Combat Mission: Shock Force v1.03 Battlefront Version Game Patch
WARNING! The following patch is only for the Battlefront.com release versions of the game (v1.01 or v1.02). If you purchased the game from Paradox Interactive, in a retail store, or if you downloaded the game from Gamersgate.com, DO NOT INSTALL THIS PATCH!!! Instead, download the v1.03 patch specific to the Paradox or Gamersgate version.
This patch is all inclusive and includes all the fixes from the earlier v1.02 patch.
If you install this patch and then get an error message when trying to run the game that says, "This application has failed to start because elicen40.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem." then you have applied the wrong patch for your game version and will need to download and apply either the v1.03 Paradox Version Game Patch or the v1.03 Gamersgate Version Game Patch.
PREVIOUS SAVE GAME COMPATIBILITY NOTE:
Save games created with earlier versions of the game are NOT compatible with v1.03. Please finish your in-progress games before applying this patch.
AN UPDATE ON PROBLEMS WITH THE nVidia 7xxx (GeForce 7) and 8xxx (GeForce
SERIES VIDEO CARDS
We are still trying to fix the compatibility/performance issues reported with some nVidia cards on some systems. The problem is relatively poor framerates no matter what settings are used compared to other people running similar configured systems. We are convinced it is not "user error" despite the inability for us to replicate it with our own nVidia 8800 equipped system. We are continuing to investigate this issue and hope to have info on a fix very soon. Please do not mistake the lack of an nVidia solution in this v1.03 patch for a lack of commitment on our part to find the cause and to address it as best we can. As soon as we have a fix we will release a new patch.
What we can recommend, now, is that for nVidia 7xxx (GeForce 7) users they should update their drivers to 163.44 or later. Apparently this significantly improves the quality of the CM:SF experience. Unfortunately, there is apparently no difference for nVidia 8xxx (GeForce
cards with these latest drivers at this time.
MANUAL ADDENDUM
The manuals reference to the eLicense licensing and game activation system (pages 12-15 and 194) is ONLY applicable to the Battlefront.com version of the game. The Gamersgate and Paradox Interactive versions of the game each use their own licensing/activation/protection systems and you should contact those companies directly if you have problems licensing or activating those versions of the game.
TROUBLESHOOTING INFO
Included with this patch is the most up to date troubleshooting guide. It is located in the game folder (filename Troubleshooting Guide.html) as well as in the Battlefront\Combat Mission Shock Force Program Group located under the Start Menu).
v1.03 Patch Features
* LOS/LOF issues improved around areas like walls, buildings, and earthen berms.
* Fixed a bug that caused orders given in the setup phase to be ignored in Play-By-Email games.
* Vehicle pathfinding improved. It is important to note, however, that the slower speed commands will yield better results in more restricted terrain.
* Infantry no longer tends to wander into buildings except when specifically ordered to.
* Improved terrain graphics (the degree of improvement depends on your Texture Quality option, but note that the higher quality options run more slowly).
* ATI left-click compatibility option is now available for nVidia users as well. A few people reported problems with SLI configured video cards and selecting this option may help. If you have not had problems with selecting units with nVidia cards, then leave this option OFF.
* Better unit placement in Quick Battles.
* A new "Show All Move Paths" key added to the Hotkeys Menu.
* Fixes to the "stuck soldier" problem.
* Fixes to the "stuck unit" problem.
* By default, infantry moving "Slow" (i.e. crawling) do not stand up and run to their destinations after halting for any reason.
* "Adjust Artillery Mission" function is fixed, along with other minor artillery bugs.
* Gunners are less likely to use high-explosive rather than armor-piercing ammo against armored targets.
* Improved anti-tank missile accuracy, especially with the Javelin ATGM.
* Clicking on enemy soldiers that were not previous spotted are no longer shown.
* Very slight downward adjustment to M1 Abrams tank front armor strength.
* Javelin missile armor penetration increased modestly.
* Speed of the autoloaders on the T-72 and the Stryker MGS are reduced.
* Soldiers do a better job staying prone when under fire in the open.
* TacAI is more likely to fire on prone infantry.
* Computer player is less likely to use slow/crawling movement with its troops.
* Syrian troops (except forward observers) cannot call in artillery.
* Blast movement now works properly.
* Fixed a bug where a soldier sometimes uses a Blue Force specialty icon in the UI when it should be Red, or vice-versa.
* Improved seated poses for certain crewmen of M1 MBT, pickup trucks, taxis.
* MMGs rarely, if ever, fire single-round bursts.
* Clicking on an enemy's C2 display no longer switches to its HQ unit.
* Fixed "choppy" sound from vehicles when turning.
(see full patch notes for all of the earlier v1.02 fixes and additions)...
Combat Mission: Shock Force Patch Download Page
The Gamersgate and Paradox patches will follow in the next day or so...
Madmatt
