Time Commanders

[rasoforos]

self explanatory

[The Wizard]

I forgot... again. T_T;

[ShadesWolf]

Yes I did

and I think its a dead programme. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/angry.gif

[rasoforos]

you didnt miss anything....another useless eam doing whatever they can to lose miserably http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[frogbeastegg]

I saw it http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Well first of all the shorter format is mostly good but I miss the old, long explanation of the background complete with snazzy RTW graphics.

Important/interesting points.
-Chariots really break up formations effectively and as we all know things go downhill for the victims from there. My chariot addiction has survived yet another episode of badly commanded vehicles.

-Pikes hold the enemy at bay for a short time so the pikemen can attack without being in danger. Then the formation slowly dissolves and the enemy can get in close. Very nice detail this.

-Units slow down when crossing fords. Filed under future strategic hints for battering the AI.

-Archers are much more dangerous, perhaps as dangerous as in Shogun. The damage they did to the front rank of Hittite spearmen was eye watering.

-The units were all appropriate in era etc, there were a few downers (the unit of Egyptian spearmen wearing crowns) but for the most part a complete set of proper units had been assembled. This is a good sign for the modders.

Funny stuff.
-Announcer: "There were no rideable horses at this time, it was chariots or nothing." cut to view of some scouts mounted on horseback. Later you see the Hittite king and his bodyguard sat firmly on a bunch of horses.

-Understatement of the week: "I think we have lost."

[rasoforos]

my phraze of the week was :

-we ve lost
-no we still have those archers left
'DEFEAT IMMINENT'
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[The Wizard]

Well the units slowing down in fords is something that could already be seen in Tigranocerta and Trebia http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[The_Emperor]

Yes Very true, there they were lining up to crush an Egyptian Army besiging their city and what did they do, they tried to play a defensive battle and attempt to Lure the Egyptians across the river with their chariots.

The team suspected that another Egyptian force was enroute when they realised they had some Unit Blocks spare... But they stuck to their little plan, their chariots did a sudden vicious strike on the Egyptian troops but didn't have anything to follow up with while the enemy was disorganised.

They withdrew leading the Egyptians on to cross the river when suddenly, THEY STOPPED One guys said "They can't do that, what a dirty trick". So they had to change the plan and cross the River.

The Egyptians who were initially taken by surprise got the time to reform into a good solid battle formation and by the time the Hittite infantry was across the river they were ready for them, and the infantry battle slowly went their way...

Then suddenly the Egyptian reinforcements arrive to the Rear of the Teams Army (Life's harsh aint it). Caught in a vice between the two armies the Team got minced (who'd have guessed)

Overall I think the programme was good they have streamlined it a lot more by removing a lot of the useless debating amongst the team, but they continue to have useless people on the show and week after week its either a Massacre, or a very lucky victory

I think ShadesWolf is right, the programme seems to be going down the tubes and its move to the "Evening Joke Programme Slot" along with Star Trek re-runs, Simpsons Re-Runs and, Fresh Prince Re-runs is not going to do it any favors... Shame really, I like watching the carnage http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[The Wizard]

True, but Fresh Prince and Simpsons is good. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Dammit, musn't forget this again *writes down on note not to miss Thebans vs Spartans* >_

[rasoforos]

i really cannot undestand why the program producers dont try to find som decent players like stw/mtw known to be good MP players or maybe some military historians or army officers ( who could prove if they know their job or not) ... i think the series has deteriorated...

[frogbeastegg]

Yes, I wish they would get a couple of experienced teams and let them battle each other. From what I hear of the multiplayer games (don't play multi myself) it would make interesting viewing.

Of course that would kill the "Machine with the mind of a general" tagline they have. But then it has been a long time since I heard the tag line..

[ShadesPanther]

there was an ad after the simpsons quoting from terminator that it will not stop untill you are dead etc.

The girl at the start really wanted her hand to be held by the teacher.

Its reallly cool the way the spearmen drop the spear when the enemy gets too close and draws out their little sword/ knife

[ShadesWolf]

I was very disappointed with last nights episode, The RTW side of it still looks really nice, and we seem to learn new stuff each week, did anybody else notice the fields, how they LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE PLOUGHED - ie not totally flat.

As for the format of the show, I miss the unit descriptions, and the 'contestants' really suck....

I cant understand why they couldn't have gotten a better class of player, somebody with a brain and an idea of what the hell they were doing, instead of the weekly morons

I mean great tactics, lets have a hit and run chariot attack, and then wait to be crushed between two enemy armies......

[frogbeastegg]

Now ShadesWolf, be nice and give the contestants their due.
It was three armies http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif

Surrounded and crushed by three armies after a reasonable start and a few good ideas.

I find it does help my blood pressure if I view the programme as nothing more than an extended RTW preview. At the same time the contestants are still managing to send me to an early pacemaker

Look on the bright side, they are regular joes playing TW with the same skill and intellect as an average person. That must make us all geniuses on a equal level with Hannibal, Caesar and co. Or something.

[The_Emperor]

Quote[/b] (frogbeastegg @ Nov. 04 2003,14:05)]Look on the bright side, they are regular joes playing TW with the same skill and intellect as an average person. That must make us all geniuses on a equal level with Hannibal, Caesar and co. Or something.
Well thats what you expect from the sort of nutters who fight wars for FUN http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[ShadesPanther]

Tips for the average Joe

1. Having the enemy get behind you is quite bad
2. playing against someone smarter than you (yes even ai) its best you play dirty or not at all (ie. RUN&#33http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif
3. Turning a flank is good
4. charging everyone in and hoping for the best is not the best stratagy
5. please remeber you will be on tv so don't make too big an ass of yourself (ie saying "thats a sneaky trick" )


think of more so e can make a guide http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[The Wizard]

6. Don't get into shows of which you know nothing about in the first place. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

[frogbeastegg]

7. Just because a unit has ranged weapons don't assume they have sniper rifles. Put your ranged units close to your army not on the other side of the map.

8. When a unit is lying on the floor it is dead. You cannot use dead units (no I am not making this one up, someone did try to use some dead units once )

9. Try to kill more of the little enemy people than you lose of your little friendly people.

10. Mercy is for the weak. Wipe them out, all of them. (Aka don't shut your eyes and say I can't watch when the battle is joined, for heavens sake you are supposed to be in charge )

11. If you are a general don't be nice to everyone, just get the job done. (This week a lieutenant asked "are you sure that's a good idea? We had a plan earlier and it was different". The general should have told her "That's an order, just do it" instead of wasting valuable time explaining everything. This really slowed them down)

12. Just don't. Whatever stupid thing you were about to do, just don't. This includes applying for the programme when you are clueless.

I think I kept a lid on the more sarcastic, cutting and just plain nasty comments - they were a little eyewatering

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

Yeah, the contestants were stupid. It should have been 'Wham, Bam, Thankyou Ma'am' While the enemy were in Column, using the chariots to keep the enemy chariots away from the infantry, and to distract the archers. After that, routing the other armies as they crossed the ford would have been easy. Instead, they got way too fancy. Also-indecision. They jumped around from one plan to the next all the time. Plus, I'm still waiting for someone to designate Geographical locations and units 'names', like 'A1' to save all the 'move that unit...no, that one...No, not the archers *dead*'

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

Yeah, the contestants were stupid. It should have been 'Wham, Bam, Thankyou Ma'am' While the enemy were in Column, using the chariots to keep the enemy chariots away from the infantry, and to distract the archers. After that, routing the other armies as they crossed the ford would have been easy. Instead, they got way too fancy. Also-indecision. They jumped around from one plan to the next all the time. Plus, I'm still waiting for someone to designate Geographical locations and units 'names', like 'A1' to save all the 'move that unit...no, that one...No, not the archers *dead*'

[Kraxis]

How surprising they got minced... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

It is not like the program tries to make them lose. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif Not at all...

Damn, let me at em And I will give victory to the Romans at Teutoberg.

[The Wizard]

You won't have to if the TC contestants get to play the barbarians... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif

[Kraxis]

Quote[/b] (Wizzy @ Nov. 04 2003,13:08)]You won't have to if the TC contestants get to play the barbarians... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif
Ok then I will play with one hand on the back and a blindfold...

[econ21]

I enjoy it, in an exasperated sort of way, and think the shorter format fits the material better (before you could come in half an hour late and have missed nothing).

I do wonder if what another person said was true - whether it would be less entertaining if the teams were better? I can't be the only one is a little bored constantly beating the AI in MTW on even terms. Seeing others do it might be even more dull. My young son much prefers watching the programme than watching me play (which he finds so dull).

It is fun seeing teams muddle through and get some good ideas that may or may not triumph. This week the team did a very successful pre-emptive strike and then later had the opportunity for a good flanking move. Seeing them squander both opportunities made for a tense and entertaining show, in - as I said - an exasperating sort of way.

The personal dynamics that come about from the challenges of working as a team are also interesting to watch. The historians - Nusbacher especially - are really growing on me; he's earned my respect by being right on the money. The presenter is a pain - they need an enthusiast, like say Peter Snow or Tony Robinson, who does not want his spend time making asinine pointed little jibes to the contestants.

[o_loompah_the_delayer]

Quote[/b] (ShadesPanther @ Nov. 03 2003,15:35)]Its reallly cool the way the spearmen drop the spear when the enemy gets too close and draws out their little sword/ knife
Its a pity though that they dont drop their spears when they are routing

I think also everyone agrees with Simon, Eddie Mair is irksome, they have the set of Robot Wars (I think), perhaps they could get Craig Charles? I also wish they wouldnt put the rerus on Red Dwarf at some ungodly hour like 11.30 pm

[econ21]

The wierd thing about Eddie Mair is that I always found him easy on the ears on Radio 4. I realise now that he is just being ingratiating to Radio 4 listeners and interviewers, while being snide and superior to Time Commander contestants. Yuck.

[Frankymole]

I found it the other way around. He seems arrogant and overbearing on Radio 4, but surprisingly genial on Time Commanders, especially as he seems to have realised untrained contestants with no visibility of what's going on the battlefield are in an invidious position.

[the Black Prince]

would any here, perhaps are american friends still appreciate the videos to time commanders being uploaded and available for download?

just wondering
tBP

[Nowake]

Don't worry tBP, if they can, they download it http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/pat.gif and of course they appreciate.

[The Wizard]

Yes, look at the drooling masses outside the gates... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif

[the Black Prince]

yes but you two both have access already, Nowake and Wulf

i mean the general masses that post in responce to my queries at TWC

[Rosacrux]

...there are some particular masses in Greece that would really like to download the stuff and have the BB to do it. Now, where is the stuff? I need my RTW fix

pretty please and with a cherry on top...
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[The Wizard]

It's at TWC (http://www.legiontotalwar.com).

Go to the forums, register, and you'll find them movies at the Downloads section when they're uploaded. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[Rosacrux]

Been there, done that, got the T-shirt (OK, I didn't got the T-shirt, but I am registered). And I can't see didly in the download section... why?

Is it just me, doctor, or is the world rotating the wrong way? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif

[The Wizard]

eh? Well, you need to bottom forum of the two in the downloads section.. in there you'll find several TC episodes, and also three exclusive movies. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[the Black Prince]

two new episodes being uploaded as we speak, Raphia and Kadesh/Qadesh - the latest two