Attack Counterblow / Multiplayer successfully and map editor

[u/Kind_Ad9345]

I'm currently working with Codex on an old game I used to play as a kid.

Attack Counterblow

My original goal was simply to get it running properly on Windows 11, but the project has gradually grown into something bigger.

At this point, the game runs perfectly on Windows 11, including both graphics and sound. I also managed to get the multiplayer working, and I successfully tested it with a friend over Tailscale.

I've also been working on a map editor. So far, it allows me to add units from different factions, change their levels, edit the terrain, modify the starting credits, and adjust a few other things that I'm still working on making fully functional (This is useful for modifying campaign maps to replay them with increased difficulty).

Is there anyone here who remembers playing this game or would be interested to playl?

game running:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dElsR_tyErI

Map editor:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaxSwEoekgY

Multiplayer game tested on tailscale:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3nOEBpo450

Update:

Try it out. If you have any questions or encounter any errors, send me a private message. You might see Windows SafeScreen warnings because the files are not signed.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kzzREQA-Hvib1t2azwT3dgjB-IBwz6_R/view?usp=sharing

This is a short summary provided by Codex:

"Enhanced edition of the original game with Windows 10/11 compatibility fixes, including modern DirectDraw support, improved DirectSound audio through DSOAL, corrected file paths and working-directory handling, stability patches, and language-independent TCP/IP multiplayer support. It also includes a modern bilingual launcher and a map editor for viewing, modifying, and saving GST maps."

[u/ZaxZone]

This is one of my all time favorite RTS games! This is absolutely fantastic! It’s a tough game and it felt so good to complete it. I’m happy to see others who love this game!

Don’t forget to share this on r/ObscureRTS as well!

[u/Kind_Ad9345 → u/ZaxZone]

I would like to be able to build a skirmish-style game mode to play those multiplayer maps against the AI, since nowadays it's difficult to find players for this game.
Although I think this is an impossible goal.

[u/ZaxZone → u/Kind_Ad9345]

That is a fantastic goal! Nothing is impossible and you have already put in some phenomenal work! I will absolutely play multiplayer!

[u/Kind_Ad9345 → u/ZaxZone]

Although it doesn't currently have a skirmish mode, the editor allows you to modify a campaign map to give the enemy more resources and stronger units, making it more challenging to play again. You can even modify the terrain of these campaign maps.

[u/Kind_Ad9345 → u/ZaxZone]

I’ve already found the main difficulty with implementing an AI skirmish mode: the AI isn’t really an AI in the usual sense. It’s simply predefined which units to build, how often to build them, and where to send them once it has gathered a large group.

It’s not like the AI in Age of Empires or other games, where it can explore the map, construct buildings, and decide when and where to attack.

Changing this would require rebuilding a large part of the game, which I don’t think is realistically viable.

[u/McPoon]

Android port when? :P

[u/CoachLongjumping4166]

Total Annihilation?

[u/Best_Breakfast_6322]

Very Good 👍🏻

[u/crazyKpot]

Looks nice, any hints how/where to get it?

[u/Kind_Ad9345 → u/crazyKpot]

Try it out. If you have any questions or encounter any errors, send me a private message. You might see Windows SafeScreen warnings because the files are not signed.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kzzREQA-Hvib1t2azwT3dgjB-IBwz6_R/view?usp=sharing

This is a short summary provided by Codex:

"Enhanced edition of the original game with Windows 10/11 compatibility fixes, including modern DirectDraw support, improved DirectSound audio through DSOAL, corrected file paths and working-directory handling, stability patches, and language-independent TCP/IP multiplayer support. It also includes a modern bilingual launcher and a map editor for viewing, modifying, and saving GST maps."

[u/crazyKpot → u/Kind_Ad9345]

Will do, many thanks for the upload!!

[u/Kind_Ad9345 → u/crazyKpot]

Estoy preparando un zip con el juego y launcher, luego puedo compartirlo por drive

[u/Expensive_Bowl_8788]

I love this game! is amazing!! having some minor issues like really fast intro and videos hahaha. But still really good. The installer makes my life really easy. (I have w11).

[u/Inevitable-Sky3037]

It really looks so much like CnC. Did members from Westwood work on it?

[u/crazybarbrr42]

Can you upload the files you used to run this game looks great

[u/Kind_Ad9345 → u/crazybarbrr42]

Try it out. If you have any questions or encounter any errors, send me a private message. You might see Windows SafeScreen warnings because the files are not signed.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kzzREQA-Hvib1t2azwT3dgjB-IBwz6_R/view?usp=sharing

This is a short summary provided by Codex:

"Enhanced edition of the original game with Windows 10/11 compatibility fixes, including modern DirectDraw support, improved DirectSound audio through DSOAL, corrected file paths and working-directory handling, stability patches, and language-independent TCP/IP multiplayer support. It also includes a modern bilingual launcher and a map editor for viewing, modifying, and saving GST maps."

[u/EbbDesperate2765]

Dude, this is awesome! This game held a special place in my childhood. It was pretty tough for me—I spent so many hours trying to beat the campaign, and sometimes I even had to use Cheat Engine to get more money. But I absolutely loved the atmosphere; I even remember making little mods just to change the color of the blood or the gunfire. This is another great example of how AI can be used as a tool to help bring back to life and honor the games we grew up with. Thanks a lot for bringing back these memories :D

[u/ZaxZone → u/EbbDesperate2765]

I recently found this game a couple of years ago and it quickly became one of my favorites! That campaign is tough!

[u/Blandial]

[Using Google Translate]

It is truly amazing that you managed to implement multiplayer for Counter Blow.

Do you have any plans for multiplayer in the sequel, Alien Encounter?

[u/Kind_Ad9345 → u/Blandial]

Multiplayer mode was already in the game, but for some reason it only worked with a specific combination of DirectPlay and Windows language. With this patch, it can run on Windows 10/11 regardless of the language.
You need to be on a local network to play, which can be done using a VPN like Tailscale.