Why So Many "when = now" Upgrades?

[Jon Shafer]

There are certain upgrades like the creation of a new model of Tank Destroyer, or a new size artillery tube that are flagged "when = now", and I'm curious as to why that is. For those who don't know what "when = now" means, basically what it does is instantaneously updates every division's stats that are benefitted by the tech, without you having to 'refit' the division by sending it back home to upgrade it. Why should the development of a new type of equipment not require refitting in order to obtain the improvement?

An example similar to one that was previously presented elsewhere sums this situation up in the historic example that follows:
In Berlin, December 1942, a new more advanced model of tank destroyer is completed and set for production. Paulus' 6th Army encircled in Stalingrad suddenly finds itself with the new Tank Destroyers within his Mechanized Infantry divisions, and instantly his tank attack capabilities are increased, despite being cut off from all supply and having no link to the rest of German occupied territory where he might obtain the new vehicles.

 

[Jon Shafer]

Hey there Trip. Sometimes I think we are the only ones worrying over this.

From your example I must conclude IMHO that "when=now" does not mean instantaneous and free upgrades. Again I stress I have not seen a tech that does not have the "when=now" statement. There isn't any "when=(input a number)" ever.

Alas, myself being a comp sci major and a future game programmer/designer I'm always forced to delve into the inner-workings of the games I play. This is just another case of that tendency coming to the surface.

As I mentioned in the other thread, if you exclude "when = now", then that means you have to refit. If it's included, then the improvement is instantaneous, according to a couple betas who explained it to me a few days ago. Your qualms are with them, not myself.

 

[Jon Shafer]

Originally posted by bandkanon
I've been looking at some R&D SS to get some clues. If you notice to the bottem left corner: that box will tell you the effects of the tech you are looking at(most of the techs give no effects). All of them has the "Effects (U) = On Upgrade" statement. Now that is just puzzling. Press U to upgrade? But then you can't possibly upgrade for every tech researched. Does that mean automatic upgrade? I just don't know. That statement is very cryptic. Hopefully I can find a SS without that statement or something else instead. That should help in the breaking of this enigma.

I fear those may be the techs that require no refitting, but, of course, I can't say for sure.

 

[Jon Shafer]

I know for certain that upgrading between different tank models (or whatever type of unit ) requires refitting... so that's probably what's going in the AARs you've read.

Originally asked by Trip...
So...
"type = max_organization which = battleship when = now value = 5"
... means that all battleships now have their organization value increased by 5?

"type = max_organization which = battleship value = 5"
... would mean that you have to 'upgrade' first to recieve the organization bonus? Or is there syntax I'm missing in that line?

Response from mweisner, HOI Betaz0id
You got it.

There I asked mweisner what the meaning of the "when = now" line meant, and what happened if you excluded it. Like I stated previously, you only need to refit if there's no "when = now". Other than that, all upgrades are instantaneous.

I fear there may be some hardcore editing to be done...

 

[Jon Shafer]

That was what I was thinking as well... too time consuming to upgrade for every mini-tech.

However, it will definitely be editable... even if it requires a little text editing.

You know that "deactivate" flag used for picking out certain models of tanks that can be researched, and subsequently built? Just add a few of 'em to those few particular techs (which basically allows you to pick one of a field of techs to research, but once you pick one you can't research the rest) that you want to keep in, and voila, problem solved (or as close as you'll come to it. ).

I'm really just not liking the whole 'let's develop new equipment that all our divisions will instantly recieve' bit (I did dedicate this thread to it, didn't I? ).

 

[Jon Shafer]

Also, one more thing before I hit the sack for tonight.

Lumping the tech TIME and not tech COST together would probably be the smarter idea... otherwise you'll end up with super-expensive techs that suck your economy dry, but can be researched very quickly for a BIG boost (imagine how much stronger this would make the USA). You'd either be bankrupt with very few techs, or have all of the techs by 1942.

 

[Jon Shafer]

Later in the war that was the case quite often... Germany would simply ship new stuff off to the front, since they were running out of divisions to work with as things were.

If there was an option (perhaps a way to code it? I doubt it though, but we'll see...) to check for supply line, and cost, say, 1 supply to upgrade divisions like this (like grumbold mentioned) instead of making it instantaneous, free, and easy, I would be quite happy.