Re: Congo 1964
I thought yesterday afternoon I'd provide a different answer until I hit the "search" button instead of the "spell check" at the end, the result wasn't good, don't hit the "search" button. So for GP the issues a little more complex. First there are only 7 OOBs left open, these are being used for R&D game and software testing etc. The other issue many of the OOBs are rapidly approaching "critical mass" with having ~50 or less slots (U.S. and Russia are at less than 30 slots now.). This summer I went back to school and learned some things about the game. In general terms once something is entered in the game in mass it's very difficult to remove it. I'm probably the biggest proponent of air power in the game (In the sense that I post on it often.) as is also well known I see this as truly the best Combined Arms game out there. So when the issue was raised a couple of years ago I offered the solution of removing a whole "class" of equipment the Fighter jets (From about the early 60's when fighter bomber variants became more prevalent to the present and future inclusions. This would not have affected smaller nations that depend on them for all aspects of an air war.) as in the case of the U.S. and Russia I believe would've freed up around 60+ slots each. As I found out this would have been a large project involving around 10-15 OOBs, removal from all the campaigns and scenarios and the affect it would have on those in designing the aforementioned and any future mods so yes there are software issues here as well.
We have including the one for 2013 a total of 9 patches to go (Need 2021 to include equipment that will come online in 2020 such as the F-35 for some if at all among others.) that's game world limited for now. Real World though new equipment will still be made available, the major push is to extend the life cycle of existing equipment and improve them. At the current rate back to both worlds is the U.S. and Russian OOB's will be filled in three years or patches if you will. We all know to add a piece of equipment there's a slot taken, the more variants added the same is true, change a piece of equipment (Armament, Sensors etc.) you could again be using several slots to accommodate those changes i.e. all current USA/USMC ABRAMS to get a new Main Gun THAT'S ROUGHLY ~12 SLOTS just for the USA!!
What to do? Well Don posted when I first submitted my Fighter removal suggestion that Andy and him are trying to find a solution so I leave it to them. For my part I'm not going to submit Air Superiority Fighters that think they're Fighter Bombers as well, they're not as most have inadequate ground attack sensors if any at all to the larger countries that have more then adequate Fighter Bomber capabilities and Level Bombers. Since the F-35 and PAK/FA aren't operational yet I would love to see them go. The F-22 is entrenched but it's a much better jet anyway that's as we speak getting much better all around, don't take my word for check the web.
I'll narrow my focus as well in MRAPS, Utility type attack vehicles as well. That's all I can do well, I won't bother about TRUCKS ether!?!
That's the broad general situation and the dilemma for us "equipment folks", designers and HQ in Canada and Scotland.
All the best to everyone and for the many others please have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!!
Regards,
Pat
|