Time commanders new series success or faliure?

[LordKhaine]

Bugger... I didn't realise there was another series starting . At least it's on a Sunday this time, so I'll get to see it next week!

[AmbrosiusAurelianus]

Interesting... But how does one add AP to one that has it already?

Sorry... winces. You're right of course. I was thinking of the peltasts and some of the archers I think. As far as I remember they didn't all have this bonus originally.

[Kraxis]

Sorry... winces. You're right of course. I was thinking of the peltasts and some of the archers I think. As far as I remember they didn't all have this bonus originally.

Rather, weaken the archers, buff up the javelins (no AP) and you should be set up pretty nice. The pilum would be obviously better against armoured foes but not noticeable against unarmoured foes.

[AmbrosiusAurelianus]

Thanks for the advice, Kraxis. It's much appreciated. I'd better go before I'm accused of hijacking this thread. Sorry to anyone hoping to read about Timecommanders. I did start off discussing that

[Butcher]

Did any of you see it last night? had the Battle of Stamford Bridge as it's theme, they are either starting to redo medieval or have especially created the skins for it!
They had huscarles, berserkers etc. Looked quite interesting, although it seemed that they didn't all ahve 'completed' animations yet.

[Fridge]

Did see it last night and thought it was awful. Partly due to my prejudices - could you have got a more plummy voiced, middle England, jolly hockey-sticks family if they tried? And those kids... I completely understand that getting the young'uns on there might extend the audience, and the family viewing Sunday night thing probably makes a lot of sense, but personally.... nah.

Also, the battle. Rubbish. I just didn't think there was a lot of scope for tactics, and as for the troops - some token archers, a king and his cavalry bodyguard and two - count 'em! - two types of infantry. No deployment, just get over the bridge as fast as possible and don't let the enemy settle... Now while that's no doubt the right thing to do, and historically spot on, it seemed to me like they'd dumbed the battle down, possibly to accomodate the two ten year olds. Again, I'm not saying that's the 'wrong' thing to do, just didn't fancy it myself.

That's the first one I've seen of the new series, and I wasn't impressed, but that's because of this one battle, not the format, and I don't even mind Hammond...

[lanky316]

Agreed, I'm beginning to think it'll be too easy this series. Still hearing Nus say "He was the bling bling Viking" made the kids bareable...

[Butcher]

Oh I agree, i thought the battle was far too easy. But then if people got crushed every week then would it make as good viewing (not from our persepctive, i am sure we would get an evil satisfaction from it!) for the general public?
Anyway, what i thought was interesting was the new models/skins. DOes anyone know if they were created especially or not?

[The Blind King of Bohemia]

The only good thing about it is Nusbacher and Mike loades swinging his battle axe at the viewer during last nights episode. The battles ate too quick man, and i liked the voice over in season 1 but they choose to get rid of it and the pausing during the battle just ruins it for me! The battles so far have been really easy, i just hope next week the team at Hydaspes fights as the Indian army and try to see them defend against Alexander's army.

[MacBeth]

I stand by my previous post - contrived crap for kids.

[Prodigal]

I wanna know what PC's they're using, I watched a show yesterday & wondered where the 1 frame a minute graphics were, & why I couldn't hear any CPU implosion warning sounds.

[Fridge]

One thing I really noticed last night was all that talk about using archers to pin the enemy, followed by lovely shots of them loosing off volleys into countless massive melee scrums, the camera following the flight until... it cunningly cut away seconds before you saw half a friendly unit disappear under the hail of pointy sticks.

Also - thousands of people charging across a bridge and not one soldier bravely throwing himself in the river for the sake of the unit? Thpffft.

[Epistolary Richard]

I agree we've lost something of the tactical overview of the battle, which I found really interesting, in place of more focus on the contestants (which I imagine the production company thought would appeal to a wider demographic than just RTW players).

As for the battle itself, it was a bit like the Battle of Stamford Bridge as fought at CentreParcs

For all this talk of the indomitable shield-wall that was the standard battle-plan of the period, we never saw one being formed on either side, but I doubt there were any mods to the game engine itself to try and replicate it. And the Norwegians seemed more hell-bent on throwing their troops in as soon as they could rather than forming up as an army as they did historically.

No mention of the Norwegians forgetting to bring their armour either!

[Fridge]

And, bearing in mind the programme is - I'm assuming - supposed to be at least a little educational, there seemed to be very little mention of what happened next week; ie, Hastings, Harold's death and the Norman invasion.

Maybe it would have upset little Mash, knowing that no matter he did, Harold was still going to get it in the eye a week on Tuesday.

In fact, have they done Hastings before? Seems like it would be an interesting one to do, with a very real possibility of rewriting history...

[RJV]

I'm expecting that one (Hastings) to be later in the series - having built it up in some of the commentary last night, it seems like a logical thing to do, especially as they are obviously trying to wring a few more viewers out of it.

To be fair to Lion TV (or whoever it is that holds the purse strings), if you ask people whether they'd want Stamford Bridge or Gaugamela, then we know where the votes will go, regardless of how 'interesting' the battle would be.


And a little aside - has anyone spotted that Aryeh looks like he's been at the mince pies over the holiday period? Celebrity status seems to be transferring itself into extra pounds round the old tummy...

Cheers,

Rob.

[Fridge]

To be fair to Lion TV (or whoever it is that holds the purse strings), if you ask people whether they'd want Stamford Bridge or Gaugamela, then we know where the votes will go, regardless of how 'interesting' the battle would be.

Let's be honest, the answer would probably be along the lines of, "Guagamela at Stamford Bridge? He'd be good cover for Lamps, but why aren't we looking for another centre-half? Innit. Anyway, I heard he'd already been linked with Sir Alex, The Great twat."

[bones58]

I thought this episode was poor.I am 14 but having kids on the show did not appeal to me... but it has to be said i was cringing with jealousy.Anyway we saw it last series the first few episodes were continually getting chopped and changed so dont dispair!

[mambaman]

sadly missed Stamford Bridge but saw last weeks-much better all round really

As for the Bishops-i am an ex Tank Commander and i have to say that the General (the vocal one) was excellent-just the mettle that would be needed in real battle i assure you...there are times for Generals to be quiet and times for them to grip the situation-the scenario demanded the latter

Interesting that they are now doing battles that verge on the mediaeval.....

[AquaLurker]

Is there a way where I can get to watch the show in asia pacific , the other side of the earth... You peeps are so lucky.

[Butcher]

Let's be honest, the answer would probably be along the lines of, "Guagamela at Stamford Bridge? He'd be good cover for Lamps, but why aren't we looking for another centre-half? Innit. Anyway, I heard he'd already been linked with Sir Alex, The Great twat."

Now that's just genius!

[The Stranger]

on wich channel is this show/program

[Placid Tramp]

I've been following a thread in www.wargamesdirectory.com where a couple of people involved in the show (including nus himself) have made some interesting coments:


"The producers of the second series were initially going to go to the certainly more effective command structure of a single general. I was very keen to keep the deliberately divided command structure. A single general has the opportunity to keep his thoughts to himself. Two generals present opportunities for discussion, potentially encouraging the commanders to discuss their ideas or at least shout them at each other.

I do not by any means consider unified leadership to be the only historically accurate means of command. Many armies were commanded by divided groups of leaders; and even single leaders often had to conduct councils of war to gain consensus for plans. During operations limitations of command and control often meant that independent commanders, rather than a single commander's tactical vision, governed the course of events.

Historical issues are important, but by no means the only consideration. The show is not meant to re-create all aspects of warfare, certainly not authentic means of command and control."
Posted by Nus at 22:12, 23 January 2005 GMT


"The first series had some sort of ban on wargamers as players. The second series did not. I don't imagine the producers would introduce a ban for future series. People who are interested should contact Eliza Barber at Lion Television Scotland."
Posted by Nus at 17:00, 24 January 2005 GMT


"Yep. I am the bloke who controls the big screen in the studio and responsible for capturing all the graphics in the edit.
People are saying that it's too easy this series. The Vikings were meant to be scattered initially, but if the team had dithered and messed up the bridge crossing, they would have found the Vikings all too ready for them. They were a good team. Don't worry though, there are some absolutely hiliarious defeats not too far away."
Posted by Aderm at 11:58, 24 January 2005 GMT


To me that last post sounds encouraging, i'm starting to miss the hilarious deafets of the 1st series.

[Prodigal]

Didn't anyone notice the comment by one of the historians about the General single handedly taking on the entire army?

[Myrddraal]

I didn't think it was the general, just a lone warrior fought hundreds on the bridge and (apparently) killed loads of them.

[ShadesPanther]

Don't worry though, there are some absolutely hiliarious defeats not too far away."

can't wait ~:D Always funny watching the idiots playing like the Group that took control of Ceaser's army and put all their archers and sligers on a hill a good bit away from the infantry and got run over by the Gallic Cavalry, I was pissed because I didn't see the Slingers fire.


At the end they mentioned the reinforcements coming and you could see them. I think the person playing the vikings did take it easy and slowly to give them some sort of a chance.

[Epistolary Richard]

I didn't think it was the general, just a lone warrior fought hundreds on the bridge and (apparently) killed loads of them.

It was a lone beserker who held the bridge while the Norwegians gathered their forces and formed their shield wall. Accounts tell that he killed about forty of Harold's men before, as the show said, being stabbed by a Saxon who floated underneath the bridge in a tub.

[Prodigal]

No it wasn't that reference, it was the general shown on the main display, he'd got ahead of the infantry & actually charged the enemy. Also the presenter warned against having multiple units occupying the same space, as they'd "get tangled up".

Sounds like they've been given free copies of RTW & have been using them

[RJV]

No it wasn't that reference, it was the general shown on the main display, he'd got ahead of the infantry & actually charged the enemy. Also the presenter warned against having multiple units occupying the same space, as they'd "get tangled up".

Sounds like they've been given free copies of RTW & have been using them

From another forum (wargamesdirectory I think it is called) there is a guy on there who works on TC ( see post a few posts up from this one for more quotes from there and a link) - he said the contestants were all given MTW to practice on before going on the show (RTW hadn't been released at the time).

Cheers,

Rob.

[Prodigal]

That's a shame I was hoping it was slip ups, was looking forward to "Get off the bridge fast! That entire units going to drop....Ohh too late"

[Smaug-V]

I totally agree that children should not be allowed on the show. If I hear the words "Mash" and "Berserkers" in the same sentence again im going to set fire to myself. I think the best episodes (going from series 1) are where they get a team of Insurance Salesmen/Human Resources Directors/Policemen who THINK they know what they are doing but actually suck, and they get obliterated. If they got anyone whose played RTW for a decent amount of time on the show theyd have to make it a LOT harder, And it might move a bit too fast for non-RTW players to keep up with. Might be interesting to see the 2 experts play against each other with equal odds. My money's on Nusbacher.