Choosing sides in scenarios?

[Mark50]

Is it possible to choose what side to play as in the official scenarios (those that are unlocked when you play them in campaign)?

[adherbal]

No. With objectives set for only one specific side as well as partially scripted AI behaviour this wouldn't be possible.

[Mark50]

Hi, Lukas! Thank you for the answer!

I was hoping that the AI behavior would just be ignored if you play the side that is scripted and that some generic opposite victory conditions would kick in (don`t lose Mlawa, don`t lose the airport etc.).

While I have to say I`m impressed with how complex the campaigns are, I think you`re giving too little attention to the fun that can be achieved from playing individual scenarios. I think some of the greatest fun I had in Panzer General was playing Poland in the Warsaw scenario and the Allies in the Balkans campaign (managing to invade Italy with Yugoslavian troops iirc). When you don`t have much time a separate scenario can be a fun way to relax and it`s nice to play from the perspective of the other side. Not to mention that not everyone necessarily wants to play Germany. Besides, you`ve put so much attention into the little factions that it`s rather a waste to not be able to play them too. (btw I am fully aware that OoB, like most games, has a modding community, but I`d really rather the subject discussed was part of the official game with all the attention and testing that goes into that)

Since this is my first post here after the Blitzkrieg release I also want to congratulate you. As I play it it`s clear you`ve put alot of effort and thought into the game and it was about time someone brought a fresh approach into the PG style genre.

[Erik2]

The forthcoming skirmish mode would need some generic AI behavior.
Maybe the AI could be generally programmed to try and capture locations with gold and silver flags, making the gold ones the priority.
Then use this generic AI in any scenario that does not have a properly scripted AI.
At least it would allow some AI resistance if you play ie a 1v1 multiplayer game in single player mode.
Scripting the AI properly is a lot of work, especially if you want to add objectives etc.

[terminator]

Hi Erik,
I would like to take the opportunity to speak about the artificial intelligence. I am not completely all right with the fact that to program a good artificial intelligence is so difficult. The problem lies in the fact that the artificial intelligence programs lastly and of this fact is quickly often botched.
I programmed a game of strategy during two years (unfortunately not ended...). I programmed the artificial intelligence lastly crossing that it would be the most difficult. Surprised, it was not more difficult than to program the pathfinding.
I have two examples with Panzer Corps (I do not know if these examples are still valid with the last patches) :
- Example n°1:
German attack and I defend (I do not remember anymore the name of the scenario).The computer sends against my defenses a motorcycle unit without ammunitions ! The following turn I eliminated it with one of my lowest units.
To avoid it it is enough to program : If ammunitions=0 Then resupply : Endif (before moving or attacking).
- Example n°2:
In scenario Lake Balaton, the Russians have heavy tanks in front of Budapest difficult to destroy. The best way to destroy them is to exhaust all their ammunitions. When tanks are without ammunitions, the computer makes nothing more.
To avoid it it is enough to program : If ammunitions=0 Then resupply Else retreat : Endif (before moving or attacking) (We can add conditions to know what is the best solution to be chosen between resupplying and retreating).

The artificial intelligence of Order of battle is correct. It seems that developers grope with the artificial intelligence. It can only improve in time.

[Erik2]

I'm not affiliated with Slitherine or Artistocrats, just made a private comment.
The devs need to answer your questions.

[adherbal]

The design of the SP scenarios is far too complex to work with some "automatic" switch of sides and basic AI. Besides the complex AI scripting and victory conditions the AI also has far more units than the player, but far less income. If the sides are reversed the player could just throw everything at the small AI force right from the start and totally overwhelm them.

As Erik mentioned, the upcoming Skirmish mode should vastly improve replayability, adding endless amount of different setups and (randomly generated) maps.

[Mark50]

The design of the SP scenarios is far too complex to work with some "automatic" switch of sides and basic AI. Besides the complex AI scripting and victory conditions the AI also has far more units than the player, but far less income. If the sides are reversed the player could just throw everything at the small AI force right from the start and totally overwhelm them.

Do you think if would be economically feasible to eventually release a DLC for the smaller factions? I mean a collection of scenarios where you can play as Poland, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands, Greece, Yugoslavia etc. They could be stand alone scenarios or maybe grouped into small "campaigns" of 2-3 scenarios. I`d buy such a release, but by know you probably have a better understanding of what sells or not.

[Erik2]

Mark

I'm currently converting scenarios from the Panzer Corps 1939 campaign.
I've done all the 10 Polish scenarios, they are fairly small and all the research have been done . So I usually manage to convert one scenario in about two days (at home with the flu, that frees up some time ).
I'm planning to release these as single scenarios first, then based on feedback re balancing etc I'll string them together in an alternate Bltizkrieg campaign.

Now, these scenarios were all designed with a human German player, so not exactly what your are asking for.
But it should be possible to tweak them to be at least playable from the Polish side. If I get the time...

[calmhatchery]

it would be cool!! Im waiting for your custom mini campiagn in Poland

[terminator]

I was playing Viipuri scenario and I thought that it would be interesting to play on the side of the Russians. There is no problem to edit the original scenario. Change the side, decrease the Russian strengths, increase the Finland strengths, scripting the AI for the Finns...but I do not have time at present.If it can give ideas to some.It can be the good beginning for the creation of scenario.

[Erik2]

I was playing Viipuri scenario and I thought that it would be interesting to play on the side of the Russians. There is no problem to edit the original scenario. Change the side, decrease the Russian strengths, increase the Finland strengths, scripting the AI for the Finns...but I do not have time at present.If it can give ideas to some.It can be the good beginning for the creation of scenario.

You also need to set up the objectives for the other side. But it is basically mirroring the originals, not too hard to do.
Now adherbal often adds some additional twists to scenarios; scenario/campaign variables and other fancy stuff. That may be more difficult to replicate.