kump

Hi Rob! Hey, I checked out your web page and it looks great. Noted you were wondering if you should keep the gold demo for others to download. I say absolutely. Even though most of us have, or will have (I hope) the actual game, its wise to keep hooking others onto it by providing the demo. I wish you had the game, so you wouldn't be dependant on others for screen shots. Post something here when you do get CM and have new screen shots on your site. Look forward in visiting it again in the future.

but.. - SMACK -

Thanks for the visit back Joe. You will be sorely missed here at the weeping wall since you finally got CM. I'm going to miss your company. I enjoyed your posts and thought you were the most wise, mature, and educated of all us cry babies here. Congrats and enjoy this weekend with CM. I'm not sad to see more and more folks finally stand up and walk away from the weeping wall, but why the hell do I have to be one of those still kneeling here? Boo hoo hooooo, I want my CM!

For goodness sakes Kump, get a life! You got nothing better to do than go get old BTS posts? You need some help. CM is only a computer game. There are so many other priorities in life. You need to stop and smell the roses. Don't you have other hobbies or interests? Boy, am I getting tired of your whining. In a few more days, you will finally get CM, and hopefully shut the hell up! ---- There, self administered. Don't waste a post.... ------------------ Garry Kump

Hmmm... probably Steve will hate me for this, but I found it pleasant reading how his "estimated" target date for getting all the pre-orders shipped kept slipping on him. Must have had quite a time with the shipping handling folks. Went and pulled segments of previous posts, did not pull something to be taken out of context. 6/12 - Monday <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> Our folks will start building the units (i.e. bundling the manuals and CDs) tomorrow. Depending on how that goes, shippments *should* start going out on Wednesday. We are not anticipating a full day of shipping, if at all, so we guess that it might take until Friday or Monday to get all preorders out the door. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> So hopeful target date for pre-orders is Friday or Monday (June 19). Sounds good. Looks like, if all goes well, us US customers will get our copies by this weekend (June 24 and June 25). Let us hope!!! 6/13 - Tuesday <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> Things are going pretty well. Some orders will most likely get to meet various postal workers tomorrow. The number won't be too huge at first (probably less than 20% of all orders), but it looks like they might manage to get the rest out by Thursday. So we hope. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Oh my gosh! Looks like estimates for all pre-orders has been moved up to Thursday (June 15). Happy days! The US pre-order customers will have it by this weekend! 6/14 - Wednesday <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> First order of business is to calm down The number that went out today was quite small as they needed the majority of the day to get things set up. I think less than 50 went out the door, which was far fewer than we expected to say the least The bulk should go out tomorrow and the rest on Friday. The end is near, so hang in there <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> The real first sign of trouble. Shoot, delayed by another day. Estimated time that all pre-orders to be shipped has been moved to Friday (June 16). Okay, still enough time to get by this weekend. No sweat. 6/15 - Thursday <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> More units went out today. But the early preorders (with posters) proved to be more of a problem than our fulfillment house expected in terms of time. So things are going slowly today, even though there are about a dozen people processing orders (including their sales staff ). They should be done with all of these by tomorrow morning and then they will be able to crank through the rest. This means that some units won't go out until Monday most likely. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Oh-oh. Those damn posters are fouling the rest of us up. Now the date has been moved to Monday (June 19). Oh boy, going to be close, but still good shot to get it by this weekend. 6/16 - Friday to 6/20 - Tuesday <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> No updates?!? Must be very busy, but Monday came and went and wasn't told all pre-orders were out the door. Tuesday and still nothing. Oh well, keep checking the mail box. 6/21 - Wednesday <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> Well... obviously many of you are still wondering what is up with the USPS. Let me tell you that most of you are making an assumption that your order has already shipped. Only a few orders went out before Friday, some on Saturday, a LOT on Monday, and an even larger batch on Tuesday. There are more to go out on Wednesday, but I think these are all new orders (hard to tell). I have seen a lot of guestimations going on, but most go on the assumption that their package is already in the mail, which kinda messes with the transit time estimate of 2 days <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> OUCH! Looks like pre-orders completion date moved to Tuesday (June 20), or Steve hopes, and only new orders on Wednesday. Tuesday, still time for this weekend. <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> Anyhoo... it looks like all domestic US customers should receive their copies in time for this weekend. International customers are still about a week away from the first arrivals. Canadians perhaps a bit sooner depending on where in Canada you live. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> So Steve is with me, he also believes I'll get my copy by this weekend, or really hopes for it. I sure hope his assumption proves right. <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> Many of you have been waiting many months, so although it is frustrating, another day or two won't kill you Just think of this as a grace period to get some jobs done around the house before CM "ruins" your freetime <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Hmm... Its getting longer than another day or two, don't you think. Okay, patience boy, its coming. 6/22 - Thursday <BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR> As of this morning all preorders, and all orders since last week, have gone out the door. Yeah This means for the first time in a week we are current and not backlogged. Because a large number of preorderds went out this morning, nobody should get worried until about Tuesday or so if their order hasn't showed up. Priority Mail 2 day service is not a guarrantee, rather the normal delivery time. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> So Steve now informs that a large order of pre-orders went out by Thursday (June 22), which has now proven to be the official day all pre-orders were finally shipped. Looks like a boat load of us won't be getting CM by this weekend after all. I can tell by the history of this that it took BTS by surprise just how long it took their fulfillment house to complete the pre-order shipping. I'm sure CM2 will have less problems. It better be, because the pre-orders for that will be much greater than CM. I don't hold BTS at fault or shipping. But some should understand why this crying wall keeps getting visitors, for our expectations were high to get CM by today in time for the entire weekend, and as you now know, it ain't going to happen. We will get it next week for sure (I hope), but the previous BTS posts did get my excitement up for this weekend, and now I have to accept the fact that, well you know the saying, sh*t happens. ------------------ Garry Kump [This message has been edited by kump (edited 06-23-2000).]

Another day at the wailing wall, I mean weeping wall. For the fifth day in a row, I drove home and checked, no CM. At least I was on the motorcycle today, so it was an enjoyable ride, even the return trip back to work (which Monday through Thursday was a period of pouting). But if only I got an e-mail confirmation on day it shipped, I may have saved some of this 150 miles of gas money. Boy, am I pathetic (I said first, so don't jump in this thread and say it for me). Now I find out it may only have shipped yesterday, but no way to know for sure. Oh well, maybe tomorrow, or the next, or the next, or the next, or the next... Now I'm crying again for this great game. I think its about time Steve made an appearance here and burp me, or change me, or whatever it is I'm needing. Maybe Steve taking a red eye flight to North Carolina and appearing at my front door Saturday morning with a personally signed copy! Yea, that's the ticket!!! WAAAA, WAAAAA, WAAAAAA ------------------ Garry Kump

Too early to evaluate the financial outcome, but at least in the area of customer satisfaction of CM, it sure appears to be a resounding success. I've got nothing better to do while waiting for CM, so I browse this board alot. I'm stunned its not being hit by angry customers with bug reports, which is all too common these days. The business model BTS has adopted by avoiding the big publishers has really paid off for customers. CM did not get pushed out the door before it was ready, its a complete package that delivers what it promised and then some more. Its obvious (even from the Gold Demo) that CM was developed by a group of people who have a great interest in the subject matter and who are wargamers themselves. It shows in every aspect of CM. And they also had a wealth of talent to actually pull it off, delivering to a demanding group of wargamers who many must be in a state of shock that they got what they have always been wanting. Congrats BTS, and may your business model bring you the high financial rewards you rightly deserve. ------------------ Garry Kump

What else have I got to do? CM seems to be taking an eternity to arrive (eternity is not a very long time in the world of a CM addict). Play the Gold Demo one more time, Germans in VoT... PANTHER TURRET SWING VS US BAZOOKA TEAM --------------------------------------- My Panther was immobilized by the last Sherman alive, the M4A3(76)W. But the Sherman paid the ultimate price. Behind the Panther on the other side of the village, a US bazooka team took position and fired at the rear of the Panther. The turret of the Panther started its slow 180 degree turn to fire at this new threat. Some depleted German infantry also attempted to assist. Bazooka team fired a second shot, just missing the rear end of that Panther. Ever so slowly that Panther turret turned. I was on the edge of my seat, screaming for that turret to get around in position. Finally the turret was aligned. The US bazooka team was down to 1 man (thanks to my infantry), and with a single shot of its main gun, the Panther removed the US bazooka team threat for good. WHEW, that was SO close! The intensity of that moment was astounding. I found my self shaken and thrilled even though this was the umpteenth time I've played this scenario. Its outstanding how a game experience with one scenario in CM can be so varied on replay. [This message has been edited by kump (edited 06-23-2000).]

Hi Chris, Okay, CC charge June 15, there is a possibility my "pre-order" may arrive next Tuesday, June 27. I may be waiting maybe up to 12 days for delivery after a CC charge? I can understand BTS got swamped and found it difficult to handle the large amount of pre-orders, and actually, that is good news (more sales is very good). I know you meant that a few days should not matter, we've waited for CM so long already. Thank you. But the few days have passed and because it DID take so long to make (some have been waiting a long time), anticipation is even higher now that it is finally shipping! PLUS, and bear with me, we have big publisher expectations. We are used to making on-line orders, having CC charged, and getting our orders in 1-3 days. I do it all the time. BTS is a much smaller operation, and I give them credit for having such a brilliant product of such quality. They have done such a good job, I can forgive an unusual long handling and delivery time for my pre-order. Doesn't make the pain of not having CM for this weekend any less disappointing. I would also like to point out the title of this thread. It is the "crying" thread. Instead of creating whole new posts to cry (which I unfortunately did yesterday - shame on me), it has been the place to visit and rant. Please, let the folks rant! Rant, rant, rant, rant, rant!!! -- sob -- "snip" [This message has been edited by kump (edited 06-22-2000).]

In the Gold Demo (no CM yet, you lucky dog), I have noticed that area fire will "stick" for the entire 60 seconds, regardless of local threats. When you targeted the building, you were in fact just targeting the ground just inside the building. Once the building collapsed, the ground is still there and the area target is still active. Granted, other threats should cancel the area fire, but I can imagine some would scream about it. In the CM environment, threats are everywhere. You can imagine trying to knock down a building and never getting a shot off because the TacAI continuously perceives a threat. Guess the rule is, only target a location when you have other vehicle(s) covering and let the other vehicle(s) fire at the now exposed target when the building collapses during the 60 second turn.

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Biggest problem with most wargames is that lethality is way, way too high. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> So true. But that was the Computer Gaming Industries accepted solution for providing a "quick and fun" wargame to appeal the masses. This is when I row my eyes and thank my lucky stars that someone is around like BTS to deliver a wargame like CM. CM is proof that a deep, complex, and detailed wargame can also be great fun without distorting itself to the "Industry" standards.

WHAT!!! People got CM back in May 1999 from 4CDs and even paid less!!! And I'm still waiting. This is an outrage! If I keep this up, people here will be hoping I get my CM order more than I do, just to get rid of me.

Hmmm... seems almost trollish. What reality are you referencing your judgment on? Quake? Tomb Raider? Let me take a shot at these, even though they do appear trollish.... 1) I can move a tank within 5 meters of enemy infantry and open fire. Instead of the infantry dropping dead, they calmly walk away amongst a hail of bullets from my tank. Realistic?? Hell no. Was the infantry in the open? The woods? If so, they are retreating at a run but are slowed by woods and even if you don't see the trees, the forest is an abstract. It means, they are many trees and are obtaining cover as they run. I guess you think those three little guys (9-12) are just standing right there in the open as they appear, not attempting to gain cover. Or do you really mean dropping dead means they all just drop because the tank came within 5 meters. Get that close, you should be happy they did not knock out your tank. 2) A single German soldier is defending in a house. I attack the house with 6 troops. They are side by side engaging with gunfire, but the enemy doesn't fall dead until close to a minute of fighting. How can this be realistic??? 6 soldiers against 1 at point blank range!! Very unrealistic. 6 troops? Do you mean six squads or two squads with approximately 24 troops? Is the enemy 1 troop one figure, one squad, or one man (if you checked). One troop, or graphic figure could be 3 very nasty defenders. 60 seconds is not unreasonable. 3) Why do soldiers calmly walk away when overwhelmed by gunfire. Shouldn't they be running?? Very unrealistic. Hold on, got to check if I got CM. Nope. Well, guess I'll just hang around a little longer and waste a few more minutes here. First of all, what is your definition of being "overwhelmed". From what I have seen, most of the time troops get low and attempt to crawl to the closest cover when under heavy fire. I witness them running to cover all the time. What game are you playing? [This message has been edited by kump (edited 06-22-2000).]

Okay, to all you folks. I've got some advice that I would like to pass on to you that I was so fortunate to receive from other board members... 1) Grow up. 2) Your priorities in life are all wrong. 3) Stop your whining. 4) Get a life. 5) You will get it, sooner or later, even if later means next year. So what are you so worried about? Okay, maybe I was a little too harsh and attacking towards BTS in my whining for going through this stressful time of waiting, but somehow, reading other fellow wargamers on this thread lamenting their pain on not receiving CM yet has made me feel a little better. My fellow pre-order comrades at arms, we be the unforturnate few who must bear the brunt of being last. Let us not bicker, complain, whine, curse, scream, holler, flame, stomp, pout, cry, kick things, break windows, push old ladies out of our path, fling bricks at the retreating mailman... and... and... (catch breath). Let us uphold ourselves as patient wargamers who have the best interest of wargaming in general at heart, willing to wait as long as necessary to obtain a true piece of computer wargaming magic. We must remember these three words...it will come... And if it don't get here tomorrow, I think I'm going to shoot somebody.... ------------------ Garry Kump

Those German winter uniform graphics look outstanding! And Charles making alternate winter graphics capability for infantry uniforms as well as AFVs really blows me over. I can't express my appreciation for the support this game is getting already and I haven't even received my game yet! With this kind of thing happening, I know the CM game series will be around and loved for a long time to come. ------------------ Garry Kump

Since the last of the pre-orders went out today, it means some of us may be able to cry until the middle of next week! Wish I didn't have that honor, but I'll be moving my Tiger I around by next weekend for sure!!! Hmmm... maybe I better not get my anticipation all worked up again.

Thanks for the post. Sure wish I knew that pre-orders were still going out the door yesterday before I cried so loud. I'm taking this as good news. I'm hoping it means that BTS was swamped and had to go through a mountain of pre-orders. Good news for BTS and the rest of us. So what comes after CM4? ------------------ Garry Kump

I'll cry here instead of creating another board fire... Charged June 15 and CM did not arrive here on Thursday (June 22) here in NC, which is on the same coast. I really don't think orders were shipped on the same day credit cards were charged, and since I got no e-mail confirmation on day shipped or any way to track by USPS, I'm just plain in the dark. I do not believe my order was shipped by the end of last week as first informed that all pre-orders would be. It must have been in the unlucky few pre-orders that didn't get shipped early till this week. Its only a guess, got no way of knowing. Could be lying under someone's desk at a USPS distribution center in Memphis for all I know. Oh well, I'm going to assume next Monday. I'm just plain getting worn out in excitely driving 12 miles home every day, checking, letting disappointment wash over me, then having a pouting 12 mile drive back to work. I've been doing that since Monday, for goodness sake! I'm really sick, maybe a visit to a psychologist who specializes in the wargame addiction is warranted. ------------------ Garry Kump

Well, since I started the negative post that is referenced, I don't think it should disqualify me to reply to a positive post. Steve, Charles, and the rest of the talented BTS staff have a truly significant accomplishment with CM. I can't let my appreciation show more than buying CM and recommending it to all I know. Just started weeping when it wasn't on the doorstep today. If I persuaded one non-purchase of CM, I deserve a good swift kick up the rump. But I don't think my complaining will be any impact on the success of CM. Its merits stand on its own. A few cry babies (stop looking at me) won't prevent that. So yea, thanks to BTS for a dream come true. ------------------ Garry Kump

Well, I would like to change the initial text, but then no one will understand why people started flaming? It would make those jumping in look unjustified. Wouldn't that be unfair for me to do? I would love to change the topic title!!! That would please me. But how does one do that? I would not mind if a moderator would change it, or even better yet, just delete the entire thread. I've tried deleting, but it refuses. My blessing to any changes or deletion of this topic from this board. ------------------ Garry Kump

Thanks Steve, On reading your explanation, I realized more delivery options just may have caused more problems. It convinced me the error of my ways. Now I just got to go find some water to put out some of my smoldering clothes...

from Killmore I have to ask, what possible reason did you have to post that topic. If you have a beef with BTS why didn't you e-mail them directly, rather than using this forum to vent? Good point! I should have done just that. But I'm holding email till Friday, and like a fool, complained on the board. Oh well, next time...

Steve, I know you guys worked very hard and have delivered what I consider the best WWII tactical wargame ever and for that I will be forever grateful. My bitching was the restrictive delivery options and my inability to track my delivery status. If it is ignored, fine, that is your decision. Sorry for the harsh topic! I definately got the kind of attention I would rather not have. But yes, unfortunately, complaining is going to happen and I happen to voice one on the ordering system. Sorry. But in no way look at this as an attack on BTS's efforts to bring us the best wargame ever. You have my admiration and respect for that. I just wish now I went straight to a bar instead of work after driving home looking for CM. kump leaves board with tail between legs.... ------------------ Garry Kump

YOU ARE MISSING THE POINT!!! So I'm crying and nashing my teeth. So what!!! Ignore it. In the future, customers can be better served by BTS by providing more delivery options. Period. If you think that is wrong, please, inform me the error of my logic. Me and my big mouth. Should have just taken a valium.

Kingfish, That is a good question. Who is to blame because my anticipation was high? Hmmm... maybe if CM was not so good it wouldn't have been so high? Once I get the game, its all going to be water under the bridge and forgotten. HOWEVER, BTS still needs to provide more delivery options. Too late for me, but internet purchase only games should have a variety of choices available to consumers.