Is this game slowly dying?

[Cunctator]

I'm worried.
3 months ago we saw the release of a beta patch.
Then nothing.
The half cooked patch resolved something but it was far from my expectations.
The chief of staff of this project is far and distant and his messages on this forum are a rarity.
In general the number of messages is decreasing every day.

Am I wrong?

C.

[NeverMan]

I think he has a day job and it's probably currently taking up most of his time.

[Marshall Ellis]

Hey guys:

No, this game is not slowly dying but my professional life has me running in a thousand different directions right now! Most of my coding time is sucked up right now with my real job! Not an excuse but simply an explanation.

BUT believe it or not this really has little to do with the 1.08.06 release. The testers identified several issues which I addressed in 1.08.05 but my fixes created several more issues which I am addressing in 1.08.06 and am awaiting tester feedback. I just submitted a new image early this week for them to test. We also have fewer active testers (Not a complaint, life happens) which makes bug finding a little more lengthy and problematic.

BUT make no mistake, EiANW is alive, has a future and will not die (As long as I'm alive).

[bongina]

Marshall,

I have emailed you before about being a tester. How does one become a tester?

Bart

[Cunctator]

Quo usque tandem abutere, Matrix Games, patientia nostra?
Now we know that this half bugged game is under revision by a small number of testers (fewer than before), whose director is running in a thousand different directions (far from this game) right now, facing a huge (several, several more) amount of issues (every patch produces new bugs) and obviously we have not any idea about any date of release of a new patch, but we know that the process will be lenghty and problematic.
Btw don't try to ask to become a new tester, nobody will answer you.
 
How long, Matrix Games, will you abuse our patience?
 
 

[pzgndr]

Yes there have been a few new bugs introduced and Marshall's time to work on the game is more limited than usual these days. But I'd still say we're close to turning a corner here once v1.08.06 gets released with most all pbem issues resolved to allow much smoother multi-player games to proceed. That should get the game out of its long coma and restore some life to these forums.

My impression has been that many of the folks who left the game over the past couple years did so primarily because of the pbem issues. Hopefully v1.08.06 will re-energize these players and get them back into the game. [:)]

[Cunctator]

Hope and faith, brother.
 
C.

[Endur]

As someone who recently started playing the computer version (and played the board game many years ago), I'm pretty happy with the progress on EiA.

As I see it, there are three modes you can play the game in (and possibly hybrids).

Human vs. AI

Human vs. Human (same chair)

Human vs. Human PBEM

I'll let others comment on the PBEM experience.

Human vs. Human utilizing same chair seems to work fine with only a few bugs.

Human vs. AI works ok, although the AI is ineffective. Still only a few bugs. Most board games have limited AI capabilities. Although I'd prefer a stronger AI for repeat playability, some AI is better than none.

[Sorta]

With the new admin tools its able to play a PBEM game though the number of bugs is still too large.

I love the game however the difference with resources with GG WIE is massive - WIE constantly has new patches coming out, the forums are active and they have a sizeable tester/Matrix team working and answering questions.

I don't know why the difference is resource allocation is so vast.

Regards,

[pzgndr]

Sorta, Matrix does not have anything to do with resource allocation for the independent developers who partner with Matrix to market their games.  Matrix may help with some aspects, or possibly as in the case with Panzer Command be active in a game's development.  But mostly it's up to the game's developer(s) to do all the real work and Matrix does not control that.  GG games do well because 2by3 Games has three full-time dedicated developers.  OUTFLANK Strategy Wargames has only Marshall, and EIA is a part-time project and not any sort of full-time employment with David Heath at Matrix as his "boss."  Let's face it, EiA is a niche game in a niche market; not exactly something any major game developer might take on, like World of Warcraft with millions in sales. 
 
Endur, there is also Human versus Human+AI mode for faster small group (less than 7) PBEM games.  For this as well as Human versus AI mode, some attention needs to be devoted to AI in the next v1.09 patch after v1.08.06 gets released with its PBEM improvements. 

[Sorta]

I don't want to start an argument but I wasn't comparing it to World of Warcraft. I know its niche. But I assume that GG WIE is niche or perhaps there is a scale of 'nicheness'? Compared to World of Warcraft (you brought it up not me) I assume GG WIE is niche.

Anyway I love the game I just thought as they are all marketed (?) by Matrix there may be some shared resources.

[Cunctator]

Dearest Pzgndr,
I'm sorry but I don't feel any better knowing that Matrix is publishing games developed by others who may or may not give any kind of assistance to those who purchased the product.
I'm very worried to know that Eia is a part-time project and not any sort of full time employment.
I'm very depressed to know that one man only (part-time) is giving a glance at this game during his spare time.
Now I understand the reason why this game is full of bugs, its editor is half/functioning and every new patch creates new bugs.
I'm not interested about the agreement between Matrix and the independent developers.
Matrix published this game and Matrix must give a fully functioning product.
C.
 

[captain18]

Totally agree with Cuncator and Sorta.
Our gaming site has already debated doing a communal complaint to Matrix from unhappy consumers.

The situation is pathetic and it appears gamers are being taken advantage of simply because they are dedicated. Well dedication only goes so far and company loyalty is a real concept to be won or lost on performance.
Aegod's after sales service is excellent (and yes I know they partner with Matrix).
Which brand name has a better reputation? Leave that to the players/ customer base to decide
Aegod made a major stuff up with the bugs in its WWI game but its customer base was very forgiving based on their reputation for fixing things.
Matrix re EIA is pitiful by cmparison.

Enough said and I really wish I didn't have to say it.

The Captain