PANZER GENERAL (DOS) PBEM RESEARCH CENTRE
ARTICLE 009

PANZER GENERAL (DOS) TECHNICAL CUSTOMISATION FIELDS

Consider the following four fundamental Panzer General (PG) technical customisation fields:

1) DATA STRUCTURE of key files native to PG (DOS):

In my opinion, the KEY element that distinguishes serious research from anything else "out there" is a determination to render TRANSPARENT and OPEN as much of PG (DOS) file DATA STRUCTURE as possible !!!!! Yes, even the much more popular Steel Panthers family has never given rise to an entity that would programmatically attempt to do something like that........ If this is a tall order, so be it !

Personally, I have had it with PG (DOS) being marketed and played as a "black box" simulation game. I want to render its architecture OPEN and ACCESSIBLE to everyone so that interested, technically inclined enthusiasts can develop customisation tools by concentrating on the object at hand as opposed to second guessing SSI's Paul Murray and a few other "hackers" all the time..... It has been a long standing policy of SSI NEVER to discuss such matters with outsiders.....

2) EDITING TOOLS to allow for efficient modification of key files native to PG (DOS):

I strongly believe that the development and testing of appropriately designed PG (DOS) editing TOOLS requires reliable file DATA STRUCTURE documentation !! Such documentation would make prospective programmers' lives immensely easier and their products much cleaner...... Had SSI included some kind of battle generator or map editor with PG (DOS), it would have been a prime example of an editing TOOL........

3) EDITING TECHNIQUES to practically implement PG (DOS) "universe" customisation:

Editing TECHNIQUES allow the technically inclined to effectively and efficiently utilise all available editing TOOLS to develop editing PRODUCTS. It has been a long standing policy of SSI NEVER to discuss such matters with outsiders.....

4) EDITING PRODUCTS specific to the PG (DOS) "universe":

Editing PRODUCTS are a matter of personal taste and agreement between specific PG (DOS) hobbyists...... SSI's very own game title is nothing more than a very special editing PRODUCT when it comes "out of the box". It represents only one out of an infinite number of product possibilities collectively comprising the PG (DOS) "universe". PG (DOS) custom scenaria are editing PRODUCTS too.........

The author, Panos Stoucas, is a long time Panzer General (DOS) PBEM enthusiast and is currently the "Facilitator" of the PG (DOS) PBEM RESEARCH CENTRE. He can be reached at pstoucas@istar.ca