M1 Tank Platoon II

[Polak2]

#1. - I am playing the game without the update. At some point I intend to install the update and see what the differences are.

Here are the official changes. What I have heard and remember about patch 1.2 that it had radically chaged the effectiveness of the air support. Do not remember exactly but I think it "dumbed it" or the opposite.

===================
M1 TANK PLATOON II
Version 1.2 (Includes v1.1)
MicroProse
May 18, 1998
===================

Updates in M1 Tank Platoon II
=============================
Please Unzip the M1TP2v1-2.zip file directly into the M1 directory.

This document addresses issues from M1 Tank Platoon II, including fixed bugs, altered
controls, and new additions to the game. For further information, consult the original
M1 Tank Platoon II Readme.txt file or the FAQ at Microprose's Web Site, www.MicroProse.com.


==========================
Fixes (As of this version):
==========================
Divide Errors encountered by some players should be gone now.


========================
Fixes (From Version 1.1):
========================
CITV Target Designation - Designating targets for the gunner now functions properly in the
Tank Commander's Cockpit Screen. When designating a target in the CITV of the TC Cockpit,
the Gunner will automatically drop what he is doing and engage the enemy target.

Shooting through Forests - Now, neither friendly nor enemy vehicles will fire on targets
through forests.

Seam Removed in Glide Mode - The "seam" in the sky visible when playing in Glide mode has
been removed.

Joystick Controls Function Properly - The joystick hat will now load the selected ammo
round as per the manual. Joystick buttons 2 to 4 work according to the manual. In addition
to this, a continual button press will not bounce.

Threatening Helicopters - In this patch, helo engagements have been tweaked to stop the
truce between helos and to make the helos more of a balanced threat to tanks (and your
helos and enemy tanks).

Override Gunner Ammo Selection - Now the ammo you choose will override the computer
gunner's choice. This will not change until you relinquish control of the gunner or the
gunner has destroyed the current target.

COAX Does Not Affect Main Gun Round - You can now switch back and forth from a Main Gun
round to the COAX without having to reload the Main Gun round.

No Main Round Bursts - The Main Gun will fire one and only one Main Round at a time.

CITV Inoperable when Damaged - When the CITV is damaged, you see a blank screen in the Tank
Commander's Cockpit.

Gunner's Primary Sight Inoperable when Damaged - Just like the CITV, the GPS will be blank
if gunner or both gunner and tank commander are killed.

50 Cal. No Longer Functions when TC is Dead - If the tank commander is dead, you can no
longer manipulate the 50 cal. Machine gun.

Keyboard Commands Function Correctly - Keyboard commands (hotkeys) now work according to
the manual.

Multiplayer Fixes - The Multiplayer game is much more reliable. Synch problems have been
addressed, and the Host can no longer jump into other players' tanks. Player names are now
associated with in-game chat messages (which stay on screen much longer). Also, other
players' smoke grenades show on your screen.

Voodoo Rush Support - Voodoo Rush cards are now supported in Glide Mode.

==============================
Changes (as of this version):
==============================
When using the Primary Gunner's Sight, you will notice that the gun moves much more slowly than
in the zoomed in (x10) view then in the normal (x3) view. This will allows for better targeting
and tracking at long and medium ranges.






==========================
Changes (as of Ver 1.1) :
==========================
Damaged Tanks Pop Smoke - In this patch, both friendly and enemy vehicles will pop smoke to
cover their tracks when damaged.

Mouse/Joystick Pan Control in Chase View - Now, both the mouse and joystick control panning
in the Chase View. The joystick functions automatically, a left mouse click takes control
and a right click stops panning. (Similar to the way the GPS and Outhatch views function.)

Additional Art in the Outhatch View - The tank's hull and turret are now visible in the
TC Outhatch view, which gives the tank commander added situational awareness.

50 Cal. Movement Relative to Turret - In the patch, the 50 cal. will turn and bounce
relative to the turret and to tank movement. Pressing the [K] key will stabilize the
machine gun, like in the original game.

CITV Turret Clock Made Larger - The CITV turret clock has been enlarged and is much easier
to read.

Tank Commanders' Life Expectancy - Tank Commanders using the 50 Cal. are now more likely
to be killed by artillery and enemy fire.

More Explanatory Messages - More explanatory text messages have been added for features
such as Arrow-key Driving, Smoke Generators ON/OFF, and AIR/GROUND mode.

Interior Cockpit Views - Interior cockpit views have been altered according to the time of
day of the mission. (i.e.: In night battles, your cockpits will appear darker than during
day missions.)

=====================
Additions:
=====================
Bino View and Night Vision - Binoculars and Night Vision Goggles (NVG) have been added to
the TC Outhatch view. The [Z] and [X] keys toggle binos on and off and the [T] key toggles
Night Vision on and off.

Artillery-Delivered Smoke - Artillery-Delivered Smoke has been added for Assault missions
and Movements to Contact to cover your platoon's movement. Smoke can be called the same
way as other artillery. (High detail only.)

Hull to Gun ([Shift]-[G]) - Now, you can move your hull's position relative to the turret,
so as to provide maximum protection when engaging targets. [Shift]-[G] in the TC Outhatch
will turn the hull to the 50 Cal.'s current direction. [Shift]-[G] in the TC Cockpit will
turn the hull to the CITV's current direction.

Menu Bar Animation ON/OFF - Menu bar animations can be turned on and off in the
Configuration screen.

Contour Line Highlights in the Main Map - Pressing the [L] key will toggle contour lines
on and off. This makes viewing terrain elevation levels much easier in the Map Screen.

[Alt]-[F] Key Removes Flicker - Pressing [Alt]-[F] will remove Battleplanner/Map Screen
flicker on video cards that do not support "DDraw BlitSync" function. (With the Diamond

Joystick - Remember, if you have "drift" problems, or other control problems, please make
sure you are in the main joystick port. If you have more then one, this could cause a problem.
Viper 330, hitting [Alt]-[F] will correct Main Screen blackout.)

[Polak2]

CITV - I designate a target for the gunner and he does not engage it. I get the voice command for the gunner to acquire the target, but nothing happens.

Keep the mouse button depressed on the target until Gunner fires the gun.

[RetroGamer]

Originally Posted by Polak2

Keep the mouse button depressed on the target until Gunner fires the gun.

That would explain it! I’m not using the mouse in the game for anything except the F8 outside view at the beginning of every mission.

I’ll experiment with that and look at the manual again. Maybe holding the joystick trigger down would also work. I’ll check it out, thanks.

[Polak2]

It also may have to do with the changes patch M1TPv1.2 introduced .1st paragraph

========================
Fixes (From Version 1.1):
========================
CITV Target Designation - Designating targets for the gunner now functions properly in the
Tank Commander's Cockpit Screen. When designating a target in the CITV of the TC Cockpit,
the Gunner will automatically drop what he is doing and engage the enemy target.

[Polak2]

What has been said about designating the target from CITV in Search or Hunter Killer mode appears to be indeed not working. Patch 1.2 despite the claim that it was corrected did not really help. That part is buggy and requires some further study. Page 34 in the manual to go by the book.

Note: it works sometimes but I cannot pinpoint really when.

[RetroGamer]

Originally Posted by Polak2

What has been said about designating the target from CITV in Search or Hunter Killer mode appears to be indeed not working. Patch 1.2 despite the claim that it was corrected did not really help. That part is buggy and requires some further study. Page 34 in the manual to go by the book.

Note: it works sometimes but I cannot pinpoint really when.

Copy that, thanks. I’ve been playing computer games since the early ‘80s and noticed there’s a pattern or method to winning almost every game.

In Mechwarrior 2, for example, you could beat the game with the smallest mech by circling your enemy as fast as possible while shooting at them. It got to the point where I could take down any enemy mech while they couldn’t hit me.

In Armored Fist, 1994, as another example, there are procedures that if followed, will allow you to win every mission. Pause at the beginning of every mission and set platoons to Experienced, Wedge formation, Slow, and Road March. If any enemy armor is encountered, lock on it, call for arty, face toward it, pop smoke, then back up to cover. The game is not realistic so arty kills all tanks.

I haven’t quite figured out M1TP2 yet. I will be successful when I’ve beaten every campaign and every single mission on hard mode. Right now, I’m still learning the game.

This may take a while.

I’m sure you’ve seen these articles:

https://web.archive.org/web/20020301...1tp2strat.html

https://web.archive.org/web/20020825.../m1clhard.html

If not, they’re good reading. I seriously cannot believe it’s been 20 years! I do remember these discussions - especially the hate for Hasbro for canceling the Tank Platoon and Gunship sequels. Seems like yesterday to me.


No matter - this software was great in 1999 and still is in 2021!!!

If there’s a way to record gameplay within Win98, I’ll give it a try for uploading to YouTube. Maybe An early version of Fraps would work. Worst case, I’ll just record the monitor.

I’ll keep you guys posted on the progress!

[Polak2]

So I think I have cracked this CITV problem.
1st, I think, patch M1TP2 v1.2 is needed as they addressed this problem in the code.

2nd of course be in the Search mode key "]" and have CITV on

3rd is to issue Fire At Will "F" order before each shooting session as it sometimes defaults to Hold Fire for unknown to me yet reasons.

Then interesting part is also to issue type of the weapon order as the Gunner prefers to waste MPAT and STAFF for even near targets.

Indeed I agree, that having ample time and opportunity to study each game reveals sometimes richer gameplay and nice interesting secrets. In fact, I may even suggest that pressed by duties of RL we often have been (and still are) running from game to game without even dipping deeper in them which is a total loss to us and perhaps really a waste of time. After all very smart people created those games and simulations and I am sure they did not spare their efforts and ingenuity to make them smart too.

Keep rolling!