Colonial Campaigns Club (CCC)

I post this not as a negative but to spur newer members to fully read the club rules so that they do not fall into a trap so to speak. That being the use of altered OB files for artwork. While seemingly a non-problem the rules specifically state that any altered OB file must be agreed on prior to any battle.
The intent on the part of the players is correct but without letting your opponent know about the change you fall prey to some problems. First here is how the rule is worded (see the section named Poor Game Conduct in the rules):

"ANY altering of battle files, parameter data files, or order of battle files without the mutual consent and cooperation of your opponent."

Note the word ANY. The previous sentence to this dealt with malicious intent. This sentence deals with just altering files for graphical effect or renaming a leader or what have you.

Now the consequences:
1. Have you personally checked out the file? Do you know that some part of it was not altered as far as weapon type, morale grade or strength?
2. Have you played with this file before or did you just pluck if off of the web? In other words has it been tested?

While the uniform coded portions of the OB file will not affect a game by just using the file and not letting your opponent know is a breach of the rules.

My point here is to avoid any flare ups about this to ever happen. Play it safe and let your opponent know if you use updated graphic packs and ask them if this is a problem. It could save you all sorts of arguments and so on in the future!

I believe that we have one of the finest clubs on the web. It is because we all have an understanding of the period but also a tolerance for mistakes that can happen. I know of one club that would automatically boot you out if you did this. While I dont think that this will happen in this club remember the rule and abide by it.

I had an opponent use an altered file recently and he didnt know the rule. I have no intention of reporting him to the Cabinet as I know his intentions were just. We all enjoy the alternate artwork packs that have been produced. Our aim is not to discourage folks but to encourage them to be better informed. Read the rules. It can save you alot of trouble. And the Cabinet alot of lost time.

Bill,

If this is a rule then it should be changed! Using altered graphics is a personal preference and has nothing to do with the way the game is played. Actually, on second thought, it does affect one thing. If someone has played a scenario a ton of times and can recognize enemy units by their uniform graphics, an altered graphics file will confuse them. So I don't consider this a bad thing at all. It throws some fog of war back out there when previously there was none. May I ask how you deduced that your opponent was using altered graphics, and why it would matter were it not explicitly stated in the rules?

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Morgan</i>

While the uniform coded portions of the OB file will not affect a game by just using the file and not letting your opponent know is a breach of the rules.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

CCC Rules don't mention a requirement to notify an opponent about using custom <u>unit graphic files</u>, since the use of currently available alternate files have no impact on play, so I don't think there's a breach of rules for using different custom graphic files without telling your opponent.

Bill that's a good suggestion about members reading the CCC Rules, as some misunderstandings could be avoided beforehand. Installed non-original battle files, parameter data files, and order of battle files should be discussed by opponents before play, but there's no misconduct for using custom uniform (or terrain I assume) graphics without an opponent knowing about it, that I could find.

B. General Phil Natta
British CiC
CCC Cabinet Member

Right Phil, as long as the OB file is not affected no notification is needed. Other than "Wow these new files look nice" you dont have to tell your opponent anything. Well perhaps if the wig is askew ...
An example of a OB file change would be to change the 3D or 2D pic number for the unit. Most of the graphical packs I have seen dont do this but it is a good idea to check this out when you download the files.
And again enjoyment is the key here and not to argue over a small file change. Rich Hamilton doesnt have time to check out the packs he gets. The designer of the pack should mention in his right up if the pack contains a modified OB file.

Only a lawyer would ever assume that this rule is to be taken literally. It means those alterations of files that affect gameplay, not those that don't. Use your common sense.

Right Dierk, an OB file affects gameplay therefore if it gets updated the user needs to know what was changed.
Note that when John Tiller updates his games he includes a list of what was changed (text file). A slip of a keystroke and you change a morale when you meant to change a 2d icon number. It only takes one time working on an OB file to know this.
And having had a friend kicked out of a club I know that folks take the files seriously. You dont update a file without letting your oppoennt know unless you can be sure that it wont affect gameplay.
Again we are loose and easy going here so it isnt a problem - this was just a reminder and not meant to be a rules lawyer issue. If our rules section doesnt pertain to altered OB files then it needs to be toned down. Otherwise it means what it means.