The latest file versions are : SEDCSv3.1.0, SEDB31, MP4-v4.360

On behalf of the SEOW Development Team, I am delighted to announce a major milestone release for SEOW. The new release, to be termed 3.1.0, contains a very important set of new functionality for SEOW campaigning.

Ideas, criticisms and play testing feedback from many people around the globe have been fed into the development of the SEOW 3.1.0 code set. Now, at last, we have what is probably the most credible ground war system ever seen in the flight sim community. Of course, like most features in SEOW, it is optional. We recognize that every different group of users likes to play SEOW differently, so we always try to ensure that SEOW features can be mixed and matched at the click of a button.

So here goes with the usual list of significant changes in this release.

Software Requirements
The new SEOW system requires the following free software installs:

Mission Planner - v4.360
PHP4 or PHP5 (server side)
Internet Explorer 6/7, or Firefox with IE plug-in (client-side)

Dynamic Campaign System - SEDCS v3.1.0
MyODBC-v3.51.12 or later
.NET Framework 2.0

Database - SEDB31
The SEDB31-series databases are available either in MySQL4/MySQL5 or MSAccess2003+ flavours, and both flavours interoperate seamlessly with the other MP and DCS software components. I haven't been able to contact Katana recently, so I have released "Lite" versions of the SEDB31 sector databases myself - the database now has something like 500,000 records in its full form, so the "Lite" databases are highly recommend for public server applications.

Backward Compatibility
This new release is not compatible with previous SEOW software versions at all. While it is possible to upgrade existing databases to SEDB31 standard, this effort is very complex. Re-templating existing campaigns is recommended if access to the new SEOW feature set is desired.

Co-existence
The new DCS v3.1.0 happily co-exists with earlier DCS installs on the same PC, so you can manage your new and old campaigns from the same PC, if need be. The new MP can also be run in parallel with the old MP, but at the cost of an extra 110 MB of disk space.

Changes:

SEDB31
*) Missing Spitfire MkVIII (CW) object added to Object_Specifications (Hitcher)
*) Missing Normandy road routes added to Highways (Paddington)
*) Loadouts added for P-39D2, C-47, Li-2, L2D to Aircraft_Loadouts (Ala13_Mdie)
*) 779BAP, 108GvShAP added to Airforce_Units table
*) Duplicate Normandy-Niemen regiment entries fixed in Airforce_Units
*) Aces aircraft set to AI-only in Object_Specifications (II/JG3K.Brandle)
*) Structural changes to Airbases, Object_Specifications, Highways, Highway_Intersections, Sector_Status, ObjMissionData, Industrial_Installations, Station_Type, Campaign_Settings tables
*) New tables Demolition_Orders, Sector_Movement_Cost, Supply_Drop_Orders, Supply_Drops, OffMap_Supply_Reserves
*) New data for Berlin, Cyrenaica, Italy, Kyushu, North Sea, Oslo, Ostfriesland sectors
*) Revised Highways, Highway_Intersections and Industrial_Intersections data
*) Added fuel capacity and range data to Object_Specifications (Jager)
*) Updated SEOW Airbase manual v2.0

MP4-v4.360
*) CoopManager web scripting support to integrate SEOW with rnzoli's Dynamic Server Coop system (102nd_YU_Cmirko, rnzoli)
*) Ostfriesland sector, using the NW Europe map (JAGD_RC)
*) Cyrenaica sector, using the Desert map (II/JG77Hawk_5)
*) Kyushu sector (WTE_Goanna)
*) Berlin sector (II/JG77Hawk_5)
*) Italy sector (JAGD_RC)
*) North Sea sector, based on Norway map (II/JG77Hawk_5)
*) Improved Rocket Tools management
*) Support for display of targeted industrial areas in SchedMissions tool (II/JG4_Ivank)
*) Enhanced Stalingrad and Prokhorovka zoomed views (II/JG77Hawk_5)
*) Revised unit icon tooltips to show endurance and morale states
*) Supply Drop orders and targeting features
*) Corrected airspeed displays to use IAS throughout (II/JG3K.Brandle)
*) Transportation of fuel/supply by air, sea and ground
*) Improved character mapping for the Objectives screen (esmiol)
*) Improved handling of airbase selection and tooltip display
*) Greatly revised and expanded Option Settings display
*) Corrected airbase takeoff vector calculations
*) Improved Green and Classic skins for MP
*) Seaplane bases now moved to Airbase_Type >= 200
*) Support for engineer demolition of airbases, industrial facilities and bridges (RAF74_Taipan, II/JG3K.Brandle)
*) Sector- and season-specific movement cost factors
*) Corrected Merger Tool for carrier operations and to correct the scenery objects counter (RAF74_Buzzsaw, 13_Taipan, 13_Baxter)
*) Costs screen now optionally contains images of all objects (II/JG77Hawk_5)

SEDCS v3.1.0
*) Support for aircraft breakdowns (13_Taipan)
*) Corrected glider mission altitudes at Off Map points. (III/JG11_Tige)
*) Automated unit morale support, including desertion and surrender functions
*) Integrated fuel/supply tracking functionality for all units
*) Unit refueling from nearby supply dumps
*) Airbase control now set at template load time when Fog_Of_War=1 (RAF74_Buzzsaw)
*) Improved wreckage generation for destroyed shipping
*) Corrected spurious listing of targets in .properties file
*) Ground movements can now be auto-truncated at mission end
*) Full support for engineer demolition actions
*) Corrected timing of bridge repair calculations
*) Nation-specific radio silence settings (II/JG3K.Brandle)
*) Option to place targets in ALL infrastructure facilities (II/JG4_Ivank)
*) Corrected handling of temporary airbases for CS_Front_Lines = 0 (RAF74_Buzzsaw)
*) Implementation of sector and season-specific movement costs, by unit class
*) Nation-specific settings for initial intelligence rates (Hitcher)
*) Nation-specific settings for ground movement model (II/JG3K.Brandle)
*) Nation-specific unit skill modes at template load time (Hitcher)
*) Nation-specific pilot loss penalties (II/JG3K.Brandle)
*) Powerful web scripting support including reporting of standard cycle status events and exceptions (102nd_YU_Cmirko, rnzoli)
*) Corrected ClockAdvance error after removal of In Progress missions (II/JG77Hawk_5)
*) Corrected "halt at junction" bug in ground movement module (WTE_CraigusNZ, II/JG3K.Brandle)
*) Implementation of selectable recon decay rates per unit class
*) A6M2-N Rufe added as potential host seat aircraft

Downloads are available at the usual place.

Enjoy!

IV/JG7_4Shades, on behalf of the SEOW Development Team
_________________
IV/JG7_4Shades
SEOW Developer

We have added a new Khalkin Kol Campaign Templates and a Ardennes Campaign Set.

The Wrath of Khan 1939 Set in the Khalkhin Gol region in July 1939, General Zhukov's forces confront the IJA Kwantung units in Mongolia. This is a detailed historical template promising intense air action over a savage ground war on the Mongolian plains. Short, sharp missions with nowhere to hide. Developed by IV/JG7_Warg.

OZFB - Ardennes 1940 SichelschnittII Campaign Set a campaign set of the missions recently flown in the OZFB Ardennes campaign.

We have added a new Okinawa Campaign Templates and a Campaign Set.

Motobu Assault - Okinawa by IV/JG7_4Shades. and Okinawa/Motobu Assault campaign Set.

We have added two new interesting Campaign Templates and a Campaign Set.

Kurski - Kursk Campaign Template and the Campaign set Kursk 1943 Campaign

Defending Neutrality 1940 by Warg. This one is a "what if?" fictional strategic bombing campaign between Germany and Switzerland in1940, set on the L'vov map. It contains skins.

"This SE template is set along the northern frontier border between Germany and Switzerland. I am using the Lvov map, encompassing the northern reaches of the Carpathian Mountains to illustrate the foothills of the Swiss Alps, as depicted here. It is a “hypothetical” encounter between two nations that were not at war. The events of 4th & 8th of June, 1940 are true enough, though the conflict thereafter is pure supposition.

This template is principally designed to test pilots “friend or foe” recognition skills, which hopefully, will add an extra dimension to the uncertainty to armed encounters. In this scenario, both combatants use similar models of equipment and having the correct skins for aircraft is essential. Additionally, this template introduces new campaign factors such as fuel supply and factory production into the equation.

The simulation itself covers a 24 hour period of a limited Luftwaffe operation over the northern part of Switzerland. The Swiss Flugwaffe is defending their homeland."

New Features with suggestors/helpers in parentheses

Added two new Campaign Templates ; Green Desert 42 Historical New Guinea Campaign Template, by IV/JG7_Warg. and Sands of Iwo Jima Semi-historical Iwo Jima Campaign Template by IV/JG7_Warg.

Added new documentation, "Complex Ground Movement", under the documentation menu on the left

Added a new Murmansk Template to the Template page - LendLease43 Murmansk Template by Warg. It contains skins, ruleset, pre-configured DB and the usual template, totalling 14 MB.

"LendLease 43" is a semi-historical campaign set in Murmansk in Feb 1943, in the context of Convoy JW53 approaching the Russian port. Allied forces attempt to defend the convoy and ground supply routes against desperate Axis intervention. Weather and distance are critical factors in this tough campaign, where carrier operations are just as important as conventional airfield operations.

Added a pre configured MYSQL Script to pre-load the database for Pre-Configured SEDB28a database for OZFB "Point of No Return" Midway Campaign by the OZFB Group, in the templates.

Added a permanent link in the left hand menu area to the SE Extreme web site.

Added a pre configured MYSQL Script to pre-load the database for Pre-configured MySQL DB for Hollow Legions Mk. II 13 december, 1940, By Draughluin / Warg.

Added two new zipped Campaign Sets - Point of no return Midway Campaign Set by IV/JG1_Rubes- This is a maximum difficulty, hard-core carrier campaign requiring missions lasting up to two hours, long-range navigation etc. and Point of no return OZFB Campaign Set

Added a new Campaign Template in the Malta folder, for the Battle of Britain.

Kanalkrankheit, 1.00 AM, 08 August 1940

It is early August, 1940. The opening phase of the Battle of Britain is nearly over and attention is clearly focused on shipping transiting the Channel. The object of today is aerial supremacy over the straight. For both the British and the Germans, it is a matter of prestige and power. A clear demonstration to set the tone for the next phase of the battle.

Added an update to an existing campaign template, Hollow Legions Mk. II 13 december, 1940, By Draughluin / Warg. (This version includes desert skins for all aircraft, 5 Mb. dowload)

We have just released a minor bug patch for the DCS, now at version SEDCS2.0beta(J4). This patch contains the following changes:

• Fixed a confusion between carriers and air resupply points that could cause spurious air starts for carrier flights.
• Corrected the template objectives reader - now handles quote marks more gracefully.
  

• Bridge repair by Engineers (new Bridge Repair settings in Options screen). Engineers are ground units with Class 'VEN', as configurable in the Object_Specifications table of the DB. This feature has long been requested by 352nd_Oscar and RAF74_Taipan.
  
• Improved handling of Mission Briefings text for different international character sets. Whilst it is still recommended to use English localization with browsers interacting with the MP, this new feature should handle cases where briefings are encoded in binary character sets. This bug was reported by CK_Hero.

• Corrected loop limit bug for air supply/withdraw points in isAirbaseOperational() of MP-Head.js. Bug reported by III/JG11_Mel.
  
• Added display of on-map mouse coordinates in status bar of browser. Requested by III/JG11_Mel.
  
• Improved PHP5 compliance of the MP-Checkpoint.php script.
  
• Improved random bearing calculation in MP-SQL.php.
  

This is a great way to try out Scorched Earth and see if you like the type of missions it generates, without having to install all the software and configure it, and then learn and complete the Mission Planning.

Currently there are Campaign Sets for Smolensk, Moscow, Crimea, Ardennes, New Guinea and Guadalcanal.

• Improved iconography and template support for Engineering Units (VEN class).
• Two extra island maps for Okinawa.
• Default fuel load increased to 50% for short flights.
• Improved MP support for PHP5.
• Support for Temporary airbase operations, including pre-defined temporary airbases for Malta and Okinawa (See here for detailed instructions on usage).
• "Takeoff Under Fire" campaign option for overrun airbases.
• Arbitrary names for Resupply Points.
• Toggle command for Pilot Reports in Context Menu.
• All 4.04m objects now supported.
• Corrected gravestone and funeral pyre tracking for destroyed Chiefs in DCS.
• Corrected bugs in DCS Buildings handler.
• Corrected bugs in DCS Bridge Destruction handler.
• Faster DCS Scenery handler.
• Armored flak, freighters and submarines are now recon-capable.
• Improved handling of radio silence for topup flights.
• Simplified handling of flights based at temporary airbases in campaign templates.

RAF74_Taipan, 242Sqn_TheProf, 352nd_Oscar, Katana-C6, Murdock, catxman

The latest version of Scorched Earth, version 2.0 Beta (G) has just been released . This is a significant release with several major additions to Scorched Earth functionality. You can download this version - here.

The major new features in this version includes ;

Pacific Carrier Operations This version includes, the long awaited, full support for Pacific Carrier Operations in Scorched Earth ! The Guadalcanal, Midway and Malta (Online5Summer) maps are have been included in this release specifically for use with Carrier Operations.

Freight Management This version includes the Freight Management toolset within the Mission Planner Module. This enables planners in Scorched Earth to order Amphibious landings, resupply and evacuations ! This is the last piece of the puzzle for enabling BEACHHEAD OPERATIONS! You will be able to simulate invasions, like D-Day, Saipan, or evacuations, like Dunkirk, Greece or Philippines.

Glider Support Scorched Earth now supports Glider Operations. You can now assign ground units to a Glider, then assign the Glider to a tow aircraft and conduct Airborne Assaults ! After your airborne troops have seized an airfield, regular transport aircraft can now be used to bring in ground reinforcements.

Now Pilots have the ability to add visual Pilot Recon reports of what Pilots have spotted, directly on the MP map.

See the Change Log here for all the detailed changes in this version.

* Corrected the missing counting of aircraft "Crashed" events in ObjMissionDisposition.
* Corrected the flight duration bug in MP-PilotDetails.php.
* Corrected logic for PilotKillDetails to include parked aircraft destruction.
* Added support for ship sinkings and aircraft sinkings - needed for carrier operations.

This patch can be installed over the existing Statistics Engine files.

* Various bug fixes to Statistics (it is still slow, but more correct!)
* Improved aircraft waypoint ETA calculations for climbing flights
* Added template Merger button to front page
* Corrected spelling of Efogi and Ioribaiwa in New Guinea map
* Corrected Settings Screen logic with FB Map Name (New Guinea)
* Added a zoomed map for Kokoda (New Guinea)
* Corrected display of seaplane bases