Husserl

UGG covers both cases the same time. If you follow the historical moves (e.g. for first day, Heth's rush and blind first attack, Rodes uncoordinated first attack on Oak Ridge, Union advanced defense on Barlow's Knoll, etc.) then you will reproduce the historical battle of Gettys. If you improvise then the scenario changes. Actually one of the powerful futures of UGG is the tenths of alternatives scenario/maps that offers, according the player's performance. For example Confederates will have the chance to attack Cemetery Hill from the first day (according your performance) or having a fourth day to finish the job. Though the AI initially follows the historical openings, it constantly reads the the battle escalation very effectively and adjusts its performance to exploit player's weaknesses for achieving a successful attack/defend. However in the decision room (not available in focus test build) you will have the chance to select between different strategies/deployments that will affect the initial positions of both armies. There you will be bale to strength the historical scenario, or follow a completely different course of action.

(Γεια σου Στέφανε!) I am glad seeing more Greeks coming in our forum!

Welcome to our forum! Darth makes an incredible AI...

I totally agree with you. Please see the use of "Day 1 to Day 3" as the necessary historical time line limits and not as the limits of a predefined course of the battle. UGG is very open to "what if" scenarios for both sides, even from Day 1. It is depending on the player's performance reproduce or rewrite the battle of Gettysburg. Given victory points will never be the required objective nor will define directly the outcome for any battle in UGG. You'll never see a "capture hill A for 50 victory points!" objective. They are just numerical interpretation of the capturing points which appear only in the outcome report for every battle. Added to other numerical factors (e.g. casualties) will produce the final score for the current phase of the battle. However, as noted, this score is a secondary evaluation for the battle outcome. The main important factor will be always the capture points. The need of using strategic plans and tactics will be more than necessary in the battle as well. Especially the upper levels of AI characters will keep "remind" that to the player on the battlefield. Here is a small part of one of my battles (Day 1, Phase 2, player US against Defensive AI character): "(...) From the moves of the AI, I can see that he aims to Oak Ridge. I have already fortified it with artillery batteries and enough infantry. Fresh reinforcements allowed me to extent the front line Seminary - Oak Ridge to the south of Barlow's Knoll, creating a Γ line, protecting the same time Oak Ridge from the east and the city from the north. (...) That was just in time: new enemy reinforcement approach from north east towards Barlow's Knoll. Now Defensive will be able to attack Oak Ridge from west, north and east. Should I stick to the plan protecting Oak Ridge at all cost? Or I should re-deploy my forces on a new line Seminary - North Gettysburg? I cannot afford loosing Oak Ridge and let the the enemy deploy his batteries over there. I can stand an attack from west and north. If he will move his north east forces to attack there as well from the east, I'll bring my forces south of Barlow's closer to Oak Ridge reforming my front line from Γ to Λ. The same time my reserves in west Seminary, could help by attacking from the south to his attacking forces west of Oak Ridge. It looks like a good plan. (...) But it was not good enough against this Defensive. AI made a couple of sporadic attacks from the north which proved it was just for diversion. Almost the same time he launched a simultaneous attack against my both flanks. My right line which it was supposed to move closer at the east of Oak Ridge, was breached and cut off. My left flank was pushed hard from his right flank, unable to help the imminent main attack towards Oak Ridge (...)"

Under the current planning for the first official release, UGG will focus on the battle itself and not generally on Gettysburg Campaign. The game will start with the first skirmishes between Heth's advanced forces and Buford's reconnaissance forces on Day 1 and will finish on the evening of Day 3. The term "campaign" that sometimes is used by the developers is referred to the flow of the battle which actually is about a series of battles per day. There are many thoughts on developing further UGG adding more campaign elements but the main objective of first release remains for UGG to be a tactical battle simulator. We are strongly committed to create first the solid base that will permit us to construct safely our vision for strategy games. I agree that victory points are indeed a secondary element and so it is in UGG. However, capturing points in UGG are very important because they constitute critical strategy points that will define not only the outgrowth of the current phase of the battle but also the total flow of the battle for the given day.

LoS is unbelievable real but should not be confused with fog of war, which is unrealistic and will not be present in UGG. The map will be seen by the player, simulating the fact that generals had detailed maps and thus a good knowledge of the terrain. However player will be able to see the enemy units only after they get inside (the real) units LoS of his army. Sorry for not providing more details, but the imminent first focus test prerequisites that testers should know as less details as possible about the game and its mechanics, for getting a good feed back of their first met with UGG game play. @ Gwack Thanks for the info. All comments have a value for us so feel free to start your own thread about battlefield (or any other aspect about Gettysburg). Except the game support, we aim to make this forum cover in details all fields of this historical battle.

LoS is innovative and completely realistic, signed by Nick (aka Darth Vader). He will soon post details for LoS, among the rest basic futures of the game, so stay tuned, surprises are to be expected! .

Thanks, glad to see you arround. Soon we'll have a lot of thinks to discuss about.

Thanks! We have a long list of books and articles, but every suggestion is mostly welcome!

Hey hammeredalways! I am glad to see you arround. Stay tuned, surprises are to come in the very next days.

Thanks a lot Nick! I was very excited with the perspective on taking part in a game creation, especially supported by Darth Vader. Joining UGG ranks I found a very promising game, with innovative AI and gameplay, a real historical battle simulator. I am happy for taking part part in this effort to make an intelligent and enjoyable game. UGG will rock!

Hey all! Here I am.. Congrats for this effort of yours, I'm gonna watch closely...