A New MC? Why Not?

[AbsntMndedProf]

Before the flak starts flying, let me say that this post is not a rant at Matrix trying to get them to do another MC for SP:WaW. I understand and accept that CL is their priority now.

However, I have a couple of ideas as to how one might be created:

I think that the Matrix Forums has some very highly skilled and creative gamers here! Perhaps, if enough of us were interested and willing enough to join together and form a team we could put a very interesting MC together ourselves! I see two possible scenarios:

1. I realize that the MC engine is owned by Matrix, therefore to use it, we would have to get Matrix' permission. If that were possible, perhaps, (hopefully), we could use it to make a real MC! We would probably need someone familliar with the MC engine to give us advice and guidance once in a while, but I think given the level of gamesmanship and expertise in scenario, battle, and campaign building among the forum's members, we could pull it off.

2. If using the MC engine is not possible, we could do a scratch-built MC using the battle and campaign editors that SP:WaW has in it. Perhaps the MC would not be as complex as the Matrix ones, but could be just as much fun!

Well, there are my ideas. What do other folks think? Let's hear that SP:WaW 'can do' spirit!

Eric Maietta

[Jim1954]

Good idea. Sometimes the troops have to lead from the rear. Look at what the SP Camo people have done for SPWW2. My first MC is still coming in the mail but it looks great. Too bad I waited until Desert Fox can't be found anywhere. All of the suppliers that Matrix lists show no stock and no idea when , if ever, it will be replenished. Anybody have any ideas on where to find?

I would be willing to make whatever meager talents I have available to a group should this come to pass.

[Orzel Bialy]

the logistics would be very demanding and a command structure would have to be put in place to iron out issues and set goals if anything were to be developed beyond a snails pace.
Read the thread (if you haven't already) by Wild Bill about what it took for them to create the campaigns..."WOW" is all you'll be able to mutter. It shows that even when you have the bodies to do the work...there is a lot of co-ordination that needs to be in place to get the job going...keep it rolling...and finally to see it through and wrap it all up. The over-seeing body would have to make sure that the rest of the team was on the same page as far as map design...story line, game direction and what not. No small effort there...especially when the team would consist mainly of people who would be doing this on their spare time.
Now....I'm not saying it can't be done...I agree that there is a tremendous amount of talent out there in the SPWAW community that could really make something happen. (I would even be somewhat interested in the idea myself) But, it would definitely take a really determined and well organized body of people to get something off the ground and see it through to the end.

As far as the "level" of a Grass Roots MC...if Matrix chose to release some of the necessary game engine secrets it would make a "classy" MC like LV/DF/WT far more likely...but I would probably think that unlikely for the immediate future. So any MC would probably have to be constructed within the confines of the game generator for the time being....in my opinion that is.

Anyway...there's my 2 cents...

[Jim1954]

I read that post from Wild Bill earlier and sort of understood why there may be no more MC's forthcoming. I agree that it would be a rather large task for a bunch of "volunteers" to undertake, but it would be a shame for it to wither on the vine because no one wanted to try. My meager talents do not include C++ so someone a lot more savvy than I would need to come to the forefront. Who knows, maybe someone will.

[Grenadier]

The nurse came into the padded cell where Brent was sitting in a corner, babbling incoherently about Vebber and Malin and Kharkov...The doctor was just getting up from his examination
"Tough case, nurse" "Watch his meds and keep him off the computer in the rec room" "What happened, doctor?"

"Welll, as I understand it from his wife, he saw a post on the Matrix Games Forum about some people who actually wanted to create a Mega campaign and he started laughing uncontrollably shouting 'more fodder for the cannons' and 'more grist for the mills' while dancing and jerking around spasmodically" "What is a mega campaign, Doctor?"

"As I uinderstand it, it is a diabolical device that takes over the mind of the designer and causes him to lose touch with reality, forgoing family , friends, food, sex and even bathroom breaks, leaving the person in a state similar to shell shock. Not a very pretty sight nor smell for that matter. Remember to change his diaper"

[Grenadier]

Originally posted by Jim1954
I My meager talents do not include C++ so someone a lot more savvy than I would need to come to the forefront. Who knows, maybe someone will.

Nothing as fancy as that, but knowledge of DOS is critical, escpecially in the case of file names:(

[AbsntMndedProf]

Just to keep this discussion going, I thought that the Anzio campaign might make an interesting place to start. Not many replies, so perhaps there isn't enough interest to start this kind of project. Oh well. If nothing else, it would have been interesting.

Eric Maietta

[Wild Bill]

I just visited Brent in his padded cell. I took him his favorite little peppermints, but removed the cellophane first of course.

Sad, so sad!

Orzel and Jim seem to understand the message I was trying to convey in my comments on what it takes.

Don't get me wrong! I loved the challenge. It was probably the greatest of my gaming career. The outcome was thrilling! As it came together piece by piece, hundreds of them, it became like a work of art.

It was, however, at great cost to all who were involved.

Would I like to see another SPWAW megacampaign? Absolutely! There is still so much out there.

Am I considering doing one? Not anytime soon. The potential of the Megacampaign is enormous. Michael Wood, when he designed this engine, outdid himself.

Before I would take one on, however, there would have to be some improvements and additions to make the Mega Campaign more playable and less "buggy."

We can learn from what we have done. I know I have. We can make 'em better.

With Combat Mission nearing, however, all of that material and resource might be better directed there.

We've set a new precedent with the publication of 3 Mega Campaigns. Now to improve it, make it better than ever. That is the goal of Matrix.

Wild Bill

[Supervisor]

A more user friendlier MegaCampaign editor would make life simplier also. But it's all ahead full with Combat Leader.

[Wild Bill]

YES! YES!

I'm sure that will be the case with CL. I'm praying that it will be!;)

Wild Bill