Big Mega-Update for The Operational Art of War III

[Skybird]

They finally have turned the long lasting Beta into an official release.

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=2723204

This beta has finally, after more than 4 years , brought me back to TOAW3, since I had some quarrels with readability and presentation of the interface. There now are massive changes to graphical presentation and game mechanisms.

Matrix Games and the TOAD Team are thrilled to announce that a new mega-update for The Operational Art of War III is now available. The comprehensive 3.4.0.202 update comes with pages upon pages of improvements, new features, and fixes. Here is just a small overview of the many improvements found in the update:

• New turn order rules to equalize the sequence of events and phases for both players. The original turn structure is still available as well.
• A brand new and improved supply system that is much more detailed and realistic than the old system. The original supply system is still available as well.
• New rules to address gamey “ant unit” tactics such as a new system called the Assault Ratio which makes the Attacker Assault Strength value much more realistic.
• Over 50 new community-created scenarios.
• Almost a dozen significant changes to the combat model.
• 40 user interface improvements and optimizations.
• Several graphical enhancements including alternate place name fonts and bitmaps that will scale with zoom level.
• Improved customization and editor functionality – now XML files can be used wherever DLL files are used and more graphical mods are now supported.
• Improved AI.
• More and improved language support.
• Better cheat prevention.
• Many bug fixes.
• Plenty more!

David Heath, Director of Operations at Matrix Games, said “This update includes so many significant and exciting improvements to The Operational Art of War III, it’s practically a new release! The TOAD team has put so much extra detail and shine into this classic wargame with this update that there’s never been a better time to jump on board and try your hand at the premiere simulation of operational warfare! ”

Size is 212 MB. It's practically a new complete installation.

Get the Update here.

[Schroeder]

Shouldn't this be in the general games section?

[Betonov]

Originally Posted by Schroeder

Shouldn't this be in the general games section?

general discussion of a general game

[August]

Actually I kind of like the thought of new game and book announcement threads being allowed here in the GT. A Mod can move them to the appropriate games forum once interest in the topic wanes.

Beats political threads...

[Blacklight]

AWESOME !! Downloading now (and it's a biggie)! I LOVE that game. Now I know what I'm going to be doing tomorrow.

Now all we need is the 3.10 Harpoon Advanced Naval Warfare update that they promised that they were going to release for the Non-Harpoon Ultimate Edition owners. It's been so long that I'm beginning to think that they reconsidered releasing it.

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by Blacklight

AWESOME !! Downloading now (and it's a biggie)! I LOVE that game. Now I know what I'm going to be doing tomorrow.

Now all we need is the 3.10 Harpoon Advanced Naval Warfare update that they promised that they were going to release for the Non-Harpoon Ultimate Edition owners. It's been so long that I'm beginning to think that they reconsidered releasing it.

The wait for World in Flames easily beats that, or not?

[Raptor1]

Was just about to try playing one of the larger scenarios (Probably Caporetto), so it's a good thing the official patch came out now. I still think TOAW3 is one of the best (Certainly most versatile) operational wargames out there.

[Skybird]

Originally Posted by Raptor1

I still think TOAW3 is one of the best (Certainly most versatile) operational wargames out there.

I think so, too, it is very versatile. My short list of valued strategy games is like this (in no special order, and ignoring chess):

Conquest of the Aegean
Modern Campaigns: Danube Front '85
The Operational Art of War III
Steel Panthers: Main Battle Tank
Total War: Medieval II

In map mode or when designing a well planned mission, Steel Beasts Pro also reminds pretty much of a strategy and tactics game.

Besides FS, chess, Oblivion and SBP, these are pretty much the only games that I still play these days anymore. I plan/wait for only one title currently, that is World in Flames.

For sentimental reasons, I still have a soft spot for Birth of the Federation, although I don't play it anymore.

[August]

Originally Posted by Skybird

Conquest of the Aegean
Modern Campaigns: Danube Front '85
The Operational Art of War III
Steel Panthers: Main Battle Tank
Total War: Medieval II
...Steel Beasts Pro... FS, chess, Oblivion...SBP... these are pretty much the only games that I still play these days anymore....I plan/wait for only one title currently, that is World in Flames.

"Only" those games? With that play list when do you actually find time for anything else?

[Lurchi]

Originally Posted by Blacklight

Now all we need is the 3.10 Harpoon Advanced Naval Warfare update that they promised that they were going to release for the Non-Harpoon Ultimate Edition owners.

I was a long time player of Harpoon and thought about getting the Ultimate Edition ...

until i got interested in "Red Pill" which gets more impressive to me with every screenshot. Gameplay looks to be very similar to Harpoon but the amount of detail in conjunction with the use of satellite world maps probably takes it one or two levels higher than any Harpoon.