Close Combat (series)

Close Combat
The official logo of the franchise as used in the third game of the series
Genre(s)	Real-time tactics
Developer(s)	Atomic Games CSO Simtek Strategy 3 Tactics
Publisher(s)	Microsoft Strategic Simulations, Inc. Matrix Games
Creator(s)	Keith Zabalaoui
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows, Mac, Xbox
First release	Close Combat January 1, Template:Vgy

Close Combat is the name of a series of real-time tactical (RTT) computer games by Atomic Games. In the Close Combat RTT games, the player takes control of a small unit (platoon or company sized) of troops and leads them in battles of World War II from a top down 2D perspective.

History

Close Combat was developed as a computer game version of the acclaimed Avalon Hill board game Advanced Squad Leader (ASL). The primary consultant for the morale model was Dr. Steven Silver, a specialist in combat-related trauma. Atomic Games had already developed several games for Avalon Hill, such as Operation Crusader, and Stalingrad. However, with Avalon Hill embroiled in a financial crisis that would ultimately lead to its demise, Atomic Games took what work they had completed, severed ties with the board game franchise and completed the game's development for Microsoft. The first three Close Combat games were notable, at the time, for being among the few games published by Microsoft. The final two games in the original series were, however, published by Strategic Simulations, Inc (SSI).

Close Combat I and II were distributed for both Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac OS. Later versions were released for Microsoft Windows only. In 2005, Atomic Games was bought by Destineer. Destineer licensed the game to CSO Simtek Games to develop a working game for use at the Pentagon, based largely on Close Combat Marines, this was for use and to compare with that of other booths within the entrance to the Pentagon, from the army etc. This earned an unusual Comendation from the USCM Commandants Office for Simtek. They also created an AT [anti-terrorist] version of Close Combat and a JTAC trainer, both for the USMC licenced from Destineer. One of the unique points about the Pentagon version and the AT version of CC, was both made use of a “third” civilian side. This was to show the modern assymetric nature of warfare faced by forces such as the USMC as laid down by Charles C. Krulak the Commandant at that time. This third side/civilian inclusion has not reoccurred in any further iterations of CC. CSO Simtek also created a version of Close Combat for the Royal Air Force, for their RAF Regiment in a light infantry role. This is still in use to this day and was again licenced from Destineer. Simtek developed a new game from the old code, this was the first remake of Close Combat, Cross of Irion. Matrix Games was chosen to publish this version, due in large part to their experience in re-publishing old titles. At this point due to illness and disagreements within CSO Simtek, Matrix Games took over Simtek and later moved development to its in house Strategy 3 Tactics to develop these titles.

The five original Close Combat games were real-time tactical (RTT) war games, with a top-down perspective and two-player capabilities. Each was set in a different European theatre of the Second World War. Each game included a mixture of infantry and armoured units, whilst the later games also included artillery, mortars and air support. Although viewed from a top-down perspective, the later games modelled terrain elevation, and included buildings with multiple floors and viewable sides. The overall tone emphasised realism, and modelled the emotional or physical state of the soldiers and equipment which included, panicked, berserk, burning, incapacitated, pinned and many others.

Games

Year	Game	Platform	Notes
1996	Close Combat	Macintosh, Windows
1997	Close Combat: A Bridge Too Far	Macintosh, Windows
1999	Close Combat III: The Russian Front	Windows
	Close Combat Trilogy	Macintosh, Windows	Compilation of the first three games
	Close Combat: The Battle of the Bulge	Windows
2000	Close Combat: Invasion Normandy	Windows
2004	Close Combat: Marines	Windows
	The Road to Baghdad	Windows
2005	Close Combat: First to Fight	Macintosh, Xbox, Windows, Wii
2006	Close Combat: RAF Regiment	Windows
2007	Close Combat: Cross of Iron	Windows	Remake of The Russian Front
	Close Combat: Modern Tactics	Windows	Remake of Marines
2008	Close Combat: Wacht am Rhein	Windows	Remake of The Battle of the Bulge
2009	Close Combat: The Longest Day	Windows	Remake of Invasion Normandy
2010	Close Combat: Last Stand Arnhem	Windows	Remake of A Bridge Too Far
Cancelled	Close Combat: Red Phoenix	Windows, Xbox	Based on the Red Phoenix novel by Larry Bond
2012	Close Combat: Panthers in the Fog	Windows	First game to feature 32-bit graphics
2014	Close Combat: Gateway to Caen	Windows	Upcoming title
2014	Close Combat: The Bloody First	Windows	Upcoming title. First 3d game in the series

Innovations

There were many innovations in the Close Combat games compared to previous titles, which combined to make Close Combat more realistic than most RTT and real-time strategy (RTS) computer games:

• Mental condition: Close Combat used a psychological (morale) model for each individual combatant. The combatant's morale would be affected by factors such as being near officers, being supported by other units, being under fire, taking casualties, and being left without orders. Troops would be Stable when they were in no danger; Cowering when pinned down by enemy fire; or Panicked when surrounded by dead comrades, wounded or near enemy flamethrowers. The use of a psychological model made certain tactics common in RTS games, where the units will follow suicidal orders, impossible in Close Combat. For example, attempting a "mass rush" in Close Combat would result in units seeking cover, refusing to obey orders or even deserting.
• Experience: In Close Combat, reserve units or newly replaced troops would fire and move more slowly and be more likely to panic. Because of this, they would be unlikely to prevail against veteran troops. This is unlike most RTS games where all troops of a particular type act similarly.
• Ammunition levels The game also modelled the amount of ammunition each unit possessed. Troops in a heavy fire-fight would quickly run out of ammunition. Once out of ammunition they would resort to bayonet fighting, or surrender to any enemies that approached them, although they could also scavenge weapons or ammunition from fallen friendly and enemy soldiers. This is in contrast to most RTS games, where units have unlimited ammunition supplies.
• Scavenging: Starting from the third installment in the series, soldiers that expended all ammo could be moved into close vicinity of dead soldiers to take their ammunition. If no ammunition was present at times they would pick up whatever weapon the dead soldier had. Enemy weapons could be picked up as well. However, enemy ammo cannot be scavenged by itself.
• Physical state: In Close Combat, troops could be Healthy; Injured by enemy fire (in which case they would move and fire more slowly); Incapacitated if enemy fire caused the soldier to be unable to fight; and finally Dead. This is in contrast to most RTS games, where units fight and move regardless of their closeness to death.
• Stamina: In Close Combat, troops could be Rested; Winded after exerting themselves, in which case they would move slowly until they were rested again; and Fatigued, after prolonged exertion, slowing them down for the rest of the battle. This is in contrast to most RTS games, where units do not tire.

Tactics

The factors above meant that the game required realistic military tactics, such as careful placement of troops in cover, ambush, advancing under cover and using terrain or smoke-screens to cover advancing troops. Effective management, such as keeping teams near their officers, not sending green recruits on assaults and maintaining fire discipline so as not to run out of ammunition were also necessary for the player to prevail.

Players also have to make effective use of combined-arms tactics to be successful in Close Combat. Infantry assault require support from machine guns, tanks, and mortars, to suppress enemy fire. Armor units also require screening from infantry units. Although they possess superior firepower, tanks are vulnerable to ambushes from bazooka or panzerschreck units, especially in close quarters such as a town or forest, where the ambushing infantry can wait to have a shot at a tank's vulnerable flank or rear armor. Tanks are also vulnerable to fire from concealed anti-tank guns, or ambushing tanks, which may wait to fire until the enemy presents his flank or rear.

Mods

Since the initial release of the first Close Combat, tools to create mods have been made available, allowing for the creation of user-made mods. Generally, the mods can change things such as weapon types, vehicles, soldiers, terrain and ammo as well as other attributes. Some mods change a specific aspect of the game, while other mods focus on changing the underlying data.

Multiplayer

All versions except Close Combat: Modern Tactics offer only one vs one multiplayer. Modern Tactics offers three on three and Close Combat: Marines offers four on four, although these versions added more multiplayer ability.

Remakes

Four of the five original games, A Bridge Too Far, The Russian Front, The Battle of the Bulge and Invasion Normandy have since been remade with new units and maps, updated graphics (maps and sprites) and sound, updated map editors, menus, as well as fixing the compatibility issues that the older iterations of each game had with modern operating systems. Each remake, with the exception of Last Stand Arnhem, also includes the original version of the game that can be played without any of the additions included in the remake.

Next generation

In Historicon 2013, Matrix Games announced Close Combat: The Bloody First. This new game will depart from the strategic map of the previous installments in favor of a campaign similar to that of Close Combat III, although more dynamic. In the single player grand campaign the player will be carrying a force of the US 1st Infantry division through three campaigns: Tunisia, Sicily, and Normandy. The game is expected to be completed in 2014 and will feature a 3D-top down view.

References

• Trotter, William R. Microsoft Close Combat – A Bridge Too Far: Inside Moves. Microsoft Press. ISBN 1-57231-634-9.

External links

• Atomic Games
• Close Combat Games
• Matrix Games
• CSO Close Combat Org