M1s,T-72s, etc. and all of those in a complete new essence engine with even more detail pushing out the last available powers out of your new gforce 280gtx on 1600*1400 resolution .

So please no african campaign or eastern front or anything related to WWII as we have enough other wars to use this engine on a company level of gameplay on! ! !

Edit2: For the love of god please guys like Thunder/Erin daly and Quinn duffy reconsider giving the US such BS like the M18 which has not even 20mm frontal armour and very same gun like the M10 "Wolverine" whereas the wolverine has way more frontal armour (more then double the amount!) ... this would be a really BIG step back for American armour in this game considering ToV ... so give the Americans some powerful armour (like it should be!) like the M36 or the E-8 and the Brits the Comet for heavy duty firepower and armour against Tigers and Panthers!

[Imperial Dane]

While one could have huge discussions as to what direction they should take CoH, that is not the purpose of this thread.

Edit2: For the love of god please guys like Thunder/Erin daly and Quinn duffy reconsider giving the US such BS like the M18 which has not even 20mm frontal armour and very same gun like the M10 "Wolverine" whereas the wolverine has way more frontal armour (more then double the amount!) ... this would be a really BIG step back for American armour in this game considering ToV ... so give the Americans some powerful armour (like it should be!) like the M36 or the E-8 and the Brits the Comet for heavy duty firepower and armour against Tigers and Panthers!

While it's armour was weaker than the wolverine, i do recall reading that it was much faster plus it actually had a better weapon.

[senseo1990]

I think it is necessary that CoH (2) stays in WW2...why?
Because its one of the few settings ,where the Germans can be implemented as a faction (ok WW1 would be ok too)...they would have to rename CoH, because there wouldnt be "Companies of heroes" anymore without german companies oO =P

[say1988]

They were slightly different, but equal weapons.

[Imperial Dane]

Hmm okay.. But the hellcat was still a faster tank, which would still be an advantage if used properly...

In any case let's not get completely sidetracked by such discussions, as it won't change that the hellcat has made it in :P

Now i am just curious to see what else will be in, mostly for the axis side.

[mr.powell]

So Senseo1990 just because you like the germans, we do not need to follow the same campaign all over again and besides I personally do NOT like to play against the Nazis in this game as I know too much about the WWII and their "actions" towards the rest of the world even well knowing that its still a game ... well do not get me wrong here I also like the sentence: Krupp steel and porsche engines ... who can defeat us! but knowing that this krupp steel and porsche engines killed many, many, many soldiers and people around europe is a very sad side taste and a good motivation, at least for me to give the allies the punch needed in armour to kick the sh** out of those infamous axis armour (why infamous cause many americans, canadians etc. seemingly do not realize that they did NOT use Tigers or Tiger IIs [which they show off in different shows and museums of historic warfare like Bovington etc.] in the WWII then rather Shermans and Pershings and still are for HAVING such killing armour for the Wehrmacht [I speak from the general wehrmacht which belonged to nazi-germany!]) but lets not draw this out of context ... so like I said I am against any new WWII things and am rather for something new and refreshing and who actually has problems: if we fight with american or iraqi troops (against the communism) for either freedom or "liberation" (rather invasion!) ... I do not, do you ?

@ Imperial Dane

Sorry mate the M18 had the very same gun (M1A1(C) which has the same characteristics as the M7 3in gun from the M10) just weaker armour (around 15mm at front in comparison to 51mm at front from the M10) and it was not that much faster then the M10 so its a complete backstep for american armour in this game then rather a good step forward!

[InsaneDruid]

So thank god you heroic invasion in the iraq did not kill anybody. Or your heroic invasion in vietnam. Only Germans did ever kill anybody, right? Remember how you "liberated" Dresden? Oh yeah, all those nazi babies that where burned alive.. what heroism, what glorious vicctory. Or Hiroshima and Nagasaki..

Oh jeah, would totally rock.. slaughtering an inferiour and outdated army with your stars and stripes tanks of gods own army. You would really be heroic!

[mr.powell]

IoI Insane Druid!

Somebody must have been offended here .

Well I stated that I do not want to draw this out of context as this board already has a subforum for the "WWII" as I just wanted to clarify why I personally do not want to fight once more against the axis troops in the possibly next installment of this franchise!

[senseo1990]

We are getting off topic but there are a few things I want to mention:
Only because you dont like WW2 those who like it shouldnt get the possibility to play in a setting they like? You see, we cant argue like that...what I wrote was just my personal opinion and what you wrote just was yours...I never said that my opinion is the one which counts
And to your "I keep in mind that the germans killed a lot of people while playing"-comment: I hope you know that other countries also killed people and that most of the wehrmacht soldiers actually were fighting for liberty...it isnt like that all the people who lived in germany 70 years ago were running around and saying "I hate those jews" (and if they did that doesent mean that they actually hated them but that they didnt want to be called betrayers)
War is always terrible and I should have made it more clearly that my post above was quite ironic...because if something has to do with war the word "hero" just never fits

[Panzer Jager]

Thread cleaned. Please keep historical discussion out of this, as well as this fabled 'CoH2.' This is Tales of Valour's thread.