Beach invasions in video games...

[Rip]

Why, when compared to movies or possibly real life, do they change so much?
I was in the Half-Life Day of Defeat forums before the game was even released. I have played Medal of Honor and many other games. In video games, Allies can usually hide on the beach and snipe out the Germans in the bunkers. I am only 23 so I did not experience WWII and I haven't had much experience with footage or even stories. But I was under the impression that machinegunners were relatively safe from sniper fire - at least sniper fire on the beach.

So the question is, why do snipers work so well on beach invasion maps vs. the defenders, whereas in real life (apparently) this is not the case?

In games, even if there are four machinegunners defending in bunkers vs. four snipers, I would bet that after a few rounds of the snipers getting gunned down, one or two would find a niche and kill off anyone that would show face in the bunkers.

[Owen]

Cos it's a GAME, old chum.
If you kept getting mown down on the beach you wouldn't play it.
Welcome to the forum, by the way,Rip.

[Rip]

Originally Posted by Owen D

Cos it's a GAME, old chum.
If you kept getting mown down on the beach you wouldn't play it.
Welcome to the forum, by the way,Rip.

Hi, and thanks. I am moreso curious because I'm interested in working on a first person shooter and I'm curious to the developments. I know there was mortar fire. I don't know if the Higgins boats were bulletproof from mg fire or if the hedgehogs on the beaches were either. If either of them weren't, as they are in video games, this would certainly change things. But for any reply much thanks.

[marcus69x]

Originally Posted by Rip

Hi, and thanks. I don't know if the Higgins boats were bulletproof from mg fire or if the hedgehogs on the beaches were either.

Hi Rip. The Hedghogs were made from Iron, so I would say so. However, a quick look on Wiki says the Higgins boats were constructed from Plywood????? Never heard of that one before. So I would say no to that one.

Welcome to the forum.

[kfz]

Ok. I'll have a go.

Mechanics of it.

Pretty hard to snip someone who is aware you are there and is in a prepared postion. So very little of the head of the machine gunner would be exposed the target is very small.

The gunner

The MG42 type squad weapens are fearsome things, forget the little rattle you hear in Call of duty its nothing like this, trying shoot back with a rifle against an emplaced MG42 is hopeless. You may as wel lthrow rocks. Have look on U tube for MG42 firing there is one where its firing at distant mountain, give you some idea of the power and accuracy of the gun. A good MG42 will run at arund 900 RPM, thats what 12 bullets a second. You aint going to get chance to aim never mind pull that trigger.


The sniper

Sniping isnt like in a game either, First of all you must have your breath, you cant run up a beach, in 70 lbs of kit, then snipe a gunner at 600 yrds. its takes a long time to dial in your weopen and yourself to a long range shot, its very very hard. I personally I think its a talent, you dont really train snipers, their born.

Beach furniture isnt really going to provide any cover to speak of. its may provide a small amount of cover to other infantry or maybe an occupied machine gunner but motars where real problem. The motar cos of its near vertical tradjectory defeats most cover.

I think only the first higgisn boats where plywoood, by 1944 most of the landing craft involved hade been replaced with more substanil Steel boats offerirng a degree of protection again small arms while the ramp is up.

Good time to talk about this. The game has done what its supposed to, its got you thinking about what them boys did 63 years ago.

Kev