June edition of PCGamer (UK)

[legate]

The screenshots look like alpha to me.

There is no front rank kneeling, it appears - at the moment - only the first line can fire. The line infantry appear to be in large blocks not a thin red line, hollow square or marching column. It has the appearance that the firing line alternates similar to the arquebusiers in M2TW.

Soldiers uniforms are all differnt instead of the historical standard issue. Some wear white gaitors other black knee high boots.

No officers or standards atm.

[Jack Lusted]

There is no front rank kneeling, it appears - at the moment - only the first line can fire.

Wel that unit does not fire by rank, we do have units who have front line kneel so second line can fire etc.

The line infantry appear to be in large blocks not a thin red line, hollow square or marching column.

Just they way they're deployed. Square is ingame, and line and column are just a matter of unit depth and width.

It has the appearance that the firing line alternates similar to the arquebusiers in M2TW.

They do not alternate.

No officers or standards atm.

Officers are ingame, though after those screenshots were taken I believe.

[legate]

Ah thanks Jack!

So troop deployment will be similar to previous games, drag and drop?

[KozCDVI]

Arsen, I am afraid that English weather is VERY hard to predict... Rain one minute, sun the next, wake up the next morning to a snowy heaven. (Actually we don't get much snow usually comes after rain (ground too soggy)

Anyway.. The magasine looks a little bad. But the cover and the article look grand. As soon as the pics are on Internet, be sure to let us know, anyone

[clibinarium]

Just got back from the shops, and had a look through my copy.

Very Impressive; Blocks of men do look a bit odd, but Jack's explained that, and the other things that concerned me initially.
Seems to be an army of red coats fighting an army in blue (and some in green; American riflemen? or Jagers?). If I had to guess I'd say it looks like an American revolution battle. The horsemen in golden helmets look like the 2nd continental dragoons;


There are also what are either British Light infantry or dismounted dragoons.
Its hard to tell what's on the helmets; one on the left seems to have the skull and crossbones of the dragoons, while others seem to have a fleur de lys (! a bit odd for British soldiers). Some have red waistcoats suggesting light infantry (but red trousers too). These are the unit mentioned with the pennant under the union flag. [EDIT- they are probably lights, they have shoulder "wings"]

Of course I am probably trying to read more specifics out of the screenshots than are actually involved in the game (ie the horsemen are probably only representative of American dragoons, rather than the 2nd Continental specifically). But all in all it looks like its shaping up to be a great game, probably the best one yet.

[KozCDVI]

But all in all it looks like its shaping up to be a great game, probably the best one yet.

Probably... Not liking the sound of that.


Can't wait to see the snaps for myself.

[MarcusTullius]

Sounds brilliant!

[Sol Invictus]

It sounds like setting the unit formation will be the familiar drag and drop method. I was hoping that there were pre-defined formation buttons; such as Line, March Column, Assault Column, and Skirmish. I assume that there will be a Loose Formation button to relect Skirmish formation since this is already in the earlier engines. I also assume that the new Square Formation will have to be a new button. I wish CA had just went ahead and added a Line and two different Colums buttons. It would save on the manipulation and micro-management of setting all of the units to the correct formation and depth.

[Dain]

In some of the shots it looks like only the front line of the blocks can fire, I certainly hope this is the case.

[Sol Invictus]

I hope that the second rank can fire as well. This was standard for the period. I'm perfectly fine if the third rank can't fire. I actually hope it can't, as this quickly went out of fashion during the period.

[Krupp]

Wel that unit does not fire by rank, we do have units who have front line kneel so second line can fire etc.



Just they way they're deployed. Square is ingame, and line and column are just a matter of unit depth and width.



They do not alternate.



Officers are ingame, though after those screenshots were taken I believe.

So even if we drag&drop the unit into a thin line of 2 ranks the second one wont fire,but why?And no standards?

[Jack Lusted]

So even if we drag&drop the unit into a thin line of 2 ranks the second one wont fire,but why?

The answer to that question would include info we haven't revealed yet, wait and see.

And I do not know off hand on the matter of standard bearers.

[Krupp]

The answer to that question would include info we haven't revealed yet, wait and see.

And I do not know off hand on the matter of standard bearers.

Thanks,i shall be looking forward to it,looks really good so far

[Blau&Gruen]

The answer to that question would include info we haven't revealed yet, wait and see.

I suppose you cannot answer any question about an assumable unitsize cap or its modablity.

[Dain]

The answer to that question would include info we haven't revealed yet, wait and see.

And I do not know off hand on the matter of standard bearers.

Hey wait what? This isn't true of all units is it? I mean surely all ranks should be able to fire in these thin formations, that's the whole point of 2 ranks.. I mean 3 ranks was pretty much the standard for most armies...

[Krupp]

did some units during this timeframe(early) just not fire in multiple ranks,is this why you said that,or is it early in the game so tactics havent been updated?

[AmericanFF]

So even if we drag&drop the unit into a thin line of 2 ranks the second one wont fire,but why?And no standards?

My guess is it may be a difference between a non-upgraded unit and one that has been upgraded with researched tactics.

[Krupp]

oh!Very good thinking.

[KozCDVI]

I am looking forward to more news about the game, maybe a campaign map next time *fingers crossed!*

C.A won't let us down!! I'm sure they won't!!

[Dain]

There was talk in that article about researching technologies and drills to keep as much lead in the air as possible. I sincerely hope that's the case... I can't imagine them doing any strange like letting only the first rank fire..