[Triad773]

Remember that old game Battleship? That game where you don't know what the other player's board looks like and you call out grids for hits?

Well that's what inspired this idea. Basically:
- A map is designated, and a set of intelligence documents provided to two parties.
- OH- and you have a limited number of planes and maybe loadouts predesignated for each side; how you want to distribute them is your business (ah- there's a twist that might be interesting).
- The two parties then make a mission for that map: one for Blue, the other for Red.
- These two mission files are then combined and a resultant mission file created through a 3rd party utility to isolate then combine red/blue components.
- Any slight mixing of red/blue mission elements are kicked out in a exceptions log file
- The resultant mission can either be played online or as a single mission.

I do not presume to have any appreciable programming skills at all- however I thought the concept was intriguing enough for discussion at least. From what little I know, I don't think it could be done- but then I'd be happy to be proven wrong

Thanks for any thoughts, pro or con

Triad

[PB4Tazman]

This is too funny! My Squad and a few guys from UKATC just started doing this just last week! There is a program called WinMerge(free btw), that basically compares text files and highlights the differences. Since .mis files are text files, just load up the two missions from each party and copy the differences from one into the other. It just takes a few minutes to do. We have had a blast so far. The guys get to execute their own plan of attack to achieve a goal set by scenario maker. A master mission template is first sent to each party with the aircraft and ships etc. already inserted and they just set waypoints, targets, etc. They send me their respective missions and then I just "merge" the two and host the mission. The one merging the mission is the only one that will see the two sides plans, and therefore, must be excluded from doing combat in the battle. But I tell you what, it is fun to do and really neat to see it all play out. Do a Google search for WinMerge, its a free program. I got the same idea as you as soon as i came across that program! Let me know if I can be of help to anyone interested in trying this out with their group or squad.

Regards,

PB4Tazman

[US_GRANT]

That does sound more "real world" random. You have no idea if you will run into the other side's air assets. That sounds very interesting indeed. Just the concept could keep programmers busy for quite a while.

Each side would have three, four, five or six targets each. They would then pick one of those targets to hit. The other side would be doing the same with the result that both sides would need to have enough aircraft to hit the target they choose AND protect their own targets. And with the limited amount of aircraft available, you would have to prioritize the targets you cover.

I could see playing something like this.

[PB4Tazman]

There are so many scenarios! The first one we did last week was an airfield conquest, where the goal was to have your tanks on the runway and be the last one standing. We are going to do a carrier battle next , a la Midway, where the goal will be to first find the enemy carrier, then sink it while trying to protect your own carrier! I just finished merging these two missions and the result was really fascinating. Two very interesting and different tactics at work. Will be fun to see what happens! I am thinking that the next one might be based on Operation Vengeance, the mission to down Yamamoto.....

PB4Tazman

[Triad773]

This is too funny! ...There is a program called WinMerge(free btw), that basically compares text files and highlights the differences...

LoLz- I even have WinMerge! Tazman sounds you guys got the system already down.

You gave me ideas about how to do this (albeit involving steps,) as a single player! I have enough to go on now- thanks! Now only if someone new of a way to script or automate this would be perfect, but hey I got a start on something.

Wacky as it sounds, maybe there could be a publisher of a mission specing a map with a set of intelligence docs for each side (not to be shared). Red and Blue submit to a volunteer 3rd party thread, where a disinterested party does the WinMerge and offers it back up to the respective parties for download? That might be interesting :wink:

Such missions would renew the importance of recon as an important mission element.

Great stuff 8)

[cmirko]

http://seowhq.net/

this is a campaign management tool - it can be used for single missions as OP said or to create templates...

S!

[Loon]

You can also create complete battles, with control points as goals, manage your units supplies, transport military units in freighters or planes, resupply isolated ground forces with your transport planes, do reconnaisance flights with AI planes getting information of the enemy units depending on the weather, altitude and, of course, if the recon plane finally lands safely, blow bridges up to stop enemy advancing or repair them to continue your advance with your engineer units, use factories to create new units for your army, and many other things.
You plan every mission sending your ground forces towards the enemy simply by plotting waypoints on the map. They'll move following the roads or waypoints and will engage if enemy units spotted. Same goes to AI flights. Of course you can jump into one of the planes and fight or attack ground units or simply do a recon flight to see where the enemy units are coming from.....
This can be used for a single mission or for a long campaign cos the results of the combat (air, sea and ground) are recorded by the system so you'll get full detailed statistic after the mission.
When you play a long campaign, the position the ground units reached during the previous mission will be recorded and you'll see them on the map, beeing ready for receiving orders accordingly the new status (if they need to be refueled/rearmed, morale is weak due lack of supply) or the ground situation or simply your wishes.
Burning wrecks will remain for the next missions as well as destroyed bridges.
It also allows commander and pilots access to the map so the commanders can do the mission planning and pilots can only see the planes and ground units routes. The mission planner can be easily hosted. It generates the mission file ready to be launched by the host. Once finished, data must be uploaded so the system updates the database and so the battelfield. Then the system is ready to receive new planning.

Really the best immersive add-on for this game. :wink:

And it's free

[fabianfred]

an even simpler tool to use than Winmerge (which sometimes mucks up) is also free......
SwiftCompare

[Triad773]

Swiftcompare looks interesting, but the price isn't comparable to WinMerge Thanks for the mention tho FabianFred.

SEOW looks really interesting too cmirko- I had made a series of missions months ago and the only improvement mentioned was that I should have made it a campaign. The campaign templates at SEOW look pretty interesting- I think I will give that a try some time soon.

Thanks for your feedback- glad to know others were thinking along these same lines 8)

Cheers

Triad

[PB4Tazman]

I looked into the SEOW, but I am not too familiar with setting up servers and such. I saw there was an all in one installer, but according to the forums it is an older version. It seems pretty comlplicated to set up, is there an idiots guide to setting one up step by step?

Thanks,

PB4Tazman

[Triad773]

Not sure, Tazman. I was looking at it and had the same general feeling that it might take a bit to wrap my head around it.

In any event I was going to have a go at a New Guinea map mission: do a Blue version, then a Red, and try WinMerge to see what I end up with. The only things I think I have to be concerned about is have the date/time/weather be the same.

I am looking forward to what I come up with! The possibilities seem pretty cool: imagine your task force is steaming down the coast of New Guinea- the fog has just lifted as the mission loads... who is waiting not a mile away but the enemy's navy! hock: Get em up while they're good, boys- cause your airport may soon be out of commission! :lol:

Hey if it's anything that turns out I will post in in the Missions/Coops section with a little backstory of how it was made 8)

[Loon]

You need some PHP knowledge but nothing out of this world. You can also use the Wampserver free utility to make your own computer to work like a server. Once done, upload SEOW database and run the SEDCS and connect to the database you have already installed.

Yes, I know it's a bit more difficult than I wrote here, but with a little effort you can do it. The fun you get deserves the effort. Trust me.


:wink: