Battlefront.com Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 Yes, CMSF1 is our #2 best selling Base Game by direct sales unit count (with retail sales it is probably #1). CMBN is solidly in the #1 slot for direct sales. Obviously Even when we look at first 12 month sales only (apples to apples time comparison), CMSF1 is only slightly edged out into the #3 slot. What edged it out? CMRT. As we expected, Eastern Front fans are more fanatical than most, therefore the game sold fast and furious before settling down. Adjusted for time since release, Black Sea is our #3 best seller by unit count. We've been very happy with the level of support shown for all our CM2 products. Some pay for themselves a little bit better than others, but in the end it works out well for everybody. I think we should put out T-shirts and bumper stickers that say "Have You Hugged a CMBN Player Today?" Steve 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_MonkeyKing Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 19 minutes ago, Battlefront.com said: Yes, CMSF1 is our #2 best selling Base Game by direct sales unit count (with retail sales it is probably #1). CMBN is solidly in the #1 slot for direct sales. Obviously Even when we look at first 12 month sales only (apples to apples time comparison), CMSF1 is only slightly edged out into the #3 slot. What edged it out? CMRT. As we expected, Eastern Front fans are more fanatical than most, therefore the game sold fast and furious before settling down. Adjusted for time since release, Black Sea is our #3 best seller by unit count. We've been very happy with the level of support shown for all our CM2 products. Some pay for themselves a little bit better than others, but in the end it works out well for everybody. I think we should put out T-shirts and bumper stickers that say "Have You Hugged a CMBN Player Today?" Steve Thanks, Interesting read! I was especially happy that my favorite CMBS did well. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjkerner Posted August 11, 2018 Share Posted August 11, 2018 1 hour ago, Battlefront.com said: Strangely enough, we're pretty adamant about saving you guys money for real by not only making inexpensive Upgrades but also trying our best to make sure you know about them. According to what we learned at the Capitalist Exploitation seminar (a secret correspondence course put out by Illuminati University) we are only supposed to make it look like you're saving money, while in reality costing you more in the end. Something about it being the best way to keep the masses complacent and poor. We keep forgetting about that part. Probably why Illuminati University flunked us out, refused to give us our secret society rings, and didn't show us the secret handshake. Dang, and we were SO CLOSE to being part of the world wide elite. Oh well Seriously, the support for CMSF when it was launched was huge and without it we'd likely not be here today. The patience (most!) of you showed while the first iteration of the game engine went through major reworking was incredible. We're humbled that 10 years on the game still has massive support from those who play it. By game publisher standard operating procedures we should have released only full price CMSF2 products, or at most something like $10 or $15 off. We're pretty confident that a very large percentage of CMSF1 customers would have repurchased at that price and as a result we'd have turned a normal sized profit from our work. While there's nothing wrong with profiting (we are, after all, a for profit company!), for this one we felt very strongly that shouldn't be a major goal. Breaking even is all we're shooting for with Shock Force 2. Not because we have to, but because we want to. Steve But Dude, no good deed goes unpunished. If you don’t keep us posted with guesstimate deadlines and a dev diary, it’s all going to go to ****! 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IICptMillerII Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 On 8/11/2018 at 8:41 AM, Battlefront.com said: Strangely enough, we're pretty adamant about saving you guys money for real by not only making inexpensive Upgrades but also trying our best to make sure you know about them. According to what we learned at the Capitalist Exploitation seminar (a secret correspondence course put out by Illuminati University) we are only supposed to make it look like you're saving money, while in reality costing you more in the end. Something about it being the best way to keep the masses complacent and poor. We keep forgetting about that part. Probably why Illuminati University flunked us out, refused to give us our secret society rings, and didn't show us the secret handshake. Dang, and we were SO CLOSE to being part of the world wide elite. Oh well Careful, there are a few here who are going to take this seriously! On 8/11/2018 at 8:41 AM, Battlefront.com said: Seriously, the support for CMSF when it was launched was huge and without it we'd likely not be here today. The patience (most!) of you showed while the first iteration of the game engine went through major reworking was incredible. We're humbled that 10 years on the game still has massive support from those who play it. By game publisher standard operating procedures we should have released only full price CMSF2 products, or at most something like $10 or $15 off. We're pretty confident that a very large percentage of CMSF1 customers would have repurchased at that price and as a result we'd have turned a normal sized profit from our work. While there's nothing wrong with profiting (we are, after all, a for profit company!), for this one we felt very strongly that shouldn't be a major goal. Breaking even is all we're shooting for with Shock Force 2. Not because we have to, but because we want to. For what it's worth, I'm a big fan of your business model. Yeah, it's not the most flashy, and deadlines are more vague than most of us (including the developers) would like, but the end product is far superior to anything else out there, in my humble opinion. The fact that you keep all games operating on the same engine is worth the price of admission and hassle alone. Hopping between CMSF1 and the modern titles is more than enough to convince me of that. I'm glad I only have to chose which front/era I want to indulge in, instead of having to chose which features I can't live without. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Canadian Cat Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 20 minutes ago, IICptMillerII said: For what it's worth, I'm a big fan of your business model. Yeah, it's not the most flashy, and deadlines are more vague than most of us (including the developers) would like, but the end product is far superior to anything else out there, in my humble opinion. Well said. 20 minutes ago, IICptMillerII said: The fact that you keep all games operating on the same engine is worth the price of admission and hassle alone. Hopping between CMSF1 and the modern titles is more than enough to convince me of that. I'm glad I only have to chose which front/era I want to indulge in, instead of having to chose which features I can't live without. This is huge. I don't think we always appreciate how great this really is. Well, some of us forget from time and others seem to wilfully disregard it 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mord Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 48 minutes ago, IICptMillerII said: instead of having to chose which features I can't live without. That day they announced the death of feature envy was probably the best day in my wargaming life. I was so pumped I could've did cartwheels. That kind of design decision for a game like CM is what battlefield dreams are made of. 16 minutes ago, IanL said: I don't think we always appreciate how great this really is. Not me! I talk about it to anybody I tell CM about. It's probably the first thing I bring up once I explain the game to them. Mord. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeyD Posted August 12, 2018 Author Share Posted August 12, 2018 The original CMSF1 may be an example of the curse of deadlines. I recall (perhaps incorrectly) BFC appeared to be under considerable pressure by Paradox to release CMSF1 basegame v1.0 by a deadline. Or at least that's how it appeared to me. The v1.0 release wasn't exactly flawless and a string of subsequent patches had to play catch-up. If there had been no external deadline pressure the contents of the first two patches (at least) would have probably got into v1.0 before release. Between that and Paradox abandoning support for CMSF1 after only a couple years, BFC seemed to have soured on the notion of alliances where they're not the dominant partner. At least that's my own 'cracked history' interpretation of events at the time. Other's recollections of the same events may differ considerably. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erwin Posted August 12, 2018 Share Posted August 12, 2018 (edited) 1 hour ago, IICptMillerII said: ...deadlines are more vague than most of us (including the developers) would like, but the end product is far superior to anything else out there... +1 Edited August 12, 2018 by Erwin 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Placebo Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 On 8/11/2018 at 3:41 PM, Battlefront.com said: We're pretty confident that a very large percentage of CMSF1 customers would have repurchased at that price and as a result we'd have turned a normal sized profit from our work. While there's nothing wrong with profiting (we are, after all, a for profit company!), for this one we felt very strongly that shouldn't be a major goal. Breaking even is all we're shooting for with Shock Force 2. Not because we have to, but because we want to. Steve Great outlook and no doubt one of the reasons you have kept such a loyal fan base. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sequoia Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 Mike that's how I remember it too. Though as you say, we can only say how it appeared to us here on the outside. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sequoia Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 More CMX2 screen shots soon? Steve hinted at them. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
General Jack Ripper Posted August 16, 2018 Share Posted August 16, 2018 On 8/11/2018 at 10:41 AM, Battlefront.com said: According to what we learned at the Capitalist Exploitation seminar (a secret correspondence course put out by Illuminati University) we are only supposed to make it look like you're saving money, while in reality costing you more in the end. Something about it being the best way to keep the masses complacent and poor. We keep forgetting about that part. Probably why Illuminati University flunked us out, refused to give us our secret society rings, and didn't show us the secret handshake. Dang, and we were SO CLOSE to being part of the world wide elite. Oh well I was at that seminar. It's required attendance before becoming a government employee. The coffee and donuts afterwards were fantastic. I could show you the secret handshake, but it's a secret. Sorry. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
General Jack Ripper Posted August 16, 2018 Share Posted August 16, 2018 On 8/11/2018 at 11:18 AM, Battlefront.com said: I think we should put out T-shirts and bumper stickers that say "Have You Hugged a CMBN Player Today?" I'd buy some t-shirts. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Emrys Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 I'm glad I spotted this; I just pre-ordered the Big Bundle: download+disc+manual. I've been waiting for this longer than most of you because I never got CMSF1 and am now playing catchup. Michael 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mord Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 (edited) 5 minutes ago, Michael Emrys said: I've been waiting for this longer than most of you because I never got CMSF1 and am now playing catchup. It's a whole different ball game, in a whole different ball park. You are gonna dig it! Mord. P.S. If you don't dig it, I'll slap ya until you do. Your enjoyment is guaranteed. Edited August 17, 2018 by Mord 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ales Dvorak Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 6 hours ago, Mord said: P.S. If you don't dig it, I'll slap ya until you do. Your enjoyment is guaranteed. Since he pre - ordered Big bundle there might be a lot of slapping. Poor Michael.... Love, Alice 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeyD Posted August 17, 2018 Author Share Posted August 17, 2018 Just last night I was going through a pile of updated scenarios for the release (Beta tester privilege) and I was thinking to myself "This title looks good, this title looks REALLY good." What started life as a mere game engine update to an old title has turned into a polished first-class product to be proud of. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A Canadian Cat Posted August 17, 2018 Share Posted August 17, 2018 Shhhhh, Steve might raise the prices if he figures that out. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzz Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 On 8/11/2018 at 10:18 AM, Battlefront.com said: Yes, CMSF1 is our #2 best selling Base Game by direct sales unit count (with retail sales it is probably #1). CMBN is solidly in the #1 slot for direct sales. Obviously Even when we look at first 12 month sales only (apples to apples time comparison), CMSF1 is only slightly edged out into the #3 slot. What edged it out? CMRT. As we expected, Eastern Front fans are more fanatical than most, therefore the game sold fast and furious before settling down. Adjusted for time since release, Black Sea is our #3 best seller by unit count. We've been very happy with the level of support shown for all our CM2 products. Some pay for themselves a little bit better than others, but in the end it works out well for everybody. I think we should put out T-shirts and bumper stickers that say "Have You Hugged a CMBN Player Today?" Steve CMSF2 Big Bundle will be very, very appreciated and purchased as soon as Discounted Upgrades for CMSF1 owners is listed. Great News! Purchased Windows for BootCamp to play CMSF1 on the Mac > 10 years ago. Had so much fun with the game, all the great mods scenarios, etc. . As soon as the Mac CMSF1 Big Bundle was offered I purchased release day. What amazed me was how having ALL the services in the CMSF Big Bundle greatly enhanced the enjoyment and options of the game. So many possibilities with so many services, equipment, etc.. The CMSF2 Big Bundle is the way to go to have a New Modern Best Seller especially if you already own Black Sea (& Battle Pack)... New Modern Nirvana . Buzz PS: If the user created CMSF2 Scenario, Campaign, Mods development is anywhere close to CMSF1 ... CMSF2 will be battling for many years to come in CMSF2 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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