The Countdown begins!

[BlindOldUmp]

Hey - If it had been released already we'd be yelling at Tony about that update he said he was working on [;)] [:D]
Which BTW I'm sure will also be Well worth the wait!!! [&o]

[mack2]

Release the game for digital download. Put the manual in .pdf format on the digital download (assuming the actual manual is done at all, if it's not then obviously don't include it, and make it clear there is no manual at this stage) and send out the full boxed version (if someone uses the "Download+Physical Copy") with printed manual once it's done.

[BlindOldUmp]

Actually, despite the technical correctness of the edited version of your comment Mack - I Loved the version that made my inbox. I keep trying to be nice but after all - I am descended from the gentleman in the picture. Let me second the comments. I don't NEED a manual to play the game. I'll hit f1 or ask in one of - what - 5 or 6 - forums or just play it & see what it does. I'll be happy to wait for my perfect disk & book to put under the tree. My last disk didn't include a couple of NECESSARY modules and I have been reloading the game from my download since then anyway. My WestPac Beta module expired and I have really wanted to go playing around in the Pacific So - release the download game now - noting there is no manual due to circumstances beyond your control - assuming that the .pdf isn't ready either due to the problems discussed earlier. I'll (Personal not obligating Anyone Else) be happy to buy the download + physical and download the manual when it's ready from the update bin. Like I said - the box goes under the tree anyway for my wife to look surprised about. It will then go on the shelf with the rest of them to be consulted occasionally or dropped on a Troll's head or [:D]

[Erik Rutins]

Sorry guys, we do not release without a fully layed out professional manual. Aside from the fact that a release like that would not meet our standards, you have no idea the level of grief we would get from people who DO need a manual to play a game like this.

Regards,

- Erik

[mack2]

The first post in this thread says "We have finished edits on the manual". Now I'm going on a not so long limb and state that I think that uncleharpoon would never post up the first post annoucement without it authorised by matrix.

So it becomes a question of "Is the manual done but held up by _printing delays_?" or "Is the manual not done and being held up by it not being done?".

If the manual was actually done, then it should be a easy task to convert to .pdf (which as .pdf is an open and widely used, future ISO standard, any publishing/authoring software worth it's salt should include an "output to PDF" module) and include on a digital download. I assume that the manual would be included in an electronic format because there is a digital download only option and if there was no electronic manual then you would have people without the manual, so somewhere along the line it should get converted to electronic format, and probably starts off in electronic format anyway nowadays.

Which means that there is no reason to delay a digital download only purchase apart from a stubborn refusal to entertain the idea of getting the game out via digital download before the "printing error" was fixed.

If the manual itself is not done, then we have been lied to again (which I would have thought was not part of the "standards" referenced by the matrix staffer above), the manual was held up because of "it's not done error" instead of a "printing error" which was supposedly the reason for the last delay.

So logically, this appears to be either "There has been a huge printing screwup, and matrix will not budge on digital only or digital+future phyiscal purchase" or "matrix are lying again".

Neither are good. I'm not sure which is worse. Lying or refusal to adapt for the betterment of your customers as well as allowing a printing screwup to hold back the game for 2-4 months. Note I do not blame Matrix for the actual error, I'm sure it's not in their power to control the actual problem, but surely there are secondary options and contingencies that Matrix could control.

Am I wrong? Should I be less harsh?

[Erik Rutins]

There has been no lying. There are three parts to finishing a manual. In this case, the developer(s) wrote the first draft of the manual and did their edits. The second stage is to have our manual editor do his edits and restructure the manual to get it ready for layout, this is not a simple process. The third stage is the actual layout. We're at the end of the second stage and the beginning of the third now.

[dyoox01]

I guess Mack2 was a little harsh, but at least it made Erik reply with a little more detail. We now know where things stand.

My guess is that we will see release last week of November.

Any more predictions?

[AW1Steve]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

There has been no lying. There are three parts to finishing a manual. In this case, the developer(s) wrote the first draft of the manual and did their edits. The second stage is to have our manual editor do his edits and restructure the manual to get it ready for layout, this is not a simple process. The third stage is the actual layout. We're at the end of the second stage and the beginning of the third now.

[:)]Thank you. People will put up with just about anything if they are kept reasonably informed. Game players and game buyers--that is customers , are generally not game developers. We don't understand developer jargon. If you give us information about a new product , please give us information. Please don't tease us beyond a reasonable degree or we see the tease become a cheat and bad feeling result. If you don't know or have a reasonable idea of when you will release , please tell us. Please don't make a "come-on" turn into a "no-sale". That's not very good salesmanship. People who are lined up with wallets in hand should be treated with consideration and above all, honesty. We like the product. We like your company. Be square with us and fair with us and we will buy from you forever. Damage that relationship and we will take up knitting or something. Playing Matrix games is a pleasure, not a necessity. Please don't make this experince into a trip to the airport or to our local DMV. Neither of us need that. Thank you.[:)]

[TonyE]

ORIGINAL: dyoox01

My guess is that we will see release last week of November.

Any more predictions?

Now that's what I like, light-hearted humor at the 5+ year delayed release, and a bit of a guessing game to keep us occupied.

[EXRANPO]

Lets see -

Funny how it has gone really quiet in here since the "startling" revelation that Matrix had not really mislead anyone about the release date - seems we all just misconstrued the lack of communication from Matrix the wrong way and that an official communication about release being imminent in August should really have been taken by us all as meaning that the game may or may not be released 4 to 5 months later.

I note with tongue in cheek about the comment taking bets it may (or may not again) be released in November - although the learned gent who took the guess did not actually say November this year........

As for the three stages of the manual - seems to me somewhere I read that the manuals were finished a long ways back and were with the printers - again - we misconstrued that one as well the wrong way.....

Danged if all this misconstruing ain't getting me all confused......

Maybe the fact that this is the first post in the forum in about 5 days may indicate that people (customers) are losing interest or have just plain had enough of waiting?

I shall invite my learned colleagues to pass comment should they choose to do so.

Roger and out

Rod

[cuthbo2001]

out

ah the great art of mushroom growing !!!![:D]

[dyoox01]

Nice catch about the last week of November comment. Unfortunately you give me too much credit. I am naive enough to believe that we will see a release in November [:D]

One benefit of the delay it's given me time to play a bit of team fortress 2.

[TonyE]

ORIGINAL: Renato

ORIGINAL: TonyE
Well, I could say it again and use AGSI words, but just read it for yourself at http://www.advancedgaming.biz/what-is-h ... assic.html

Thank you for the informations.

Do you think there will be a demo ?

Oops, missed that question about a demo. The official answer is there will not be a demo. The unofficial answer is, you'd better believe that one day (not the same day as release or even close) there will be a demo, some way, some how, as far as the coding goes, it is 'flip one switch' to create the demo exe (as it has been that way for many years and how most of the previous HC demos were made).

[dyoox01]

So can are there any more official updates?

[sabre100]

This count down has been going on for far too long, has it started, and stopped and put back on the burner for another year or what?  ... Please provide an update if possible thanks

[casquid1027]

Are we counting down from some number like the federal budget (or deficit)?

[TonyE]

Well, the most recent word from Matrix as posted on this thread said to look for the game before Christmas, I can tell you it isn't going to be in your candy sack for Halloween.
 
 

[Erik Rutins]

It's closer than it was the last time I posted. I expect to have good news and a much more firm release date by the middle of next week.

[dyoox01]

Hi Tony,

Any news on the update?

[TonyE]

Well, work has slowed on the update, not much testing going on of the more recent changes we've made so I'm less keen on piling on more things to test.  Health has been shaky and an influence too, my lucid moments are spent doing real work [:(].  But with lots of doing nothing come ideas so I've been having lots of those, most of them require breaking the save file and scenario file formats and that's something we won't do for the first patch.  The most far out ramblings can be seen at http://harpgamer.com/harpforum/index.php?showtopic=2272 , nothing short of leaving the game mechanics in place and replacing all of the surroundings (keep the brain, replace the 20 year old body).