Panzer General Remake Is in the Works

[KG_Jag]

It will be called Panzer Corps. Read more about it through these links:

http://www.wargamer.com/forums/tm.aspx?m=487866

http://www.thelordzgamesstudio.com/s.../panzer-corps/

http://panzercentral.com/forum/viewt...p?f=98&t=46587

From the last link above (who gave use the free PG Forever):

"I don't want to quote the press-release here (it is intended for people not very well familiar with PG and PGF), but will give a quick overview of the game in my own words. While Panzer Corps is a new development, it will probably be closer to the classic Panzer General than any of its "official" sequels (PG2 and PG3). Some common features shared with PG are:
- Operational scale. The player will fight in big, well-recognizable WW2 battles like invasion of Poland, Low Countries and France.
- A big, branching campaign tree, with core units migrating from scenario to scenario and gaining experience in the process. In addition to that, each unit will get awards and aces, improving various unit stats.
- 2D tile-based maps. While our approach is different to simple classical tiles (the map is formed by ~10 layers, similar to layers in Photoshop, and each tile can protrude to neighboring hexes), the maps are still composed from atomic elements. This means that creating custom maps will be very easy, there are no limitations on map size, and at some point in the future we can even come up with a random map generator.
- Big, detailed unit icons.

Also, the game will adopt some features from PGF, like:
- Easily customizable HTML-based UI and text-based data files which are easy to change. Unlike PGF, new game will have much more data files and consequently much better customization options.
- Replay mode
- Detailed after-combat reports

And finally, there will be options not available in PG or PGF:
- Integration with Slitherine's PBEM/online multiplayer server, which is also used with some other of their games, and already has hundreds of online games going on at any given time.
- A full-blown map and scenario editor (this may not be available from day 1, because all of our efforts will be concentrated on the game itself, but we are fully commited to providing it as soon as possible)

In terms of gameplay, our approach is to fix things which are broken and leave other things alone. This means that the movement and combat system will remain fundamentally the same (although we'll do a lot of tweaks and improvements here and there). Our primary concern is the overall campaign balance. Here are some characteristic balance problems which we are going to address:
- First scenarios difficult, later ones too easy.
- Unstoppable 5-star/15 strength core units (we'll keep both experience and overstrength concepts in the game because they are fun, but will make them more balanced).
- Almost unlimited prestige in the second half of the campaign
- Core uses only the best unit types available, at all times

The biggest challenge is to balance all this without using various hard limits, like prestige cap, equipment pool, small number of core slots, specialized ground/air unit slots and prohibitive prices on better equipment. We considered using all of this, but concluded that each hard limit detracts freedom and fun from the game, and so we should try to avoid them as much as possible.

Here are two very early screenshots illustrating the new game's look and feel. I'm very interested to know what you think of them. What is good, what is bad, what can be improved?


Poland


Balkans

Also, here is an image illustrating the 3D models we are using to create unit icons. All units are first modeled in 3D, but then we create orthodox 2D renders to show in the game.



We will start beta testing the game somewhere in December. Everyone's invited. Please send me a private message if you are willing to participate. If you have any questions or suggestions for the new game, please feel free to post them here. All of us working on the new game really hope that you'll enjoy it as you have enjoyed PG.

PS. A few words on PGF and how it will coexist with PanzerCorps. No matter how good PanzerCorps will be, PG is a classic, and this classic must be preserved for future generations of players. So, PGF will always remain available and free. I'll make sure it works on all modern operating systems Microsoft decides to throw at us. However, I'll do all major new development in PanzerCorps, because it has a far greater potential. I expect that over time it will be possible to convert most custom PG campaigns to PanzerCorps so that they can benefit from new graphics, new features and extended multiplayer capabilities. I may be able to do part of this work myself, or support the others willing to do that."

[KG_Jag]

Panzer Corps has been released:

http://slitherine.com/games/panzer_corps_pc

[KG_Soldier]

Downloading. Looks fun. Thanks, Bill.

[KG_Jag]

I'm looking forward to your thoughts on this game. There have been quite a few reviews posted. They seem to be favorable (ratings of "80" or 4 out of five) and mostly in German. In any case there have already been for more review than of CMBN, which was released at the end of May.

Here's an English review:

http://www.digitallydownloaded.net/2...-corps-pc.html

[KG_Jag]

I found this mod site:

http://www.designmodproject.de/forum...f=1951&t=23913

[KG_Panzerschreck]

Looks interesting. I hope its done well.

I hope its better than some of the other titles from slitherine, which are a joke to say the least.

[KG_Panzerschreck]

It does look promising. Looks like Slitherine just published and didnt design the game which is a good thing.

I belive this will be my first game purchase to go with my new rig. will be a few weeks til i get it but ill be lookin for some opponents once i do.

[KG_Soldier]

Kent, I have it and really like it. It's much harder to win than PG. And we can play pbem games if you get it.

[KG_Panzerschreck]

Originally Posted by KG_Soldier

Kent, I have it and really like it. It's much harder to win than PG. And we can play pbem games if you get it.

Cool. Ill be getting it sometime next month. Ill get a hold of you and let you know when i get it. My birthday is the 2nd so i know what im getting for turning 42!

[KG_Panzerschreck]

Here is a sample vid. Not the greatest resolution but you get a taste of the graphics, gameply and extras that you always wanted with PG but never got.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47b3s...layer_embedded

Man i cant wait to get this!