Now A Word From Our Sponsor & v8.20

[David Heath]

Hi Everyone

Over the last few weeks people been asking questions and feeling they are not getting the proper answers. Also Glenn has taken some shots for things that are not under his control. So I am posting here to fix this and get the Steel Panthers forums back back on track and address a few points.

A) It has been suggested that the OOB team has been done for weeks and we are holding this product hostage for God knows what. This is not true at all, we have been testing and improving this game. I have received both OOB and EXE updates just last week.

B) The delays are all my doing. The buck stops with me so I will take the heat. If you pissed off need to let off some steam email me directly do not bother Glenn.

D) When is the expected release - Let me first say I have taken paid programmers off retail projects to make these small but important code fixes or changes. Now Glenn was a little incorrect to state that the game will be delayed until July 100%. I wanted Glenn feelings on delaying the game two or three more weeks so we could work on another feature. We do not know if this even possible yet and will not until the programmer researches the code reports back to me. I expect to hear from him on Tuesday or the day after. At that time I will post for sure what I going to be the release date.

E) If the feature can not be added then I am going for a late this week release or Origins release. If the feature can be added it will add 2 -3 weeks onto the project.

F) No Patch. The fact is we were not planing on it but I taken these lnext few days

Please understand I know these delays are killing everyone and let me say I am sorry for that personally. I never expected it to take this long and we should have awaited to announce it.


Look I understand you and everyone else wants this game so please understand we are working on it.

David

[Fallschirmjager]

I hope to god that this is the last patch.
This thing needs to be over and done with and never messed with again.
The fact that they are delaying other projects just to get this thing out the door should shame everyone who has been bitching about this thing.

This free game is sucking up resources and they are getting no return on the investment.
As I have stated many times before. The development on this thing needs to cease. We can never expect wargaming to move forward if effort keep being diverted to an engine that is almost 10 years old.

[Les_the_Sarge_9_1]

Stealing from other retail options?

That is an error David.

Steel Panthers is a gift. People that don't accept gifts graciously never deserved them.

And besides, I might want to buy one of those "other projects", and I don't think anyone wants to wait on those

I have said it before, I will say it yet again. When you get this version done, regardless of what people might think of it, let it be known, you want to do it different, fine contact the official parties that "own" the game, get permission, and release your own "better" version. Along with hosting the bandwidth to give it away free.

[Warrior2]

Thanks for the update, David.

[VikingNo2]

Thanks for the update[:D]

[STEELER13]

Thanks for the update, David. Good luck at Origins.

[Wild Bill]

The extended length of time used for 8.2 has been beacuse the OOB team has gone over and over and over the changes to be sure they are right.

This is no easy task. Even more daunting is the challenge of pleasing everyone.

"Tis with our judgments as with our watches, no two are alike, yet each believes his own."

Believe me, believe me, no one wants 8.2 to be done and in your hands than the current OOB team.

Now it is almost complete. The team hopes that it meets the need.

WB

[RolandRahn_MatrixForum]

ORIGINAL: David Heath

(snip)

B) The delays are all my doing. The buck stops with me so I will take the heat. If you pissed off need to let off some steam email me directly do not bother Glenn.

(snip)

Returning home from a four-day-holiday I wonder what had happened since June 10th....

Since when does matrixgames have to justify for not publishing a new Version of SPWAW before that version is ready to be published?

If someone is pissed off about a 'delay' in a free [&o] game, it surprises me that he sends an angry email to anyone who publishes that free game.

Furthermore, Version 8.2 is not a completely new game, so unless someone wants to start a computer-generated campaign, there is (IMHO) no reason to 'wait' for version 8.2.

You are talking about people who can enjoy a free [&o] game and get angry that Matrixgames doesn't publish the newest version before it's finished. And these people dare to send angry emails? [X(]

A note to anyone who wants to let some steam off by sending an email to David:
You are letting heat off against someone who works hard to publish something that is free.
From my own experience I know that when you are hard working, a few negative remarks from people who have obviously no idea how hard you are working and complain that you are not quick enogh doing something for free for them can kill your whole motivation - that is a least my reaction under such circumstances.

Kind regards,
Roland

PS: Yes, I do eagerly look forward to Version 8.2
But I don't 'wait' for it - I hope that I'm understood.

[Charles2222]

have taken paid programmers off retail projects

[Major_Johnson]

Personally, I'm not pissed, just waiting patiently, here on my deck enjoying a few cocktails!! I appreciate all the time and effort you guys put into this game. Although I don't really consider it a free game, seeing how I own all the MC's. [:)] Now to get the older MC's up to date, oob wise and unit icon-wise would really make me happy. I just finally finished MCNA after like more than a year!! I'm into OT about 15 scenarios or so. I really want to start LV, but I think I'm gonna start SE. [:)] Just not enough time!!

[David Heath]

ORIGINAL: Les_the_Sarge_9_1

Stealing from other retail options?

That is an error David.

Steel Panthers is a gift. People that don't accept gifts graciously never deserved them.

And besides, I might want to buy one of those "other projects", and I don't think anyone wants to wait on those

I have said it before, I will say it yet again. When you get this version done, regardless of what people might think of it, let it be known, you want to do it different, fine contact the official parties that "own" the game, get permission, and release your own "better" version. Along with hosting the bandwidth to give it away free.

I can not steal form myself.... Look I do this not just for the gamers and community but also for my team and myself. So in some type of sick way we enjoy this and is a nice change to what we do on a day to day basis.

David

[Schnee0]

I love this!
Ba ba ba bup ba, I'm Lovin' It!

[Skotty702]

I respect the fact that the SPWAW exe is a free game. However, I am 100% certain that I will buy the new all in one mega camp product if released so there will be some finacial reward for this work. I am going to buy eventhough I have all but the SE MC just to have a new patched and "easily" installable version from one product. It is still my opinion, as high and mighty as it may sound to some, but Matrix didn't make money until they created a product for the Steel Panthers community. I appreciate Mr Heath stepping up to the plate in this thread. Long live Steel Panthers in all its forms and a big thanks to all who have made SP live on my HD for the past 8 years.

[Les_the_Sarge_9_1]

Speaking as one who DOES have the all inclusive edition....YES you DO want it.

And as one who does not yet have any idea what is in 8.2, it will be what it will be, but you DO want the all inclusive Mega Campaign dea.l

[David Heath]

Hi Guys

Lets me say that at this point its still totally a free game. No one is required to to purchased anything that makes it free to me. Since we already released the mega campaigns we have even less of a reason to update SPWaW if we are just looking ofr the quick return. Some users have said this is not a fun communtly forum and more and I think that is not 100% true. Yes some things have gotten a little off but changes are on the way.

Guys when we release SPWaW v8.20 we are not promising anything else... yes there might be more releases or mega campaigns or maybe not. We are tired of the little innuendos posted by some here and aboard. Matrix Games and its staff are a game company for the gamers by gamers. This is a site for the new players and the old timers. With that said we are back to the business we love and that is making games. For those of you who care I wanted you all to know that I have taken over the Combat Leader development and will be handling this myself and will be posting an update soon.

David

[Wild Bill]

Go David! I remember when you stepped in and took over SPWAW development. Things really got cracking then and how well it has turned out.

You do get the job done. You always do. That is why it has been such a pleasure for me to work with you for the last seven years!

Wild Bill

[Smeghead]

Excellent news all around.

David, I for one hope the added features that you are trying to test (whatever they are) workout and make the game what you forsee it to be.

Thanks for the updates and appreciate all the candour.
Have a great time at Origins! (wish I could go....[:@])

Glenn: keep up the good work. A thankless job in most ways but there are some who appreciate what you do.

[wodin]

Thanks David,

I for one would give almost anything to be involved with a game company like Matrix. I would make the damn tea infact.

As wargamers we should all be very very thankfull for MAtrix games for without them we would be stuck with RTS hell and those of us who havent anyone around to play board games might aswell send our PC's to the tip.

Thanks again.

Wodin

[Akmatov]

could work on another feature

I doubt you dare tell us because if it doesn't work out the whining will be deafening, but I confess to being curious. [;)]

No Patch. The fact is we were not planing on it but I taken these lnext few days

The "No Patch" I understand, the following sentence find I into English untranlatable to be. Huh? Probably not important.

Thanks for the rely. I've been gone for a while and only logged on again recently. I fear I was shocked by the level of whinning and ill will. I don't know what happened, but I was saddened.

Also many thanks for all the many efforts that have been expended on providing us this wonderful game FREE!!!

[Nikademus]

Take your time David. When it's done it's done.

Cant wait to see whats been cookin...