Battlefront.com Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 It's been a while since we've laid out our development plans. Time to change that As always we are hard at work on more than one thing at a time. The big project in our laps now is a new CM Family that takes the Western Front from October 1944 through to the end of the war. We had hoped to have Bulge out a few months ago, but there were some hiccups that caused delays. Delays don't make any of us happy, but it's better than the alternatives; releasing a game that really isn't ready or isn't as packed full of stuff as it should be. We're in the final testing stages so you'll start to hear more from us about the release quite soon.The initial release focuses on the Battle of the Bulge, though Hürtgen, Nordwind, and other ops in the Oct-Jan timeframe are also possible within the limits of the forces available in the initial release. Those forces are American and German with an emphasis on the ones involved in the Bulge. There's a lot of new forces (Volksgrenadier and Gebirgsjäger) and vehicles (Jagdtiger, M24 Chaffee, etc.), but no Telly Savalas What is less obvious are the myriad of small changes to otherwise familiar forces, such as random chances of more BARs for US Rifle Squads and only one LMG for Panzergrenadiers. These seemingly "minor details" add up to rather profound differences from other games. Medium Panzer Battalions with StuGs, for example, will certainly be noted by Quick Battle players who use the Random force options. Perhaps not with joy either!Also in the near-term mix is our first ever Battle Pack, which is a collection of Campaign/s and/or Scenarios designed to extend existing game content. The idea is that when a Family is complete, or nearly so, we should do our best to make sure there's high quality content for it. Yes, there are lots and lots of fantastic player made battles to download, however you guys have made it clear to us that that neither player nor BFC made scenarios are substitutes for each other. This is our first test of that theory! The first Battle Pack is for CMBN and ties together the content of the Modules and Vehicle Pack.In the mid-term we will switch our development efforts over to CMFI's second Module; Gothic Line. This takes CMFI through the end of the war and introduces a bunch of new forces. It's too early to spill the beans on details at this point, but for sure you'll see such things as Waffen SS and various Commonwealth forces.We will also soon start work on the first Module for Red Thunder. The details of this are a little fuzzy at present, though it is safe to say that it will be packed full of fun. Think winter combat and the inclusion of Waffen SS and LW forces not seen in Red Thunder.Black Sea is definitely not being neglected! After the Bulge game is released we're focused on extending the content of the existing Families instead of venturing into new ones until we get caught up on Modules. While more are planned they aren't going to be available for a while yet.Besides new content we are starting work on Upgrade 4.0 very soon. We aren't sure when it will be ready for release, or specifically what will be in it yet, though we do have a long list based on your suggestions, so no worries there. What I can say is we're focusing this Upgrade on long standing requests. I can think of one that was first suggested sometime around 1998.In semi-related news we're working hard on a new website, new store, and new Repository. It's been a while since we've overhauled these aspects of Battlefront and it's definitely time we did.Well... I think that's a pretty good view of where things are headed in the near to mid-term timeframe, therefore this is a good place to stop.Thanks for your support!Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ithikial_AU Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Oooh good news indeed thanks for the update. Will keep the Chinese whispers at bay... for at least 24 hours. Looking forward to 1945. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kieme(ITA) Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Thanks for the message. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weta_nz Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Hi Steve, Great news. Always good to hear what you guys are working on. Probably a dumb question but will Bulge be basically the same game engine (e.g 3.0) as the current games or will it have some 'under the hood' improvements? From what you said above - I infer game engine 4.0 which you are working on will be a separate upgrade for all base games e.g CMBN, CMFI, CMRT and CMBS. E.g it won't come standard with the new base game CMBulge?. Sorry still a little confused cheers, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilM Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Hi Steve, Great news. Always good to hear what you guys are working on. Probably a dumb question but will Bulge be basically the same game engine (e.g 3.0) as the current games or will it have some 'under the hood' improvements? From what you said above - I infer game engine 4.0 which you are working on will be a separate upgrade for all base games e.g CMBN, CMFI, CMRT and CMBS. E.g it won't come standard with the new base game CMBulge?. Sorry still a little confused cheers, I'm pretty sure from what Steve wrote above that the answer to this (my bold bit of your question) is yes ... Bulge was hoped to be finished a while ago, and is now almost ready, but BF are only "starting work on 4.0 very soon" ... so 4.0 cannot be in Bulge. Some "under the hood" changes are mentioned, but they aren't "4.0". Oh and BTW: thanks for the update Steve! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
76mm Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Thanks for the update. Sorry to hear the module for CMRT is so far down the list, but it is what it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verulam Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Excellent news thanks. Really like the idea of the "Battle Pack" for CMBN. So it's looking promising again and the anticipation of a new title is exquisitely exciting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fizou Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Thanks Steve! Good news Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocketman Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Great info. The future looks good as I have stuff to look forward to for all games And a new one! Will keep me busy for a long time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weta_nz Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Thanks PhilM for the reply. Yeah re-reading it it does seem pretty clear it will be 3.0 - I guess, they might surprise us with a couple of little tweaks to the 3.0 engine. Anyway still looking forward to the new stuff! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilM Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Yep, I'm looking forward to the new stuff too! For me, Gothic Line in particular, I like CMFI stuff ... just odd I guess! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chainsaw Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Wow good news! thanks for the info! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiggum15 Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 (edited) Besides new content we are starting work on Upgrade 4.0 very soon. We aren't sure when it will be ready for release, or specifically what will be in it yet, though we do have a long list based on your suggestions, so no worries there. What I can say is we're focusing this Upgrade on long standing requests. I can think of one that was first suggested sometime around 1998.SteveBut with Upgrade 4.0 still using the outdated CMx2 engine i doubt we will see much improvement in key areas.Instead on focusing on keeping the old car driving through the addition of a new oil filter, a spoiler and new tires it would be time to move on and invest into a new car.If money or know-how is the problem...well there is kickstarter, i think we all would support you.Another thing i dont like is that we now have it Official, the bulge game will only include "minor" changes.No new trench/foxhole system. No significant gameplay enhancements, no fix for long standing technical issues.Sorry, iam disappointed !(But thanks for the heads-up Steve) Edited July 10, 2015 by Wiggum15 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mord Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Very nice to hear after the info drought we've had. Sounds like a lot of great stuff headed our way. And very cool to see that CMBN is still getting love even though it was basically done. The future of CM is looking very bright. Mord. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bulletpoint Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Besides new content we are starting work on Upgrade 4.0 very soon. We aren't sure when it will be ready for release, or specifically what will be in it yet, though we do have a long list based on your suggestions, so no worries there. What I can say is we're focusing this Upgrade on long standing requests. I can think of one that was first suggested sometime around 1998. This sounds very promising. Not because I'm hoping you might cater to my personal preferences, but because you are actively listening to the community. With so much combined military experience on this forum, and with so many combined hours of playtesting, that can only be recipe for success. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Boss Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Hi! Thanks a lot for the update plans. Especially the plan to release Battle Packs makes me full of joy and something I’ve wished for a long time. Maybe a H2H campaign with branching scenarios ? /Big Boss Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slysniper Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Sorry, iam disappointed ! (But thanks for the heads-up Steve) I told you that in another thread. You would not like what you would hear. (But you keep wanting to live in fantasy land as to where these guys are going.) Thanks Steve for posting the update and letting us know what the present plans are for the near future. I look forward to the added content and additional items to come my way - I for one know you guys are working hard. Thanks 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiggum15 Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 I told you that in another thread.You would not like what you would hear. (But you keep wanting to live in fantasy land as to where these guys are going.Why fantasy ?Just because i criticize the direction they are taking ?Do i ask for completely unrealistic improvements ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agusto Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Good news. I have a question though: i own all CM games that there currently are and i plan on getting all that will be released. Will i have to buy the 4.0 upgrade for each game seperately or will one purchase be sufficient for all titles? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiggum15 Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 3.0 Upgrade is also separately...And looks like the "Battle Pack" will need CMBN 3.0 + All Modules (including vehicle pack)... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
folkie Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 "but no Telly Savalas "sorry Steve, but the no Telly Savalas thing is a deal breaker for me. I guess M-60 tanks with german markings is totally out of the question also? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lacroix Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 Good news. I have a question though: i own all CM games that there currently are and i plan on getting all that will be released. Will i have to buy the 4.0 upgrade for each game seperately or will one purchase be sufficient for all titles? when u were upgrading CMBN and FI with 3.0 upgrade, you did it with the same upgrade (same Key) or you bought 2 different v3 Keys? it should Remain the same Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlowMotion Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 (edited) If Repository will be improved would it be possible to add a feature so that it's easy to find scenarios intended for H2H? Edited July 10, 2015 by SlowMotion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aragorn2002 Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 I'm sorry to see the RT module doesn't have priority over the FI module. Don't really understand that decision, but so be it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiggum15 Posted July 10, 2015 Share Posted July 10, 2015 when u were upgrading CMBN and FI with 3.0 upgrade, you did it with the same upgrade (same Key) or you bought 2 different v3 Keys? it should Remain the sameYou will have to buy two separate keys each 10$ (remember, scenarios are not updated and are probably not working correctly).Its insane how long it takes to get the new Repository working...maybe better just use dropbox and let people post links... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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