Slitherine

Currently I am creating a random battle generator to go with the next update of the WWI mod, but I have had the idea of creating one for WWII as well.

Basically how it works is you load up a scenario file, then at the end of the first AI turn all of the terrain gets randomly distributed across the map (with a few constraints, of course!), along with both sides' armies and mission objectives. I also don't tell you at the start of the mission who is supposed to attack, so that there is more freedom and can be played out like a true commander would.

Though the scale is officially undefined, it plays out best if you think of it as being two regiments fighting, with each unit roughly corresponding to a platoon of soldiers.

I try to make the year that the mission is set in to be the most balanced between both sides but with a large variation in possible equipment (WWI's one is set in mid-1917 to allow for gas strikes and tanks). You will not be certain on who your enemy is either until the first battle turn (US, British or Russian armies), allowing for true unpredictability!

Anyway post here if you would be interested in such a development, as I won't bother if only a few people want it.

- BNC

This is only for MP, right?

JimmyC wrote:This is only for MP, right?

The base idea was for SP (and that's what the WWI edition will look like), but with a few modifications I could make it work for MP as well! (Actually that is a better idea as then more people can have more balanced and interesting challenges!)

- BNC

Actually i prefer it for SP, but i just wonder if the AI would be smart enough to buy good units instead of just spamming cheap things...?

You can count me as interested. I'm sure to give it a try or five...

A part of the charm of PC is developing your hero units from scenario to scenario. I'm assuming that would be absent? If there were some way to incorporate heroes to some degree it would be a plus. Just some random early morning thoughts. Cheers & keep us updated.

JimmyC wrote:Actually i prefer it for SP, but i just wonder if the AI would be smart enough to buy good units instead of just spamming cheap things...?

The AI has no say in what it gets, I will just put down an extremely large force of all sorts of stuff and give each unit a (small) chance of appearing, so that you encounter different units each time.

TSPC37730 wrote:You can count me as interested. I'm sure to give it a try or five...

A part of the charm of PC is developing your hero units from scenario to scenario. I'm assuming that would be absent? If there were some way to incorporate heroes to some degree it would be a plus. Just some random early morning thoughts. Cheers & keep us updated.

News for the original one will be found on the WWI thread in the scenario design section. This thread is more intended as an expression of interest more than anything else, hopefully maybe a hint to the devs to make this sort of thing part of the official game like they did in BA2

- BNC

BiteNibbleChomp wrote: Basically how it works is you load up a scenario file, then at the end of the first AI turn all of the terrain gets randomly distributed across the map (with a few constraints, of course!), along with both sides' armies and mission objectives. I also don't tell you at the start of the mission who is supposed to attack, so that there is more freedom and can be played out like a true commander would.

I am confused, would this be like an external windows program that generates and exports a scenario file?

Kevin2k wrote:

BiteNibbleChomp wrote: Basically how it works is you load up a scenario file, then at the end of the first AI turn all of the terrain gets randomly distributed across the map (with a few constraints, of course!), along with both sides' armies and mission objectives. I also don't tell you at the start of the mission who is supposed to attack, so that there is more freedom and can be played out like a true commander would.

I am confused, would this be like an external windows program that generates and exports a scenario file?

Think of it as a scenario that sets up random terrain on the second turn, each time in a different pattern. Though the terrain will generate at the end of the first AI turn, which will always be before yours.

- BNC

So the in-game scripting functionality allows for this. Cool.
I would definitely be interested in trying this generator, preferably with the stock WW2 game.

A favorite pastime of mine, are the random battles generated in ArmA 2 (SecOps/Flashpoint mod), Strike Fighters 2, and Ghost Recon (mission HX mod). But these are 3D games, and they don't actually change the terrain.

Regards,
Another content user of Windows XP.

Work has been continuing, so you can expect a release in the next week or so.

Although I don't want to reveal very much about it (after all, it is a script for 10000+ scenarios to form), I will ut it out there that it will be set in Oct '43. This allows small numbers of Panthers, IS-1s, Fw 190s and other late war stuff without the entire army being able to be based around them (PzIVs and T-34s still reign supreme in numbers). This will also allow for all sorts of weather to be set up.

In addition, I will let you know if you are the attacker or defender on turn 1 so that you have some idea of your task.

Victory conditions will be fairly open (probably destroy the enemy force or own all flags)

- BNC