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Canadian winters

Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 4:23 am
by Levis
One of the great strengths of BoA is how well you have captured the seasonal nature of 18th century warfare. An army that doesn't go into winter quarters in the north will pay the price, as its troops desert or die of exposure.

But I wonder if you don't have too much of a good thing. It is not uncommon in the game for rivers and lakes to stay frozen until May, or to encounter harsh weather and snow in June at the higher elevations. Now, our Canadian winters may be brutal, but they are not THAT brutal. Spring thaw comes in March, and by April the snow and ice are gone.

On the other hand, movement penalties during "mud" turns are perhaps not severe enough. Even in places where roads existed, they weren't much more than cart ruts. Mud would nearly immobilize an army (although perhaps not indians or irregualrs). Supply wagons and artillery would be difficult to move at all.

Prehaps in a future patch you could limit the winter effects to November-March, but strength the mud penalties in April and May.

Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 8:25 am
by Robin
I am totally agree with you about the way the game capture the feeling of that war due to season and, don't forget it, due to gigantism of nature.
In term of gameplay, i like very much these phases contrasts, between fluidity and immobility.
I wonder what our game engine could do with other war theater and periods like Campaign of Alexander the Great, the crusades or even the WWII in North Africa or East Front... Periods or theater made of "stop and go" phases.

So, I think like you about winter (too long) and mud (not enough problematic for supply convoy or big armies) and I hope that it will be possible to change this in a future patche.

But in fact, what a game !

:coeurs: