Barrold

Excellent point Andreas (still got some Lagavulin left!) If the choice is put on the extra vehicles with the intent of patching the shared bmps or leaving them out because of space restrictions on the CD, well I am extremely happy that it is being done in the way they chose. The easier approach would have just to say the hell with it, these weren't very common anyway so why bother? Fortunately for us, the easy way is not the BFC way so we will have a better and more inclusive game. BDH

I understand to a certain extent, the point of US customers not having perfect sympathy since we will be getting the full manual. If it was me, I might not be thrilled but I don't think I would allow it to ruin my enthusiasm for the new game. Before jumping on BFC, I would certainly advise waiting until the projected solution to this matter is provided. It might not be to your 100% liking, but at least they are trying to be cooperative. Additionally, even at this point, at the risk of going over well-trod ground about CDV, the question that must be asked, "Is BFC doing the best they can given the circumstances?" A cursory analysis certainly gives them the benefit of the doubt. Ideally, I am sure they would like to make everyone happy, but with this group I don't think it is possible. Steve has down a good job at making the business case for their deal with CDV. People may disagree, but the principles they based their company's decision upon are solid. Also much repeated was their assertion that this deal is only for the present game, and if it does not turn out to be advantageous, then they have the option to look at alternatives. Given this contractual binding, I do not see where they have much wriggle room in making things different, but there is something that should be recognized. The BFC guys have been here listening and are at least trying to find a reasonably attainable workaround which must certainly be better than to be told 'tough darts farmer'. So while the situation may not be the ideal, I don't think there is a problem that can not be resolved sufficiently. If I were in your predicament and the issue was of such import that my purchase decision was in jeapardy, I would either work with someone to get a U.S. copy, wait for the BFC solution or user patch in the Nazi nomenclature controversy, or perhaps even take a trip to a locale in Europe that is not subject to the restrictions and make your purchase there. Otherwise, I am sure the lamentations have been noted so make the best of the current situation and be happy that you have such little items to be exercised over in the grand scheme of existence. BDH

I am going to put my vote on "Feature Creep" being the reason that it wasn't planned for a 2-disc release. It certainly may be that I am talking out by butt, but I am presuming that the original plan was to fit CM:BB onto 1 disc. Then perhaps what could be accomplished by the production date started to push the space limits of the CD. My guess is that the time and hassle of what it would take for the extra space wasn't worth it, either because the 2nd disc would be nearly empty and/or it would delay the release date. The compromise that we see, in which BTS will soon release a patch to provide distinct models for units that might otherwise have been left out is really top notch customer service as far as I am concerned. When the norm is for a patch to be a necessity to correct major game problems, we are fortunate to be able to look for an upgrade in features instead. I love DVD's and would never purchase a video if the disc was available. I think they are a big step in the entertainment field so eventually I would think many game developers will make use of their capabilities. At the moment I don't know how feasibile it is for the mass market if you are interested in consumers that are not on the leading or secondary tech curve, but sooner or later it will likely make sense. BDH

I apologize if this is a wrong assumption for Macs for perhaps lower end PCs, but shouldn't you be able to Alt-Tab or otherwise minimize the game for a bit to read the PDF as a separate task? While I am not a big fan of reading long PDFs on the screen, printing it out on paper somehow would be a better compromise. I hope this doesn't remain an issue once everyone gets their copy and sees things for themselves. BDH

I think those uniforms look amazing in their variety and detail. Thanks for the pictures HOOTCHIE MOMMA!!!! BDH

Very nice looking work JuJu. Is that a set of brakes squeeking out by the mail box? Crap...maybe tomorrow BDH

I saw a show called 'Icons' on the G4TV channel and the same guy who brought Pong to the masses is also responsible for Chuck E Cheeses. He said that he specifically called for bland featureless pizza to appeal to kids and bring them in those hellholes. I think they are reason #106 that I am glad that I don't have children. Oh yeah..Hi Mom and Happy Birthday Mikey. BDH

I'll kick in for an unofficial vote for yes. At the sneak peak I attended, I was very impressed with its ability to reach out and smite. 1 day and a wake-up!!! As my company commander in bootcamp might say, "Drop your c**ks and grab your socks, it's go time!" BDH

Off the top rope!!! Slam!!! That's gonna leave a mark BDH

I am trying to fit in Glantz' "Battle of Kursk" and "When Titans Clashed" in between college course material. I am enjoying them both very much as companions to the volumes by Erickson. I need a few more hours in the day for non-classwork! BDH

Let's see...they should have to wait because the pace of everything is more relaxed and to rush it at the same speed as the American release would be to cater to that lifestyle and is thus un-European. BDH P.S. I loved visiting many of the countries in Europe while in the Navy (so take this in the good natured spirit in which it was intended. I would wish for all who wanted it to get the game at the same time.) For pure convenience and familiarity though, it was always good to get home.

I resigned my job and started school full-time over the summer and I think it is going to be a great decision in the long run. This is going to place a different burden on my CM:BB time, but I'll manage I suppose. BDH

Gunnergoz makes a great point about the system and something that is to be looked forward to in CM:BB. Finding those new tools in the unit inventory that will provide the margin of victory in the various types of scenarios we soon will all be playing. Having the plethora of relatively unknown early war equipment to explore is going to bring a great deal of entertainment to this path of discovery. 6 days! BDH

I think that although Rune pressed the case for inclusion, that it was ultimately found not to be dissimilar enough from existing portrayed units to be added as a specific unit type. That is my understanding of the situation so if I am not correct, someone please point out my error. BDH

"Always look for the silver lining..." Events like this provide a real opportunity to re-evaluate what you want to do with you life. Since CM:BB is going to be conducive to firing up those extra needed brain cells, what could be a better exercise for assisting this exercise. Good luck. BDH

Sorry, I didn't want to state something that was assumed. Aren't most events in certain parts of Kentucky family reunions of one sort or another? Ha-cha-cha. Now are ya' gonna stop bad mouthing the clown tanks and accept their inner beauty and worth? I like wine. CM:BB will be great no matter how you play it. There back on topic. Where's that syringe? Spiders? Eww! BDH

You would think of that as a point of derision wouldn't you. I knew it. As if under the bleachers at the truckpull or demolition derby is a more auspicious beginning. BDH

I loved the clown tanks at Rune's sneak peak. I have no problem with clown tanks. In fact I am down with the clowns. Maybe it's you who has the problem. Yes, that's it exactly. You never liked them...you thought they were dirty...smelly...not to be seen with decent people. But they have prevailed and become more than you and others like you with your petty minds and petty concerns with convention and the public good good ever have imagined they would become. Now regardless of your best efforts they have not only survived, but prevailed and yet with victory in their grasp you reach out from the ashbin of history to try and tarnish their accomplishments. For shame. It's not them that you hate...it's yourself dude...it's yourself. I hope I don't have to explain about the clown tanks anymore, I really do. | | | | | | | BDH

Now I don't really give a rat's behind about convincing you to see the light, but I will use the example of the Yelnia demo scenario to gently point out a fallacy in your line of thinking. However much or little you find in this post, I hope you enjoy the game in whatever manner you find it worthwhile. While the later equipment may have the feeling of greather effectiveness and lethality to it, I have the sense that we are going to be able to gain a big portion of appreciation for the abilities of the early equipment. The early portion of the war does not necessarily mean the soviets will always get the bloody nose. At the CM scale, the proper use of units and tactics can certainly bring a local victory for the allies, even if the greater trend of the campaign was towards initial German victory. Yelnia is but one of any number of small reverses, counter-attacks, or attacks where a good player will be able to make the best use of his resources and ability to create a victory. They may not be immediately familiar, but I am absolutely certain a vast flood of scenarios covering previously obscure battles that will provide ample opportunity for soviet victory in 1941. Additionally, as much as American victories in CM:BO are not automatic by any means in 1945 scenarios, neither will be the soviets. My personal experience with one type of new unit is the feeling that playing conscripts was like herding cats, but when I get good at herding cats, I will have a far more effective force to use. I think the new system will reward solid play and practice while punishing harshly mistakes and foolish inexperiences. Much like the real battlefield, which while not perfect, CM:BB does seem like a solid step towards games effectively presenting this history with accuracy. It's are real bonus that BFC has managed to present this in an entertaining and interesting package it remains a fun game to play. So regardless of the time period, the tactical challenge will remain the same as the tools for victory will be available if sometimes hidden by what seems like the uber-units of the other side. In conclusion, if you want to mod the game to have the Germans fight squads of Nancy Sinatras singing 'These Boots were Made for Walking", knock your bad self out. I would hope that exposure to the game will foster an interest in the GPW and you will be able to gain even more from the experience than just shuffling units across the screen. If only for the fact that broadening your knowledge and horizons is always a good thing. Except for perhaps heroin. You can learn pretty much all you need from the experiences of others I suppose. BDH

I'm sure the authorities would probably frown on a pre-emptive close assault with a molotov cocktail. BDH

A few more articles like that and Steve will have more tanks than the nutjob nazi modeller dude from a notable thread of a few weeks back. Of course with my luck, I'll be run over by the postman's truck as I charge to the box to pick up the game. BDH

You can tell it's getting close to release date as Steve is here often and is talkative. The sense of anticipation is almost tangible. The preview at Gamespot is a homerun and even though I have already ordered, I was getting so excited about the authors comments and the screenshots that I wanted to order another copy just for the experience. The pictures of the rubbled building brought a gasp of pure pleasure. Publicity like that from a presumably independent and objective source can not but be a great thing. Adding the game improvements tweaked in with the atmosphere and content of the most brutal and all-encompassing conflict in human history makes this an absolute must purchase. If you even just like saying the word "wargame" you should buy CM:BB as there really is not anything else like this on the market. As a new full-time student bringing in little moolah, I had to beg my breadwinning wife that this was just as important as tuition. I gave her my new Saab 9-3SE to drive to work and now have to drive her beat up Camry to school, Christmas is coming September 20th, and I'll be drinking cheap for awhile, but I'll have my copy of CM:BB so it's a fair deal! So I'm a fanboy...sue me BDH

I really like the scenarios, expecially Yelnia. I like it even though it was one that we dinked around with at Rune's first sneak peak. I get an extra thrill from the desparate defense type of scenario so that is one reason. The fact that I have seen more of game such as it was at that time lessens any disappointment since I know the fullness that will accompany the CD. These are my personal reasons though and perhaps a different scenario would not have appealed to me in exactly the same way. There is definite value to be gained from replaying the scenarios especially if you are interested in becoming a good CMBB player. My first defense of Yelnia ended in a bare butt spanking by the Russians. I switched it around and barely won with significant losses as the attacker. I discovered what I thought was going to be an easy rout turned into an exercise in herding cats towards an enemy line I could not discern. Now I am experimenting with different tactics and raising the difficulty to hone my skills. Hopefully I will have gained in my ability to herd cats. Steve's explanation as to the background and the purpose of the demo choices satisfies me, even if I somewhat agree with the desire for another scenario. While some may disagree with the reasons for these choices, they are exactly in line with the stated purposes. As we only have a couple weeks to wait for the game, I fully expect this to be a true non-issue once the rave reviews start pouring in from the wargaming sites. BDH

Hoopla! Order number 81178 Think I'll do some algebra homework and watch the Lions lose to Miami to stiffle the anticipation of waiting. BDH

Maybe I am reading some of these posts incorrectly, (I have a cold) but to suggest that the maps and graphics are practically the same as CMBO makes me think that they are not looking at level 1 or 2 to check things out. The sense of depth provided by the new graphic enhancements are a definite improvement over the previous game. Regardless, the comparison of the demo out less than a week with the modded two year old CMBO full game is premature. I am certainly impresseed the demo, but I know that as with CMBO, the full game is going to encompass a great deal of meat that is only strongly hinted at in the demo. We should soon be receiving detailed information that documents the amount of research and comprehensive data that goes into what we are seeing and experiencing on the screen. The nature of combat that CMBB attempts to simulate makes all the efforts placed into the improvements quite necessary to ensure the laments that the new game is just CMBO with T-34s are viewed to be as frivolous as I think they are. While I certainly wouldn't mind having a engine rewrite completed sooner, I would not accept the price of a weak GPW expansion that did not have as many improvements as CMBB contains. While CMBO was a landmark step in historical gaming, CMBB is the proper exploitation of the knowledge derived from these past years experiences and the incorporation of the spirit of "Let's see what this puppy can do" I am still convinced that the full game with all the bells and whistles is going to even better and I am playing the demo alot and learning more every time. BDH p.s. If I rambled too much, please provide allowance for the effects of cold medicine.