I'm attempting to recreate lost map. So here is Kalach v2.0, but now I'm well prepared for any crashes or errors.
Also map will be designed in very middle of russian winter, and this means harsh conditions to fight in.
Progress Report #1
The view on player's 2 HQ. I just had to begin somewhere.
Munitions 'bunker' - constructions of this kind will apperar very often, as for they provide not only resourecs ( nearby resource points), but also can give essential cover to player's infantry.
Ah, yes, very important. An empty piece of field. Very common in Russia, especially during winter. Unfortunatelly huge snowfall covered most of useful hideouts, so most of the map is just empty and snowy field. Players will be forced to build sandbags or improvised defences. But also imagine those tank battles... Anyway, some snowdrifts will also perform great if used as cover.
Progress Report #2WB crashed. Nah, I've lost more time while rebooting PC than I would if I didn't have extra copy. Finally, with small steps I finished one of key-points:
The Castle ( epic music here)... well, actually it's used as barracks for German infantry and Flak 4x20mm cannon.
Don't worry, German fanboys, Flak is totally uncapturable, so you won't have probles with ruskies manning it... unless you build one for them. As you can see here lies one of X victory points ( x because I don't know the exact amount of them), and castle will also hide medium or high munition point.
NOTE: I have no idea if there was any castle near Kalach at all. I don't care though. It's just a map, not 100% image of real situation.
Progress Report #3I had good luck today - WB didn't crashed
and this is awaited update. Today we will visit the first parts of Kalach town.
When traveling to Kalach the saddest thing which catches player's eye is destroyed ship with German combatants. War is dirty game, and even far away of frontline you can get shot too...
In the very beginning of the town player will surely get controlled. Every few kilometers german soliders are checking ID and permisions to travel. This looks like really good strongpoint, but beware the ditch dugged around the controll point. It seems to be a trap...
Finally in Kalach. Here we have Kalach's main workplace - a tractor factory, which produced tractors before the war, but now, in german hands, it's used as a fuel depot. Shipping and refilling barrels is it's main task. Whoever captrues the Tractor Works, will gain a huge fuel boost.
Yeah, I know it's not Kalach. Remember the castle from previous report? This heavilly damaged improvised defence line lies just behind a tiny brook which flows behind the castle. Untextured, as you can see
Off we go! Next update surely will show moar Kalach buildings
and expect something surprising, because there will be a hidden easter(n) egg. See you next time!
Progress Report #4While everybody is busy drooling about new patch I've finished another part of map.
The second part of our trip around Kalach suburbs. Next update will take us on the other side of river....
And how the overall situation looks like.
"No... they did it again... damn fanboys slip here during the night and show how do they love EF...."
... question: What did Hans saw?
Progress Report #5I finished left island in almost 95%. There's still a piece to be done, but I'm just too tired today.... and 1.40 came out
View on Players' 2 HQ sector.
I just couldn't resist to put this lovely frozen lake
however units on the surface of lake will suffer cover penalty.
Heavy defensive position.
Some rural buildings on the other side of Kalach.
Another guard post. Notice the fuel 'bunker' to the right.
Hill 72 - one of the most important positions along Don river - which army controlls Hill 72, controlls supplies delivery by river.
Also I decided about amount and allocation of Victory Points. Because I personally hate 3VPs games, and heavy fighting for getting just one point, I decided to put 5 VPs. Also they will be placed in way to allow players perform tactical assaults and will force defenders to split their forces.
Progress Update #6Sorry for such long waiting, but this annoying 503 error is making me furious. Also I had some exams, and more of them is coming, so next update may appear in far future.
Finally I started to build Kalach town. It is rather small, cramped area, with lots of buildings allowing to create hard to pass barrier.
As mentioned before river is one of the most important way to deliver supplies.
Next to the river we have elevated area with few buildings, providing 360 degrees if fire.
Fighting is such terrain is going to be close ranged and very bloody.
Obviously the easiest way to enter Kalach is to follow the road. But there are other ways - safe or not.
A very center of Kalach - go for the victory point and take it for our own!
... and how looks like the big picture. Sorry for the ground textures, but they have tendency to 'walk' all around map when making sky-high pictures. Red dots show positioning of VPs.
Progress Report #7... if I'm not wrong. Ummm.... yeah I said there won't be any update for few weeks... well, some of my professors on the university decided to get ill ( getting ill in summer sounds pretty stupid, I know, but hey! most of them are after their 60s). Anyway - thank you, professors
Another part of town.
Defence line finished.
Only one fighter was needed....
Progress Report #8Exams are gone! I'm free! Freeeeeedooooom!
... right, enough this William Wallace. I'm speeding up with Kalach now. Hell, I might even try to make another map
Near northern bridge.
A Kalach's train station. As a provincional town Kalach won't have huge multi-tracked train station.
A tracks. What have you expected?
The nasty defensive position. Breaking through this might not be such easy as some soviet comissars claim.
A church in Kalach. Antoher good MG position.
Street on north of Kalach. there won't be any town buildings from here to Axis base.
