Matrix gets a mention in the Escapist

[IronWarrior]

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/article ... xcept-Me.2

Consider two examples that demonstrate this evolution in a genre I care about: Talonsoft's successor is Matrix Games. Matrix Games continues to release amazing wargames, but the graphics are no longer state of the art, the price points are lower, and the games are exclusively available via digital distribution because strategy simulation titles don't move enough units compared to other genres to command retail shelf space. The games that Matrix Games releases today are, of course, as good as or better than those released by Talonsoft - but they are not premium games for their platform.

Pretty good article overall, although I don't really share the "not premium games" sentiment. On the price points thing, the author must never have played WitP: AE? [:D]

[Greybriar]

Thanks for sharing this, IronWarrior.

Another point, since when have Matrix games been "....exclusively available via digital distribution....?"

[brent_2]

Re: "Not premium Games": OK, so how do you define "premium games" for a platform? GFX? Content? AI? Gameplay? Sales?

"Grognard" games have always been a niche gaming group. Bridge games between clikfest and grog have never been mainstream. FPS are king now, but when I cant take cover behind a rock in Ghost Recon because it is out of mission bounds, I don't play again. The graphics are great for the time of release, but... hence more free missions like ARMA and it's predecessors.

Ironwarrior: I do like that I initially was not sure of the era represented in your sig until I looked closer Smoke and flame obscure the upper works as much now as before.

[bairdlander2]

I think what the author means by "not premium games for their platform" he is referring to a lot of the dated graphics on a lot of Matrix titles.But seriously these are wargames I can't see how the graphics on 2d top down can get that much more better.WitPAE,BftB,LSA,EDtBtR,all have great graphics.

[Perturabo]

It probably applies only to 3D titles. 2D titles often have good to great graphics. Also, "not premium games for their platform"? Does he mean that these aren't premium games for a computer that is used mainly for work and internet?
Then what games are?

[jomni]

Agree... WitP is premium!

[bairdlander2]

ORIGINAL: Perturabo

It probably applies only to 3D titles. 2D titles often have good to great graphics. Also, "not premium games for their platform"? Does he mean that these aren't premium games for a computer that is used mainly for work and internet?
Then what games are?

Another quote that should answer your question." The games that Matrix Games releases today are, of course, as good as or better than those released by Talonsoft - but they are not premium games for their platform.

Creative Assembly, on the other hand, took the other path. CA, which won my heart with Shogun: Total War, has sustained the highest levels of production value in their Total War games, but each generation has had a faster pace and less authentic historical feel. Rome Total War was the turning point when troops were sped up to hyper-kinetic rates and the Egyptians were equipped with ahistorical arms and armor to sustain pop sensibilities. The most recent games feel more like Civilization meets Warcraft than anything a company like Talonsoft would produce".In other words they produced games with high levels of production(graphics,sound etc) in order to sell to a large audience,but they had to trade historical plausibility as well to keep the audience.
ion

[Perturabo]

It doesn't sound like premium games to me.

[jomni]

ORIGINAL: bairdlander
Creative Assembly, on the other hand, took the other path. CA, which won my heart with Shogun: Total War, has sustained the highest levels of production value in their Total War games, but each generation has had a faster pace and less authentic historical feel. Rome Total War was the turning point when troops were sped up to hyper-kinetic rates and the Egyptians were equipped with ahistorical arms and armor to sustain pop sensibilities. The most recent games feel more like Civilization meets Warcraft than anything a company like Talonsoft would produce".In other words they produced games with high levels of production(graphics,sound etc) in order to sell to a large audience,but they had to trade historical plausibility as well to keep the audience.
ion

Oh not to mention the poor AI. The games mechanics are so complex in these "premium" Total War games that they haven't figured out how to code a believable AI. At least in some Matrix games, the AI can manage (but don't expect it to be spectacular).

[bairdlander2]

Yes the article does say Total War series has no historical plausability.