Matrix Games Forums

ORIGINAL: sztartur

Can you tell us about the ETA of the final version of the update. Shall I re-implement the 10 person squads or shall I wait for the final version first?

Can you tell a bit more about the contents of the update?

Any chance of bigger maps or destructible buildings?

I think the final patch is probably at least 3 weeks out yet. I don't expect additional changes to the Infantry squads within that time frame, but I can't say it won't happen. If you wanted to work on the German Infantry, they should be reasonably final.

The only changes we expect between this beta and the final are possibly some addtional refinement of the rout/retreat behavior, and some refinement of the LOD levels to try and improve performance.

I don't expect to see destructible buildings until the next major game release in the series.

I don't expect larger map capabilities to come in a patch.

The above are just my opinion of course.

Thanks
rick

Will the game run faster on XP platforms?  Presently I just run the game on a Win7 laptop (which is not my property).

Any news with this? Almost two weeks have passed.

I would also like to see a roadmap on the long run. This game has some very good aspects on one hand but it is incomplete yet from others.

It would be interesting If any hint would be given bout.
1. when the next official patch will come.
2. when do you plan the next major release and what do you plan to include it in. (bigger maps, destructible terrain& buildings, more infantry commands) Is some of this will not be included that is also an information. Even CMX1 knew 3kmX3km maps and even bigger maps for operations and destructible terrain I miss those very much...

Knowing what to plan for would help focusing our involvement in the game.

I agree. I'm not impatient and realize the huge amount of work involved, but a bit of information would lighten the waiting. 

ORIGINAL: Jacko

I agree. I'm not impatient and realize the huge amount of work involved, but a bit of information would lighten the waiting. 

Same here.

ORIGINAL: sztartur

ORIGINAL: Jacko

I agree. I'm not impatient and realize the huge amount of work involved, but a bit of information would lighten the waiting. 

Same here.

Artur
Bye chance did you use to design Steel Panthers scenarios back in the day ??

Regards
7thcav

ORIGINAL: 7thcav

...

Artur
Bye chance did you use to design Steel Panthers scenarios back in the day ??

Regards
7thcav

By chance yes.

I was a member of Das Reich campaign team for SPWAW and made the huge scenarios about the battle of Prokhorovka and the opening of zitadelle.

I was (and I am if needed) a member of beta testers for SPMBT and SPWW2 and I have my scenarios and my campaign included in SPMBT.

ORIGINAL: sztartur

ORIGINAL: 7thcav

...

Artur
Bye chance did you use to design Steel Panthers scenarios back in the day ??

Regards
7thcav

By chance yes.

I was a member of Das Reich campaign team for SPWAW and made the huge scenarios about the battle of Prokhorovka and the opening of zitadelle.

I was (and I am if needed) a member of beta testers for SPMBT and SPWW2 and I have my scenarios and my campaign included in SPMBT.

Thought so, I was a member of the Das Reich test team and tested for you with your SPMBT campaign....years ago. Good to see that your still active !!!!

Well I you want you can test my scenarios now [:)]. Unfortunately I am not so active as I was those days. Much lesser time much more demanding job(until I still have it). 

It is nice to see old friends (comrades) reconnecting.[:)]

ORIGINAL: 7thcav

The forums may appear dead but I check a couple of times a day for patch updates and there is always somebody here just nobody is posting. Any performance gains will be a huge help towards getting things moving again.I wish the coders luck on what has to be a frustrating task. Ironically one thing I have noticed is that the solution to many of the complaints I have heard from others in conversation about PCO could be easily resolved by reading the manual !!!

Same here, I wasn't posting because I thought the forum was dead.

Catch 22 lol!

There is a huge thread on gamesquad.com's combat mission forum on PCO btw. (Active)

With all respect for forum discussions, but I think it is rather pointless in this case. CMBN is a superb game. But so is PCO. For me the atmosphere of a game decides whether it is a winner or not. AI must be solide of course, graphics are important, but a wargame must feel right. And both games feel right for me. CMBN is more of a polished, finished game. PCO still is a rough diamond, but if enough time and energy is invested it can be become an absolute classic. Let's never forget how the CM-series began. CMBO looked horrible and the AI was revolutionary for it's time, but definitely had it's flaws too. What PCO most of all needs is better graphics for the vehicles and a smoother performance. When that can be realized the followers for this game will stream in, mods will appear and it's fame will spread. As soon as the performance problem is solved bigger maps and more units should be made possible and than it is up to the wargamers of this forum to make this game immortal with superb maps, great mods and breathtaking battles. I'm convinced this game hasn't even started to show what it can do. Hang around everyone and you will never leave this game again. 

ORIGINAL: Jacko

For me the atmosphere of a game decides whether it is a winner or not. AI must be solide of course, graphics are important, but a wargame must feel right.

PCO still is a rough diamond, but if enough time and energy is invested it can be become an absolute classic. Let's never forget how the CM-series began. CMBO looked horrible and the AI was revolutionary for it's time, but definitely had it's flaws too. What PCO most of all needs is better graphics for the vehicles and a smoother performance. When that can be realized the followers for this game will stream in, mods will appear and it's fame will spread. As soon as the performance problem is solved bigger maps and more units should be made possible and than it is up to the wargamers of this forum to make this game immortal with superb maps, great mods and breathtaking battles. I'm convinced this game hasn't even started to show what it can do. Hang around everyone and you will never leave this game again. 

+1

Good Hunting.

MR

ORIGINAL: Jacko
What PCO most of all needs is better graphics for the vehicles and a smoother performance.

This is also my thoughts!

Personally I think those models that have been updated for PCO have been nicely done.One has to remember that this is not a shinny new game engine and the budget in terms of geometry ( not talking money or time here ) for a model is probably considerably tighter then CMBNs.

PCOs models may not look as good as CMBNs but its my opinion that in the things that really count as in the armor penetration and damage modeling for instance PCO is the better title.

ORIGINAL: sztartur

Well I you want you can test my scenarios now [:)]. Unfortunately I am not so active as I was those days. Much lesser time much more demanding job(until I still have it). 

Your scenarios have always been amongst the best....I would be happy to test for you again.

Regards
7thcav

ORIGINAL: Jacko
... For me the atmosphere of a game decides whether it is a winner or not. AI must be solide of course, graphics are important, but a wargame must feel right.

I could not have defined my preferences better myself.

ORIGINAL: Jacko
PCO still is a rough diamond, but if enough time and energy is invested it can be become an absolute classic.  

Absolutely agreed.

Definitely this game is not complete. which is not a tragic problem if one could see a clear plan how and when does Matrix want to solve the:
1. Infantry model
2. Destructible terrain and Buildings
3. Bigger maps

What I see as a real problem is that Matrix is communicating very poor way. I have begged for information more than a day ago and me together with other people interested have not any answer yet. Even a timely communication about delays make better credit then no information at all.

I have red many rumors about PCO like having serious problems with coding, developers leaving and the game being dead as whole. If Matrix does not give information it will backfire. The game is already neglected in the gaming clubs. at least those few faithful should be informed properly IMHO.

Sorry for this but I believe it was time to write it. I would happily support PCO with my skills and limited time but I need to see a clear future If I invest my scarce gaming time into something.

Yours Respectfully,
Artur.

ORIGINAL: 7thcav

Personally I think those models that have been updated for PCO have been nicely done.One has to remember that this is not a shinny new game engine and the budget in terms of geometry ( not talking money or time here ) for a model is probably considerably tighter then CMBNs.

PCOs models may not look as good as CMBNs but its my opinion that in the things that really count as in the armor penetration and damage modeling for instance PCO is the better title.

I really do not expect CMBN quality. Of course not. But graphics are very important and a large part of the vehicles is at the moment simply not good enough. Don't forget this is also a very important factor in attracting new gamers to this game. Some vehicles in PCO are beauties, others are beasts, as I have said before. Sure, armor penetration, damage modeling, AI etc. is very important, but graphics are the visit cards of a game.

And as much as I like PCO, it is NOT the better title compared to CMBN. CMBN is a new game and very well researched and developed. PCO must try to reach the level of CMBN, or get as close as possible. Now there's a challenge.

ORIGINAL: Jacko

ORIGINAL: 7thcav

Personally I think those models that have been updated for PCO have been nicely done.One has to remember that this is not a shinny new game engine and the budget in terms of geometry ( not talking money or time here ) for a model is probably considerably tighter then CMBNs.

PCOs models may not look as good as CMBNs but its my opinion that in the things that really count as in the armor penetration and damage modeling for instance PCO is the better title.

I really do not expect CMBN quality. Of course not. But graphics are very important and a large part of the vehicles is at the moment simply not good enough. Don't forget this is also a very important factor in attracting new gamers to this game. Some vehicles in PCO are beauties, others are beasts, as I have said before. Sure, armor penetration, damage modeling, AI etc. is very important, but graphics are the visit cards of a game.

And as much as I like PCO, it is NOT the better title compared to CMBN. CMBN is a new game and very well researched and developed. PCO must try to reach the level of CMBN, or get as close as possible. Now there's a challenge.

As far as the armor penetration and damage modeling is concerned thats your opinion and your entitled to it. However I don't view your opinion as the only valid one and the fact that you don't agree doesn't confront me even slightly.. I too have both titles and like you have been comparing them for some months now and find things to be very much the opposite in that area.

However I do agree that graphics and other things such as the infantry modeling will have to improve for the next version of Panzer Command to be competitive. The bulk of my comments refer to the threads title "The Near Future" which to me refers to what they are able to accomplish with the exsisting game engine and the restrictions that come with it.