COTA to be split into two data packs

[Arjuna]

I agree they do help a lot of users come to grips with the engine and how to play. They also help market the product to prospective users. If I had more time I would like to do more videos focusing on providing tutorial walkthroughs of different scenarios. But doing these means not doing development work. In terms of resourcing it's far easier to find someone to make the videos than it is to find someone to do the AI development. If there are any movie makers out there who would like to volunteer some of their time to this end then I'd love to hear from you.

[midgard30]

That would be awesome! Especially if the videos would be more oriented toward real tactical concepts instead of just giving an "answer" to a scenario. My tactical knowledge is quite limited. Anyway, just daydreaming!

[Arjuna]

Would you be willing to pay for such videos?

[MorningDew]

ORIGINAL: Arjuna

Would you be willing to pay for such videos?

I would.

[midgard30]

Seriously? Like some kind of DLC or add-on to the game? Good question. If it's just like an AAR, I don't think so. But I could certainly be interested by videos about basic and advanced tactics (like a good chess book).

[Bazza042]

ORIGINAL: Arjuna

Would you be willing to pay for such videos?

I would be prepared to pay for a video(s) that was similar in concept to a Strategy Guide which went a step beyond
the information in the current tutorials. Much of the information is available, in written form, through these Boards but needs some hard work to synthesize and the removal of 'advice' that is either wrong or has become outdated with the development of the engine. I really appreciated the written HttR guide. But I would not want a video guide that took each scenario, dissected it and gave 'answers' to how it should best be approached. The enjoyment in playing, stems in part from the unknown 'enemy'...

But surely the big problem with videos is that which you are already experiencing to a degree with the tutorials, they get out of date, as the engine changes, very quickly. Then you are into the difficulty of keeping multiple videos updated as the engine develops and people either do, or do not, upgrade.

I think a nice idea but fraught with difficulty.

[Remmes]

ORIGINAL: macob30

My tactical knowledge is quite limited.

The internet is your friend: pick up a free copy of FM 3-90 'Tactics' here. Not all may be applicable to Command Ops, but most tactical principles are universal.

[dazkaz15]

I have paid for DVD's on WW2 documentaries.

I have most of the World at War collection, Decisive Battles, and the Ancient World version of it.
Don't see any reason why I can not add to that collection.

Each new expansion could come with a video update as an optional extra, or standard written "Game manual" update for free.

[Txema]

ORIGINAL: Arjuna

Would you be willing to pay for such videos?

Yes, I would pay for such videos with tutorials and walkthroughs of different scenarios. I am always eager to learn on operational warfare !!! [:)]


Txema

[vj531]

ORIGINAL: Arjuna

Would you be willing to pay for such videos?

Yep [:)]

[gunjunkie]

I don't really post on the forums, but I thought I'd weigh in on this.

First, I got into CO after stumbling across one of the tutorial videos on Youtube. I do own some other Matrix stuff, but had never really given CO a second look until the video. The real time aspects and advanced AI are big selling points, to me anyway. From an hours of fun/$ ratio, I'm more than happy with the purchases I've made from the CO series (BFTB, HTTR expansion, COTA, I'll re-buy that as well when it comes out)and have gotten well beyond the beer/movie/restaurant meal value threshold with them.

As to business model, I do think the initial $ investment is a turn off to some people, friends who I have tried to convince to play included. The gent who mentioned DCSWorld is spot on. Engine and maybe tutorial scenario(s) and tutorial vids for free, with content packs (maps, estabs and scenarios) easily accessible would, I think, be a good model for you, simply because giving people the chance to get hooked should have almost zero barrier to entry. The free to play model has worked extremely well in other segments of the industry. Its pretty easy to convince people to download and try something for free.

I would also pay for more in depth videos. Not AARs, like someone mentioned, but certainly for tactical and operational teachings.

[Phoenix100]

I don't really know anything about business models etc, so haven't had anything at all to say on all this, especially since I'm a fan and will no doubt buy everything connected anyway. But I'm also a closet flightsimmer, and have spent a lot of money on Eagle Dynamics products. I bought KA50 and A10C before they developed this model (with DCS world), then had to go through a tortuous update process (and pay) to get onto their new model. Considering the amount I'd already paid, that was ridiculous. And I blow hot and cold with the products, mainly because the AI needs some serious work (though I've yet to down the AI P51 from my own P51, I do suspect that the AI is in a different world, somewhat...). But I do think their present model - for newcomers - is fantastic in terms of luring people in. Floyd is right. You get a lot for nothing, basically - enough to ensure you can really test the product and really do want more. The equivalent for CO would be giving away the engine plus one scenario for free (no time limits, no limits at all, in fact - though maybe do not include the scenmaker, mapmaker etc as these will enable people who can do things with them to enjoy too much to ever need to buy anything). Then charge for scenario packs. If DCS is anything to go by you can do this for all the BFTB scenarios too, for newcomers - ie divide them up to sell. For what it's worth - even though the game's USP is its AI and that's in the engine - I think you should concentrate really on deriving money from selling scenario packs, and I don't think they need to be huge. You could have broken COTA into 4, I think, for instance, and charged half the suggested price for each, and that would probably work better to attract people (even though it's the same at the end of the day if you buy all 4 as if you'd bought only 2 at your present price suggestions). For most people, especially coming new to it, it's the scenarios that look like the content, not the engine. And if you see a game with lots of different scenarios ranging over many different theatres then I think that's more likely to attract. If there are really big engine changes (as when DCS moved onto version'2', for example) then charge for them also, but only the same amount as for the scenario packs. I would think the cheaper the items people have to buy (or the cheaper they look) the more they are likely to buy and you could achieve that by releasing much smaller scenario packs more often for much less money each time. The romance and sell is in the scenarios, the theatre etc, not in the engine (even though that's the core of it, and the USP). I think - though like I said, I haven't a clue really.

I'd pay for 'tutorial' videos, but only if the price was sensible, by which I mean very cheap. They're not in the same category as scenario packs for me, or manuals even. $2 a vid would see me snapping it up. $5 would see me pausing. $10 and I'd say - nah, I can play the game and learn....

[MorningDew]

I would also pay for more in depth videos. Not AARs, like someone mentioned, but certainly for tactical and operational teachings.

Exactly my thinking, and I;d be willing to pay 1/2 up-front or make a commitment so a huge amount of effort didn't go into a bunch of vapor promises.

[Major SNAFU_M]

I would pay cash money for a video showing the in-game implementation of one (or more) of lieste's information and concept rich postings on topics like aligning the LOC with supply, orientating supply and LOC with MLRs, etc.

I read and re-read his posts, (all saved in a word document) trying to visualize what he is recommending and sometimes I just hit the wall. I sort of "get it", but a few pictures would really clarify things.

On the DLC topic - I am not a big fan of this. It is another hurdle to go through and I despise Steam and all other incarnations of the management of DLC. I prefer a self-contained install file, that requires no connectivity at all, for any reason. I am often in places where connectivity is not possible - but I would still like to be able to fire up BFTB. If fact, at times I go out of my way to be in areas of zero connectivity so that I can focus on BFTB.

I will say that I was an early adopter of the DCS model. I own a number of their products, and only computer hardware limitations prevent me from owning them all (my wife being the wonderful, indulging person that she is). I believe that shops like Dave's and DCS deserve my vote for their quality products and dedication to the genre. For "votes" read "dollars"

[dazkaz15]

This is for anyone else wondering what DCS Stands for.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Combat_Simulator

[BletchleyGeek]

ORIGINAL: Major SNAFU
On the DLC topic - I am not a big fan of this. It is another hurdle to go through and I despise Steam and all other incarnations of the management of DLC. I prefer a self-contained install file, that requires no connectivity at all, for any reason. I am often in places where connectivity is not possible - but I would still like to be able to fire up BFTB. If fact, at times I go out of my way to be in areas of zero connectivity so that I can focus on BFTB.

Steam doesn't require exclusivity from developers, so peeps can (and do) setup their own shop, and steam keys can be generated at no cost. Nonetheless, it requires some work to be done by the developers

[midgard30]

The internet is your friend: pick up a free copy of FM 3-90 'Tactics' here.

Thanks! Downloaded into my iPad. I can't believe this stuff is free and available to the public.

I'm currently reading the HTTR guide which has interesting sections about artillery, recon, etc.
After that, I'll have a lot of material to put into practice. Then, I'll have to lay hands on the classified tactics manual. [8D]

Not all may be applicable to Command Ops, but most tactical principles are universal.

I consider CO to be closer to a battle simulator than to a game. I'm sure it's going to be helpful.

[Magpius]

Perhaps the video tutorials could be run similar to some kickstarter sliding scales. Where the funding level reached determines the range and depth of videos produced/ released.

[Prince of Eckmühl]

ORIGINAL: Arjuna

I'm hoping to flesh out the Med pack with three other user designed scenarios. I have emailed the users seeking their permission to include the scenarios for a small royalty. So hopefully I will hear back from them shortly. If you know these users, please let them know in case the email I have is an old one. The three scenarios are:

• Leros - by Hoplomachia
• Cyprus - by Judge Dredd
• Battleaxe/Brevity - by Prince of Eckmuhl

With these three, there will be 15 scenarios in the Med pack.

Hi Dave,

I never received any email, and only just now stumbled across your message above.

You're welcome to the scenarios, BTW. assuming the price is right![;)]

If you'll PM me an upload addy, I'll send them to you.

-Moe

PS: What happened to Mike's Bir el Gubi scenario?

[simovitch]

ORIGINAL: Prince of Eckmühl

PS: What happened to Mike's Bir el Gubi scenario?

It will be in the Med Pack. It is called Trial by Combat.