Battlefront.com Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 Yeah, I know... we're late with the British Module. We're always late, aren't we? Definitely not for a lack of caring, that's for sure At present the only thing we're working on are the scenarios, the Campaign, and whatever little tiny bugs are still waiting to be discovered and corrected. So from a development standpoint the Module is basically done, but it isn't ready for release quite yet. How much longer? I'll let you know in a couple of weeks. So... the question has come up before about how we could be much later than the original 4 months we had expected each Module to take. Currently we're running just about twice that. Well, as I've said in other threads this is all new to us and we simply underestimated a couple of things. Although the Marines was our first Module, two issues that came up with the British Module were new to us. The first is that we're working with outside talent (i.e. not Battlefront employees) to develop CM content for the first time ever. It's been going REALLY well and we're extremely pleased. However, there was some up-front investment in time to get the other team's members fully versed in the processes of making stuff. Especially all the little quirks that anything of this complexity has with its development environment. The good news is that this was a one-time hit to the calendar. This same time is going to do lots of other Modules for us, including NATO, so the time spent learning the environment is done and won't need to be repeated. On top of that, the team has already got a bunch of the vehicles for NATO and first WW2 Module done before we have even officially started them. The other issue we ran into is one that is systemic and needs to be worked around for the future. I speak of my own personal Hell... TO&E On the plus side it is extremely flexible and highly detailed. Not only that, it is open to me directly instead of the CMx1 method where a good portion of the tedious work had to be done by Charles. The issues we're having with it now is that there are no tools to manage the THOUSANDS of TO&E entries that span several interconnected files. It's a flipp'n nightmare to work with because it is extremely difficult to spot errors by eyeball before testers find them. Since there are thousands of things which could be potentially wrong, it takes the testers a LONG time (and a ton of deliberate work) to uncover the issues. This just mucks up the whole system because until the TO&E is finalized no serious work can be done on scenarios due to the fact that basic changes to the TO&E break scenarios. And since I'm the only one that knows how it all works (other than Charles, of course) I'm trying to work on several TO&Es at once in addition to my other work. Definitely not something we want to continue going forward. The solution I'm pursuing is making a "fool proof" relational database front end which will churn out "code ready" data for Charles to import. This is going to take me a couple of weeks to develop, believe it or not. Nobody else can help with this either since getting it "fool proof" requires knowing what a fool can screw up. Since I'm the only fool using it, I'm the only one who can outsmart me All in all the reasons for the delay of the British Module are not worrisome for us. Obviously we don't like short term problems that affect us and you guys, but short term problems can be worked around once identified. The sorts of long term problems we had with the CMx1 code, for example, spelled "death" to us. Which is why we decided to ditch CMx1 before we even finished CMBB And every single day we go to work we thank ourselves for that decision. The little bumps we've still got to iron out are peanuts compared to what we had to go through to get where we are today. More news as it becomes available Steve 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
General_solomon Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 thanks steve, looking forward to getting on my computer asap. will you have a bundle pack with the marines module and will they both be available on a cd. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bergerbitz Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 I know you care, Steve. I can feel it. And I will wait. Oh, how I will.... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clavicula_Nox Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Well, as someone who has been buying your games for around 9 years and has multiple copies of everything (as of today!), it doesn't bother me. I'm not one of your neurotic customers who needs the new content to constantly roll off the presses. I definitely appreciate the work you guys put into it, I'm playing mission 1 of the Marine campaign now (v 1.10), and the amount of improvement from release is astounding. I have not regretted supporting you guys, so, keep up the good work. I'm sure Dorosh and his buddies will now include me on "The List" but that's okay. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bergerbitz Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Oh, you don't want to be on that list. I was on that list once for saying that Frontsoldaten was a reasonable book and I had big ol' strips taken offa me all personal-like by Dorosh himself. He came over in his sweater vest and was like all up in my face, y'know and he smelled a little like Vick's Vap-O-rub and he got in reallllll close and gave me a list of better reference materials gave me the hairiest of hairy eyeballs and walked away. I can still hear the whisper of those polyester pants. The sound still scares me. No, man -- you don't want to be on that list. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Panzer Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 If the holdup for the British Module is primarily one of TO&E/scenario issues, might we see the v1.2 patch released in advance of the module? It certainly would make the wait easier for the anxious among us and would help others who are on the fence about the Brits gauge whether things have come along far enough to spend additional dollars on CMSF. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clavicula_Nox Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Oh, you don't want to be on that list. I was on that list once for saying that Frontsoldaten was a reasonable book and I had big ol' strips taken offa me all personal-like by Dorosh himself. He came over in his sweater vest and was like all up in my face, y'know and he smelled a little like Vick's Vap-O-rub and he got in reallllll close and gave me a list of better reference materials gave me the hairiest of hairy eyeballs and walked away. I can still hear the whisper of those polyester pants. The sound still scares me. No, man -- you don't want to be on that list. You know, on a personal level, I never had anything against Michael. I just didn't appreciate the way he handled dissenting opinions. I always appreciated his intelligence, but felt it was used for the forces of Evil, rather than the forces of Good. Your encounter, though, would have given a new face to my nightmares... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TempV Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Steve Thanks for update. Anyway, your games and modules require much less time to wait than Homeworld 3. BTW, I'd like to know will there ever be the bundle of Marines+British? I'd buy such thing. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Battlefront.com Posted April 14, 2009 Author Share Posted April 14, 2009 If someone told me that a customer would make a post with Polyester Pants and Frontsoldaten in the same sentence I would have told that person "sir, stop sniffing glue!". And yet here we are with exactly that OK, let's put aside The List for now. Pretty much everybody on this Forum is on it already, if if they aren't it's only because they haven't said anything that the List holders disagree with. Because that is what it is all about. As for bundles, we definitely will be offering bundles. Bundles are always a good thing for both customer and us. Steve 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clavicula_Nox Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Yeah, the bundle stuff is pretty good. Because of it, I was finally able to get the Marines module. Whomever made the first scenario, I can just say that I am thoroughly impressed, but just wished I had more time! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theFightingSeabee Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 I definitely am pleased that: a) You guys are responsible developers who will push the release date back to polish things up a bit. Good job! You guys are even working on a Brits module! I'd be happy if it took another 8 months as long as I know it's on the way. c) You have told us so we're not completely in the dark. d) I'm not on The List... right? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clavicula_Nox Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Yeah, when the Brits comeout, I'm going to enjoy making some little Prince "Ginger" Harry scenariors. SOrry for weird post, percocets do that to me. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfhand Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Thanks for the update, it is much appreciated. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silverstars Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Good to know. I am also looking forward to the 1.12 upgrade and hoping against hope that it takes care of my highly frustrating "switching sides" Quick Battle bug. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zwobot Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 As for bundles, we definitely will be offering bundles. Bundles are always a good thing for both customer and us. Cool :cool: Will the bundle come in a "two in one" installer? And will this require different patching of the base game and the two modules? I hope not since this can't be what you want, there are already patches for 4 different branches of the game (Paradox version, Battlefront version, Gamersgate version and Marines) and I don't think you want to have two more like "Brits module version" and "Marines and Brits bundle" version patch. Please say yes 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stikkypixie Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 It is not an update unless it includes screenshots or movies I say!!!! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RommL Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Thank you steve. I saw that there will be an unit NATO. will find we the French inside? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zwobot Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Weren't the French ruled out years ago? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdstrike Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 Since I'm a little short on game-time at the moment, I'm actually quite happy with the delay. Would be worse if it were released and I would have to force myself not to play it. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meach Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 The french were invited to be part of the module but they veto'd the decision. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdstrike Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 CMSF 'Module of the Willing' 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sivodsi Posted April 14, 2009 Share Posted April 14, 2009 The french were invited to be part of the module but they veto'd the decision. Ah, but if Sarkozy has his way, maybe not 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lethaface Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 Thanks for the detailed info! Take your time, a customer with a good fantasy is better then one with a bad faith 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sivodsi Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 As for bundles, we definitely will be offering bundles. Bundles are always a good thing for both customer and us. Steve Great, can we have the British module bundled with the future NATO module now instead of waiting until the NATO module comes out? No? Oh well, worth a try... 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
General_solomon Posted April 15, 2009 Share Posted April 15, 2009 Steve: can we expect the module to be released sometime in may? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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