What do you hate most about Time Commanders?

[Mount Suribachi]

Tough ain't it? But I gotta go with the idiots they've been getting to fight the battles. Last week they won more through luck than judgement, this week was just embaressing.

[Rocket_Boy]

Pretty harsh Mt. Suribachi, although the majority of hardcore TW players were always going to be unimpressed with the standard if they decided to get non-experts to fight the battles. I actually thought that the guys in the first week, while obviously never having played total war, had a fairly good intuitive grasp of strategys and tactics. I was tempted to vote for the presenter, but what really annoys me most is the 6 month wait for this wonderful game. Oh and the fact that I doubt that ny tnt2 gfx card will cut it anymore.

[Shahed]

For me it is not actually having watched it. But I will soon be watching it, hehehe.......

[Knight_Yellow]

1. 6 months to go.

2. looser teams

3. bloody defeat imminent, its broke it should have been going off right from the start of the last eppisode "lets come down off the high ground, after all were only outnumbered 6-1" http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

[Basileus]

dont even know who/what time commanders are hehe http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Knight_Yellow]

Quote[/b] (Basileus @ Sep. 12 2003,16:42)]dont even know who/what time commanders are hehe http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
4 geeks without any IQ above 50 try to defeat a computer general in Rome total war.

basicly

[Cheetah]

and in a bit more detail? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

what went wrong?

[Spino]

What I hate the most about TC is that I am unable to watch it. Living in the States and all that...

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/pissed.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mecry.gif

[frogbeastegg]

Well it was a tough choice between the defeat (or victory) imminent alarm and the fact they get to play RTW now. I'm a patient frog so the imminent alarm wins hands down A few more programmes and I will be seeing the dratted thing everytime I play TW, er the vicory imminent version anyway http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif

I do actually like the program but the alarm is so annoying I am going to mute the last half minute of the next battle so I can't hear it

[Revenant69]

Arrrrrggghhhh. If I only had BBC2 I would have enjoyed watching these people lose miserably. From all the information i have gathered so far I think the purpose of the show is to humiliate ppl and not about recreating historical battles.

I really really wish someone has recorded the show and can mail me a copy of the tape or somethin lol. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Cheers,
Rev

[econ21]

Cheetah - are you asking why the 4 players lost in this week's time commanders? It was horrific - kind of what would happen if you asked four kindly aunts to play Total War (no offence to kindly aunts). I admit they had a tough battle - Romans outnumbered 6 to 1 by Britons - but totally lost it far more heavily than they should. Positioned in a wonderful location on a hill with flanks protected by woods, they proceeded to march down into the open plain in a very widely dispersed formation. They could not organise a command structure between the four players and never showed an ability to get a picture of what was happening on the battlefield, getting hung up on single unit engagements. They had no discernable strategy. What happened as a result was painful.

The Britons hit the first, very thin, line of Romans with chariots, causing chaos and casualties. They then withdrew in good order, while the massed British infantry mobbed the dispersed Roman infantry with their superior numbers, typically attacking each unit at the front and both flanks. The players got one Roman legion unit to form a turtle formation even though the Britons had precious missile troops and were going in hand-to-hand. The British cavalry got around the rear of the Romans and hit their archers in the rear; they latter hit the Roman cavalry in the rear. The Romans in desperation tried to kill the British queen with their leader's bodyguard but lost that engagement too.

It made the British debacle against the Zulus at Isandlwhana (sp?) look like a model of preparedness and proficiency.

[Couscous]

I thoroughly enjoyed watching this lot get trounced. I don't think they missed a single opportunity to make a major blunder. It was joyous viewing indeed http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif

In defence of the competitors, they were clearly out of their depth and I think they should have been spoonfed a bit more info during the briefing phase. Maybe someone should have informed them that defense was an option? It's also tough setting the unit counters up on the command table if you have no idea how to read a contour map http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif

It crossed my mind after watching the show that as there are two technicians controlling the friendly forces... I wonder if co-op battles will be implemented in RTW??

[The Blind King of Bohemia]

The presenter wasn't as annoying as last week but the team, oh god. All of them needing a good slap. The stupidity was unreal, but at least it was a good laugh http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif

[Knight_Yellow]

Quote[/b] (Couscous @ Sep. 13 2003,02:47)]It crossed my mind after watching the show that as there are two technicians controlling the friendly forces... I wonder if co-op battles will be implemented in RTW??
thats a good point

there can be computer controlled generals that will lead some of your men so i suppose they might make a co-op.

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[The_Emperor]

I really hope that all those Roman Era, Time Commanders Battles are included as Hisctorical battles/Campaigns.

That would be great

My main gripe witht he show is the Defeat/Victory imminant warning... but above that was last episodes team http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Monk]

Seeing as how i dont even get BBC2 here i guess that has to be my vote.

Kinda funny hearing you guys gripe about somthing i havnt even seen yet...oh wait no it isnt http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mecry.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mecry.gif

[Stormer]

I found out next weeks battle is beetween ceasar and the gauls in germany.

[Mount Suribachi]

Quote[/b] (Rocket_Boy @ Sep. 12 2003,12:52)]Pretty harsh Mt. Suribachi
For the record, I would like to state that my beef is with the program, not the game (which looks awesome).

If they had teams with people who had half an idea about strategy (or maybe even had been allowed to play the game for a few hours before being thrown in at the deep end) I could ignore all the other things that annoy me.

[Spino]

Does Time Commanders have an official website? If there's an e-mail address or even a forum maybe you Brits who have seen the program can post your displeasure and let the producers have an earful (or in this case, an eyeful).

I wouldn't wait too much longer to file an official complaint or two. Based on their format of recruiting novices off the street to fight the battles TC has zero long term appeal for the academically minded viewer.

[Latro]

I quite like the program, although it would be more fun with crews that had at least a slight inkling of what they are doing.
But then they might notice the ahistorical crap you have to stumble through. They might ask embarrising questions like, 'Weren't there Gallic units in Hannibals army at the Trebbia?' or 'Who are those silly looking men in bearskins and what on earth are they carrying?' or 'Hey, should light charriots really be able to ride straight through formed ranks?'
But then my main beef is with the dolt who is in charge of designing the units
Someone, anyone, please give this man a book and make sure he reads it (if he can). These stupid nonsense units really ruin the game.
Barbarian Axemen, Berserkers (with pointy things), the Woad Warrior with his falx, Egyptian charriots (all wearing a pharaonic crown, btw)...
Ye Gods, this is facking annoying

[Spino]

I don't think the Total War community is placing such huge demands on the developers when we ask for more historical units. It's not as if we're still begging for a multiplayer campaign or anything... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif

Anyway, if RTW is as mod friendly as the developers said it will be then any and all ahistorical units can easily be replaced.

[Hurin_Rules]

How about for the last one, they give the stupid muppets overwhelming troop superiority, but allow one of us to fight them? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[TenkiSoratoti]

Considering they never played the game before and the fact that they have to work as a robust team makes it very difficult. The technicians lack the maneuvering skills etc etc.
My experience has told me that you dont have two commanders commanding one army.

TP

[The Blind King of Bohemia]

Is it the siege of Alesia next week do you think? That would be good, especially that huge Gallic relief army that came to add Vercingetorix(sorry if thats spelt wrong, i'm a little tired) Could you imagine the poor team that has to fight that If the team is anything like last week, it will be very, very funny http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif

[o_loompah_the_delayer]

Instead of the set they should have gotten craig charles - atleast we would have a likable idiot

[Knight_Yellow]

im changing my opinion

what i hate most about time commanders....

IS THAT I PAY A 100 BLOODY POUND A YEAR FOR MY TV LICENSCE TO THE BBC AND THEYVE DECIDED TO NOT SHOW T-C ANYMORE IN SCOTLAND, THEY SHOWED THE FIRST 2 AND TONIGHT ALL THAT WAS ON WAS SOME DEAD LANGUAGE GALIC CRAP


F****** B******** W******* http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

[Spino]

I still can't get over the fact that you Brits pay a 'tele tax'. They tax you for owning an appliance that receives uncoded signals?? What's next, a radio tax? Good heavens...

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif

What does FBW mean? F_cking Bloody Wankers?

[Knight_Yellow]

Quote[/b] (Spino @ Sep. 19 2003,02:16)]I still can't get over the fact that you Brits pay a 'tele tax'. They tax you for owning an appliance that receives uncoded signals?? What's next, a radio tax? Good heavens...

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif

What does FBW mean? F_cking Bloody Wankers?
f_king b_starding w_nkers

[LittleGrizzly]

Quote[/b] (Knight_Yellow @ Sep. 19 2003,02:06)]im changing my opinion

what i hate most about time commanders....

IS THAT I PAY A 100 BLOODY POUND A YEAR FOR MY TV LICENSCE TO THE BBC AND THEYVE DECIDED TO NOT SHOW T-C ANYMORE IN SCOTLAND, THEY SHOWED THE FIRST 2 AND TONIGHT ALL THAT WAS ON WAS SOME DEAD LANGUAGE GALIC CRAP


F****** B******** W******* http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif
i feel your pain we get s4c instead of channel 4 hardly nebody nows welsh here leave it die please

[Swoosh So]

ceud mile failte Gaelic arrg

[Swoosh So]

Knight yellow its on tonight(friday) at 19:30.

[Mount Suribachi]

What a dilemma for KY Friday night is "getting drunk on pints of heavy and looking for Englishmen to beat up" night in Scotland

What to do...RTW or picking drunken fights with the English... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif

[Knight_Yellow]

Quote[/b] (Mount Suribachi @ Sep. 19 2003,19:22)]What a dilemma for KY Friday night is "getting drunk on pints of heavy and looking for Englishmen to beat up" night in Scotland

What to do...RTW or picking drunken fights with the English... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif
well i was heading for the pub and just having a few short games when my dad phoned me from the pub saying it was on.


caught the last 20 minutes

so its was RTW and picking fights with english

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif

[Lord of the Isles]

At first, I hated the presenter, Eddie Mair, most. In week 2 I remember the general (Joe?) saying she wanted to stay on the high ground. Mair said something like "You're going to let them come at you?" in a sarcastic tone. That must have affected their stupid decision to come down from the best position and get surrounded.

But he can be funny at times. I think what annoys me most now (after week 3) is how poorly prepared the teams are. They don't do simple things like name features of the terrain so that they can quickly refer to them. Typical exchages during the battles go: "move to the left of the hill" "what hill and what do you mean by left?". They don't even assign a North and use compass directions. Nor do they name/designate the units. How do they expect to manage?

The command structure was better this week but still they make trouble for themselves. The lieutenants argue with orders and criticise the plan (week 3's lot were better: they agreed on a plan before deploying, even if it was a crap plan that was better than nothing). None of the lieutenants have found out important stuff like range of archers/slingers, optimum formation for different unit types and so on. If I were a general a few of my officers would have been shot for mutiny. And I think the 2 generals idea is bad: each team should have just a single overall commander. The other general should be subordinate and in charge of watching what the enemy is doing and reporting it (Intelligence?).

I've been wondering how the lieutenants interact with the computer operators? Presumably the operators aren't allowed to give advice but if they are asked for it, can they answer questions? Maybe the operators aren't supposed to do anything except follow orders but some of the camera views they have been giving are poor. Concentrating on close ups and losing any overall view of the battle. I suppose that gives sexier pictures for the TV director, so maybe he's the one to blame.

Mind you, I'm hooked. I watched week 2 six times the week following transmission.

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

Quote[/b] (Spino @ Sep. 19 2003,02:16)]I still can't get over the fact that you Brits pay a 'tele tax'. They tax you for owning an appliance that receives uncoded signals?? What's next, a radio tax? Good heavens...

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif

What does FBW mean? F_cking Bloody Wankers?
We pay a television license because the BBC is a nationalised thingy-it's not commercial, like the channels in the states (though we do have commercial channels).

[o_loompah_the_delayer]

We pay £110 or so for the BBC per year, I think its a good thing - there is a lot of discussion at the moment to curb the BBC esp from the Murdochites (the owner of Fox, the Sun and other such crap). Its supposed to broadcast stuff in the public interest, and I think its overall programming is better than channel 5 and sky, and the world service radio is unparallelled anywhere. What may appeal to the americans is that there are no ads so a program scheduled 9-9.30 actually lasts 30 min and not 22 min + 8 min adverts

[katar]

Quote[/b] ]Is it the siege of Alesia next week do you think? That would be good, especially that huge Gallic relief army that came to add Vercingetorix

i wonder how they will represent the two concentric rings of the roman defences?

[Parmenio]

Quote[/b] ]
I still can't get over the fact that you Brits pay a 'tele tax'. They tax you for owning an appliance that receives uncoded signals?? What's next, a radio tax? Good heavens...


The license fee is also a radio tax. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

The majority of the fee doesn't solely go to the BBC but also contributes to local radio stations, national radio, and the terrestrial commercial television stations. Hence ITV and Channel 4 run far less advertising than satellite or cable channels.

As mentioned, watching programs uncluttered by annoying commercials is particularly cool. Perhaps of greater importance is the quality of television that subsidisation can generate, and in fact a great deal of cable/satellite programming is made up of reruns of shows produced by the terrestrial channels.

[The Wizard]

Lol, no TC in Scotland and there is TC in Holland... how strange is that http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

[RisingSun]

Us Americans have a commercial-free publi television network, too. It's called PBS. Unfortunately, though, the progrmming sucks. Mostly just reruns of things on other networks. But, we don't pay for it. It's supported by donations, and they give you a free totebag

[The Wizard]

The fact that those idiots get to play a game I want to play bad...

[Scipio]

The thing I hate most about it is that I don't get it here in Canada

[Funky Phantom]

I hope the 'defeat imminent' warning will be included in the game http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[ShadesPanther]

I think that RTW will be like this in difficulty


Expert
Hard
Normal
Easy
Time Commanders

and I wonder if you can change the defeat imminent to certain things
eg Defeat Immenant to Smile You are on Time Commanders

[Frankymole]

I think Aryeh Nusbacher is great, a showman, probably great fun as a tutor/lecturer, and very television-friendly. But sometimes when he whacks the pieces across the map with a pool cue action/cocktail shaker/high kick, I wonder if it's not that I love to hate him :o)

[Frankymole]

Quote[/b] (Parmenio @ Nov. 08 2003,17:49)]
Quote[/b] ]
I still can't get over the fact that you Brits pay a 'tele tax'. They tax you for owning an appliance that receives uncoded signals?? What's next, a radio tax? Good heavens...


The license fee is also a radio tax. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

The majority of the fee doesn't solely go to the BBC but also contributes to local radio stations, national radio, and the terrestrial commercial television stations. Hence ITV and Channel 4 run far less advertising than satellite or cable channels.

As mentioned, watching programs uncluttered by annoying commercials is particularly cool. Perhaps of greater importance is the quality of television that subsidisation can generate, and in fact a great deal of cable/satellite programming is made up of reruns of shows produced by the terrestrial channels.
I can't believe Americans are happy with having ONLY "lowest common denominator" commercial television made by profiteers who cancel niche shows just because it doesn't reach the right "demographic" At least we in the UK get all that AND true minority interest stuff as well. We've got more than you Hahahahahah ;D

Time Commanders would never survive on commercial TV.

[Spino]

Sorry to burst your bubble but the average American is NOT satisfied with "having ONLY "lowest common denominator" commercial television." If we were then why are millions of Americans flocking to cable and satellite television in droves? In the last 10-15 years cable and satellite TV have done to broadcast television what broadcast television did to the movie industry decades ago; essentially bleeding it of much of its audience as new technology pushes it further from the mainstream.


Quote[/b] ]Time Commanders would never survive on commercial TV.

Well it doesn't seem to be doing that well in the UK otherwise why have they cut back the total running time? Tweaking and/or cutting key elements of a show's format so early in its first run is not a good sign of healthy ratings my friend. Time Commanders would positively thrive on American cable offerings like the History or Discovery channels. On cable there would be no need to cut the time down from one hour to 30-40 minutes because the show would not be subject to the cutthroat ratings wars that drive the decisions behind what is shown during prime time broadcast hours. With cable there is far less pressure to appeal to the average idiot who probably has no interest in a show like TC to begin with. In fact, in the right hands TC could easily find a comfortable long term home on a cable channel in the States.

The cost of a monthly cable or digital satellite TV subscription is quite reasonable here in the States (although the cost can vary from region to region). During my senior year of college (1991-92) my housemates and I chipped in for cable TV. We got every non-paying cable channel available at the time for about ~$15-20 per month

[Bevan of Hertfordshire]

Quote[/b] (Frankymole @ Nov. 11 2003,14:22)]I think Aryeh Nusbacher is great, a showman, probably great fun as a tutor/lecturer, and very television-friendly. But sometimes when he whacks the pieces across the map with a pool cue action/cocktail shaker/high kick, I wonder if it's not that I love to hate him :o)
Watching that was the best fun i ever had, lol

Where Nusbacher piled all the infantry up and kicked them in the the Spartan lines.

He's also in Line of Fire, another Quality program from the History Channel.

[Captain Fishpants]

Quote[/b] (Spino @ Nov. 11 2003,16:13)]Well it doesn't seem to be doing that well in the UK otherwise why have they cut back the total running time?
The change to a 6:45 slot is actually a positive thing, in terms of getting interested audiences. This - UK viewers might remember - is the "Robot Wars" time slot, while 8:00pm on a Thursday night put TC in direct competition with "The Bill" (one of ITV's most popular drama series).

I don't have viewing figures to hand for the post-move TC, but the shorter running time has, IMO, tightened up the show quite nicely. It may even mean that there's more chance of TC appearing in the US, as a 44+ minute format allows for that all-important advertising.

That last comment, by the way, shouldn't be construed as confirming or denying that TC will be on TV screens in the US. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Spino]

Quote[/b] ]I don't have viewing figures to hand for the post-move TC, but the shorter running time has, IMO, tightened up the show quite nicely. It may even mean that there's more chance of TC appearing in the US, as a 44+ minute format allows for that all-important advertising.

Ah, thanks for the info Capt. I was under the impression the original one hour time block included commercials. I seem to remember hearing that in the UK commercials are sandwiched in between shows as oppposed to being spread out throughout each show via periodic breaks like in the U.S. Is this why TC airs at 6:45 instead of 6:30 or 7:00? Is this 'sandwiching' of advertising standard practise for all UK channels or does it vary from channel to channel and region to region?

Funny thing you should mention Robot Wars because we get that here in the States as well. It is shown on Tech TV, a nice little tech, gadgets & games oriented channel. And yes, 40-45 minutes total running time does make TC optimal for a standard one hour time slot in the States. I'd be very surprised if the History Channel doesn't get Time Commanders. Time Commander seems like it is tailor made for that particular channel.

**anxiously crosses fingers and rubs lucky rabbit's foot**

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/dizzy.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/dizzy.gif

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

Quote[/b] (Spino @ Nov. 12 2003,20:40)]
Quote[/b] ]I don't have viewing figures to hand for the post-move TC, but the shorter running time has, IMO, tightened up the show quite nicely. It may even mean that there's more chance of TC appearing in the US, as a 44+ minute format allows for that all-important advertising.

Ah, thanks for the info Capt. I was under the impression the original one hour time block included commercials. I seem to remember hearing that in the UK commercials are sandwiched in between shows as oppposed to being spread out throughout each show via periodic breaks like in the U.S. Is this why TC airs at 6:45 instead of 6:30 or 7:00? Is this 'sandwiching' of advertising standard practise for all UK channels or does it vary from channel to channel and region to region?

Funny thing you should mention Robot Wars because we get that here in the States as well. It is shown on Tech TV, a nice little tech, gadgets & games oriented channel. And yes, 40-45 minutes total running time does make TC optimal for a standard one hour time slot in the States. I'd be very surprised if the History Channel doesn't get Time Commanders. Time Commander seems like it is tailor made for that particular channel.

**anxiously crosses fingers and rubs lucky rabbit's foot**

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/dizzy.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/dizzy.gif
Time commanders is on the BBC, which means that there are no adverts at all. Ironically, this meant that 24, imported from the US, was 45 minutes an episode, rather than an hour...18, then, really... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

[Frankymole]

Quote[/b] (Spino @ Nov. 11 2003,22:13)]
Quote[/b] ]Time Commanders would never survive on commercial TV.

Well it doesn't seem to be doing that well in the UK otherwise why have they cut back the total running time?
Luckily the BBC is a public-serice broadcaster, so although ratings can indicate how much enjoyment the audience is getting (but even this is usually subservient to the Audience Appreciation Index), ratings are not essential to a programme's continuation or even renewal for new seasons. Unlike in America, or anywhere else in the world for that matter. Two great things about the UK - true public-service broadcasting, and a national health service I'd miss both if I had to move abroad. I only started to respond to the daft assumption that we have a "telly tax".

[Odinn]

The fact that I can't get BBC 2...
Unless BBC Prime or BBC World is BBC 2...

Does anyone know where on the internet i can find recorded episodes? Except legiontotalwar because I can't open their download section.

[Michael the Great]

Wait a minute...I can't get this.
I've read that stuff about TC on totalwar.com but didn't understand 2 much from it.
So u ppl mean there is a team playing against the computer with a R:TW engine,that means their playing R:TW and the battle engine is finished doesn't it?
I mean,how can they control their troops? Isn't there an interface of somekind?
Only thing I've noticed so far are those great screens from the game.

[Frankymole]

Something about the game engine disturbs me. When a unit of cavalry charges "into" a group of infantry, it doesn't actually smash into them -- the running horses suddenly stop at the front rank, going from 30mph to zero in a split second, then after a few seconds the rider starts half-heartedly poking around with his spear. Surely the charge will have some momentum and scatter or topple at least a couple of infantrymen in the front rank?

[The Wizard]

We still have ¾ of a year to go before the game is released... this comment has been made many a time before...

At least they don't have the long necks anymore http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/shock.gif

It'll be fine... in all that time CA will have to have corrected the strange "after-running" of the cavalry. And I hope charge cav will get their swords out after the charge...

[RJV]

Hi all,

Can I just post a 'best bit' rather than worst bit? This weeks, Aryeh's quote...

'Look at my big barbarian penis', closely followed by 'Here are my genitals'. (Slight paraphrase but I was laughing too much, the guy is a genius).

TV just doesn't get any better than that.

Cheers.

[Antalis::]

What I hate most?: That I cannot watch it here in Austria with my cable connection http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

But I thank god, that there are people who record it.
But its a struggle till I get my hands on this videos.

Till now, I have seen 4 episodes and I want to see more of these wonderful battles http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/angry.gif

[Nowake]

Indeed, this is what I hate most too. Why couldn't it be on the actual BBC?

[BlackFireStorm]

I need an option adding: "Can get BBC2 but live in Scotland where the idiot programme schedulers have taken it off the air". How annoyed am I? Very.

[PFJ_bejazuz]

the mocking presenter a la Ann Robinson was a mistake

he does some political thing on R4 in the morning & has taken the high-handed style he has with politicians & stuck it to the players

which alienates the program makers from the viewers

eddie mier is the most obvious weak spot in the format

the second is the '2 general 2 captain idiot player team' concept

the idea that 'wife swap' conflict would add to the drama of the show was a weak gamble & giving them little feedback info from the lads up front pressing the buttons only makes it worse

-------

but i still watch it

i only hope another network looks at the deficiencies of the format & opts for a one general with a non hostile host style show

[Shamus]

There were four top choices for me, three of which were on the list, the third wasn’t. This first thing that bugs me is that I can’t get BBC2. I’m also very annoyed that these people, who obviously have very little interest in this type of gaming (otherwise they would employ half-decent strategies learned from pervious games of a similar genre), getting to play this game before me.

Then of course there are the damn monkeys playing the game, who couldn’t come up with a good strategy if their life depended on it. I’m amazed none of the experts have had a brain aneurysm from watching them. Lastly, I wish the copy of the show that I have wasn’t so blurry. I appreciate being able to see it at all, but the fact that all troops look like blurred blotches unless they are up close, starts to wear thin after a while. I wish I could see the beautiful troop formations and the scenery in which they are playing.

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

Quote[/b] (Nowake @ Dec. 08 2003,14:26)]Indeed, this is what I hate most too. Why couldn't it be on the actual BBC?
What do you mean, the actual BBC? It's on BBC2...

[Knight_Yellow]

Quote[/b] (BlackFireStorm @ Dec. 14 2003,22:54)]I need an option adding: "Can get BBC2 but live in Scotland where the idiot programme schedulers have taken it off the air". How annoyed am I? Very.
pssst.


its on mondays BBC2 at 6PM.


yeah i missed a few weeks too then saw it in the tv bit in the daily record.


2 more eppisodes over the xmas period


WOOT

[chilling]

I still wish they would try one where they split the teams in two and have them play against each other. As General_Mayehm said, we don't want to watch a contrived conflict like wife swap (that between the generals and the subbordinates). We would much prefer to see two teams slug it out, one to be hailed as champions.

Maybe the historical battles would leave one team in an unwinnable situation? I wouldn't know that.

It is meant to be combat after all...

[Frankymole]

All these big-name historical battles are all very well, but sometimes in M:TW I get a small-scale (almost skirmish-level) action that can be just as much fun, if not more so. In the snows of northern Europe, wolves howling, enemies sneaking through the trees... Or assaulting a fort, or taking out field artillery, or a bridge assault/defence. There's not so much variety shown on TC.

[Aymar de Bois Mauri]

Quote[/b] ]I’m amazed none of the experts have had a brain aneurysm from watching them.
ROTFL http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif

[Ashen]

They get to play it before me http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mecry.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mecry.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mecry.gif

Plus that presenter, god, its like "Look at me I want to be Anne Robinson so much"

[Frankymole]

Quote[/b] (Knight_Yellow @ Dec. 19 2003,23:55)]2 more episodes over the xmas period
Where? Last Monday there was only some old movie shown instead. Although there are supposed to be two or three episodes still to go, the searchable BBC TV listings at www.radiotimes.beeb.com aren't showing it up when I search... worrying.

[Mount Suribachi]

Wow, its the rant that refuses to die http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

3.5 months after I started the thread and people are still at it.

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/handball.gif

[The Wizard]

Eddie Mair. What an idiot.. does he have an attention disorder or what?

[Aymar de Bois Mauri]

Quote[/b] ]Wow, its the rant that refuses to die

3.5 months after I started the thread and people are still at it.
And they'll keep at it, probably until TC is gone or RTW is released... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Mount Suribachi]

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif True http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Actually, since they moved it to the Monday I keep on missing it, so I don't know if its improved at all since the first shows wayyyyyyyy back in September.

[Ludens]

The show is shorter and they skip most of the planning phase (including the introduction movie and the unit-descriptions, the last are now done by the "voice" for the public, the players have to ask the technicians). They focus more on the battle. The pictures seem prettier but teams seem worse. Perhaps this is because they don't even get the introduction movie and instead have to find everything out themselves.

The last few episodes had added special effects (the death of Alexander, the music from "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" during a last dash for glory). All in all, it is a better to look at then the first series, but the contents of the show (the strategy and the teamwork) are NOT improved.

[Frankymole]

Quote[/b] (Aymar de Bois Mauri @ Dec. 26 2003,23:31)]And they'll keep at it, probably until TC is gone or RTW is released... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Has it been axed? No sign of it in the schedules...

[Ludens]

According to that message that Stormer posted on the front page of the Org, there will be 2 more episodes after new year, and that's it. But perhaps there will be a third series. Stormer asked everyone to contact the BBC (preferably by phone) and ask for it.

[Ashen]

I emailed them. 7 times. Hope it has some effect http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Ludens]

Ashen, how many times have you changed your sig? Is there some message in this?
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif

[Aymar de Bois Mauri]

Quote[/b] ]Ashen, how many times have you changed your sig? Is there some message in this?
LOTS of times. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif
I asked him the same, in another thread. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Ludens]

What did he answer?

[Aymar de Bois Mauri]

Nothing yet. I think he is beeing shy... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Aymar de Bois Mauri]

Hey, Ludens http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif

This is what Ashen answered:


Quote[/b] ]aw come on be nice; this is only my ... um ....third? in a month http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif
HEHEHEHEHEHEHEHE http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Ludens]

That makes 3 times in sixteen days (he registered at 23/12/2003). 3 Divided by 16 makes roughly 1 divided by 5. A new sig picture every 5 days. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif Even I don't change my sig that fast

[Aymar de Bois Mauri]

Quote[/b] ]That makes 3 times in sixteen days (he registered at 23/12/2003). 3 Divided by 16 makes roughly 1 divided by 5. A new sig picture every 5 days. Even I don't change my sig that fast
Yeah http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif
He is a graphics afficionado to say the least http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Good Photoshoping skills though... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/bigthumb.gif

[Math Mathonwy]

its hard for me to decide if i hate the idiot ppl on the show, or that one annoying historian that doesnt seem to want to go away like the rest do more http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

[Frankymole]

Quote[/b] (Ludens @ Jan. 04 2004,16:48)]According to that message that Stormer posted on the front page of the Org, there will be 2 more episodes after new year, and that's it. But perhaps there will be a third series. Stormer asked everyone to contact the BBC (preferably by phone) and ask for it.
Well, looks like it's been cancelled. That's that. Boo

[Ludens]

No, yesterday morning I saw that they had placed the information for week 15 on the TC-information page at totalwar.com. I thought, bah, I missed it. But no, when I went back that evening, the information had dissapeared But still it was mentioned that the page was last updated on 5 januari.
So the battle is coming, you just need to wait for a week. I can't remember the exact battle, but it was between Spartacus and Chrassus.

Oh dear, I feel another attempt a replaying the movie comming on.

[makkyo]

Now we all just have to wait for Time Commanders 2... kind of depressing when you don't have a bunch of idiots to compare yourself too when it come to battle tactics. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-sleep.gif

[makkyo]

It doesn't help too much if your from the states either http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-wall.gif
He he this icon makes me laugh. lol

[Captain Fishpants]

Just a passing thought, but has anyone in the US tried getting in touch with BBC America? Maybe if you ask nicely, they'll be willing to show Time Commanders. After all, as an arm of the BBC, they have access to all the back catalogue.

[Aymar de Bois Mauri]

Thanks, Captain Fishpants http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-thumbsup.gif

I believe some American members will apreciate the info http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-sunny.gif

BTW, CA http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-drummer.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-singer.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-guitarist.gif...

[Monk]

Quote[/b] (Captain Fishpants @ Jan. 13 2004,10:54)]Just a passing thought, but has anyone in the US tried getting in touch with BBC America? Maybe if you ask nicely, they'll be willing to show Time Commanders. After all, as an arm of the BBC, they have access to all the back catalogue.
Wait I'm American, I have BBc America....

:Five minutes later:

....

:Five Minutes Later:

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/idea.gif i could...

:Five Minutes Later:

yes i could get in touch with them.

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-speechless.gif

now i just need their info :goes to find it:

[Frankymole]

Quote[/b] (Ludens @ Jan. 07 2004,11:21)]No, yesterday morning I saw that they had placed the information for week 15 on the TC-information page at totalwar.com. I thought, bah, I missed it. But no, when I went back that evening, the information had dissapeared But still it was mentioned that the page was last updated on 5 januari.
So the battle is coming, you just need to wait for a week. I can't remember the exact battle, but it was between Spartacus and Chrassus.

Oh dear, I feel another attempt a replaying the movie comming on.
Okay, as suggested I waitd for a week. The last two shows remain cancelled.

[Ludens]

Quote[/b] (Frankymole @ Jan. 15 2004,00:43)]Okay, as suggested I waitd for a week. The last two shows remain cancelled.
Yes, but you are not the only one who was fooled. CA appearently was too, given that they put the info on their site.
Now I cannot see Spartacus and his gladiators fight. It doesn't matter that the players would probably get them slaughtered, it just that I want to see the beautiful images of the game again.
It cruel, hard cruel. But I am a man and I can bear it.
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/pissed.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/pissed.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/flat.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/flat.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mecry.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mecry.gif

[biguth dickuth]

The things i hate most about Time Commanders:

1)We don't get BBC2 in greece.... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mecry.gif

2)This Nuesbacher guy.... He's really offensive towards the players sometimes. As if they should definitely know how to effectively use an army in all circumstances. Most of them are alien to this kind of massive, electronic, 3D battle, so we shouldn't judge them by our standards.
Some of them have a vague knowledge of tactics (like the guy who was sure that "we're on the hill so it's allright") and when they use it, they end up seeing and listening to this annoying "defeat imminent" shit http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-oops.gif
Of course a few of the players lack practical logic (and leave their cavalry sitting and being torn down by arrows), but they're only a minority. Most of them have a not-too-bad grasp of the situation, being just newbies to the game, that is to say...
This is why i find this Nuesbacher guy particularly annoying when he tries to play "smart" with the players, just because he has studied more on the subject and already knows what had happened. I guess that if you took him before becoming a military history professor, or whatever he is, and without any preparation, and put him to play the game, he wouldn't have done much better than the other players.

3)The "defeat imminent"....poo, as i already mentioned. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-jester.gif

I really hope they don't stop the show.... there are many RTW fanatics of us out there, waiting to watch it (even after hours and hours of downloading medium-quality videos....) http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-computer.gif

[RisingSun]

But, think of this- Why the hell would you apply for a show where you command said types of armies unless you KNEW something about tactics? Unless you are stupid enough to believe anybody can handle an army, which I don't doubt some of these contestants are, considering some of the stuff I've seen them do...

I like the Nusbacher guy. He knows what he's talking about, but so what if he's harsh? He's quite witty at times. You can't just have him saying, "It's okay, you'll get 'em next time. Wanna cry on my shoulder?"

Some of those contestants were real a$$holes, too, yelling and blaming everybody but themselves.

[Knight_Yellow]

Quote[/b] (biguth dickuth @ Jan. 30 2004,20:09)]The things i hate most about Time Commanders:

1)We don't get BBC2 in greece.... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mecry.gif

2)This Nuesbacher guy.... He's really offensive towards the players sometimes. As if they should definitely know how to effectively use an army in all circumstances. Most of them are alien to this kind of massive, electronic, 3D battle, so we shouldn't judge them by our standards.
Some of them have a vague knowledge of tactics (like the guy who was sure that "we're on the hill so it's allright") and when they use it, they end up seeing and listening to this annoying "defeat imminent" shit http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-oops.gif
Of course a few of the players lack practical logic (and leave their cavalry sitting and being torn down by arrows), but they're only a minority. Most of them have a not-too-bad grasp of the situation, being just newbies to the game, that is to say...
This is why i find this Nuesbacher guy particularly annoying when he tries to play "smart" with the players, just because he has studied more on the subject and already knows what had happened. I guess that if you took him before becoming a military history professor, or whatever he is, and without any preparation, and put him to play the game, he wouldn't have done much better than the other players.

3)The "defeat imminent"....poo, as i already mentioned. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-jester.gif

I really hope they don't stop the show.... there are many RTW fanatics of us out there, waiting to watch it (even after hours and hours of downloading medium-quality videos....) http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/gc-computer.gif
Nuesbacher is GOD.


he studied at sanhurst wich in my opinion (wich is also the opinion of the entire british army) gives him the right to yell at noobs for being retarded.



what do you want him to say

"well guys youve pissed off 2 million viewers for the last hour by being useless and your entire army was sluaghtered becuase you had a fascinations with a hill, so sorry"


ha ha ha no.

[biguth dickuth]

Quote[/b] ]But, think of this- Why the hell would you apply for a show where you command said types of armies unless you KNEW something about tactics? Unless you are stupid enough to believe anybody can handle an army, which I don't doubt some of these contestants are, considering some of the stuff I've seen them do...


you have a point here... but still the electronic map and the big screen was enough to confuse some of them.


Quote[/b] ]Some of those contestants were real a$$holes, too, yelling and blaming everybody but themselves.

you're right, but i've also seen him do it on some who didn't seem a$$holes....although very bad tacticians indeed (like in Telamon)


Quote[/b] ]Nuesbacher is GOD.

he studied at sanhurst wich in my opinion (wich is also the opinion of the entire british army) gives him the right to yell at noobs for being retarded.


i don't doubt that he has lots of knowledge on the subject but NO this doesn't give him the right to "yell at noobs" because they make bad choices due to lack of knowledge and coordination.
however, i do think that these "noobs" would have been better off if they had bothered to study a little on the subject before going to a show like that. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Barkhorn1x]

Quote[/b] ] Nuesbacher is GOD.

he studied at sanhurst wich in my opinion (wich is also the opinion of the entire british army) gives him the right to yell at noobs for being retarded.

Hmm…I wouldn’t hold him in such high regard after this interview;


Quote[/b] ] Speaking on the subject of the battle of Tigranocerta:
“I'd say a great job was done by King Tigran as a coalition builder ... a 10 to 1 advantage is a nice way to start a battle.”

So, he accepts Plutarch’s numbers uncritically? Let me be clear here – the flow of the battle of Tigranocerta as described by Plutarch is absurd if his numbers are accepted (the Armenians had 125,000 men, Lucullus had 17,000 - the casualties are listed as 100,000 Armenians dead, 5 Romans killed and 100 wounded).

There are 3 possibilities here;
1. The numbers are made up – typical ancient historian puffery
2. The battle did not go this way at all
3. Both the numbers and the battle are a fantasy, or some transmogrified remnant of a minor skirmish
Of the 3 choices I would lean towards #3 and then #1 for some obvious reasons. Why Nuesbacher accepts this source at face value is a mystery, and leads one to question his expertise.

On his teaching philosophy;

Quote[/b] ] “However, I don't like the idea that battles or individuals influence the development of man.”

So, he doesn’t “like the idea” What does this mean?? It doesn’t really matter what he likes – what matters is whether the principle stands up to scrutiny or not. Do I really have to list the dozens of battles/individuals that were pivotal to how mankind developed?? Do I really have to point out the (by now thoroughly discredited) Marxist roots of Nuesbacher’s argument?

And on Roman history in particular;

Quote[/b] ] “If Marc Antony and Cleopatra had not been defeated, things would have been different for some people for a little while. Instead of an adopted Julian becoming dictator, an adopted Antinine might. What changes in the big picture? The economic, social, cultural effects are, I think, far more important than which group of degenerates sits at the top of the heap.”

Does Nuesbacher know anything about Sulla, Caesar, Augustus, Vespasian, Trajan, Hadrian or Marcus Aurelius?? Are his sweeping generalizations here and his emphasis, again on economic and social “effects”, indicative of his ignorance of the period or his doctrinaire views on history?

In short – he’s a bit of an ass (an entertaining one on TC to be sure), teaching his brand of silly cultural/economic determinism, which is easily contradicted by hundreds of historical examples.

Here is the link;
http://www.extra-life.org.uk/articles/article.php?id=a43

Barkhorn.

[Frankymole]

Talking of battles upon which hinge the whole shape of modern society, did anyone listen to the discussion of Thermopylae today on Radio 4 (UK) "In Our Time" starting around 0930? I had to leave the car and enter the office jsut as it got going. It may well be on the www.bbc.radio4/ website still. I wondered whether the ancient (and not-so-ancient) historians' insistence that this was the bulwark of western civilization still stood up.

[squippy]

Quote[/b] (Barkhorn1x @ Feb. 04 2004,08:52)]
Quote[/b] ]
Does Nuesbacher know anything about Sulla, Caesar, Augustus, Vespasian, Trajan, Hadrian or Marcus Aurelius?? Are his sweeping generalizations here and his emphasis, again on economic and social “effects”, indicative of his ignorance of the period or his doctrinaire views on history?

Uh, actually Neusbacher is being very UN doctrinaire here. The "battles that changed the world" concept has been around since the classical period, and its a very covenient rartionalisation for those who seek to rule by might. I think Neusbacher is absolutely right to critique this; there's a good case to be made that, for example, the Roman trend toward empire was well nuder way and that all the civil war decided was which individual would be (in effect) emperor. If a different individual had won, would history have been os different? I doubt it.

[Barkhorn1x]

[QUOTE=Quote ]
Uh, actually Neusbacher is being very UN doctrinaire here. The "battles that changed the world" concept has been around since the classical period, and its a very covenient rartionalisation for those who seek to rule by might. I think Neusbacher is absolutely right to critique this; there's a good case to be made that, for example, the Roman trend toward empire was well nuder way and that all the civil war decided was which individual would be (in effect) emperor. If a different individual had won, would history have been os different? I doubt it.
No, I'm sorry you're wrong.

1. A Marxist interpretation of history is doctrinaire at many colleges.

2. A principles use as a convenient rationalization does not make the principle any less true.

3. If Caesar and Augustus had not lived when they did it is certain that Roman history would have been VERY different.

Would you like me to give you about 20 other examples???

Barkhorn.

[biguth dickuth]

the world is chaotic. even a slight change may produce a very different reality in the long-term.
would history have been different if another person had become roman emperor? yes, it probably would.

however, we must not underestimate the remaining factors' significance. these emperors did not carve history on their own. they were influenced by a great number of different socio-economical situations and they responded to them according to their own personalities. so, they more often act like catalysts, accelerating or hindering the course of some events, rather than completely changing it.
of course, in several occasions, one would say that they did change the way things happened, instituting a change that would have never happened without them or completely stopping something that would have definitely happened without them.
however, this is not true, in most cases. they just played a role in these events, a very significant one, since they had a lot of power, but still just one role out of the many *. there were many other factors (social, economical, other individuals and even coincidence) that took their part. history could have been different without them but not as different as we think.
we probably wouldn't have been born, however. some others would have.

* i'd like to give an example about what i said before. the protagonist in a theatrical play holds the most important role of all but still he can't do the play all by his own, without the other actors, unless of course it's a monologue.
but history is not a monologue. it's a dialogue more complicted than we ever realise.