Steel Panthers

[PanzerBob]

Any of the Obsessed out there? I've been gaming it in all it's reincarnations since it's inception. It's by far the best IMHO. Any of the like minded out there??

[Tom Houlihan]

I have the 3-game set I picked up back in '98. It still works on my laptop. Or did, rather, before the laptop died. I can play it on my old PC, though!

I love it. I keep replaying favorite scenarios, trying to win with progressively fewer casualties! I can do a couple of Iraq scenarios with minimal casualties!!!

[Geek44]

I loved it years ago...sadly, I never owned it. It was on the PC of a mate I used to share a rented house with. He lives in another town now.

[McCoy]

The first Steel Panthers game was the first PC game that I bought that came as a CD-Rom back in the days of dosdiscs. Haven't played it for the last 10 years though.

[lufttiger]

Got em all, and still the best after all these years, although COH is a close
second for me.

[PanzerBob]

Thanks for the responces, Geek44 & any others intersted, FYI Steel Panthers is available as a FREE download from Shrapnel Games (a Windows Version) and Matrix Games (still DOS based) both are much upgraded and well supported. I currently play winSteel Panthers WWII. All versions are great, and even the WIN version is not a memory pig.

WIN Variant

DOS Variant

Remember to get any patches as well and install them. ( I know, but some forget. )

The CD versions are nice to have, but certainly not necessary, I have the WINSPWWII one because the map editor is better, the other reason is the CD supports larger screen sizes. PLUS the guys supporting it are not in it for the cash but the love of the game.

[PanzerBob]

For those not familar with Steel Panthers:

Wiki on Steel_Panthers

Any questions feel free to ask.

[Whiterook]

Geez Bob, these look pretty good! I may want to give WinSPWW2 a go. So what's the scoop on this one? It's one of the freeware ones that will run on Windows...but I have to be honest, I've NEVER downloaded a freeware program before. My wife and I have heard horror stories of freeware that were virus infected and crashed computers, so we've just plain steered clear of them. Based on you posts though, sounds like this is a safe bet? How much space is it going to chew up (I'm at work at lunch, and our security system is blocking access for me to peek at the requirements)? And lastly, is there a downloadable manual, or do you learn by tutorial or just plain "play as you go" school of hard knocks?

[PanzerBob]

Whiterook,

Whiterook;13293]Geez Bob, these look pretty good! I may want to give WinSPWW2 a go. So what's the scoop on this one? It's one of the freeware ones that will run on Windows...but I have to be honest, I've NEVER downloaded a freeware program before. My wife and I have heard horror stories of freeware that were virus infected and crashed computers, so we've just plain steered clear of them. Based on you posts though, sounds like this is a safe bet?

It's not freeware as we know it, the two groups working have licences from SSI and have been building on that for years. I've played all of them DL'd many, many times the whole game and patches. I've been in and out the Forums for Years and not a peep about NASTIES. (Always run a scan anyways!!!) winSPWWII & winSPMBT are the best incarnations todate IMHO and Shrapnel Forums is a well of knowledge on every aspect of the game. Tech To Tactics.

How much space is it going to chew up (I'm at work at lunch, and our security system is blocking access for me to peek at the requirements)?

I'm at work now too, Hopefully this will answer this:

Game Requirements

Windows 95,98, ME, Windows2000 or XP. DirectX 5 or higher installed.

Recommended CPU would be a Pentium 2 of 500 MHz or better, DirectX 8.1 or better, and a video card (3D DirectX features are not used) with 32MB of on board video RAM. A basic Windows sound card will suffice for the MP3 sound .

The minimum specification system tested was a Pentium I 233MHz Running Windows 95, DirectX 5, 48MB RAM, STB Nitro 3D graphics card (Circa 1997 according to the video drivers, video RAM size not known). This played the game Ok at 640 pixels wide full screen mode, however response was unacceptable at 1024 pixels game resolution.

I believe it takes about 200Megs on my harddrive, You may find you'll need to adjust the speed of some things, but most everything is adjustable, Orbat's, Maps and Equipment you name it, can all be changed or added etc. If you like Campaigns you'll love this game.

And lastly, is there a downloadable manual, or do you learn by tutorial or just plain "play as you go" school of hard knocks?

There is an excellent HELP feature on board, but this should answer a lot, and yes there is tutorials:

Where to Find HelpThis Forum is a wealth of info

I'll talk Steel Panthers anytime, so don't be shy. Let me know how it goes.

BTW, Having a CD is not a requirement most users are running the free copy and no one cares.

Any doubt I'm obsessed???

[Whiterook]

Great info on that, Mate! Thanks!!! The game looks awesome. Possibly another obsession in the making for me.