Patch?

[Matto]

I have Czech community playing it too ... actually 7 players ...

[pzgndr]

There is a little problem with the 4 way games; it seems that in each case 2 of the 4 ai nations (regardless of major or minor) seem to be brain dead. As 4 way games are easier to set up and generally faster to play, it sure would be nice if this situation could be improved a bit.

This is also a discussion point on the Empires in Arms forum. For most all games there seems to be a minority hardcore cadre of PBEMers who don't care about AI development. But for these multiplayer games, trying to coordinate 7 or 8 players is difficult. Many players would be happy to have smaller playgroups with challenging AI providing computer opponents. AI is not just for solo gamers; it is also in the interest of PBEMers to support AI improvements and enhancements so 4-way and other games can be enjoyed by those who want that. [:)]

[Pistachio]

[:(]FWIW I'm not buying any more Matrix games. At least not until this one is fixed. I know I'll offend here - and I'm sorry about that, because I also know the Western Civ and Matrix people do have lots to do and generally do it well and with courtesy and professionalism - but my experience with COGEE is that single player, in its current condition, is a half-assed piece of unmitigated crap. Only "B-17 Mighty Eighth" was a bigger waste. COGEE crashes to desktop, AI players don't seem to recognize surrender terms (e.g., territories don't get ceded), you can't liberate territories by treaty, treaties and alliances conflict and don't work and you end up with great relations with a country you're in a total war with. It's sorrier than a half-painted house. I honestly think the game just tries to do too damn much. "Features" are NOT the way to go until the basic "If...then" is sorted out. There are so many determinates and conditions that I think after awhile it just gives up.

Speaking of which. Maybe I'll check for an update in a year. Or not.

[Gil R.]

ORIGINAL: Pistachio

[:(]FWIW I'm not buying any more Matrix games. At least not until this one is fixed. I know I'll offend here - and I'm sorry about that, because I also know the Western Civ and Matrix people do have lots to do and generally do it well and with courtesy and professionalism - but my experience with COGEE is that single player, in its current condition, is a half-assed piece of unmitigated crap. Only "B-17 Mighty Eighth" was a bigger waste. COGEE crashes to desktop, AI players don't seem to recognize surrender terms (e.g., territories don't get ceded), you can't liberate territories by treaty, treaties and alliances conflict and don't work and you end up with great relations with a country you're in a total war with. It's sorrier than a half-painted house. I honestly think the game just tries to do too damn much. "Features" are NOT the way to go until the basic "If...then" is sorted out. There are so many determinates and conditions that I think after awhile it just gives up.

Speaking of which. Maybe I'll check for an update in a year. Or not.

Pistachio,
If you're out there, just to be clear, is your statement that the game "crashes to desktop" a reference to the relatively minor issue discussed by you and others in this thread? tm.asp?m=2344047 That's not exactly the same thing as a crash in my book, since it only happens to some player when they deliberately exit the game. It's a hard landing, but not a crash mid-game. Obviously, we'd like to get rid of it -- and would have already if we knew the cause -- but it's not keeping anyone from playing. (I assume this is what you were referring to, since no one has reported a crash in ages.)

[kosmoface]

Any news on that? I am on the verge of buying COG:EE, but if there's no support anymore I won't.

Sorry, I know small publishers have a hard time and need every penny, but I won't shell out money for games with bugs (ok miinor ones maybe) and what Pistachio claims is not very encouraging. Furthermore: there is no Demo, so I can't judge myself.

So my question is: Any estimates when you can release a Patch? Any information would be very welcome.

your potential customer

[Gil R.]

ORIGINAL: kosmoface

Any news on that? I am on the verge of buying COG:EE, but if there's no support anymore I won't.

Sorry, I know small publishers have a hard time and need every penny, but I won't shell out money for games with bugs (ok miinor ones maybe) and what Pistachio claims is not very encouraging. Furthermore: there is no Demo, so I can't judge myself.

So my question is: Any estimates when you can release a Patch? Any information would be very welcome.

your potential customer

We still cannot promise a date for the next patch, but we do plan one.

I certainly understand where you're coming from. I guess I'd advise that you consider what aspects of the game appeal to you most and then determine whether the reported bugs -- most of which are minor, as you recognize -- would impact you or not. For example, if you are especially interested in detailed land and naval combat, I believe you wouldn't find bugs as much of an issue.

[kosmoface]

Well... I love detailed combat. [:)]

I bought it yesterday (my first Matrixgame) and I hope I can support the development of the next patch a little bit with it. j/k

We still cannot promise a date for the next patch, but we do plan one.

That's good to hear and I count on that. Thanks for the reply. [:)]

[Gil R.]

That's great. Glad you took the plunge.

Not to minimize the reported bugs in any way, but I should note that 1) the game itself is stable (i.e., these bugs don't cause crashes), and 2) a significant number are obscure enough that you will not regularly encounter them. So it is my hope that you will not find it to be a buggy product, despite the discovery of some bugs post-release.

[kosmoface]

Well, I mean, I don't mind minor bugs and as long as it doesn't crash constantly I'm quite the happy camper. I have to see for myself. [:)]

[Marshal Villars]

Kosmoface... I am working feverishly to compile a good list of reported "bugs" for analysis -- as well as a few "rules" issues. This list is growing and Eric and I have already begun discussions. In fact, many of the fixes are already in place in the code, but will have to wait until it is tested and goes out to the public.

[kosmoface]

Hey Marshal - that sounds absolutely great.