Shep

Bump. Status update? I know this was tangled up in the permission stage. Any progress in the past 3 weeks? I'm looking forward to this one very much.

Holy night of the refreshing monkeys, Batman!

Imagine for a moment that CM seems a little stale... not much in the way of new mods coming in... scenarios have been played, replayed, and played again... same guys trying the same tactics... different guys trying the same tactics... Try this: play one of those other WW2 tactical games. Force yourself to play the Campaign Series or Steel Panthers or their ilk for a couple of weeks. Then fire up CM again. Woo hoo! It's like eating real food after nothing but MRE's for weeks.

I think what Steve is saying is this: That in order for the game system to keep marching on so we get all the thrills and chills of Combat Mission 2,3,4, II etc... ...he has to be responsibly selfish at some point. If the business side continues in good health, then we have an excellent chance of getting much of what we want. Combat Mission is always going to be an 'incomplete' product, but as complete as Steve and Charles choose to make it within the framework of their business and personal lives. BTS is hardly an impersonal corporation, after all. We all have as good a chance as ever of seeing the vast majority of what we want. They have an excellent and virtuous reputation not only for what they produce, but how they go about it, and how they listen patiently to their sometimes rude customers. I've been disappointed with a few things that BTS hasn't done, and vocal about them. But I'm charmed with the product. It has and will retain its replayability, and is the best computer wargame that I've ever enjoyed. I wish for all the world that they would refit CMBO, and I believe that they can, but won't, for 'selfish' reasons. But those same reasons are in their judgment 'selfish' for us as well, in that we keep getting more games. That works for me. Mark

In fact, I did get my head handed to me over this very issue a couple of weeks ago. After a strident effort (indeed perhaps overly strident), Steve said absolutely not. The soonest we will see the missing CMBO vehicles will be CM II. I found BTS to be immovable over the issue, and I definitely tried quite a few angles. M16 AA M15 AA M19... Brummbar Mark

Many of us would like to see our favorite missing vehicles in CMBO - the Brummbar, the M16, and several others. A few of us even feel strongly about it - that there is something significant missing. BTS has categorically stated that they are unwilling to invest their time in a project that they can neither put a price on as an expansion pack (it has to be for everyone, or for no one), nor do without compensation for approximately 9 man days per vehicle. Furthermore, that it is necessary from a business point of view to move on to CM2. So be it. My pledge: 1) That BTS can choose the time that they want to do this project; and... 2) That I will pledge $100 out of my own pocket to ensure that they are compensated for their hard work. The questions are these: 1) Are there enough of us who are willing to do this to make it worth their while? 2) Would BTS be willing to do this at some future time when the need to continue with CM2 is not so pressing? I'm good for my word. Mark ------------------ Scouts Out!

"although we love what we are doing here, we already worked for 3 years without pay." You worked 3 years before you received a paycheck, but you did get paid. It's just kind of like back pay. But that's the experience of many entrepeneurs, and you're hardly unique in that regard. "I don't mean bug fixes and TCP/IP, which were part of the original deal, but the dozens of tweaks and new features we stuck in simply because people asked us to do them. So we think it is rather unfair to expect us to spend another month working on something that we aren't going to get compensated for AS WELL as delaying CM2 which we are going to get compensated for." And these suggestions added value to your product, which increased sales. I would suggest that you DID get paid for that, in satisfied customers who became zealous promoters of your product. There were, however, lots of people who devoted tons of time toward the improvement your product, and who never got paid nor ever will. They're your customers. Mark

BTS: Too bad. I wish you were willing to take a week off to put the finishing touch on your masterpiece, but you obviously have your sights set on other things. Thanks for taking the time to answer and reconsider, and I genuinely hope that you will do it someday. I've been with you since Flight Commander 2, and this is the first reason I've found to be disappointed. That's not a bad record, I suppose. Mark

Regarding the time it might take to build and code a few vehicles... Within the body of this topic there is a reference to the simplicity of adding the Sherman Alligator. The models were already built. Think about it. These are AA halftracks, right? Aren't the models for the halftracks already built? Just add a quad fifty mount, and voila! Not that hard, right? And the data for the .50 cal is already there, and I'm fairly confident for the quad fifty mount as well. AI coding? How about a chunk from the dreaded Wirblewind itself. A close approximation, eh? In other words, they wouldn't be built from scratch. And I'm not listening to a self-appointed spokesman, either. Sorry Phoenix. I'll allow you to gloat all you want if and when BTS sticks my nose in it, but you don't rate in my book as their spokesman. I'll gladly and humbly submit to their reply when it comes. As far as I'm concerned, and I'm sure several others with me, I want the issue reopened and reexamined. Mark Mark ------------------ Scouts Out!

Somehow I don't believe it would take more than a month to do a few significant vehicles. If it took that long to do the original batch, we'd still be waiting for the release of the game. Yeah if it took six weeks to do 3 vehicles, I'm on your bandwagon. But I don't think it will. I could be wrong, but I doubt it. Phoenix - you're obviously an East Front guy. I don't blame you for wanting to move it along. I too am eager for CM2. But I think the AA vehicles are a significant enough omission to take a short break to do them. It may be that the BTS guys are about sick and tired of CMBO, and just want to move. I wouldn't blame them for that either. Mark ------------------ Scouts Out!

Okay, so you have a long journey through a hot, dry land until CM2 arrives. You can briefly delay that journey by sitting down and enjoying an ice cold beer. Who wouldn't do that? For the sake of an ice cold one, let's have those vehicles! Mark ------------------ Scouts Out!

I get the feeling that there is some impatience already brewing for CM2. The TCP/IP thing took much longer than expected. I expect to be looking down the barrel of a T34/85 about this time next year. So consider this: The last time there was a new vehicle in CM was May - with the release of CM 1.0... And this: It's going to be a good long stretch before we see a CM2 demo, IF BTS decides to release one. I'd love to see that just like the rest of y'all. But if BTS releases a smattering of vehicles next month, it serves well to refresh the game for all of us. New tactics in offense and defense will have to be forged on the CM battlefield; new discussion, heated discussion about the proper use of such vehicles; we get to see the 'meatchopper' live up to its name; and etc. Not a bad strategic decision as we go through a long dry spell with nothing new under the sun. Mark ------------------ Scouts Out!

I figured that BTS wasn't going to work on the AA vehicles until after the TCP/IP because they had given their word regarding that. It wouldn't have been right for them to do so until such time as they had finished it. And I also know that BTS has to weigh their customer base regarding this sort of thing. It is inevitable that the clamor for CM2 is going to far out-decibal the occasional peep for the significant missing vehicles. That's realistic enough, I think. But I know them as good guys who listen; they've listened to me and hundreds of other guys, and they've made changes and even marketing decisions based on what we've had to say. I have my name on a tiny bit of code in CM. It may be a poor business decision to invest time and effort in a few missing vehicles, though I suspect not - if they choose to make money off it, they will. It may be a decision that offends more of this community than it pleases, but that's not the criteria that Steve and Charles employ about this great game. They have the courage to face a majority in dissent, and by golly they've done it. In essence, they made the game, and they've done the gaming community a long lasting service by doing so. CM has changed so much about wargaming, I can hardly begin to recite the list. I hardly feel justified in demanding anything from them. It's not my game, and not my company, though I've been a faithful customer of BTS long before CM ever came along, and I've promoted them and their vision, and I've been responsible for some sales... I'll keep on doing that regardless. I guess every successful company owes something to their customers, but BTS has gone so far beyond what the rank and file game developers have ever done - well what can I say? Any request on my part may well fall on deaf ears. It doesn't stop me from wanting just a handful of those vehicles, and thinking that it's right for them to be in the game. And furthermore believing that there's enough guys out there who would buy them that it would be worth it for BTS to do so. I haven't really brought the issue up before this time because it seemed to me that the timing wasn't right. Now that the TCP/IP patch is done, and the work is turning toward CM2, it seems like a quick detour would not be completely out of order. BTS, I'd love for you to reconsider! Mark ------------------ Scouts Out!

Well that explains why the M16 didn't make it in the original release of CMBO. But that's not the issue now. Is there a definitive statement on why BTS won't come out with this one (and perhaps a few others) through a patch? My opinion: the M16 will not be 'discussed to death' until BTS produces the goods. It's a fun enough vehicle, and its inclusion is well justified. Mark ------------------ Scouts Out!

The balance issue is one that nettles any game designer. The recent debate over the changes in version 1.1 are evidence of that. Nonetheless, the BTS tackled the issue head-on, and supported their decisions with their usual thorough research and thoughtful analysis. It seems to me they could do just as well with the U.S. AA vehicles. Perhaps it's a matter of time and resources, but I believe enough of us would pay for a vehicle/equipment expansion pack so as to make it worth their while. I don't feel as though CMBO will be complete for me until those vehicles are included. Anyone else? Mark ------------------ Scouts Out!

I'm gonna hold my breath until I turn blue... or until BTS produces the U.S. AA vehicles. Actually, this one bugs me a little. They were there. They weren't terribly rare. They were used. CM won't ever be complete, I know that, but this omission seems unusual for BTS. They've done so well with everything else. I'd pay for it! Who else? Mark ------------------ Scouts Out!

Holy Picasso, Batman!

Three Battles: Arnaville, Altuzzo, and Schmidt by Charles B. MacDonald and Sidney T. Mathews. It's from the U.S. Army in World War II Special Studies. Although it only covers the action at Schmidt, it comes with both topographical maps and aerial photos. Mark ------------------ Scouts Out!

So how about it, modmakers of the CM world? Anyone interested in putting together a face mod with the appropriate racial characteristics? One for the 442nd RCT could also be made. This is not a suggestion to be politically correct... ick. But if anyone wanted to sim the aforementioned battles which involved colored troops (the term of the day), it would be great to have the CM troops look like the men in the actual battles. ------------------ Scouts Out!

I too am interested in a progress report on this. It's a lead pipe cinch that they'll get it done. But just when that might happen is another story. My general impression is that although the initial push was to have it out a few months after the release of CM, the project has been somewhat more work than originally anticipated. I'm wondering if Steve and Charles will spring it on us as a nice surprise in the next few weeks, or perhaps we should temper our expectations and hope for a Christmas release. I'd love to have the tcp/ip patch any time that they want to release it, but I have this confidence that they'll get it right even if it does take a longer chunk of time. Guys, you have a lifetime customer here, and there are thousands like me. CM2-5 done. I'll preorder as soon as you let me. Vehicle add-on packs, done. Scenario packs, done. I know your work, I know your ethics, I know your dedication. An update would be appreciated, but we'll just take the patch whenever it's ready. ------------------ Scouts Out!

Nope, no mistake. I'm not sure how I could replicate the bug except to note that it's happened a couple of times.

Anyone have this happen? You buy a bunch of stuff in a QB, and then the computer gives you different units at the setup? It's happened twice to me recently. 1) I bought two 251/9 HTs, and they were switched to 250/9. You can imagine my consternation. 2) I bought 3 sharpshooters and they were switched to 1 sharpshooter and 2 M1919 MGs. I still have the file for #1. Anyway... I'm wondering if I'm the only one. Mark ------------------ Scouts Out!

The next step can't be far away. If the game knows when a building is damaged or heavily damaged, then there can be a visual way to represent that. I see the warning labels as one way to let the players know what's going on, but I'd love to see three different states of every building... Undamaged, Damaged, and Heavily Damaged. Since I haven't seen any mods for different looking buildings, I assume that they are either not available to mod, or very difficult to do so. I haven't a clue, but how hard would it be to do a visual mod for building damage, and code it into the game? Perhaps for CM2? ------------------ Scouts Out!

I'll jump on the bandwagon here for my neighbor (it's somehow comforting to have other CM players in your geographical periphery... I know that if war ever came to our neighborhood there'd be at least one guy who knew what the hell 'hull down' meant). Hey, BTS... any specifics on the next patch? Will we see any new vehicles at any time before CM2??? Mark

With reference to Skoonj's post... Don't let his bitterness over what he didn't get out of his service time affect your decision in the least. For every embittered veteran there are many more who would testify that their time was fruitful for them for many reasons. Development of inward character, physical fitness, money for college, service to one's country... we've all mentioned that and we mean it with all our hearts. I'm glad Skoonj chimed in with his sour grapes, because you need to hear that viewpoint, and to listen to it clearly refuted. Minnesota Joe: I didn't join for money, or because I had nowhere else to go. I had everything to lose by joining the service, and yet I went. I went after I had my Master's Degree, and because I damn well wanted to. I served not as an officer, but as an enlisted man, and because of a training injury, I never rose in rank. I gave up time and lots of money to serve my country, and I don't regret it for a moment. Not for the country I live in, or the men I served with. You seem to be an honest and good young man... you'll enjoy it for the most part and do well. Mark ------------------ Scouts Out!