What happens in 2025? / new tactics- new technologies

[DRG]

That must have been "exciting" for the Russian crew

A " bring me my brown pants" moment

[lansoar]

been following this thread with interest. Maybe this is obvious, but i'll say it. It's been a damn fine run for the Shrapnel team keeping MBT relevant for as long as it has. Code has been stretched far beyond the original parameters. Thanks to the dedicated people who made it happen.

What's next?

a new game is needed. It doesn't mean that all that makes MBT (and WW2) awesome needs to be discarded or distorted. Problem with new game successors (IMO) is that they try to do too much to separate them from the old game. As a SP player of time longer than i want to admit....what i'd like to see is a game that preserves the original layout of the current lineup....but embraces new code to reflect the changes in warfare. Don't stress over improved graphics or flashy features. Keep the basic framework, create new code to take into account the new weapons systems. Do that first, then consider new features.....but don't get lost in broad concepts like 3D graphics and exotic command and control features. KISS principle. Build on success. anyway.....congrats to Shrapnel for reaching 2025 with a game engine originally created in the 90s, with roots going back to the 80s.

[MarkSheppard]

Who had hot M48A5 vs T-55 action in the jungle to close out 2025 on their bingo card?

https://x.com/wuthi11_/status/2005519433209667847

The M48A5 took out T-55s. This clash between the two is a very classic matchup, but the Cambodian side was at a serious disadvantage due to being in lower ground.

https://x.com/wuthi11_/status/2005521065351741831

A Thai M48A5 tank advanced into the forest.

The tank commander/crew used an M60, a Tavor rifle, a shotgun, and a pistol.

You need to play Fortunate Son while watching this.

[blazejos]

What's next? a new game is needed.

Just d'like to propose something. In My opinion on the beginning new game code isn't necessary. Is possible to start with SPMBT code after 2026 date when SPMBT ends. First to keep everything inside 'made it simple' principle only new OOB's may be necessary with free space after remove all weapons and vehicles retried before 2025 so we still have our beloved game with great pixelart graphics and 90's feel and look. That is how simple without any code change we can have SPMBT++ 2025-2050 version 1.0 And now the real challenge starts...

Next version 2.0 should have some improvement in code which aren't in SPWW2 and original SPMBT so is necessary to have access to source code or meaby an original authors are interested or meaby not looking on recent post . That I can understand regards and for you both Andy and Don for keep updating yearly both games for span of 25 years and keeping them live such long time. Best games which I ever played first on 486 in DOS and then through rest of PC's which I ever have...

So that is a social and technical issue here are possibilities:

1. if an source code will be open by original authors of Steel Panthers meaby that is one way if we politely ask as a whole community...

2.Other if Don and Andy wants retire, meaby some group of person technically wise from community which may continue with game code expansion even if game remain closed source.

3. Both authors wants still keep with updating SPWW2 and SPMBT and cloned SPMBT++ will be given to some else who can programming in C++ and for example game stay closed source will be released as third part of series.

4. Meaby we as a whole community we can write a new engine meaby not so much related to any OS. Let's imagine an new open source game engine which will be compiled in Windows&linux in C++ or meaby pure Javascript in browser with HTML5. And we can imagine that such engine can still using orginal shp files asset so will looks like our beloved games. Such miracle happens with OpenTTD which is new engine for 1995 transport tycoon https://www.openttd.org/about


And now is the question why changes in game engine are necessary for SPMBT++ v2.0?

Because battlefield is different than in previous wars so here some examples what is necessary to add to source code in SPMBT++ v2.0.

1. Glided bombs - they are released far from battlefield so they may arrived like aircraft's on map and kamikaze into an target. Will be great to have a code for some jammers units which will decrease an accuracy of such bombs. And also simulate some small kamikaze drones with AI which will try to ram into a bomb to destroy before impact. So is necessary to write whole new code which will simulate gilded bombs warfare.

2. Drones - can be simulated differently than today as a small helicopters. Drones code may simulate them together with live person operator on ground which fly them. For example early ukraine war warfare drones on radio control. Code can also simulate of use different frequencies and units which can block use of radio drones so thy will be lost. Then we need new part of code to simulate striking drones and probably whole tactics when observation drones and striking drones are used together. As you see here will be necessary to write big part of new code which will simulate this new tactics and then are a big drone's carriers etc so... And don't forget about innovation which was created next years drones on optical fibre will be necessary to write code which will simulate release of fibre roll and also bad manoeuvres with such drone such wrap around trees or building.

3. Modern war is much like WW1 so big kill-zone around our map where our soldiers will not move at all or very slightly and most of action in game will happens in sky between drones. Will be also necessary to write code which will simulate that now AI is installed on drones so sometimes they work in independent mode and pursuit dedicated target without our intervention.