To DLC or not DLC, that is the question...

[Hexagon]

Maybe to many mini DLCs break a little game and reduce the value of big add-ons.

For DLCs i see more usefull cover in them things that can enter in add-ons ... for example i allways want see battles set in 2nd part of the campaign when appear reserve units in both sides (specially the 2nd and 3rd line soviet divisions) or offer the original scens set in diferent periods (50-60-70).

I think a good DLC could be one called "2nd line warriors" with battles and campaigns covering the fight between survivor NATO 1st line troops with a lot of reserve units (maybe even from 2nd NATO line nations and 2nd line troops from WP allies that can fight in first battles (like Spain, Portugal, Italy... and with the appear of nations fron WP like Poland and East Germany).

But in the end is a good relation between cost and content specially when you can wait they enter in offer because are not critical for game.

[Deathtreader]

ORIGINAL: Capn Darwin

@76mm, Southern Storm is a new game in the sense that it is the next iteration of the game engine. Our plan is to provide a back compatibility to Red Storm for its nations and hopefully other items. Once Southern Storm and the 2.1 engine are in place we want to use expansions to add in Northern Storm and other countries and locations for the cold war system. We are also looking at a pair of Red Storm Battle Packs in the near term to expand the current games map and scenario library while we work on Southern Storm. We are also looking at what needs to be done to have the game engine work for pre-cold war period and also possible modern effort or larger scales (1km hexes for instance). The best of all worlds would be one game engine that can plug into any of those systems and then be support with various modules/expansions for different eras and locations.

So right now we are trying to see what you guys will think about those types of DLCs above to get an idea of how much content/work we need to do to make those happen in the future. I hope that helps to explain things.

I guess I'm wearing my "dummy" sign again but where do the options other than "stand alone games" allow for the players to obtain new iterations of the engine?? [&:]
Thanks,

Rob.

[SwampYankee68]

Voted for more battles. Ones balanced for PBEM would be great.

[Mad Russian]

ORIGINAL: DannyJim

I'm really easy to please. More campaigns and battles would be fine by me. I'd like the world but I'd happily pay for the scenarios I get for free from Command Modern Air and Naval Ops. I would have no problem paying for similar for Red Storm.

If you like we can happily charge you for the scenarios you have been getting for free for Command Modern Air and Naval Ops. How much were you thinking we should charge you? [&:]

Good Hunting.

MR

[Mad Russian]

ORIGINAL: Hexagon

Pure scen/campaign DLCs for me are not very interesting... unless they center in a nation that is not going to be added in the big add-ons... for example a tematic DLC center in ... lets see a polish armored division in the north area VS UK/WG troops (maybe with other units like airborne, naval troops...) or if you plan add Poland as a major nation in other add-on select one nation you dont plan add and center here the battle pack (italian troops in a soviet attack to Italy or a Yugoslavia campaign with Soviets VS Yugoslavia).

The problem with pure scens/campaigns is are a little "nude" and dont add value to the game out of scens, this is why i find that DLCs could center in add a minor nation with actions centered on it.

Since when have we done things like everybody else? We have added free content from the beginning. We aren't about to sell you something with a minimal value associated with it.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Hexagon]

I dont know where you read i say "you do things like others"... i only say that for a pay DLC for me it needs offer something more than battles and campaigns, some bonus like things not covered in stock OOBs (2nd line troops with the late campaing fights or diferent time for battles 50-60-70) or center DLC in a nation not covered in base game with tematic campaign and scens.

You ask and i simple say what i think about it.

[Mad Russian]

I must have taken your response wrong. That happens on the internet. Sorry if I misunderstood.

My point is, that we don't do things like just dump content on the market and have you guys pay for it. We have given it to you for free. So, there would be no reason to assume we would just put out scenarios and campaigns and add anything else to the pack. There will be value to whatever we put out or you won't pay for it.

Good Hunting.

MR

[Hexagon]

Na, is the internet, no face to face comunication is a little... flat [;)]

My point is offer not only scens or a campaign... is offer content to game like new OOBs (with new nations or old nations with new toys), periods (other years) or even secondary front areas following the action of a minor unit.

For example i pay for a serie of scens and a dual campaign were NATO add-hoc units (with patches of regular units with reserve units) face 2nd line soviet divisions (maybe with some actions VS other WP allies like poliss or east germans as a way to introduce them before the big add-on).

I know you do a great job but maybe DLCs could be a good way to explore "obscure" actions and units [:)]

[Deathtreader]

ORIGINAL: Deathtreader

ORIGINAL: Capn Darwin

@76mm, Southern Storm is a new game in the sense that it is the next iteration of the game engine. Our plan is to provide a back compatibility to Red Storm for its nations and hopefully other items. Once Southern Storm and the 2.1 engine are in place we want to use expansions to add in Northern Storm and other countries and locations for the cold war system. We are also looking at a pair of Red Storm Battle Packs in the near term to expand the current games map and scenario library while we work on Southern Storm. We are also looking at what needs to be done to have the game engine work for pre-cold war period and also possible modern effort or larger scales (1km hexes for instance). The best of all worlds would be one game engine that can plug into any of those systems and then be support with various modules/expansions for different eras and locations.

So right now we are trying to see what you guys will think about those types of DLCs above to get an idea of how much content/work we need to do to make those happen in the future. I hope that helps to explain things.

I guess I'm wearing my "dummy" sign again but where do the options other than "stand alone games" allow for the players to obtain new iterations of the engine?? [&:]
Thanks,

Rob.

Ok so it's a dumb question but I have not seen in any preceding posts where the engine goes after 2.1 and how it will be marketed. Will it be sold separately? Or........

Rob.

[CapnDarwin]

The very basic plan, subject to many changes of course, it to release Southern Storm as the 2.1 game engine flagship. This will have the 4 nations from Red Storm (US. UK, West Germany, Soviets) and add East German, Czechs, French and Canadians to the mix. The game will have new maps for the Southern area fights. We are going to work on making a 2.1 Red Storm compatible "Battle pack" so those with Red Storm can play those core scenarios and maps using the 2.1 engine. This will take some work to get the data, maps and scenarios/camps into 2.1 formats. If you are new to the Flashpoint system that will be a DLC or even part of combo type thing (still many details to hash out there with Matrix). After Southern Storm, the main plan is to do expansions to the game starting with Northern Storm which will add the Poles, Dutch, Belgians, and Danes. From there we can hit the Scandinavian/Arctic Strom with Sweden, Norway, Finland, etc or drop deep south in Europe. To early to tell. Plus there are time variations of all the above 50s, 60s 70, 90s, modern, etc. Plus we have been looking at the Mid-east, Asia, and some chatter on touching WW2.

One thing we will be pushing for is not to make any of you guys pay twice for the same covered ground and to get the game engine in a place where it can be updated with new features (hopefully a thing that slows down after 2.1 since major changes break things and require a lot of rework on our end) in a simple manner. Still a lot for us to work out as we go.

Hope that somewhat answers things with what I know right now.

Thanks for the questions! [8D]

[OldSarge]

I voted for the expansion pack as I think that offers the best for all involved. The idea of picking up new armies and units has always had me pulling out the wallet as the number of ASL and GDW Assault boxes in my closet can attest. [:D]

[Deathtreader]

Thanks for the answers!

I voted for the expansion packs as I think they will provide the biggest bang for the buck.

Rob.

[Hoyt Burrass]

I voted expansion packs, principally because I like the idea of having all of the content available under one software "roof" as it were. Thus there would be only one program to update, and if I changed my mind about what scenario to play, I could just back out to a menu rather than exiting one package and starting another...My 0.02

[Hexagon]

Maybe you can explore the use of DLCs as a "preview" of next add-on... for example a small DLC with a dual campaign using a nation that is going to be inclued in next add-on (for example now you can create one with French VS Cz using a generic OOB for them) and some extra scens... and in a 2nd DLC explore the use of 2nd line troops in a +20 campaign...

The point for me is not delay next add-on with the big things by the release of DLCs.

[CapnDarwin]

Hexagon,

One of the longest time eaters after coding is the data files. Very slow work there. The next 4 countries will hit with Southern Storm and then 4 more in the Northern Storm expansion. As planned right now. Second line equipment or third line can be made for forces now since the equipment and OOBs are in the data files. Someone just needs to make scenarios using them.

[Tazak]

ORIGINAL: Capn Darwin
Someone just needs to make scenarios using them.

Give me the maps and the OOBs and you'll end up setting up a forum section just for my scenarios [:D]

[VilleYrjola]

I might have soiled my pants a bit there, capn. Thanks for the info!

[Mad Russian]

ORIGINAL: Tazak

ORIGINAL: Capn Darwin
Someone just needs to make scenarios using them.

Give me the maps and the OOBs and you'll end up setting up a forum section just for my scenarios [:D]

I'm amazed that you guys think you have to have a new map for every new scenario. I did that, specifically so you wouldn't have to. I created a map per scenario so there would be a complete library of maps for you guys to choose from. Many of the battle locations were specifically chosen for the type of terrain they contained.

If you really want to do your own maps it's pretty easy to get a simple map. The excuse of not wanting to buy HexDraw doesn't hold water. Free programs like Paint.net can do just as good a job. Will you have to learn a little bit about how to use the program to get the map you want? Of course, there is a learning curve to everything.

If I can do it, any of you can certainly do it.

Good Hunting.

MR