A complaint

[Bombur]

-First of all, let me say that I´m a fan of both the TOAW series and Matrix games. I bought TOAW I, II and ACOW, despite the fact that my country puts a 60% tax on software imports (this fortunately doesn´t apply to digital downloads)[:D]. I also bought UV and WiTP from Matrix, and the only thing that prevented me from buying more games was that fact that WiTP makes me spend almost all of the time I have for wargaming. Despite this, I still have TOAW I and ACOW in my HD (and more than 300 scenarios of ACOW). I became pretty enthusiastic when Matrix bought the TOAW series, however, I still lack a reason to buy TOAW III. Unfortunately, unlike TOAW II (which improved the game engine) and ACOW (which improved both game engine, at least in V1.04, and time scope), TOAW III seems to offer, at best, only a marginal improvement over ACOW, and is more a re-release than a new game. Even worse, it´s not compatible with Bioeditor. Having spent my US$ to buy three consecutive versions of TOAW,I don´t see too much reason to buy a fourth version that offers very little as far the BIG potential for development of TOAW engine is of concern. Don´t take it as negative criticism, and I´m actually anxious to realize I´m wrong. I´m just voicing my disappointment with Matrix policy towards TOAW.

[golden delicious]

The most interesting (to me) changes which have been made so far are adding functionality to the scenario editor. So you will see in the future some scenarios being developed with new features. However this will take time. Matrix also has a comitment to supporting the game in the medium-long term. So you will see a gradual but building improvement. It might not look like much now, but it will get there.

I can understand you not wanting to just get your wallet out on this one. You're not the first one I've run into. But I reckon that eventually you will want the game.

[alaric99x]

Perhaps the improvements seem "marginal" but, thanks to Ralph's talents, the imrovements in the AI are pretty impressive.  More importantly, the Matrix staff has a proven record of continued support for their products and I congratulate them for their efforts in this regard.  Many of us have been waiting very long for this, TOAW is alive again and will see further improvements.  Bombur, your participation in this process is up to you, but perhaps you'll satisfy my curiosity and tell me what coutry charges a 60% import tax on software products? [X(] 

[rhinobones]

ORIGINAL: alaric99x
. . . perhaps you'll satisfy my curiosity and tell me what coutry charges a 60% import tax on software products? [X(] 

The United States of Microsoft.

Regards, RhinoBones

[ralphtricky]

If you mainly do PBEM, there's not a totally compelling reason to upgrade yet (unless your opponents want to use III.) Read over the change list, there actually were some changes to the engine in regards the armored combat model, nuke modeling and AA strengths.

Elmer is improved enough that I'm hoping that he can be challenging in a well designed scenario now.

Keep checking back. Bioeditor or similar support is being worked on.

The next upgrade is going to be primarily an interface improvement month.

You should also check out all the neat graphics that people are doing.

Ralph

[Bombur]

t perhaps you'll satisfy my curiosity and tell me what coutry charges a 60% import tax on software products? [X(]

-Brazil....actually, in theory, they only charge 60% on media value, but it must be discriminated in the invoice, otherwise they charge 60% on the whole package. When I bought UV, however, I asked to the company I bought it (from UK) to make this discrimination. Didn´t worked, the customs charged 60% anyway.

[macgregor]

The Matrix crew chose a specific demographic to entice and from what I'm seeing, they've done well. Unfortunately, I'm not in that demographic. I hope it's selling well as TOAW is one of the most versatile and potentially realistic conflict simulators available to civilians. The mere fact that it's back in production (and hopefully continuing it's developement) is enough to keep me visiting this website almost daily. I can only hope that Matrix is not satisfied with this version and will eventually include the entire wishlist as originally posted.

[Pants]

At risk of beating a dead horse, there is one very good reason to pay $$$ for TOAW III: the future. No, the new version is not worth the cost, considering nearly all of us paid full price at least once before. Thus far, the ideas I've seen bandied about this board, and the stuff coming out of the TOAD folks, lead me to believe that TOAW III will become the game I want. So my purchase of the program was an investment in the future of the series, rather than the present. If it doesn't pan out, I shall be greatly disappointed: not because my money was wasted, but because the potential of my favorite wargame was not realized. If you feel like supporting the effort, by all means spend the money. Otherwise, feel free to wait it out and see what happens. But I gotta tell you, the new AI is pretty impressive.

Jon

[Okimaw]

ORIGINAL: macgregor

The Matrix crew chose a specific demographic to entice and from what I'm seeing, they've done well. Unfortunately, I'm not in that demographic.

Oh no, I been demographed!! [X(] I thought something like that was going on [:-]

[ralphtricky]

ORIGINAL: macgregor

The Matrix crew chose a specific demographic to entice and from what I'm seeing, they've done well. Unfortunately, I'm not in that demographic. I hope it's selling well as TOAW is one of the most versatile and potentially realistic conflict simulators available to civilians. The mere fact that it's back in production (and hopefully continuing it's developement) is enough to keep me visiting this website almost daily. I can only hope that Matrix is not satisfied with this version and will eventually include the entire wishlist as originally posted.

Not the entire wishlist, have you read the entire thing? Some of the ideas are contrary to where I want to game to go, and I feel would make the game less fun for most people. Enhanced Events, Naval, Air, Supply and Command control are all 'big ticket' items that I'd like to address at some time. The big question is going to be priorities.

[larryfulkerson]

ORIGINAL: Okimaw
Oh no, I been demographed!! [X(] I thought something like that was going on [:-]

At least you haven't been pornographed. BTW, it's illegal to own or operate a pornograph.

[alaric99x]

I hope I'm not breaking some law because I have a pornographic memory.

[a white rabbit]

ORIGINAL: Bombur

-First of all, let me say that I´m a fan of both the TOAW series and Matrix games. I bought TOAW I, II and ACOW, despite the fact that my country puts a 60% tax on software imports (this fortunately doesn´t apply to digital downloads)[:D]. I also bought UV and WiTP from Matrix, and the only thing that prevented me from buying more games was that fact that WiTP makes me spend almost all of the time I have for wargaming. Despite this, I still have TOAW I and ACOW in my HD (and more than 300 scenarios of ACOW). I became pretty enthusiastic when Matrix bought the TOAW series, however, I still lack a reason to buy TOAW III. Unfortunately, unlike TOAW II (which improved the game engine) and ACOW (which improved both game engine, at least in V1.04, and time scope), TOAW III seems to offer, at best, only a marginal improvement over ACOW, and is more a re-release than a new game. Even worse, it´s not compatible with Bioeditor. Having spent my US$ to buy three consecutive versions of TOAW,I don´t see too much reason to buy a fourth version that offers very little as far the BIG potential for development of TOAW engine is of concern. Don´t take it as negative criticism, and I´m actually anxious to realize I´m wrong. I´m just voicing my disappointment with Matrix policy towards TOAW.

..believe me, toaw3 is a major advance on toaw-acow, if only for the Elmer-PO it's worth the having..

..of course, when it becomes BioEdable........

[dobeln]

"..of course, when it becomes BioEdable........"

BioEd?

[golden delicious]

ORIGINAL: dobeln

"..of course, when it becomes BioEdable........"

BioEd?

The BioEditor is a utility for TOAW-COW which allows the user to edit some of the contents of the game .exe. Primarily this means editting the types of equipment, but it also allows manipulation of graphics and various bits and peices.

[Okimaw]

ORIGINAL: larryfulkerson

ORIGINAL: Okimaw
Oh no, I been demographed!! [X(] I thought something like that was going on [:-]

At least you haven't been pornographed. BTW, it's illegal to own or operate a pornograph.

Actually the laws regarding such matters are much more liberal here in Canada and even more so in Europe I believe. [:D]

[carnifex]

The only upgrade I was concerned about was that TOAW would now run on my machine, unlike all the previous versions.   So I got my money's worth right there.  Everything else was just extra.

[macgregor]

Not the entire wishlist, have you read the entire thing?

I have Ralph, but it's been some time.(thanks for responding BTW) I trust it had some lofty ideas on it. I'm realizing that a lot of what I want to see happen can be done with some clever manipulation of Bioedit, which I'm looking foward to seeing released soon. This should keep me busy for awhile. Perhaps then my ideas will seem less opaque.

[Bloodybucket28th]

I'm lucky to be a total novice to TOAW, so the Matrix upgrade is all good, and a no-brainer as far as purchasing.
 
Now I can just browse the forums between games to suck up all the corporate knowledge here.