Question re old CC mods and why should I buy?

[FMRommel]

Just need a clarification on COI and which mods it will have. I get the impression that it will not only contain the original but also some modded maps. If so, about how many. There are hundreds out there.

Also, I already have CC1-CCV. I don't really play them much any more. Why should I purchase COI? Don't get me wrong. I hope that you have a great answer to this one. If it is improved, I will shell out the dough. But 39-49.00 for essentially the same product seems steep IMHO. So, Matrix, what do you say to this?

[Stwa]

ORIGINAL: FMRommel

Just need a clarification on COI and which mods it will have. I get the impression that it will not only contain the original but also some modded maps. If so, about how many. There are hundreds out there.

Also, I already have CC1-CCV. I don't really play them much any more. Why should I purchase COI? Don't get me wrong. I hope that you have a great answer to this one. If it is improved, I will shell out the dough. But 39-49.00 for essentially the same product seems steep IMHO. So, Matrix, what do you say to this?

I obviously cannot speak for Matrix, but I would like to attempt to answer.

1. COI is a re-release (sort of speak), of CC3, which has become hard (if not impossible) to obtain commercially.

2. The developers (Simtek), and a huge user community is fond of this version, so an updated release to appease this portion of the user community and to attract new users to same would be the marketing strategy (or hope).

3. The updated CC3 (COI), will function better with today's operating systems (like Windows XP) and include some new addons to enhance the multiplayer aspects of the game.

So, if you currently do not own a legitimate copy of CC3, you can purchase COI and join in the miltiplayer fun at the Simtek CSO Close Combat Site. If you currently own CC3 and it is not running nicely on your system, you can buy COI, and life should be better.

Is that worth 50 bucks. Well, I think Matrix has already figured out (based on other titles), that it is!

[Marc von Martial]

Have a look at the release notes:

http://www.closecombat.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=6611&d=1165618745

[Stwa]

ORIGINAL: Marc Schwanebeck

Have a look at the release notes:

http://www.closecombat.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=6611&d=1165618745

Very informative document, BTW!

[berto72]

To be clear:
with my old copy of cc3 i...

A) Will be alone in a empty server;

B) Can dl an upgrade to play with CoI people;

C) Just can trash it because i need CoI to play with CoI;

Thanks, Berto'72

[KAKO]

Hi all , I am rookie in the forum, greeting to all.Like to make a pair of questions.

Has commercialized Cross of Iron?

Where I can buy it?

Thanks.

[gunny]

ORIGINAL: KAKO
Hi all , I am rookie in the forum, greeting to all.Like to make a pair of questions.
Has commercialized Cross of Iron?
Where I can buy it?
Thanks.

I don't think its out quite yet. But keep an ear to the ground, should be soon. Normally I would expect this to be available as an E-buy. Visit the matrix store for details
E-store Link
I prefer digital download. It is fast, think it would only take 30-45min depending on your server connection (probably less). And you can always copy the archive game file to a CD for back up. Ask away in the general forum if you are new to it.

As for the original thread, was wondering the same thing. Seems there are a couple changes to the AI, new units, and lots of new maps for a longer campaign than the original CC3. So the game would appeal to those who didn't get enough CC or to those new to the series. I'm not really sure if I would purchase a CC6 (COI). Lord knows I played the crap out of CC2 to CC5 in the day. That ship may have sailed, and my computer has much more processing power to spare these days.

But Close Combat is satifaction guaranteed[;)]

[KAKO]

Thanks for the answer. I will hope, impatient, the next launching of the game.

Greetings

[KG_Absolute]

The release notes indicate a buy here. An excerpt from the release:

Command Centre

The Command Centre provides a number of useful Links providing a convenient centralized service as an alternative to the Start Menu or manual launching.

Links include:

· Cross of Iron: The Game
· Battle HQ: Online Game Lobby and Chat System
· ModSwap: The CCModSwap Utility (see below)
· CSO Downloads: File Library for Cross of Iron Downloads
· MMCCIII Client: The Massive Multiplayer Close Combat Client (se below)
· Manuals: This opens the Manuals Folder in the default file browser
· Matrix Games: The Publishers Site
· Closecombat.org: The CC Community Site and Forums

CCModSwap

This is a new game with new features and new additions too.

So much for my New Year resolution of not playing Close Combat for 2007!

[Lincolns Mullet]

I was a huge CC2 fan, definitely one of my all-time favorite games.  I was disappointed in CC3 though, but I didn't try out any of the mods either (shows how long I played it before going back to CC2!).  The campaign didn't hold a candle to CC2's, and felt the gameplay was unbalanced compared to CC2's.  I would love to give CC3 another chance but will probably wait until I hear what people say about CoI.  The graphics are definitely dated, so I hope we can at least tighten it up with a higher resolution.
 
There are probably many people who would pay any price to get this version as they are huge fans.  Hell, I'd buy X-Com again for $40 if all they did was update the graphics.  But, these days my time and money are stretched and I tend to be a lot pickier on my purchases.  This is coming from a more "casual"  CC player though, who I imagine they would be trying to woo back to the series with CoI as well.  Hopefully there are plans for a demo as I'd probably need to get "juiced up" into buying it again.

[7A_CavScout]

ORIGINAL: Lincolns Mullet
Hopefully there are plans for a demo as I'd probably need to get "juiced up" into buying it again.

No demo forthcoming.

[pad152]

The game seems geared for Multiplayer, what's in it for single player, new campaign, etc?

[pad152]

How many mods support Singleplayer vs Multiplayer?

[Tactics]

ORIGINAL: Marc Schwanebeck

Have a look at the release notes:

http://www.closecombat.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=6611&d=1165618745

[Prince of Eckmühl]

ORIGINAL: Lincolns Mullet

I was a huge CC2 fan, definitely one of my all-time favorite games. I was disappointed in CC3 though, but I didn't try out any of the mods either (shows how long I played it before going back to CC2!). The campaign didn't hold a candle to CC2's, and felt the gameplay was unbalanced compared to CC2's. I would love to give CC3 another chance but will probably wait until I hear what people say about CoI. The graphics are definitely dated, so I hope we can at least tighten it up with a higher resolution.

Let me second this poster's preference for CC2 over CC3. CC2 was just a better game, with a magnificent campaign, and a lot of multimedia bells and whistles that, while expensive, are also the sort of thing that you associate with more mainstream gaming products. I believe that "market-research" may have played a role in the alterations that were made in CC3, as follows:

1) People want more armour.

2) People want the Eastern Front.

3) People are more interested in battles than in campaigns, as that's what they are focusing on in their comments about the game.

Well, the squeaky-wheels got their way, and while CC3 was well received by Close Combat fans, it didn't live up to the sales expectations of Microsoft. THAT marked the gradual demise of the title, at least on a retail level. And the squeaky wheels were later more than delighted to jump on board the Combat Mission bandwagon, a worthwhile, but even more narrowly tailored product than CC3-5.

While we're on our way back to the Eastern Front (sigh), I'm genuinely heartened by the decision to put the emphasis back on infantry play and the campaign game. Those two points ought to make EVERYONE who ever played and enjoyed Close Combat very, very pleased. I know that I am.

PoE (aka ivanmoe)

[old man of the sea]

Nah,
 
When we had the feature meeting for CC3 the thing at the top of the list was "blow sh*t up in cool ways"
The worst design flaw was trying to cover the entire war as a soldier drug along by events he could not control.
The best was super soldier Ivan.(I'm kidding here)
 
The sales where fine for CC3, but only half that of CC2, but Microsft top management had already decided to end the line before CC3 was released, because they wanted to focus on million selling titles. CC2 almost and may have done 1 million in sales after it was a budget CD only title. It was the smoothest breakup I ever saw in the biz, Microsoft always treated us right.
 
I'm hoping that the scenario editor is improved in Cross of Iron. If they open up the campaign data files a bit, which should not be too much work on CSO, I might just become a modder for once in my life.
 
E

[Prince of Eckmühl]

Thanks for you comments, Eric.

I readily admit that my thoughts were pure speculation.

A question, though...

I've often read that Sid Meier's Gettysburg was the best selling computer-sorta-wargame of all time, and the number that's cited is about 250,000 copies.

Your number for CC2 sales seems to dwarf those for SMG.

WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO DEMAND FOR THESE GAMES??? [;)]

PoE (aka ivanmoe)

[old man of the sea]

As far as I know there was no lack of demand. Atomic fell apart due to bad management, and a general disinterest in furthering the line of CC games. I've never seen so much wasted money on Barbie dolls.
 
CC2 sold twice that at full price. Never believe marketing material.
 
Theives and liars rule the game industry. That's why I'm retired from it.
 
E

[Real and Simulated Wars]

Hi Eric. [:)]

What do you mean retired? You are not working on that govt. contract anymore? Or you mean commercial games?
I have a game manual signed by you. Now that you are retired it is more valuable![:'(]

I will definitively buy this release. CC3 was my first wargame. I played it to death but still will buy a copy of the new release.

Now, as I am a chronic-single-player-only type of gamer, I would like to know what aspects of the computer opponent/AI have been improved. For many people, the big AI issue in the CC series was pathfinding. For me it was a bit different. For a strange reason I was always under the impression that the computer opponent knew where your positions were and would walk straight into them. As SimTek is working for govt clients too, I'm hopeful of a stronger computer opponent overall.

Regards,


Julio

[Prince of Eckmühl]

ORIGINAL: old man of the sea

Theives and liars rule the game industry.

No shortage of either as associated with the "business," least ways, in my experience.

PoE (aka ivanmoe)