Next BoA Patch?

[decaro]

While we're all eagerly waiting for AGEOD's Civil War sim, any word on the next BoA patch -- 1.11C?
I'm still trying to repeat my one-time only performance of defeating the Brit AI.

[korrigan]

From what I gathered, you should not have to wait too long...
Pocus has been making a list of things to do, and he just misses some time to implement it. Expect a month before release of 1.11c

However, be also aware that we'll be offering soon a complete BoA extension (nicknamed BoA 2.0) some time before the summer. This extension will be very different from the other patches. It will include new campaigns, a new map, a new AI, some features from AACW, etc.

More later. [8D]

[pasternakski]

As always with korrigan, you get more again.

Thanks once more for your continued, enlightened dedication to customer support.

Oh - and Pocus, too. Not to mention the other Philippe, without whom none of this would have been possible.

[decaro]

Just great; another improved AI when I can't beat the one I have now!
Although unlike the previous patches, will BoA 2.0 be issued like a patch?

[pasternakski]

ORIGINAL: Joe D.

Just great; another improved AI when I can't beat the one I have now!

Terrific, isn't it? I think that one of the reasons you don't see a lot of posting in the various BoA threads on the pertinent sites is that people who buy computer wargames for the challenge of playing against the computer are so satisfied with this product that they have no complaints.

Of course, other designers and developers continue to wring their hands in anguish and mewl that a good AI cannot be designed for sophisticated wargames, and their sycophants continue to tell you that, "Well, you only play this game against the AI to learn how to play it, but PBEM is where it really shines."

So far, this has only persuaded the 226 people who play PBEM (and were already convinced). Everyone else has either continued to kid themselves by playing against pathetically designed AIs or moved on to better games from better designers who have taken seriously the initial promise of computer wargames that "the computer will give you a good game when no human opponent is available (or desired)."

By the way, my experience is that these "better" AIs don't have to cheat to be competitive, either.

[korrigan]

There is a very interesting interview of Philippe Malacher (Pocus) where he explained how he designed Athena the AI, and how does "she" thinks. I will try to translate it in bad english and post it somewhere.

For BoA 2.0, the main difference is that previous saves won't be compatible with BoA 1.11 (that's why we nicknamed it "2.0" in order to avoid confusion with patches)
The second difference, is that the extension BoA 2.0 won't be free (very reasonable price though). We know that some of you would have prefered us to keep on with our free support policy, but the work invested in BoA 2.0 is too important for us.

However, we'll be continuing to issue regularly some patches.

The first official announcement will be made in a month or so, once the pressure of our current work will begin to shift.

Regards,

Korrigan

[Willard]

ORIGINAL: korrigan

There is a very interesting interview of Philippe Malacher (Pocus) where he explained how he designed Athena the AI, and how does "she" thinks. I will try to translate it in bad english and post it somewhere.

For BoA 2.0, the main difference is that previous saves won't be compatible with BoA 1.11 (that's why we nicknamed it "2.0" in order to avoid confusion with patches)
The second difference, is that the extension BoA 2.0 won't be free (very reasonable price though). We know that some of you would have prefered us to keep on with our free support policy, but the work invested in BoA 2.0 is too important for us.

However, we'll be continuing to issue regularly some patches.

The first official announcement will be made in a month or so, once the pressure of our current work will begin to shift.

Regards,

Korrigan

Korrigan -

Is this BOA 2.0 a patch or an expansion/sequel? Additionally, is it correct to assume that this isn't just a "super patch"...that there will be some sort of added scenarios or expansion going on here outside of AI tweaks? I am a big BOA fan and will certainly pick up ACW, but I am not sure about paying for a gloried patch (if indeed that is what it is). Look forward to hearing more about this and given AGEOD's track record, I am sure the details on this won't dissappoint.
Regards, Willard

[Pocus]

not this won't be a super patch, and we will spend something like 2 months on it. Philippe Thibaut will do all scenarios of the 1812 war, including campaigns. Sandra will extent the map to the west, create a ton of new units and redraw several interface to support new features, like multi resolution panel and options windows. I, will integrate and ajust many new rules, derived ACW, like cohesion and special options for both side (French Entry handled with a Foreign Entry level and political options for example).

You will just pay the price to cover our expenses. For people having BOA, we won't make a profit of selling the add-on. In all honesty we want to propose a brand new version of BOA to attract people having missed the original. [;)]

[decaro]

ORIGINAL: Pocus
For people having BOA, we won't make a profit of selling the add-on. In all honesty we want to propose a brand new version of BOA to attract people having missed the original. [;)]

I bet the brand new BoA version runs along the lines of ACW. However, I trust this add-on won't be a massive download as was the case w/the first Korsum Pocket fix.

One BoA feature request: there is a need for lines of Colonial marksman to increase the possibility of wounding/killing Brit commanders, as was the case historically. In fact, the presence of these Colonial troops had a chilling effect on any Brit officer in sight.

There should also be a severe combat penalty to the Brit force if their commander buys the farm from the infamous "widow and orphan maker," the Kentucky long rifle.

Frankly, I'm losing too many Colonial officers in battle to the Brit AI, and I suspect the same isn't true for the opposition.

[Roads]

This ought to be easy to implement as it was only a couple of units that were notorious for this - Morgan's rifles being the key example. I would just give a special ability to light infantry battalions.

[korrigan]

ORIGINAL: Pocus
Philippe Thibaut will do all scenarios of the 1812 war, including campaigns. Sandra will extent the map to the west, create a ton of new units and redraw several interface to support new features, like multi resolution panel and options windows. I, will integrate and ajust many new rules,

Meanwhile, I'll be drinking some pina colada on the beach [8D]