ProSim's "Battle Group Commander: Episode One", 12% discount.
Get it from the Shrapnel Games Store. Offer is valid until May 12, 2009.
ProSim's "Air Assault Task Force", 13% discount. Get it also from the Shrapnel Games Store. Offer valid through May 2009.
Also, somebody mentioned to me that you could get an additional 5% off by using the coupon code: FFSAVE5P
Cheers,
Friday, May 1, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Digital Combat Simulator: More Eye Candy for the Next Sim
Eagle Dynamics, the developers of DCS Black Shark, have hinted some very nice graphic updates for the next installment of the Digital Combat Simulator series.
You can see screenshots of these possible updates here.
I have mixed feelings about this. Of course I like how it looks. But I would be happier if they would make my Black Shark not visible to the computer opponent when I’m hiding behind a 1 km wall of thick forest.
I don’t know … maybe I’m just too old for sugar rushes from candies of any kind.
Cheers,
You can see screenshots of these possible updates here.
I have mixed feelings about this. Of course I like how it looks. But I would be happier if they would make my Black Shark not visible to the computer opponent when I’m hiding behind a 1 km wall of thick forest.
I don’t know … maybe I’m just too old for sugar rushes from candies of any kind.
Cheers,
Wargaming for Leaders
Wargaming for Leaders: Strategic Decision Making from the Battlefield to the Boardroom
This book fell completely under my radar. It was published by November 2008 and its authored by Booz-Allen-Hamilton wargaming honcho Mark Herman.
From the product's description:
Sounds like a terrific book. Going to get it during the lunch break.
Cheers,
This book fell completely under my radar. It was published by November 2008 and its authored by Booz-Allen-Hamilton wargaming honcho Mark Herman.
From the product's description:
If you had the opportunity to probe the future, make strategic choices, and view their consequences before making expensive and irretrievable decisions, wouldn't you take advantage of it?
Of course you would. And in a world of asymmetrical conflict, security threats, intense global competition, and economic uncertainty, there is an even higher premium on road-testing plans and strategies--whether they're spearheaded by government organizations, transnational corporations, or emerging megacommunities.
Wargaming for Leaders provides a methodology to get at the issues that one leader, no matter how visionary, cannot grasp on his or her own. How? By bringing together the real experts on the topic at hand to wage “cognitive warfare.” Through tapping the collective wisdom surrounding an issue, experts can experience the future in a risk-free environment and find answers to questions that had not been on their radar--often with unexpected and startling results.
With examples from the fields of military, corporate, and public policy, three wargaming developers from Booz Allen Hamilton deliver compelling insights on this problem-solving method, including fascinating details on how
- A large equipment manufacturer determined whether making a merger was strategically right for its business growth, as well as which technology investments it needed to drop
- A four-star U.S. general tested his war plan for Iraq and uncovered specific fixes that might have prevented a prolonged conflict
- An increasingly clogged air-traffic system faced a security-versus-convenience issue determined whether military airspace could be used during peak demand periods
Wargaming allows organizations of every type and every size to organize information, plot out scenarios, and tap into the collective expertise of participants. The results allow everyone to identify and tackle obstacles, solve problems, and find new ways to innovate and further performance goals.
Get ready for the battle of your organizational life--and prepare to reap the spoils of victory.
Sounds like a terrific book. Going to get it during the lunch break.
Cheers,
DCS Black Shark Hits Retail in the US
DCS Black Shark has made it to retail in the US.
I've seen copies at local Best Buys, EBGames and GameStops. I bought my second copy from one of those stores.
There are still no news about the upcoming patch and the printed manual Eagle Dynamics has talked about in the past.
Cheers,
I've seen copies at local Best Buys, EBGames and GameStops. I bought my second copy from one of those stores.
There are still no news about the upcoming patch and the printed manual Eagle Dynamics has talked about in the past.
Cheers,
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
DCS Black Shark: First Online Mission
Actually it was a while ago. I just didn't have the time to post about it.
It was a great experience to fly with the virtual pilots of the ECV56 "Condor" (Virtual Combat Squadron 56 "Condor"), a fine group of very dedicated Argentinean fans of flight simulation.
The mission was edited by "Argentinen" (ECV56 Condor) and it features a deep strike operation with 4 Ka-50 Russian helicopters attacking a Georgian Patriot missile air defense system located in the mountainous border between Russia and Georgia.
The mission was a partial success. We could destroy a significant amount of missile systems. Alas, we lost three helicopters during the operation. Two pilots ejected to safety and I was "killed" (I guess the missile that struck me killed me in the cockpit).
It was a great experience to fly with brevity code comms, maintaining formation (this is a thing I'm very bad at), and trying to make good tactical use of the terrain.
Some pics of the action follow.
"Charly" (background) and me (forefront) at the main battle position, acquiring targets. Image courtesy of "Argentinen" from ECV56 Condor.
I needed to lower my nose to aim one of my missiles and when I did so I dived down the slope of the mountain. The enemy shot at me with all they had. I narrowly evaded this missile. Image courtesy of "Argentinen" from ECV56 Condor.
Cheers,
It was a great experience to fly with the virtual pilots of the ECV56 "Condor" (Virtual Combat Squadron 56 "Condor"), a fine group of very dedicated Argentinean fans of flight simulation.
The mission was edited by "Argentinen" (ECV56 Condor) and it features a deep strike operation with 4 Ka-50 Russian helicopters attacking a Georgian Patriot missile air defense system located in the mountainous border between Russia and Georgia.
The mission was a partial success. We could destroy a significant amount of missile systems. Alas, we lost three helicopters during the operation. Two pilots ejected to safety and I was "killed" (I guess the missile that struck me killed me in the cockpit).
It was a great experience to fly with brevity code comms, maintaining formation (this is a thing I'm very bad at), and trying to make good tactical use of the terrain.
Some pics of the action follow.
"Charly" (background) and me (forefront) at the main battle position, acquiring targets. Image courtesy of "Argentinen" from ECV56 Condor.
I needed to lower my nose to aim one of my missiles and when I did so I dived down the slope of the mountain. The enemy shot at me with all they had. I narrowly evaded this missile. Image courtesy of "Argentinen" from ECV56 Condor.Cheers,
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Contemporary Military Thinkers: Martin van Creveld
Dr. van Creveld's contributions to the study of human conflict cover a wide range of military and political matters.
His most-recognized books, "The Transformation of War" and "Supplying War: Logistics from Wallenstein to Patton", are included in the US Army Officer's required reading list.
Showing an amazing erudition in military history, van Creveld puts forward not only new and exciting ideas on how to analyze the historical facts, but also his view on how previous analysis need revision. Not even the mighty Clausewitz escapes from scrutiny.
One of his books I think is under-rated in popularity and importance. In "The Rise and Decline of the State", van Creveld proposes that the sovereign state as we know it in modern societies has outlived his usefulness. "The Rise and Decline of the State" is one of those books that shakes your axioms to the core.
His latest book "The Culture of War", is in my night stand waiting to join the other books from this author in an special section of my bookshelf reserved for the books I consult the most.
Cheers,
His most-recognized books, "The Transformation of War" and "Supplying War: Logistics from Wallenstein to Patton", are included in the US Army Officer's required reading list.
Showing an amazing erudition in military history, van Creveld puts forward not only new and exciting ideas on how to analyze the historical facts, but also his view on how previous analysis need revision. Not even the mighty Clausewitz escapes from scrutiny.
One of his books I think is under-rated in popularity and importance. In "The Rise and Decline of the State", van Creveld proposes that the sovereign state as we know it in modern societies has outlived his usefulness. "The Rise and Decline of the State" is one of those books that shakes your axioms to the core.
His latest book "The Culture of War", is in my night stand waiting to join the other books from this author in an special section of my bookshelf reserved for the books I consult the most.
Cheers,
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Steel Beasts ProPE v2.46: Breaching Operations
In this "classic scenario" a company-strong US force has to breach through a minefield and make its way through fighting. The detail in which engineer operations are modeled is outstanding.
MCLIC-M113s move forward to start the breach. Part of the assault force waits in the background. Image is clickeable.
A MCLIC-M113 moves past a M1 MBT that is providing support by fire. Image is clickeable.
An engineer M113 in the forefront passes by a MCLIC-M113 on its way to mark the breach. Image is clickeable
An M1 MBT negotiates de breach. Note the breach marks the engineers deployed. Image is clickeable.
Better keep moving or enemy artillery will dispatch you. A platoon of mineplow-equiped M1 MBTs move forward to avoid de metal falling from the sky.
MCLIC-M113s move forward to start the breach. Part of the assault force waits in the background. Image is clickeable.
A MCLIC-M113 moves past a M1 MBT that is providing support by fire. Image is clickeable.
An engineer M113 in the forefront passes by a MCLIC-M113 on its way to mark the breach. Image is clickeable
An M1 MBT negotiates de breach. Note the breach marks the engineers deployed. Image is clickeable.
Better keep moving or enemy artillery will dispatch you. A platoon of mineplow-equiped M1 MBTs move forward to avoid de metal falling from the sky.Cheers,
Steel Beasts ProPE v2.46: Pics from the Frontlines
I've been re-playing the so-called "classic scenarios" of Steel Beasts. These are scenarios from the original Steel Beasts and from the first version of Steel Beasts ProPE. These scenarios I played several times before but they don't cease to attract me for a new round. Really great stuff. This scenario in particular features a breach through a minefield and then a continued attack towards a road junction.
The images below are clickeable.
Cheers,
The images below are clickeable.
Cheers,
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Pirates and Terrorists in the Same Boat?
This morning I was listening to WAMU's "Morning Edition" and besides all the buzz about what to do with the alarming problem of piracy, there was an interesting note about the possibility that in the future Al Qaeda or other terrorist organization could join or collaborate with the pirates.
At the time of this writing the program is still ongoing and I can't link you to the transcript. I will do that as soon as it becomes available. [UPDATE: The story is available now here] On the meantime, the web appears to be full of articles about the issue. Here is an article at Newsweek.
Cheers,
UPDATE: Another article here, from the Christian Science Monitor
At the time of this writing the program is still ongoing and I can't link you to the transcript. I will do that as soon as it becomes available. [UPDATE: The story is available now here] On the meantime, the web appears to be full of articles about the issue. Here is an article at Newsweek.
Cheers,
UPDATE: Another article here, from the Christian Science Monitor
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