• First AI is available. Although it is far from finished, it is a first step to start discussing  ...
   
• All interface files are read from external files instead of from panzer2 shp files.  These files can be PNG or BMP.
  An special folder OPENGUI must hold those files in order to start the game.
  These files include cursors, dialogs, buttons, menus, marks, and animations and all of them are included on the package, so be sure you extract using stored paths
   
• All efile related files (dossier, inspect pictures  and flags) are read from external PNG/BMP files. At this time they are still read from either external shp files or from within panzer2.dat but this could change in a future. These files are expected to be found on OPENDAT folder.
  Each Efile folder should include an OPENDAT sub-folder to hold their specific image files. Those files are: (png takes precedence over bmp)
  dossier_medal (png/bmp)
  dossier_portrait (png/bmp)
  flag_med (png/bmp)
  flag_small (png/bmp)
  inspect_leader (png/bmp)
  inspect_medal (png/bmp)
  roundels (png/bmp)
  If any file is missing  in this sub-folder, then main OPENDAT folder is searched (within main game folder).
  If there are still missing images, they are searched as standard shp files (dossier.shp / flags1.shp) within this efile's sub-folder.
  And if any image is missing yet, then standard shp files within panzer2.dat are searched.
  I have converted all different pictures delivered with GraphSwitcher tool (well except those having old format) compressed in a package to allow install of the efiles folders from that (OPEN_REDIST.rar), check the links on top of the page.
   
• REDIST package includes also an OPENTXT_SAMPLE folder with some text files.
  These files are intended as a replacement for GUI97 and MISC files, as they can define not only text lables, but also important data as terrain cost, entrenchment, nations and fronts/factions, and so. You can edit and put on the related EFile folder and they will be loaded.
   
• There are some new game options available. I develop this to have the feature available, and maybe some should be moved as unit's special attributes, but I have not changed anything on equipment structure yet, so it is open to further discussion.
  • AD units can shoot air units as soon as they enter its range of fire, even if hidden.
  • Units, either friend or enemies, can block the line of fire
  • Air units can extend a zone of control (as it was on the original PG2)
  • Roads give the bonus when exiting the hex, not when entering the hex. This make bridges simetryc instead  (if there is a bridge, then it works from both river sides)
     

• NET  (warzone -  tcp/ip)  play
• Internal editor
• Efile improvements.
   

• Fixing a bug When switching countries in the requisition and others windows
   
• Auto test feature enabled. This a built-in feature to allow checking combat formula by comparing estimated results for several units using OpenGen and current PG2.
  How to do:
  1.- Create any scenario or select any existing with the terrain/units you want to test (can do also using a save-game)
  2.- Create a text file having a line for each combat you want to test. Each line should be in the form:
        @ AttakerCol-AttackerRow ,   @ DefenderCol-DefenderRow ,   Pg2AttackerForecast , Pg2DefenderForecast
        You can include remarks by starting lines with a ;  and also can include empty lines, both of them will be ignored.
  3.- Rename the text file to have same file name than scenario/saved but  .TEST as suffix and move it to same folder as your scenario/save-game
  4.- Now you must fill the file, so you should open it using Notepad or your favourite text editor (btw, here you can get a very good one:  NotePad++ )
  5.- While .test file is open, load the scenario/save-game into PG2 * I strongly recomend to use D3DWindower as you can Alt+TAB to switch between PG2 and your text editor and add as many lines as you want to test (fill attacker position, defender position and estimated losses for attacker and defender - 4 fields delimited by , )
  6.-  Once you have include all the lines you want, save the .test file, exit the text editor and close PG2 game.
  7.- Launch OpenGen and load the scenario/save-game
  8.- Press Alt+T (press T on keyboard while hondling pressed the Alt key) and all combats defined on the .test file will be evaluated and a message will pop telling how  many lines thown different forecast. If any difference is found, a report (log) will pop up showing those differences.
  
  You can always include some combats and after running the test, add more lines and run again the test.
  If any of the .test file has lines OpenGen can't understand, a warning is raised and those lines are included on the report so so can  review and fix.
  If you find any difference we would be happy if you could send me:
  a) The scenario/save-game you used
  b) The map file (.map)
  c) Equip97 (.eqp + .txt) you have used to run the test
  d) the report (log file) named Autotest_$$$.log  ($$$ = same filename than scenario/save-game) from your .\OPENLOG folder
   

• New Combat formula disassembled from current PG2 by Rudankort - who has joined the project team.
   
• E-Mail playing (PBEM) is available.
   
• Units icons can be made using a PNG file arranged as 3x3 same size images,  so each icon size will be figured out as:
  • icon width =  full image width/3
  • icon height = full image height/3
     
• Units icons can be located on a specific OPENDAT folder. This folder is searched before panzer2.dat so any icon placed here can override any icon include on panzer2.dat
   
• Interface files (except UNITFIRE and EXPLODE) will be read from external files instead of from panzer2 shp files.
  An special folder OPENGUI will be used to hold those files.
   
• Any EFile folder can include an OPENGUI folder to customize its interface with specific files (all or only some of them). If no Efile's OPENGUI folder exist or any interface file is not found then main game OPENGUI folder will be searched.
   
• Base year can be easily overridden by placing a specific text file (EYEAR.txt ) on EFile folder. First line of EYEAR.txt must include number which will override default 1900 base year.
  An alternative way, which takes precedence, is to include this token:  "BYEAR = ####" within first equipment item name (first record of Efile)
   
• There is a new toggle option to see unit's range of fire when unit is selected. A red outline encloses hexes within range.
   
• When a unit on naval transport can disembark on a shore, mouse changes to show possible hexes. If you click on a valid hex, unit will disembark at once
   (no need to right click, ..).
   
• There is a new option to see an explosion on the target unit when it is fired from range 2 or bigger. You must enable on Game Settings window. This allows to know which unit is the target when AI is firing your units.
   
• There will be an additional score file to keep last 5 scores played. So OpenHigh.scr will keep 5 best scores played and OpenLast.scr will keep last 5 scores played. Game score will use a new formula, and each scenario score will be included on AAR and dossier window.
   
• Naval units in port won't be scuttled as soon as mouse hover them, they will have a chance to flee the port if there is an hex available to go.
   
• You can select if  Mountains, Cities and Forest block direct line of fire only at range 2 (as currently PG2 does) or them block at any range (3 or more).
  Setting can be define at scenario file or as global setting (stored on windows registry).
   

Not included yet :

• Messages on screen are not read from GUI97.txt (are hard coded).
• NET (warzone -  tcp/ip)  play
• AI  .. .you must play for each player.
  
 

• When picking a campaign to play, there are two new buttons to check for missing maps (for the campaign you select).
  • Only check for missing files button, just do that, it gives you a report of missing files
  • Check and download missing files button, will try to download (and install) any missing mapfile from Gilestiel ftp site, then it gives you a report of those downloaded and/or still missing
     
• And everytime you start a campaign, a background thread will start silently to check, download  & unzip missing maps (both mapfile and map picture).
  If any map is missing yet and cannot be found a log will pop up to warn you after exiting the program.
   
• At the end of  any scenario, a pop up window will show the result. This window includes a couple of buttons to save the game and /or get an AAR (after action report).
  This "Ended" status is remembered when saved, so loading from that, goes to this window again. This can be useful to debug campaigns, as at this point next scenario is not loaded yet.
   
• There is a special flag to reset core units exactly the same as as if scenario #0  is played, previous core units are lost and unit upon deploy hexes become new core units.
  This flag (reset core units) will be defined on campaign file. Current behavior for replaying #0 works the same also.
   
• All played scenarios are properly recorded on campaign save game, regardless they are played only once or more times and each time results are kept separately, so AAR can track the path accurately.
   
• AAR (after action repor) is available. It can be got from Dossier or from End of Scenario window.
  You can still configure which options you want, but you must configure them from User Settings window. Anyway your settings will be stored on windows registry.
  AAR can be gotten for standalone scenarios also.
   
• Dossier window is ready and includes a button to get AAR. Medals are resized when needed as to show all scenarios played.
   
• Campaign mode is working, including transition to the next scenario as defined within campaign file.
  Includes also a new feature to reset core unit if defined on campaign file, if not played goto condition, videos, speeches and texts.
  Prestige management and prototypes (checking/showing) are also included as well as checking and showing if any new equipment is available.
   
• Weather management is done and weather table can be read from external file.
  Ground condition keeps as defined on scenario.
   
• AI turn is simulated by travelling all AI units. But it's a bit annoying so there is a setting to disable AI and play both sides.
  Anyway you can hit ESC key to abort  travelling once started.

Not included yet :

• Only a few texts are taken from GUI right now
• NAMES.txt file is not used yet.
• Best Carriers window. Shouldn't we include a new formula to evaluate campaign results ?
• PBEM play
• NET (warzone -  tcp/ip)  play
AI  .. .you must play for each player.
 

• Purchase Units window is made
   
• Upgrade Units window is ready
   
• Efile folder browser has been improved as to be similar to the rest of dialogs
  
 
• XP style message windows have been changed to be similar than other dialogs
   
• Can change the way selected hexes are shadowed (when moving / deploying)  up to 6 choices
  by pressing Alt+1 (old style), Alt+2, Alt+3, Alt+4, Alt+5 and Alt+6. Your setting is saved on windows registry
   
• Can change how it is shown the box for selected unit within a list (HQ &  Deploy)
  Alt+0 switches between standard and light yellow box
   
• BMP, PNG and GIF format support added for Maps. So when OpenGen needs to load a map picture it will search MAP folder this way :
  • If exist MAP#.BMP (#  is map number) then it will be loaded
  • else If exist  MAP#.PNG then it will be loaded
  • else If exist  MAP#.GIF then it will be loaded
  • else If exist  MAP#.JPG then it will be loaded
  • else MAP#??.SHP will be decoded, merged into a single image and loaded.
  • (later, if none is found OpenGen will try to downloaded from a ftp server using the format we finally agree)
     
• I've spent many weeks researching the combat formula and now I think we have a much better approach although I'm sure there are more special cases not caught yet, but I've fixed many of them (naval combat, fortifications, close terrain, rough, swamp and bocage ... ).
  I focused on getting same forecast than PG2 as this way I avoid the random effect and it's easier to compare results. It is still far away to be perfect, but I think it's much closer than before.
   
• Background music is already working (using DirectMusic). OpenGen can now play music as WAV, MP3 and MUS files. WAV/MP3 files are searched first and if not found any the MUS file is converted to WAV before played. Be aware the converted WAV file is not deleted once played to avoid next time to convert and very few files are used at this time. MEL sounds are not supported as MP3, only WAV & MEL format can be used.
  
  Files are searched first within EFile MEDIA folder as to allow having custom music files for each EFile campaign/scenarios and if not found then standard SOUND folder is searched.
  Default background music is GPLAY1 and GPLAY2 but you can change using the new Media Settings Dialog.
   
• Video clips are also featured as AVI files. It is a first attempt far away to be perfect. No need to change anything on campaign files, OpenGen will search any file defined as .SMK as .avi and if found, will be played. So you only need to convert some .smk to .AVI to test.
  Intro and credits video should be named as OpenGen_intro.avi and OpenGen_credits.avi so if you want to test convert or create any and rename that way to test.
  AVI files are also searched first within EFile MEDIA folder to allow having custom video files for each EFile campaign/scenarios. Standard SMACK folder is searched when no custom file is found. See OpenGen video format readme
.  If you want some avi to test, get these package (4 avis) OpenPG2 Avis pack

There is a new switch to avoid playing avi videos you can turn off within the new Media Settings Dialog.
 
• Scenario intros (speech  and video) are also featured when starting a campaign. But there is a problem when using exclusive video mode. After running an scenario's intro video map picture is not drawn until intro text window is closed. It doesn't happen if window mode is running though.
   
• There is a new Game Settings dialog to allow choosing game features from the scenario or from a global settings stored on registry. This window will allow to change those features like, true spot0, true range0, if allow blowing, if can repair, construct, etc. This will allow to test the new features/options easier as no need to edit scenarios. I will update as new features are included.
   
• A new OpenPG2_AI.dll  is included. Although it does nothing at this time, it will grow up as AI development is made. Put both executable and DLL on main game folder.

....No AI yet, you must play for each player.
 

• Units get experience on combat (first formula to be tested) and leaders
   
• Units can be renamed, either from unit window or from HQ window
   
• Units can disband on a certain turn. (need Suite 4.19b to enter a negative value for reinforce turn)
   

OpenPG2 Test  is a special version to test combat formula. It records combat results to a text file (TestXLS.csv) which can be edited with notepad or using MS-Excel. This test version does 20 iterations using same units values (as if you fight 20 times reloading each time the scenario).

Alpha  0.20-0.22  (Sep-2007)

• Spotting rules implemented, only units spotted by the active player are shown
   
• Unit's movement is fully implemented (but not combat, so surprise contact just stop movement) - MEL files are played for movement.
   
• Can finish the turn, but no AI available, so you must also end the AI turn. At the end of scenario, a provisional dialog will show up and game returns to start screen
   
• Combat formula is partially implemented though less than accurate. It only works for estimated losses, no real combat yet. It is only made to show the graphical interface and the LOF (line of fire) rules.
   
• Blow / Repair features are also implemented for Bridges, Airports, Cities and Ports.
  In order to allow testing, the new scenario settings "Blow-able" and "repair-able" are skipped
  Only units having "engineer" special attribute can do that. In addition if unit has fired, reinforced or has spent all its movement, cannot do this
  Also Unit must be on the hex to be blown (note it is different as it was on stock SSI scenarios)
   
• Building Ports, Airfields, Fortifications & pontoon bridges is half-made
  It shows a menu to select available Building actions depending on hex conditions
  The new scenario settings "CanBuild" and "BuildingTime" are skipped right now
  Only units having a new  "builder engineer" special attribute will do that, but this is also skipped and any infantry unit will raise the possible options depending on the hex it is.
  In addition if unit has fired, reinforced or has spent all its movement, cannot do this
  Unit must be on the hex to build the new facility
   
• There is a new option to place "binocular" marks on map for spotted hexes, when a unit is selected
  It is toggled by using TAB keyboard
   
• Unit's icon can be made using PeG .s16 format for a better resolution. In fact when both .s16 and .shp files are found for any unit, .s16 takes precedence. These units s.16 files can be included on panzer2.dat using any of the existing tools.
   
• There is an option to hide unit's strength and estimated losses on combat. If this option is set enemy leaders are also hide.

Alpha 0.15  (Feb-2007)

• Can load campaigns
• Can cycle units (next-prev)
• Scenario intro can be shown similar as turn report
• Core units are marked on Viewunit and HQ windows (there is a yellow mark on top of experience box)
• On HQ view, hovering any unit box, writes on first line equipment and transport name.
• ViewUnit window will show transport name and movement allowance when hovering on transport icon.
• While deploying units, strategic map shows deployment hexes with a graphical icon instead of shading the hexes in order to show clearer - I've used an experimental icon, but the point is to test the idea rather than the icon used.

Alpha 0.13 (Feb-2007)

• Includes full movement rules including bridge units.
• Units can move tracing the calculated path, so you can see which hexes have been selected by the pathfinder routine.
• Includes a solution to show PEBM attributes codes.
  @ codes are shown on second top line within the unit view window, and when you hover on those top lines,
  a drop-down tooltip shows each letter with its meaning.
  In addition there is a new pop window showing all the codes meaning you can raise typing a question mark ( ? )
• All standard windows dialogs have changed their aspect, getting a bit of transparency, but not sure if that will work on XP only.

Alpha 0.11 Feb-2007)

• Changed Headquarter window to show as many units as space allows and you can also deploy units, though still cannot purchase.
• You can deploy units
• Fixed switch using Alt-ESC or Alt-TAB behavior.

Alpha 0.8 (Jan-2007)

• First implementation for EFile folder concept
• Can load scenarios and savefiles
• Icons for menu's buttons are not read from panzer2.dat, but from resources
• Palette is hard-coded  (with current 256 colors) but 256 color support will be surely removed later
• The "full screen" button, does somehow different than PG2, but it allows higher screen resolutions
• Sub menus also show up slightly different, but simpler to program, and I think clear enough.
• When exiting it saves your setting to window registry, so it will remember your settings, next time (video mode, normal/strategic view, grid, ).
• Scroll speed is customizable
• Last open files are remembered, so you can quickly re-open them.
• First instance of HQ-screen made
• Units can be selected and all available hexes to move are highlighted but you cannot move them yet
   

First prototype (Dec -2006)

• Configurable video mode (resolution)
• Maps can be read as .SHP (up to 12 files) or as .jpg (full map on the file)
• Can only load mapfiles.