October Update

[Marshall Ellis]

Hey guys:

Sorry for the late update and frankly I'm sorry there has been little change in the project status since September. We still lack PBEM testing. Frankly, I could sit here a few more years while we all debate what should be in the game and out of the game. Many were upset at some of the EiH stuff we added and wanted it optional but I must tell you that this will take time to make these things optional (i.e. light fleets, etc.). This was never intended to be EiA but more EiA++. I myself will continue to fix the bugs and add what I can BUT I can tell you that this will probably be my last update until something measurable changes. I'm just not accurate enough to give you good estimates therefore, I will not give them anymore! I'll keep working and when the testers can agree that we're ready then we're ready! Don't worry, I'm not saying that I'm quitting but I am quitting giving you guys bad info. I'll stay on touch on the forums!

Thank you

[JavaJoe]

ORIGINAL: Marshall Ellis

Hey guys:

Sorry for the late update and frankly I'm sorry there has been little change in the project status since September. We still lack PBEM testing. Frankly, I could sit here a few more years while we all debate what should be in the game and out of the game. Many were upset at some of the EiH stuff we added and wanted it optional but I must tell you that this will take time to make these things optional (i.e. light fleets, etc.). This was never intended to be EiA but more EiA++. I myself will continue to fix the bugs and add what I can BUT I can tell you that this will probably be my last update until something measurable changes. I'm just not accurate enough to give you good estimates therefore, I will not give them anymore! I'll keep working and when the testers can agree that we're ready then we're ready! Don't worry, I'm not saying that I'm quitting but I am quitting giving you guys bad info. I'll stay on touch on the forums!

Thank you

Lack PBEM testing? Do you need volunteers? Or are the volunteers not testing?

[Marshall Ellis]

JavaJoe:

Not sure if we need more or not, yet. We will keep you in mind if you want?

Thank you

Marshall

[NeverMan]

Marshall, this eerily sounds like a death letter or a "the natives are closing in and we must run and hide for a season, if you don't hear from me in awhile, keep the faith".

All in all, it is what it is, some will probably like it, others (probably myself included) will not. That's life. It would be nice if you (Matrix) could make some money off of this or at least break even.

[Marshall Ellis]

Neverman:

Not at all a death letter. I just don't like setting false expectations. When there is something valuable to report, I'll get it to you guys! I'll continue to code until the testers think we're ready. I don't have a clue when this will be. Ralegh has done a great job in soliciting opinions on options and features but there is no consensus or majority screaming for any one feature. There are many people that don't like the EiH additions but there are many that do as well! I'll let the testers/community be the end judge for these things.

Thank you

[JavaJoe]

ORIGINAL: Marshall Ellis

JavaJoe:

Not sure if we need more or not, yet. We will keep you in mind if you want?

Thank you

Marshall

I playtest boardgames, recently, Wellington GMT, (Kutusov to follow) am also the VP of Jersey association of gamers. If you need help for this or in the future send me an email Sillvesttree at Yahoo dot com. I think Matrix sent a copy of Lock and load to our club that we raffled off to a member who is doing a write up as we speak!

I'm counting the minutes for EiA!

[pzgndr]

FWIW, I'm more interested in solo play while I learn this game. I used to play AH War & Peace many moons ago but never got into EIA. What's important now is having a decent turn-based grand strategy Napoleonic computer game.

If the game itself is up and running and the AI is decent, why not consider releasing it for solo and hotseat play? There may be other game issues to resolve anyway while you continue to work on PBEM capability, and all that can be issued as a patch after release. Either way, I'll continue to wait patiently for this one to get released.

[Hanal]

Just to echo what pzgndr said....I never played TT EiA so I have no preconceived notions or hang ups about what should or should not be in the game...I too am simply looking foward to another Napoleonic title for solo play to complement* CoG....

*or is it compliment. I always screw up the spelling on this one...

[JavaJoe]

ORIGINAL: J P Falcon

Just to echo what pzgndr said....I never played TT EiA so I have no preconceived notions or hang ups about what should or should not be in the game...I too am simply looking foward to another Napoleonic title for solo play to complement* CoG....

*or is it compliment. I always screw up the spelling on this one...

EiA is the big brother of War and Peace. Suffice it to say the additions some of the posters here seem so passionate about really do make the game great, and its worth seeing them in the computer game.

I appreciate that the people doing it can interact with the people who are starving for it.

[NeverMan]

ORIGINAL: pzgndr

If the game itself is up and running and the AI is decent, why not consider releasing it for solo and hotseat play?

Possibly due to the wierdness of charging 60+ dollars for a multiplayer game that wouldn't be multiplayer. I understand what you are saying though, that if you are willing to pay for it now then why not? Might have to do with production costs. Honestly I don't know, and I would love to hear Marshall's opinion.

[Camile Desmoulins]

Marshall:

I think that many prefer that the things continue like they are, with a monthly update (although it is only to say "we are alive") better than to abandon the reports. I already know that the impatient ones[:-] (many were not at the beginning of the forum) tire and they sometimes irritate [:@] in useless discussions, but those that we are not it will wait what is necessary to have a good game. The last news, on the other hand, with the posts of Ralegh, are very good (for me, of course) [;)][;)][;)].
Personally I don't care if the game has left to finish 1, 2 or 6 months, but rather will be interesting. And I think that the project is it, without a doubt. [:)] [:D]

Thanks [&o] [&o] [&o]

Camille

[StCyr]

bad info

I'm not saying that I'm quitting but I am quitting giving you guys bad info

LOL !!!

yea, just as you we don´t want to know about reality, so please don´t bother us any longer with any facts. The only result would be that you might get some input about what is going wrong with your concept.

[siriain]

I'm very willing to be a playtestewr if this gets the job done

[Grand_Armee]

Why not sell us the game, and let all of us act as beta testers... It works for COG. EVen though I love COG, I'll gladly cough up the dough for EIA. A few hundred heads can find the glitches faster than 20 or so.

[JavaJoe]

ORIGINAL: Grand_Armee

Why not sell us the game, and let all of us act as beta testers... It works for COG. EVen though I love COG, I'll gladly cough up the dough for EIA. A few hundred heads can find the glitches faster than 20 or so.

I'm still waiting to play CoG. I can't get through 2 detailed battles in v 1.0 and can't even get 1.2.14 to load.

[RSP]

Not so sure about being an unofficial beta tester for software I buy. I make my money out of making Microsoft stuff work, so I get enough of that during the day[:(]
One question that I would raise though is that if we are all waiting around for PBEM testing. Well I guess some of us who have been lurking here a fair while (since Matrix first announced they were kicking this project off in my case) may have no use for PBEM. I don't get that much free time, and it is frequently interrupted by work projects which leave me living in hotels, for me it is me vs the computer or watching tv or reading manuals.
So is the PBEM testing an integral part of the functionality testing or is it something that could be patched?

Please Matrix save me from more Microsoft technical manuals.

Please

Pretty Please

Oh go on Pleeease[&o][&o][&o]

[sterckxe]

ORIGINAL: RSP
Not so sure about being an unofficial beta tester for software I buy. I make my money out of making Microsoft stuff work, so I get enough of that during the day[:(]

Well, professional coder by day, beta-tester at night is something I'm familiar with and which I find to be very enjoyable. It's rewarding "work" as well as you see the game progressing and you've helped it steer in the right direction.

There's no glory in getting corporate software to run, but in a couple of decades you can point to a game and say "granddad helped to make that one"

Greetz,

Eddy Sterckx

[marc420]

Hmmm, where I work the product manager takes the tester's imput, then makes the decisions. Letting the testers make the decisions would seem a lot like the putting the lunatics in charge of the asylum. But maybe that's just the people who beg to test something that isn't a game. [:D]

I'm another one who plays almost only solo play, if that makes a difference. And there's this very old and strange idea that something like PBEM could be added in a patch that people don't have to pay for.

Although, if the price really is $60, I probably wouldn't buy it anyways. But who knows, I've got relatives who are crazy enough to pay that much for a gift. [&:]

[NeverMan]

ORIGINAL: marc420

Hmmm, where I work the product manager takes the tester's imput, then makes the decisions. Letting the testers make the decisions would seem a lot like the putting the lunatics in charge of the asylum. But maybe that's just the people who beg to test something that isn't a game. [:D]

I'm another one who plays almost only solo play, if that makes a difference. And there's this very old and strange idea that something like PBEM could be added in a patch that people don't have to pay for.

Although, if the price really is $60, I probably wouldn't buy it anyways. But who knows, I've got relatives who are crazy enough to pay that much for a gift. [&:]

Ok, I am not saying you should buy this game, but think about all the things you spend $60 on and tell me a great game isn't worth it. A decent dinner with a nice drink for two easily goes over $60 bucks, and for what, entertainment for 1/2 hour?

As far as my entertainment budget goes, PC games are certainly high on the entertainment value per dollar!! That's a fact.

[Nordiska]

Funny that is how I also plan my purchases. I often find myself wondering should I buy this PC or boardgame? Oftening realizing that the cost of movie for 2 that last 2 hours? vs. number of hours of game play. If it seems like a good investment I purchase the game. Rationalization does wonders huh?[8D]