Doesn't work out so well

This actually belongs in the Fighting Formations: Grossdeutschland Motorized Infantry Division forum where the tanks are often seen rolling around upside down.

Oh those crazy Italians!

The side-view artwork for a game with vehicles that uses COVERED ARCS is the main reason I haven't already purchased this otherwise awesome looking game....*sigh*. I know that eventually I will break down and get it but........dang it-----I just don't buy in to the argument that a top-down perspective would somehow "make it hard to identify what kind / type of tank it is", especially after years of ASL and never ONCE had that problem. I'm still just miffed about the whole thing. But that's ok, I still have plenty of Combat Commander to buy before I get FF

I just don't buy in to the argument that a top-down perspective would somehow "make it hard to identify what kind / type of tank it is",

I'd prefer top-down myself. But since somebody else is doing the artwork for this series, I have to respect their input. Mr. Kibler said that he had difficulty finding appropriate top-down templates of all the vehicles and guns in the first game, whereas side views where readily available.

If things change, I'm sure the art could change. I can't promise (nor would I even want to speculate) either way right now.

I just don't buy in to the argument that a top-down perspective would somehow "make it hard to identify what kind / type of tank it is"...

There were several reasons for the side view decision. The most important, I think, was the difficulty of finding detailed top-down views for the artist to go off of. Side views were much easier to find, which will also be a concern for future games in the series where we need to create new images.

Aesthetically, the side views complement rather than conflict with the front views on the infantry counters. Also, denoting a platoon (with three figures) looks better with three staggered side-view icons rather than three much smaller top-down icons: The latter looked a bit silly when next to a single-icon squad on the map -- like three little ducklings next to momma duck.

Also keep in mind that it doesn't matter whether we did top or side views with the counter icons: the numbers would still sometimes be sideways or upside down to the owning player....

We actually went through an intensive top-vs-side, and instead of just saying 'oh yeah that's schweet', we looked at full mock-ups and mixed and matched and all three of us came down clearly on side views for the vehicles and guns for the reasons Chad said.

And then there's the Charlie Kibler factor and then there's the big counter factor where you get to SEE all that delicious side detail and you can more easily differentiate between the various vehicles and gun types with the side view - the profiles are much more variegated.

I just don't buy in to the argument that a top-down perspective would somehow "make it hard to identify what kind / type of tank it is",