Matrix Games Forums

I've been asked why I didn't respond in this thread to answer the qurstion of why our game was better than TAOW. As a general rule I try to avoid making such assertions for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, I don't believe that it's the developers jobs to be making criticisms of other games in the same genre, and the closer the games are as competition, then the more reluctant I am. Critcism is the task of reviewers and customers and I see no shortage of opinions, even in this one thread. I see our job as making information about our games available and letting others make subjective judgements.

Secondly, I don't think that any pronouncements of ours could have much credibility. How could we not be biased and selective in our comparisons and critcisms? I'm more than happy to promote our games but starting flame wars with other developers, especially in a genre as small as ours, would be both unedifying and counter-productive.

I can still remember when an Australian electronics chain was selling crude Taiwanese knockoffs of Apple II computers. Their 'comparisons' were a masterpiece of the art which 'proved' that their cheap, not 100% compatible copy was 'better' than the real thing. I'm not even starting down that path.

TOAW is a fine game, and it's much better that someone buys a wargame than not. Our games are still there waiting, and there are plenty of opinions about our games, from people who've paid money for them, and from reviewers, on which people can make a judgement. I think that those opinions are overwhelmingly favourabvle, but then I would say that, wouldn't I? People can judge that for themselves as well. A lot of people play and enjoy both, and that's really the way I'd like it to be.

Thanks

Gregor

nevermind. [8|]

there are plenty of other places to get comparisons if you google around for a while
 
I agree with Gregor that someone closely associated with a game is possibly not the best choice for getting a critique or comparison of their game with other similar games.  ... a human nature thing it is
 
Get on the google or whatever searcher you use.  I think you'll find many answers to your questions.
 
... as for me, I've rejuvenated my BiN in preparation for the decision to buy BF or not.  Its a great game interface and a lot of good scenario's are going to come along for it from the dedicated wargamers that SSG has.  
 
... and, the dedicated following SSG has should give you a good feel for how fun these games are
 
hank

I remember TOAW fondly. I played it some when it was first released & I thought it was & remains a great game & a labor of love. I have been playing SSG's games also for a while. I played the heck out of TAO when it was first released & then played around some with KP. Now I have finally taken the plunge into BiI PBEM. I just purchased BiN also.

I must admit I have tended to play the field some. There was a time when I was really focused on the HPS series of Campaign games & did a lot of PBEM with them. I still play some HPS ACW Campaigns PBEM but I find the more I play BiI & BiN the more I get drawn in. The depth to these DBWW2 titles is amazing. The deeper I go the more is revealed. Easy to play & hard to master is correct. I was just playing BiN as the Allies in Overlord against the AI & it occured to me that it is one of the finest gaming experiences I have had.

My point: as a gamer I am fortunate to be living in a Golden Age of Computer Wargaming. DBWW2 is the pinnacle , imltho but I still admire & play other titles. There is room in my stable for plenty of thoroughbreds. I enjoy them all.

I have always looked at my purchasing of games as an investment in the genre. The developers are not making themselves rich because it is a niche genre & will probably always remain so. I have never had regret about a wargame purchase for the simple reason that it is an investment & there are always gains & losses or steps forward & steps back but the trend in game development is forever onward & upward. My investment helps this evolution. Look how far DBWW2 has come! Battlefront promises to be a home run knocked clean out of the ball park.

Every game has strengths & weaknesses. Goodness knows the HPS Campaigns engine is getting a bit long in the tooth without major revision but I still play. I complain but I play. I guess wargamers like to whine. Whining is good but let's keep the investment going.

Dale H

LOL.  Maybe that's why wargamers are called grognards (French army complainers).  I've certainly done my share.

After Gregor's explanation I can understand why he or a company rep didn't come online and explain.  Anyway, I bought toaw and just also got harpoon3.  A month ago I got tacops and I'll be ordering a harpoon coffee mug.  That's pretty much it for my gaming budget this year.  Especially if I want to stay married LOL. 

Next year I'll look at battlefront.  A major thing for me is how many scenarios for solo play will be available.  I tend to stay away from games that feature one battle or have only a few scenarios.

I loved those games, I had them all and some of them are still in the basement. I even have a bunch of the RUn 5 magazines

where i can play dos games?

Using the program 'dosbox', you can play dos games on your brand new shiny PC with Winblows or Linux (maybe even mac).

For those who are computer illiterate (or just bad at reading instructions) you can then use a 'front end' for dosbox, which makes it use very easy.

http://www.dosbox.com/wiki/DOSBoxFrontends