Soldiers of War

Soldiers of War
from SSI

FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Version 1.1

This F.A.Q. is available at the following URL:
http://www.newnorth.net/~yawnoc/saw/
It is available in text and Microsoft Word/Wordpad format.

It will (hopefully) be posted to the following newsgroups on the
2nd and 4th Fridays of each month:
usenet - comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.strategic

While this FAQ is maintained by Shane Conway, the majority of
the credit goes to SSI, Brigham Hausman, and John Edward Slaydon.
The company and these two men were extremely generous in aiding
me with mine and your questions, and without them, of course
none of this would be possible.

This work of art is copyright 1998 Shane Conway. It may be
reproduced in any form as long as it is not modified or altered,
and proper credit is given to myself. Sorry I had to put this,
however, I have had problems with improper credit before.

FAQ Revision:
1.0 - First draft.
1.01 - Added copyright and new unanswered questions
1.1 - Added new answers/comments

Note: The source of each answer is listed after the question.

Table of Contents:
1. Basic Questions
1.1 When will the game be released?
1.2 Is a demo available?
1.3 Are any websites available for the game?
1.4 Will the game featured 3D Acceleration?
1.5 Is the engine a modified version of the Wages of War engine?
2. Turn Based Combat/Game Engine
1.1 What is the length of each turn?
1.2 What is the basic cost of each functions?
1.3 How is elevation/floors handled in the game?
3. Campaign Scenarios
3.1 What are the various campaigns and scenarios included?
3.2 What are the different scenarios included?
4. Character Actions/Icons
4.1 What are some of the major functions available?
4.2 What are some of the misc. functions available?
5. Mission Editor
5.1 Can custom made scenarios be linked into campaigns?
5.2 Will the editor allow buildings, walls, etc. to be placed?
5.3 Will the editor allow enemy AI to be modified?
6. Multiplayer Play
6.1 What major internet services will feature the game?
6.2 Will cooperative play be allowed through the campaign?
6.3 Is team play planned?
7. Weapons
7.1 What weapons will be offered?
7.2 How realistically modeled will weapon effects be?
7.3 Will weapons be obtained on a sliding scale?


1. Basic Questions

1.1 When will the game be released?

I have heard differing reports, but according to the SSI website the
game will be released in "Spring 1998". Other reports say February
exactly. (SC)

1.2 Is a demo available?

Not yet! However, it was mentioned to me by SSI that a demo should
be available in 1-2 months. Keep your eyes peeled for more details. (SC)

1.3 Are any websites available for the game?

There are several sites I can now refer you to:

SSI's Soldiers at War website:
http://ssionline.com/games/saw/index.html

Shane Conway's SAW website:
http://www.newnorth.net/~yawnoc/saw/

soldiers-at-war.com
http://www.soldiers-at-war.com

Random Games (designer)
http://www.randomgames.com
(SC)


1.4 Will the game featured 3D Acceleration?

This game will NOT feature 3D accel. (SSI)

Looking at this again, I don't see why it would/would need to.
Basically the game itself isn't pure 3D, and it's not exactly
the genre that needs it. It is turn-based, not real time. (SC)

1.5 Is the engine a modified version of the Wages of War engine?

Yes. The original concept is based on the WoW engine but it has been
SIGNIFIGANTLY modified. (SSI)




2. Turn Based Combat

2.1 What is the length of each turn?

- Approx. 30 seconds in real time (SSI)

2.2 What is the basic cost of the major functions?

(All values are approximate)
-Regular Fire = 12 ap
-Aimed Fire = 20 ap
-Throw Grenade = 22 ap
-Reload Weapon = 25
-Apply First Aid = 1 ap per point of damage
-Set Satchel Charge = 22 ap
-Pick Up Wounded Soldiers = 20 ap
-Motivate Soldiers = 25 ap
-Fire Tank Turret = 26 ap
(SSI)

2.3 How is elevation/floors handled in the game?
(ie: will characters be allowed to travel to different floors?)

Absoluteley. The interior skirmishes are a blast because of this. (SSI)



3. Campaign/Scenarios

3.1 What are the various campaigns and scenarios included?

-One Campaign. March From Africa to Berlin (SSI)

3.2 What are the different scenarios included?

-Kasserine Pass
-Raid on Maltese Island
-Fight at Monte Cassino
-Anzio
-Normandy, D-Day Invasion
-Cherbourg
-Freeing of Paris
-Dresden
(SSI)

4. Character Actions/Icons

4.1 What are some of the major functions available?

-Walk
-Run
-Crawl
-Kneel
-Stand
-Prone
-Fire Weapon
-Reload Weapon
-Throw Grenade
-Set Satchel Charge
(SSI)

4.2 What are some of the misc. functions available?

-Cut Wire
-Carry Wounded Soldiers
-Enter Damaged Tank
-Fire Tank Turret
-Call for Radio Support
-Exchange Items
-Pick Up Items
(SSI)

5. Mission Editor

5.1 Can custom made scenarios be linked into campaigns?

-No, only single scenarios can be made. (SSI)

5.2 Will the editor allow buildings, walls, doors,
etc. to be placed?

-Everything that we did to make the maps the player can do to make their maps.
Which includes placing doors, walls, objects, units, items, etc.(SSI)

5.3 Will the editor allow enemy AI to be modified?

-You can assign different A.I..'s but not modify existing A.I.'s (SSI)


6. Multiplayer Play

6.1 What major internet services will feature the game?

-I am not sure at this moment. (SSI)

6.2 Will cooperative play be allowed through a campaign?

-No. Only Head to Head (SSI)

6.3 Is team play planned?

-No, Only 4 player (8 unit) head to head) (SSI)


7. Weapons

7.1 What weapons will be offered?

Here is a small list of some of the weapons.
-Pistols = Colt M1911A1, P-08 Luger, Walther P38
-Rifles = M1 & M2 Carbine, M1903 A4, KAR 98k,
Gew 33/40, M1 Garand, Bar A2, FG 42
-Submachine guns = Thompson M1928A1, M3A1, MP 40
-Heavy Machine guns = M1919 A4, Modello 37
-Explosive Weapons = M9A1 Bazooka, Panzerfaust, M1A1 Flame Thrower
(SSI)

7.2 How realistically modeled will weapon affects be?

-The weapons are pretty accurate to World War II standards. We did of course
have to modify some of the data for game play balancing. (SSI)

7.3 Will weapons be obtained on a sliding scale
through the campaigns?

-As you play the campaign, weapons will become available as needed. There is
also the ability to keep weapons found on the battle field. (SSI)