TPU (Tanks n Planes Unlimited)

DarkRyda has made a ton of changes to his entertaining map, "The Race Track". The new version is now available to play on TPU and will be featured whenever we have a "DarkRyda day" on a Wildcard Wednesday. Switch to the map by voting for it, but don't forget to vote away from it if you're the last human player to leave the server.

You'll need to download the map and install it in order to play it. You can find the installer in the "Files and links" section (click the link in the left sidebar). Here's a direct link:
http://jrc-core.com/files/DarkRydaRac...kSetup.EXE

The Race Track has been removed from the DarkRyda Map Pack. A new version of the DR Map Pack installer is also available for download in the "Files and links" section.

Here's the list of changes to the map:
1. Added machine guns to bunkers/guard towers/windows/fences.
2. Added AA guns to buildings/bunkers, and any place that needed them.
3. Added B17s at three locations: Nitro Circle, Mojo Field and The Flying Fortress (see below).
4. Removed the falling car effect due to lag issues.
5. Removed the flag that spawned the falling car effect.
6. Changed the train yard to "Mojo Field".
7. Created a new feature: The Flying Fortress. It is a geometric marvel, stands five levels high into the clouds, has boards/planks/boxes/pipes/ladders so you can navigate wherever you want within the structure.
8. Added a flag (control point) at The Flying Fortress; it spawns cars/planes and a variety of guns to defend the fortress.
9. Added a tunnel to Nitro Circle to make it a bit harder and boost everyone's skill level a bit.
10. Writing on the wall at Nitro Circle that reads "NITRO CIRCLE".
11. Added one new road; it runs through the bottom of The Flying Fortress, over the top of the giant JB mound and past the new TPU chess board (see below).
12. Removed the high altitude spawn points at the main bases.
13. Added more soldier spawn points at all flags (makes it harder to spawn kill).
14. Added a few more cars at some of those "out in the boondocks" spots to cut down on walking.
15. Adjusted the intro screen to give credit to the testers that helped with The Race Track: Tenaciousmojo, Joe Nitro, Sisko and Not-a-bot.
16. Wrote a message at the top left of the map that reads: "This is a TPU original map, created by DarkRyda 2008".
17. Made a tall monument that shows respect for the TPU server and its creator Jeff Rivett; it also lists the year he started the server: 2007.
18. Made a chessboard with ruins surrounding it, in honor of all the fans of TPU; each fan has their own square on the board. There are over thirty names. How many servers have a map where plyers can go see thier own piece of a game that is actually theirs?
19. Removed a few train cars at Mojo Field so it's easier to get around.
20. Added a couple of new buildings here and there; also added some ladders and wooden planks at Mojo Field so players can get on top of buildings and train cars.
21. Changed the name of the city (north of Mojo Field) to "Nitro City" since it is located in the center of "Nitro Circle".
22. Removed the invisible wall in the center of the map; it turns out that the Stalingrad fences previously used there were causing problems.
23. Added a couple of fences to a few danger areas.
23. Changed the name of the eight track to Burwood.
24. Added plane ammo at both main bases, Mojo Field, and The Flying Fortress.
25. Increased spawn rates for planes/cars/tanks.
26. Lowered some buildings that were not sitting on the ground.
27. Added a few tunnels coming off The Flying Fortress: two are at the bottom, and one comes out the top.

Thanks, Ryda! Looks like fun.

DarkRyda's been hard at work dealing with some long-standing map issues and requests.

1. The Road to Rome map Baytown now has more (and better) tanks, along with some much-needed artillery.
2. Lots of changes for the Battlegroup 1942 version of Wake Island:
   • Added more ships to both sides: Axis = 1 carrier and 3 destroyers; Allies = 1 battleship, 2 destroyers and a support ship.
   • Changed the tanks on the island: Axis = 57mm Chi-Ha, 47mm Chi-Ha; Allies = M3 General Lee, M3 Satan (flamethrower).
   • Changed all AA guns to German Flak36.
   • Used all classic TPU locations for new AA guns.
   • Changed the ticket count rundown rate so the map doesn't end when Axis takes all the flags; now the Allies have ships as a fall-back.
   • Added plane locations at the airfield so now there are 4 planes (used the BF109 and B17 locations from the original TPU BF1942 Wake map).
3. The previously non-TPU-modded BG42 map 4302 Faid Pass has been given the TPU treatment:
   • Added 3 more tank spawns at the center flag.
   • Changed the side flags to spawn different tanks from each other to add variety to the map, instead of both side flags spawning the same things.
   • Gave the Allies a bomber, the Bristol Beaufort.
   • Changed the AA guns to Flak36.
   • Both sides have 2 different kinds of stationary artillery (big boys).
   • Changed the entire tank layout. Allies now have:
     • Priest
     • T19 HMC (apc) 105mm
     • M4 Sherman
     • M10 Wolverine
     • M3 Grant
     • M3 Lee
     • M3 Stuart
     • M26 Pershing
     • M1931/B-4 (mobile artillery)
   • Axis now have:
     • Panzer 38t
     • Panzer IV F2
     • Panther G
     • Tiger
     • STUG III G
     • STUG III B
     • Bison
     • Semovente 75/18

DarkRyda has been fine-tuning the Midway map for Battlegroup 1942. His latest version is up on TPU. Here are the changes:

1. Removed all duplicate ships. Only one kind of each ship now, with a total of six ships: four destroyers (two per side), an Allied sub and the second Yamato.
2. Removed a carrier from both sides; each side now has only one carrier.
3. Removed one of the Allied battleships.

These changes were made to reduce the amount of lag around the island. Thanks, Ryda!

Last Wednesday's run of DC Extended was a hit. But before I go ahead and switch to DC Extended on Tuesdays, I thought I should just make sure everyone has a chance to vote. So there's a new poll. Check it out and don't forget to vote.

The map list for DC Final has been updated. The extra "Day2" and "Day3" maps have been removed as they were basically duplicates. One exception is Bocage, where the "Day2" version was left in and the original version removed because it causes the server to crash. I also removed the oddball DC Final version of Battle of Britain because it was causing problems as well.

We'll be trying out a new mod next Wildcard Wednesday: DC Extended.

You can download the mod from the Files and links page:
http://jdrgaming.com/geeklog/staticpa...nloads#dcx

As always, feedback is greatly appreciated.

UPDATE: Guadalcanal and DC Oil Fields removed from the DCX map rotation as they were causing server crashes.

I've just posted another entertaining video from Sisko in the 'Files and links' section of the site.

Here's a direct link:
http://jrc-core.com/files/Sisko_TPU_video_02.flv

Apparently there is a new crash exploit targeting Battlefield 1942 servers. So far I have not seen any evidence that it has been used against TPU, but it's probably only a matter of time. Please let me know if you witness any unusual crashes or anyone claiming to to able to crash the server. There is an unofficial patch that I will apply if TPU gets hit.

Details are here: http://www.bfmods.com/viewtopic.php?t=1204

Sisko has been hard at work putting together showcase videos for TPU. I've posted his first one on the 'Files and links' page under the 'Videos and other media' heading. This video shows off some of the fun changes DarkRyda has been making to his Race Track map. Check it out!

Here's a quick link:
http://jrc-core.com/files/Sisko_TPU_video_01.flv

The Internet connection here has been intermittent in the past couple of days. It's up right now, but there's no way to know how long that will last. I'm posting this while I can, just to let you all know that if you're having trouble connecting to TPU or the TPU BF2 server, that's why.

We got a bunch of snow on Thursday and everything outside is alternately frozen and wet, so the problem is almost certainly related. Just now I went outside and hammered on the main cable junction box on the outside of the house, and that brought the connection back. For those of you scoring at home, that's called "percussive maintenance".

Anyway, I hope it lasts. The cable company can't be here until Monday afternoon.