Spectrofon #05 30 апреля 1994

Игры

Expertise - an expert study of strategic games "Theatre Europe".

          EXPERTISE

  Dmitry Usmanov.


    THEATRE EUROPE (P.P ----------------------

   This game gives you the opportunity to
simulate on your home
PC probable course of military operations in Europe in the 80
years, if any, actually were.


   Army Warsaw Pact countries aspire to the "quick war"
clean up the European continent
of the NATO armed forces before
as Europe pulled up the main
force the United States.
Armies of NATO countries are trying all
forces to contain the onslaught of the enemy until the arrival 
of reinforcements. 

   In this game, we consider
option of armed aggression of the Soviet Union. Do not dwell on 
foreign policy aspects of the game - we are now it should worry 
the least. 


   The war in this game is the most modern means:
nuclear and chemical missile
satellite weapons, armor
and aviation. You are invited to serve as commander in chief
armed forces of one of
sides of your actions will be overseen by military headquarters.


   So, you downloaded the game and before you came first menu:


   1. PLAYER VS COMPUTER

   2. PLAYER VS PLAYER

   3. COMPUTER VS COMPUTER


   If you press "1", then your
opponent will have a computer;
"2" - for two players, but the key "3" will give you the 
opportunity to view one of the scenarios

of war, where both sides of computer game.


   If you have not chosen the last
option, you will be asked to choose
control device:

 1. KEYBOARD (Keyboard)
 2. KEMPSTON JOYSTICK (Kempston)
 3. DEFINE KEYS (specify keys)


   Originally, the keys are given
as follows:

      Q - Up, A - down

     O - to the left, P - right

         Enter - choice.



   After selecting the control you
will have to select the party for
to be played: "N" - for
NATO countries, "W" - for the country
Warsaw Pact.


   Then you will be asked to choose
Level of difficulty: from 1 to
3. Your choice will affect the enemy's ability to carry out 
additional operations, the degree of preparation of the enemy 
troops, the number of reserve divisions and etc. After that you 
get in Menu:



  PRESS A FOR ACTION SCREENS

  PRESS N FOR NONE


   Here you select the type of game.
If you press "A", you can
participate in hostilities.


   And if you do not really are breaking the joystick, then
press "N", and the fighting will be
subject only to the alignment of
enemy forces.


   And the last menu, where you
offered:

 J - get lazy game
 R - overridden parameters of the game,
 P - start the game.


   If you are happy with the selected
control and was not going to
continue the old game, press
"P" and You will get the field
future warfare.


   Authors maximize
map scale, so that the entire
Bridgehead - Western Europe -
fit on one screen.



   White on the map Warsaw Pact countries, a blue NATO 
countries, and green - the Non-Aligned countries. Colored 
circles on the map marked with the army warring countries.


Here:


  - The red marked Army Warsaw Pact countries.

  - Blue - NATO troops.

  - Yellow - Non-contributing countries.


   As you can see, the army of the Warsaw Treaty significantly
superior army of NATO and non-aligned countries combined.



   At the top of the screen is the message string computer on 
it we will tell More details later. Under this

line - the graph highlighted in yellow - there are reported
data on the location of the cursor: if the row is nothing,
means the cursor is on the plain, if there was an inscription
"MOUNTAINS" - in the mountains, and if
"SEA" - then into the sea. If you hover over the capital of a 
state (indicated by red dots), then This line will read her 
name, but if the cursor is on someone else's army, then given 
the name of the army and which state it belongs. 



   In the three lines give information on the Army:
 ARM (ARMOURED FORCE) - the number of armored divisions.
 AIR (AIR FORCE) - number
aviation divisions.
 SUP - if someone translated it
reduction as a "soup" that was close to the truth: it is 
"SUPPLY" supplying troops with food

and ammunition.


   Last two figures appear only in the case
if the army is under
your command.


   In the center of the second row, the
purple background - calendar
marking the number of days since the war began, the right of it 
intelligence information about the possibility of the opposite 
side massive nuclear strike.


   The greater the number of this indicator (DEFCOM), the less 
likely the beginning of the global nuclear war.



   So, you start. Before
each move the computer a few
seconds to wait for keystroke
"Q" (Quit - exit) for the transition
the menu function. In this menu you
can interrupt the game keys
"R" (Restart) or record the position of the game to an external 
storage key "S" (Save).



   If you have not clicked on the "Q", then
the game enters the troop movements. This is evidenced 
ihformatsionnaya line: "WARSHAW PACT (NATO) MOVERMENT PHASE ".




   Hover over your army, press "FIRE". Now move the cursor to 
the destination and re-press the "FIRE", troops be moved to 
this place and in a circle on the map will be the point - it 
means that the army on this course you order nothing can.



   The Army, which got into
mountains, moving only once every two
stroke; any army in one move
moves only on the neighboring
position. However, if you play
for the Warsaw Pact, it is at your disposal will be the first
Airborne Army (1-ST AIRBORNE
ARMY), you can throw deep in the enemy's rear,
though only once.



   Another part of the troops of the Warsaw Treaty is the first
Army marine landing
(1-ST AMPHIBY ARMY), which
initially moves in the amphibious landing ships, but as soon as
reaches land, is transformed into
regular army.


   After moving all the armies
press "SPACE" and you'll be in
mode of attack (ATTACK PHASE). Move your mouse over a part,
press the "FIRE", move the cursor
the position of the enemy and again
press the "FIRE". You can only attack a neighboring army, but 
there is a possibility of an attack several parts to one.




   After all the directions of attack, press "SPACE" for
transition into the next phase of the war. If you assign arcade
Insert key "A" at the beginning
game, then you will be offered to choose
the battlefield (in the information
prompt appears "SELECT
BATTLE "). Move the cursor to that
part you chose the object of attack and secure its
selection with "FIRE". You will see
picture of the fighting - the small town filled with
enemy military equipment, at the bottom are four icons: a man 
with a gun, howitzer, tank, or airplane. This various kinds of 
troops that you can use.




   Cursor in the sight seeing you
can choose you like
type. This is (from left to right):


   INFANTRY (infantry) -
Shooting is fast and
without pre-emption. Need a few hits to
blow up armored vehicles, helicopter shoot down hard fighter
impossible - do not have time.


   ARTILLERY (artillery) -
firing on a ballistic
trajectory, which is higher the farther the
purpose of the gun. To
fire, with this choice, it is necessary to pre-emption. Air
hit the target so
impossible. And do not forget that the screen is also a 
direction In depth, it is also necessary to consider the shot.


   GUIDED MISSLE (radio-controlled missiles) - Rocket follows
Scope. To destroy
Any enemy units
only one hit. Rocket launcher - the most effective
this type of weapon.


   AIR-STRIKE (air support aircraft) - a very
like shooting a cannon at sparrows. You choose the eye this icon
(It turns blue), then
switch it on the battlefield and press the "FIRE". When the sky 
is free of enemy aircraft,

Your fly a bomber, and
"Will cover" one of the ground targets. The only plus - aims
not necessary, but the effect is felt
only when the planes fly
one after another.


   The right of the icon is located
sensor with the name of such weapons,
lower the remaining ammunition for this weapon
(SHOOTS) sensor and damage the enemy (HITS). Hitting any target
from the ground vehicle, you add to this indicator unit. Aerial 
targets evaluated in three points. You are given approximately

45 seconds to a fight - during which time
need to collect about 25 "hits".
It is remarkable that you can
participate not only in those battles when attacking 
themselves, but also in those where the enemy attacks and

even (especially countries)
battles between the armies of the enemy and
NAM. Incidentally, the last in general no one else is attacked, 
and are in position "Whipping boy" as the one and the other 
side. 



   But here, the battle is over, and
You can calculate the losses and
fill the gap, throwing the seats back
Division. First, you will be offered
strengthen the armor (ARM), then the aircraft (AIR), and then 
supplying troops (SUP). Never forget about a good supply of

their troops, remember that a hungry soldier - a dead soldier!
Indicator of reserve
units - in the upper right corner
screen. After each job
type of supplies, do not forget to press "SPACE


   If you play on one of the
higher levels of complexity,
computer after each move will ask your permission
the use of chemical weapons
(CHEMICAL RELEASE. PRESS Y or
N), until you give
permission. When you click
"Y", then you send the following
fax from the military rate:



  WARCOMP. ON LINE.
I CONFIRM YOUR CHEMICAL RELEASE
ORDER. CHEMICAL WEAPONS TO BE
USED ​​IN ATTACKS ON ENEMY UNITS.
................................
CIVILIAN DEATHS WILL BE
MINIMISED WHERE POSSIBLE. THANK
YOU FOR YOU ATTENTION.
WARCOMP. OFF LINE.



   MILITARY bet on the line.
I CONFIRM YOUR ORDER USE OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS. CHEMICAL WEAPONS 
TO BE USED IN ATTACKS ON Enemy DIVISIONS.

................................
LOSS OF PEACE PEOPLE SHOULD
BE, as small as possible. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION. 
Military headquarters. END COMMUNICATION. 



   You'll often get
such as fax machines, how can soon
make these statements a large
play no role, and chemical weapons will be used exclusively 
against civilians - to disrupt supply.




   At the end of each turn, you will be able to do the 
redistribution resources. You will get

Table:

MISSION: RESERVE: 28
AIR SUPREORITY 23
COUNTER AIR 6
INTERDICTION 6
RECONNISSANCE 2
ASSAULT-BREAKER (10) 0
DEEP-STRIKE (12) 12
IRON-SNAKE (11) 0

Here:
RESERVE - the number of troops in the rear.
MISSION - the name of the operations
(Moreover, the first four operations
are basic, and the last
three - optional)
AIR SUPREORITY - supremacy
air, the crucial
function.
COUNTER AIR - air interception.
INTERDICTION - deterring the enemy.
RECONNAISSANCE - intelligence.
Additional missions (numbers in
brackets - the minimum number
divisions for operations).
ASSAULT-BREAKER (10) - makes it possible to irradiate the enemy 
army of deadly radiation from satellite.

DEEP-STRIKE (12) - operation
destruction of enemy communications supplies.
IRON-SNAKE (11) - Operation "Iron Snake." What happens when
use this mission to me
find out, unfortunately, failed. In my opinion, there generally
nothing happens.



   If you transferred enough divisions for the operation
"ASSAULT-BREAKER", then during the game you will be prompted 
for a target satellite (ASSAULT-BREAKER

TARGET). Ask her cursor.
After the operation the enemy is usually found ourselves short 
of one or two divisions in each genus troops.



   The right of the name of the mission are
figures that indicate how many divisions are already involved 
in opertsiyu. Moreover, if the figures are green, meaning you 
have in this mission involved more troops than

the enemy, if the figures are black,
is the same, but if they
Red means the enemy here
advantage.



   First you need to transfer
Division from the rear in reserve (to
then distribute them after the fight
the armies). About this signals an arrow on the right, with the 
inscription "FROM" ("out"). Then press "SPACE" and you can 
withdraw of troops from the operations and throw them back to 
the rear (arrow with inscription "TO").




   When finished with the distribution of reserves, you get to 
the menu of special operations. Here: 

 STRATEGIC NUCLEAR LAUNCH (key "M") - the launch of nuclear 
missiles; 

 STRATEGIC CHEMICAL LAUNCH (key "C") - start chemical
missiles;

 REFLEX SYSTEM ON / OFF (key
"R") - on / off the automatic response
blow (you will have access to it,
if you can open the "nuclear
suitcase ");

 MAINTAIN PRESENT STATUS (key "N") - save the current state of 
affairs. 


   Below is the performance of automatic retaliation ("ON" - 
enabled "OFF" - off).



   If you press the "C",
then the computer will automatically select one of the capitals 
of enemy countries that are most important in terms of 
supplying troops, and run through it a few missiles chemical 
warheads. 



   Rates comes from a military post in which you will be 
informed about the details of the attack: the name city, the 
list used gas attack method (multi-spray) and the attack

(City incapacitated, peace
residents were killed in large numbers).


   If you press "M", then
military headquarters you will be asked
enter the access code for the "nuclear
button. You will be offered during the
30 seconds, under the pleasant cries
siren call to the
England and get the authors of the program the access code.



   "Call the authors? It
is what I'll do! "- I thought,
loading disassembler. After an hour of trial and error the 
access code was found, was that it -

"MIDNIGHT SUN" (midnight sun).


   Enter it when prompted
pointer, and before you unfolds
"Nuclear briefcase." Here you
can choose the operation:


  FIRE PLAN FIRST KISS (fire
plan for the first kiss) - under such a strange name hides a 
massive nuclear strike. In best case, applying this mission, 
you'll get a nuclear winter; at worst - of the global nuclear

disaster. But in this and in another case, humanity would 
perish. 


  SINGLE STRATEGIC LAUNCH - a single launch vehicle, you are
choose a target. Better not wasted on the city, and destroy
thus very strong army.


  STANDBY - doing nothing.


   In the lower right corner of the screen
is an indicator of safe
Output from the computer "FAILSAFE
(ON / OFF) ".


   If a nuclear missile explodes
over the city, will show you a dynamic picture of what happened 
and acquainted with the military information

Rates: city name (or army), a method of attack (above-ground 
nuclear explosion), and the results (the city is completely 
destroyed). 



   If there was irreparable, and inflicted massive
nuclear attack - that you will accept
Last fax:

 MILITARY bet on the line.
DAMAGE CRITICAL. ALL SYSTEMS
Destroyed. CAPSULE FOR SUICIDE IN THE THIRD holder.
WE USUALLY Winning ... EM ... ME ...
BEFORE SVIDÉN .. Of .. Of .. Of ...



   At the end of the game you get acquainted with the
outcome of the war and call the winner (if any), and
will feature your ability to command.


   Interestingly, the idea of ​​this game
much more serious than just a
imitation of modern war. The man played long enough to "THEATRE 
EUROPE" certainly become a staunch opponent of

nuclear weapons - because he
prochustvuet as easy to do
wrong move and destroy humanity. This is particularly evident 
when game between two people.




   In the simplest scenario, all
looks like this: Warsaw Pact
occurs, methodically destroying
army of enemy nuclear missiles, NATO meets the same, but
as the NATO armies is much less losing commander makes a "draw" 
nuclear blow.



   So very often ends
This game, when playing two. Hence, a logical question: Do NOT
REPEATED OR SUCH SITUATION
Real life when people begin to "play war" really?


             *