Multiplayer???

[Hghx-0]

Yeah.. very sad that the game won't have a multiplayer, still i like your game even without it.

[varangy]

Lets hope you get enough money [:)]

Anyway with or without I will buy AB on release day [:D]

[Hexagon]

Well, at least wait release AB to announce AB2 [:D]

For me no multiplayer is not critical EVEN when if is possible add it at least for the turn based mode i could use it... or not [8|]

Talking about turns... video with turn based mode preview??? thanks.

[kevinkins]

I've been coding this game alone for 14 years without getting any money for it

I am not going near this product with an attitude like that. Everyone is asking polite questions. In fact, this has been the most interesting and forward looking of the Matrix forums until the developer's statement quoted above. Talk about ruining a product launch. Dude, just be quiet, the die is cast.

Respectfully,

Kevin

[nikolas93TS]

I don't see nothing rude in that particular statement: it is a fact that underlines how much was invested in this project, and how hard it was; and if we haven't introduced multiplayer it is not because any of us is a jerk.

Each member of the development team has started contributing to this game when it was free: we sacrificed countless days, weeks and months to provide contents to the community for a whole decade. I think we deserve some respect for that.

P.S. Veitikka is a Finn. They speak frankly by nature.

[Rosseau]

Glad you are concentrating on a good single-player game rather than an okay SP/MP game. In 30 years playing digital games, never really got hooked on MP. The games always started off great, but then the lobbies or the "friends" disappeared. There are enough MMO games on Steam anyway.

However, attempting some type of PBEM file swapping option would be fair to that player base. Also, Slitherine's PBEM++ system for Fields of Glory II, etc., is a great system and a breeze to use. But understand this game is not designed for PBEM++ compatibility.

But for this game especially, there are so many options and ways to change-up the AI opponent, I don't think it will get too boring. Of course, I am blessed with being a lousy player, so most AIs are challenging to me [;)]

ORIGINAL: nikolas93TS

I don't see nothing rude in that particular statement: it is a fact that underlines how much was invested in this project, and how hard it was; and if we haven't introduced multiplayer it is not because any of us is a jerk.

Each member of the development team has started contributing to this game when it was free: we sacrificed countless days, weeks and months to provide contents to the community for a whole decade. I think we deserve some respect for that.

P.S. Veitikka is a Finn. They speak frankly by nature.

As far as the questionable criticism of the Developer, I can write up a long list of Matrix developers who have released and then completely abandoned their projects. Thankfully, they are still in the minority. Matrix/Slitherine still has the best group of core devs anywhere. However, I know of no Matrix developer who worked 14 years on his own and offered a free (and good) game before releasing. Except for maybe Peter who designed TotH!

[kevinkins]

I did not say the statement was rude. I was saying this is a bizarre way to launch a product. The buying public could care less about "we sacrificed countless days, weeks and months to provide contents to the community". The buying public wants pros ... We are on your side. Don't be so sensitive. Veitikka is in a postilion to take folk's hard earned money. Will he run away with it after 14 years? ... probably. Especially after getting raped by Steam. 14 years in the making and there is no way to PBEM? Silly. Just Silly.

[Veitikka]

ORIGINAL: kevinkin

I did not say the statement was rude. I was saying this is a bizarre way to launch a product. The buying public could care less about "we sacrificed countless days, weeks and months to provide contents to the community".

I'm just stating facts. Some people see this game as "another product made by a big wargame publisher", but this has been made by our small team with zero budget. This is not a standardized entertainment package. We've just made a game that we like to play.

14 years in the making and there is no way to PBEM? Silly. Just Silly.

Now here it is again. I don't play PBEM games, so lack of the feature doesn't bother me. If you desperately want PBEM then perhaps this is not the game for you, but there's a pile of other features that we've been honing over the years.

[kevinkins]

I wish you all the luck in the world.

[Sniper31]

The wargamer population sure can be hostile when they are hiding behind the curtain of anonymity that is the Internet. Some of you need to grow up and be mature. There is no need to disrespect the developers like has been going on in this thread. They are developing a game out of their enjoyment of the hobby. If you want to be critical, then provide constructive, well mannered criticism and maybe wait until AFTER the game has been released and people have played it. Wow, people just really suck sometimes.

I am looking forward to seeing how AB turns out once I get my hands on it, and I have no problem with the developers making a game they way they envisioned...after all, it's their game. And last I checked, no gamer has been forced to purchase a game from Matrix, or any other video game developer.

[Sorrow_Knight]

ORIGINAL: Veitikka

Now here it is again. I don't play PBEM games, so lack of the feature doesn't bother me. If you desperately want PBEM then perhaps this is not the game for you, but there's a pile of other features that we've been honing over the years.

I still can’t realize why everybody are getting hung up with PBEM, while original question was about any kind of MP? Why PBEM why not old good real-time MP?

And the second thing- you continue forcing idea of “small team with no budget, that was developing the game for 14 years”... now there is a small problem with that idea- your game will stop being free in two days and will be published by “big wargame publisher” (actually I find out Armored Brigade only after Slitherin/Matrix Games announced it) and you should realize that anything you will say on the forum will have reaction among community, and that reaction may affect sales of your game. Armored Brigade is not free any more and words like “you don’t like it- don’t play it” by developer sounds not good.

[zoikkis]

+1 for concentrating on a best possible single player experience and respect for the dev creating a game of their dreams and not necessarily trying to please the big masses in every turn. If the game sells well enough I'm sure a lot of additional features will be added in time.

Being also a game dev I know how stressful the time just before the release can be and especially when you have a small team where each member having a lot of responsibilities, so don't get surprised if not all the answers from the devs are always coated with sugar. I think the important thing here is that the devs are very actively answering questions in this forum, something that is not true for many bigger companies.

[nikolas93TS]

"Small team with no budget, that was developing the game for 14 years" is a very important bit, because over the years we have built a genuinely strong and transparent bond with our community, and most of the features were implemented based on suggestions and feedback of the latter. Yes, our game is going to have a price now, and we expect stricter critics, but there is difference between constructive critics and self-entitled players (not necessary on this thread) that believe the developers owes them something and that they are important in themselves just because they are potential buyers. This drive towards selfishness is why in some games you see extremely toxic communities.

If you don't like the game, it is fine. We are not forcing anybody to buy. No hard feelings. We explained the technical and business reasons for not releasing multiplayer at the moment. Letting your opinion be known is the only way to affect anything, and we appreciate and encourage that. But we equally expect some respect in turn.

[Hexagon]

I understand that when resources are finite you need priorize and even when no multiplayer reduce the range of potential buyers is not less true that a solid game is more important and over a cheap multiplayer is better wait and implement a one well done.

For example, see the disaster around "check your six" they release game with NO SKIRMISH MODE!!! release a fast one months ago and nothing more done... but as bonus the core game is not very well done.

I prefer a strong core well done and working fine with room to be improved and wait to have a well done multiplayer than have a half cooked core + half cooked multi... better focus in close what made the game a game.

But is not less true that a multiplayer made player base expands.

[Oldguard1970]

I am eager to buy. I have been watching this game in the [coming soon] category for a long time, and it seems fascinating.

I recognize how tempting it must have been simply to declare the game to be "good enough" and launch it before its time. My thanks for trying hard to get it right.

Oh Boy!

[Veitikka]

ORIGINAL: Oldguard1970

I recognize how tempting it must have been simply to declare the game to be "good enough" and launch it before its time. My thanks for trying hard to get it right.

This is a very good point. The longer we keep adding features and improvements before the first release the longer it will take before players can try the game.

[CapnDarwin]

As a developer, the game is never finished, never perfect, and never doing all the cool things you want it to do. At some point, when it is working, when your top features are in place, you just need to turn it loose. If not, it will never see the light of day. All of this becomes exponentially a bigger black hole when you are a small and/or free time developer. Let's play the game, enjoy it, and offer constructive feedback and allow the developers a chance to rest a bit before they jump in with what's next.

Just my 2 cents.

[Searry]

Well it's really sad there's no multiplayer. Knowing Matrix pricing I'll probably skip for now and wait for a sale or a coupon, AI only games don't keep me interested that long.

[RFalvo69]

ORIGINAL: Veitikka

Why C:MANO or Graviteam Tactics don't have multiplayer? Is it because the developers are incompetent or nasty?

This is, at the very least, an interesting answer to the question:

Why Harpoon has multiplayer? Because the developers are proficient or good-hearted?

I.e. what I believe it is a fair question.

Which, in turn makes of "Why AB hasn't multiplayer"? another fair question. A question whose answer should lie within the AB's history and milieu; and not shifted towards other games and their histories, and milieus.

Why Armored Brigade hasn't MP?

[Veitikka]

ORIGINAL: RFalvo69

Why Harpoon has multiplayer? Because the developers are proficient or good-hearted?

How many people play Harpoon multiplayer?