The Antisocial Gamer

  Could this be the WWII sim we’ve been waiting for?   With every update, Aces & Armour is shaping up to deliver a rich and immersive experience grounded in realism and historical authenticity. But the developers are careful to balance ambition with practicality, focusing on delivering a thoughtful and polished game. Here’s what we know so far. Aiming for Realism At its heart, Aces & Armour is aiming to create a detailed and authentic WWII experience. Set across various theatres of the war, including the Eastern Front (1942), North Africa, and the Pacific, players will only be able to use vehicles and equipment that were historically present in each region. The focus is on real vehicles that saw significant action. While occasional prototypes or paper vehicles might make limited appearances, 95% of battles will feature iconic tanks like the Panzer IV, Sherman, and T-34—not the experimental or fantastical. Key Features Here’s what stands out about Aces &...

"Attempt to Increase Terrain LOD in WWII Battle Tanks: T-34 vs. Tiger – Challenges in Matching Binocular View Detail"   I've been trying to increase terrain LOD in WWII Battle Tanks: T-34 vs. Tiger to get the regular camera view to render terrain as fully detailed as it appears in binocular view. Here’s a breakdown of what I’ve done so far: ZNear Setting (PlayerUnit.script) : The binocular view uses a ZNear of 0.1f , so I tried applying that to the regular camera (default is 1.5f ). I thought it might impact LOD by reducing the near clipping distance, but no improvement—no visible change in distant terrain detail. Field of View (FOV) (PlayerUnit.script) : The binoculars use a narrower FOV, which might be forcing maximum LOD at further distances (just our guess). Tried applying this FOV setting to the normal camera, but it didn’t affect terrain detail outside binocular mode. Control State and Link Settings (PlayerUnit.script) : The binocular view uses SetControlState(0)...

While tinkering with T-34 vs. Tiger , I came across something interesting in the script files—a reference to a "Cu_veh_t34_76_42_InsideModel." It looks like the devs might have planned to include a fully playable T-34/76, but it never made it into the final game. Considering the T-34/85 is fully realized, it wouldn’t be a stretch to think they intended to finish the T-34/76 too. I’m thinking it might be possible to adapt the T-34/85’s interior model for the T-34/76. They’re pretty close in design, and this could be a quick win to get the T-34/76 into playable shape, even if it was left unfinished. Fixing the Sound Issue in MMP7 On a different note, if you’ve been getting an error about a missing "bullethit_armour04.wav" sound in MMP7, I’ve fixed it. The missing sound file is restored, and I’ve made it JSGME-ready. Just drop it into the mods folder, activate it, and the error is gone. Download the fix here.

A Quick Note Before We Dive In If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you’ll know it’s usually focused on tanks and military simulations. But after 12 years of writing, I thought I’d take a brief detour into something a bit different. This post is all about my recent experience re-engaging with Star Citizen , a space sim I’ve had a long and complicated relationship with. While it might seem like a departure from my usual content, there are still plenty of parallels—complex mechanics, immersive worlds, and the joy (and frustration) of getting lost in a simulation. So, if you’re up for something a little out of left field, stick around! TL;DR After nearly a year away from Star Citizen, I returned to find a game that’s improved in many ways, though it still has its frustrations. Performance is smoother, the graphics remain stunning, and features like the new HUD and jump drive system are much better than I expected, despite the negative buzz. I’ve decided to stop spending money on ...

Screenshot from Panzer Elite, a classic tank simulation game. If you had told me in 1998 that I'd still be playing Panzer Elite in 2024, I might have looked at you like you'd grown a second head. Yet here I am, deeply entrenched in the captivating world of one of the most enduring tank simulators ever created. What makes this game from the last millennium still worth my time? Let me take you through the myriad reasons that keep me coming back to Panzer Elite, year after year. A Historical Journey Like No Other Panzer Elite offers a unique experience that few other tank sims can match: you start your career as a tanker at the dawn of World War II and carry it through to the bitter end. This long-term progression is not just a series of missions; it's a journey through history. Watching your crew evolve, your tanks upgrade, and the war unfold in a historically accurate manner provides an immersive experience that modern games often fail to replicate. Panther created updated b...

Join me in this tank battle with Easy Red 2's "Kursk - Blood and Sunflowers" mission by Nutella the Hun / Iggra. The historic Operation Zitadelle unfolds with battles between the German and Soviet forces. Mission Details: - Map: Kharkov South - 7/10/1943 - Game mode: Operation (5 phases) - Invaders: Axis - Defenders: Allies I am facing off against Soviet defences, and navigating through realistic battlefield conditions updated to match historical weather reports.

As a dedicated fan of tank simulations and a seasoned gamer, I'm always searching for titles that offer a rich, immersive battlefield experience. Easy Red 2, an indie game developed by Marco Amadei, promises large-scale battles, historical accuracy, and a variety of vehicles, making it a standout for those of us who love tank warfare. But what really sets this game apart is its approach to combined arms simulation. Here’s a tanker's take on why Easy Red 2 deserves your attention.    First Impressions From the moment you boot up Easy Red 2, the game pleases with its straightforward yet comprehensive menu system. It offers a built-in mission editor and a full map editor, allowing for extensive customization and replayability. This feature alone is a dream come true for any simulation enthusiast, providing endless possibilities for creating and tailoring battles to your liking.   Combined Arms Warfare Easy Red 2 excels in delivering a semi-realistic (from a tankers perspect...