Nick Hyle

Nice bone, Madmatt.

And yet another case where someone tries to DO something - and does - and is dragged down by those who complain about HOW he should have done it instead. Of course I don't notice anyone stepping forward to volunteer to do all the work they're asking El Cid to do. Or has someone offered to compile a list of scenarios, sort them, then contact all authors (and wait, and recontact, and recontact) and then actually put them together as either downloads or a set of links, and then host them? Perhaps I missed someone's kind offer. Searching through the Scenario Depot, I do not see ANY note limiting the free re-distribution of the scenarios listed there. Not even the useful, organized re-distribution of them. (I am more than willing to add that such a statement may exist - but I don't see it.) Perhaps the scenario authors' beef is with their distributor. Do Mike Dorosh, et al, have the right to complain about how the intellectual sweat of their hard labors is distributed? Sure they do. But I fail to see any arguments above about how forcing El Cid to emasculate or remove his packs was a service to the CM community. I saw comments about how it might benefit the Scenario Depot, or Boots & Tracks, etc, and there's nothing wrong with that. I just don't see any arguments that show me where this is a good thing beyond the individual rights and egos involved. Let me make clear again - those individual rights are real, and worthy of respect. But the only reasons I see are the selfish (or small groupish), not communal. Which makes me say thanks again, El Cid - I really appreciate the work. Too bad some people felt they had to spoil the party. Nick Hyle

Will BTS mail 'real' replacement manuals at cost to U.S. CompUSA purchasers of the CDV edition the same as they do for European customers?

Jose, this looks like it was quite a bit of work - thanks! I just downloaded them - hopefully I got the versions that have not yet been emasculated. I certainly fall into the category of gamer who'd rather get a chunk of scenarios this way, and maybe check out the Depot later or not as I please, rather than HAVE to go there and choose individually. It's nice to have the option. Nick Hyle

Guys, remember, CMBO got a lot of good press, so CMBB got a lot of "Buy this!" preview press. But despite being an incredible game for those of us into it, it IS a hard core wargame - if that's not your cup of tea, you WOULD want to play something else. Which is why I always play demos before I buy games.

I think there is a reason that the accounts of using a building as an ambush blind tend to refer to barns - no basement, flimsy walls - more often than houses.

Everyone talks about Arras and Rommel (and your account is dead on), but the 88's death-ray ability as an AT-gun was actually discovered earlier by the German "volunteer" Condor Legion in the Spanish Civil War. That's why the 88's in France '40 were packing AP ammo in the caissons.

Sorry, but I have to ask - how did this end?

Does the Amazon UK copy have the 'real' (US version) manual, or the aborted little CDV thing?

Six days to CA, I'm in PA, I ordered Saturday - Hell, I may start getting hopeful around Wednesday. Thanks, Ginzo!

Ginzo, out of curiousity, when did you order? I'm trying to guesstimate when I should see my copy.

Hey guys, not whining, just wondering: I finally ordered CM:BB on Saturday. How long did people's copies take to arrive after payment? I'm in Pennsylvania. Hell, I need something to talk about while I wait.

*bump*

I thought people (the copyright owners in particular) would like to know that there is an outfit auctioning off a lot of games on Yahoo called Maple Valley Software. Now, they seem to specialize in piracy (oops, "backup CDs for games you already own"). But they also sell allegedly retail version games. Three of those on auction now are Combat Mission, Panzer Elite, and Braveheart. These do not say pre-order, they are up for auction. I presume this is straight fraud rather than pirated beta's, perhaps you (or Teut, etc) would be interested in bidding on a copy to nail these pricks for their fraudulent solictation of your customers. I have notified yahoo, I presume that battlefront - and the denizens of this board - might wish to do so as well. If nothing else, if you all register for Yahoo auctions and leave these jerks negative feedback, it should drive them underground or at least make anyone think twice about dealing with them. I'll be leaving a similar message for Teut and the Braveheart boys later today. Nick Hyle Classic Games Editor wargamer.com