Battle Academy 2, Eastern Front, Kharkov Campaign

[DukeDavid]

I recently played the AI at the second scenario of the Kharkov campaign and thrashed it, eliminating 57 Russian units without losing a single Bridge objective hex. However the message I got then was "Objective failed" !
I think the problem is illustrated in the yellow letters at the top left of the screen, where the Germans are shown as having 0 out of 4 Bridge objective hexes. All four Bridge objective hexes are in German hands at the beginning of the scenario.
I rather resent being told that I must win the first two scenarios before I am allowed to move to the third scenario - I purchased a game, not a set of tests. I think players should be allowed to switch between scenarios when they want to.

[pipfromslitherine]

The Kharkov campaign is built as a carryover campaign, meaning it must be completed in order. This is the point of carryover campaigns . Normal campaigns can be played in any order. We know that some players enjoy carryover, while others prefer normal play, so we try and provide content for both.

Cheers

Pip

[rf900]

I see that the carryover was removed in the latest patch for this campaign, what a pity.

For me there are two problems on how it was used, it is not tied directly to the story or objectives of the campaign. And there is no easy way for the player to know which units will be carried over.

If you had some display on the interface showing the ones that may be used in the next scenarios players will take more care of them and know if they are doing good or bad. Also it would be nice to tie it to objectives or achievements, having for example, 3 tanks must survive (the ones that will be carried over), or keep alive the sniper or another important unit that will be part of the campaign. I even like to introduce a story for a specific unit that binds the scenarios together but it may not be too realistic.

[robbyivens]

I strongly agree with rf900
Due to the latest update I was able to continue the game after " a question of honour".
To my surprise I could n't use my elite units from the previous scenarios any more.
That's indeed a little pity.
Aside from that what a great game!
And great intro pictures!

[sage3]

Carry over campaigns are what I want most from ba2. They need to be implemented with thought - panzer corps is a good example. I would also enjoy seeing either branching battles, or dynamic adjustment of a battle based on the previous battles outcome - e.g. If I cream the opposition on battle 1, battle 2 might have a better start position or more offboard support, but against a reinforced enemy.

[pipfromslitherine]

We removed it because it was not balancing out in the way we wanted. Carryover worked well for Market Garden because it was somewhat broken up in to steams for each 'storyline', making it easier to get a good balance. We way need to rework the way that carryover campaigns work to prevent them becoming (as was happening) either far too hard because of a slip-up 4 missions ago, or much to easy by the halfway point because of luck in early missions.

Cheers

Pip

[sage3]

We removed it because it was not balancing out in the way we wanted. Carryover worked well for Market Garden because it was somewhat broken up in to steams for each 'storyline', making it easier to get a good balance. We way need to rework the way that carryover campaigns work to prevent them becoming (as was happening) either far too hard because of a slip-up 4 missions ago, or much to easy by the halfway point because of luck in early missions.

Cheers

Pip

I think that, for carry-over campaigns to work well, there needs to be some kind of inverse-difficulty built into to keep what you're describing from happening. I think there are a number of ways to accomplish this. One might be branching -- if I bolo a mission, my next mission to easier; if I do great, my next mission is much harder (think Panzer Corps). Another might be by having the enemy 'adjust' by re-inforcing, or providing the AI with more air / artillery support. Another might be by implementing a simple supply mechanism, where if I do very well, I 'outrun' my supplies. Another might be by implementing an exhaustion / rest mechanism that means veteran troops can get tired and degrade unless I choose to rest them (whereas my Green noobs may suck, but have lots of energy).

I think Carry Over is really really important, but it has to build into the core game design.

[robbyivens]

I agree with sage, there must be a way to implement the carry over system in an balanced game.
But for me not all the campaigns have to be carry over because the campaigns themselfs do not carry over.

[IainMcNeil]

Its a tricky one as you tend to get a snowball effect if you're not careful. Good players find it easier and easier and weaker ones harder and harder. Even if the scenarios are perfectly balanced players skill varies.

One way we could do it is by using the score as a carryover mechanic and make it less about completing the campaign and more about completing it with the best score. You get points for destroying things and achieving objectives, lose them for losing units. We could add a "Ask for help" button so that if you were not doing well, you could continue the campaign just ask for more troops.

[robbyivens]

Yes, Iain
I find 'the best score' suggestion a very good idea.
grtz,
Robby

[IainMcNeil]

It is a little late for the initial game but it may happen in an expansion!

[studabakahawk]

Im finding river crossing battle almost impossible for the Germans to win. Those 3 AT gund across the river are just devastating . also the russian motars eat my infantry alive i am simply vexed as to wher they are hiding .are they across the river in the first part of the battle? ive driven my battle taxis all through the damn weeds looking for them!!!
It Is Such a Pleasure to Play ASL with out chits and that enormous book of rules.
Thank you so much for this Game it is in fact why i bought my first computer in 1995, in my opinion it id spot on ASL and Im really In Love with it. Thank you