ANY Clue

[mbMike]

I would guess impatience plays a huge role in one's unhappiness.

[Ralph1961]

I have the solution to the "BIN Matrix" so called fiasco; underpromise and overdeliver. I realize that the folks at SSG and Matrix have done everything in their power to get a superior product to market but there was one HUGE mistake; NEVER push yourself with a timeline. If you think that you can deliver the goods by say Sept.17th then go ahead and sandbag a couple of weeks so that when you get the product to market early you are a hero.
Now for my price tirade. Does anyone remeber Avalon Hill? It seems that most wargamers are a bunch of tightwads. If you do not agree with the price of BIN or any other game you do not have to buy it but please keep your bitching to yourself. Everyone seems to have the " Wal-Mart" syndrome around here. Keep in mind that we are talking about a somewhat niche product. The guys at SSG have been working on the DBWW2 series for many years and even gave away TAO2 for FREE to show that they were indeed devoted to producing great games.
Lets all calm down and savor the moment and enjoy a great game with hopefully many more in the series to come. My guess for the teaser screenshot of the next game in the DBWW2 series is.......STALINGRAD.
Ralph Harper

[Larac]

Mark,

From looking at this as an outsider, I would say this is the issue.

Matrix has said it is going to a DownLoad Sales model, with the option of paper items being shipped.

So when the bell is rung that the program is Gold, in a DL Model it would appear for sale in a very short amount of time.

Most retail games go from Gold to Shelf in 7-12 days, as few as 5 in really in demand products.

This gave the PERCEPTION that the Matrix DL model would be faster.

Though as it has worked out it is not, and Matrix never said it woould be, but again PERCEPTION is more powerful than logic or truth. Our political system showes this quite well.

Dealing with Perception issues will always be harder to do than dealing with reality.

Good luck in the future,
Remember how Scotty in Star Trek gave repair times, (Est time needed *2) + 30% more.


Lee

[Bodhi]

Interesting point about perceptions. It's my perception that no "paper items" will be shipped at all, the manual will be an electronic PDF document in all versions and the shipping options are a) a CD of the download and b) a CD of the download in a box/case. If my perception is correct, anyone buying the "boxed" version and expecting a printed manual may be disappointed. I guess all will be clear when it's ready for purchase.[;)]

[Fred98]

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins

The game industry is more or less a 24/7 job, has always been so will not be different in the future. Even if you don´t actually sit in front of the screen it affects your daily live.

I am a game player - and I it affects me that way too !

[bostonrpgmania]

@ thehellpetrol

I am planning to buy one or two HPS games
I am thinking of one SB and one operational games
Can you please recommend two?
(I am now living in Canada. To avoid extra cost (tarif etc) I am planning to buy through military hobbies
They have 39 selections of HPS games. If you could recommend two out of this that would be highly appreciated
I have played Korun Pocket, HTTR, Rising Sun, CM and CMBB for your information
Thank you in advance

[JSS]

ORIGINAL: bostonrpgmania

...I am thinking of one SB and one operational games
Can you please recommend two?

My recommendation to you is wait a few more hours [:D] (days?[:@]) and get BIN.

For operational wargames BIN is as good as it gets. The game is AWESOME and flawless.

...I'll repeat the offer I made on Run5 in these forums: I've got a case of GOOD beer for the first person to find a bug I've missed. They just don't exist[:D]

JSS

[scout1]

Marc,

I've followed this BIN thread and it reads remarkedy similar to a Witp thread I started awhile ago about when the latest version would be available for dd instead of the original and 2 patches. I guess the bottomline as I can see is a total disconnect between the supplier (you) and and the customer (us) as to what level of activity is involved going from
"Going Gold" to "Going dd".

An outsider perception would be that the business/contract is in place between Matrix and DR prior to you guys ready to provide product. So the very simplistic viewpoint is that
SSG sends you guys the files/CD and you shoot it over to DR. Now it's up to DR to
have everything ready to mash the go button. Now this is the simplistic view, which is more often than not, wrong.

Just what are the basic steps that Matrix needs to perform from "going gold" to "going dd" ? Apparently, there is significantly more involved than meets the eye.

[mendipbus]

Hopefully this should be for DD tonight approx 10pm GMT, which would be cool as I can play tommorow morning.

["Joss" Osborne]

ORIGINAL: Marc Schwanebeck
Just so you know, Steve Ford and me finished the boxart like 6 - 8 weeks ago.

I really fail to see where we have been unhonest or were some customers get the impression from the we dont´t have "our stuff together". I´m almost feeling like Gabe Newell after this thread [;)]

Marc,

No, you and Matrix and SSG have not been dishonest. I think the parties involved have done a fabulous job in communicating what was going to happen and when it was going to happen.

The problem is we don't like to hear bad news [:)] especially so close to release.

That said, I would point out that this is poor project management. If I were to delay a software release where I work because we were going to add a new method of deployment at the eleventh hour or a method of deployment that was planned for really wasn't tested and ready I'd be out of a job (after the guy who caused the delay). This new method of delivery should have been setup and tested before any announcement to the public of release. I agree with you and Erik that there are things within a release week that you might encounter that come out of the blue - that's why you have the weeks time window. This window is not for "new stuff".

Within any company there are strong suits and weaknesses. It's inevitable and natural. I happen to think the artwork that Matrix produces and the manuals they compile are top rate. The wargames you produce second to none. Definitely strong points. Project management, however, is definitely a weakpoint. Hopefully, Matrix will review their project management procedures and take a lesson from what's happened here.

You guys do too great a job in all other areas to let this problem become this evident, and impact your business.


Now, where the heck is BiN! I've got my plastic all warmed up! [:D]



Go Bin!

[Scotbot]

I think it's great that Matrix and DR have decided to hold up the release of the game until today, my birthday! Thanks guys, this is the coolest birthday ever...but how did you know? I don't remember calling you guys up to remind you like I did everyone else.

Now, the only question is, do I stay in tonight to play BiN or go out with the boys to have some celebratory beers? (and not that crap JSS drinks, REAL beers [:D] )

[Erik Rutins]

Joe,

ORIGINAL: "Joss" Osborne
Within any company there are strong suits and weaknesses. It's inevitable and natural. I happen to think the artwork that Matrix produces and the manuals they compile are top rate. The wargames you produce second to none. Definitely strong points. Project management, however, is definitely a weakpoint. Hopefully, Matrix will review their project management procedures and take a lesson from what's happened here.

You guys do too great a job in all other areas to let this problem become this evident, and impact your business.

Now, where the heck is BiN! I've got my plastic all warmed up! [:D]

Go Bin!

Well, I agree with you in general - we just added an additional project coordinator for the same reason. However, in the case of DR, I'm sure you understand that project management when dealing with outside companies has its own unique challenges. This was not supposed to run into the BiN release originally and the delays have not been on our end, but we are still looking pretty good for today and I hope it turns out as well as we expect.

Regards,

- Erik

[dosmil78]

I never thought you guys were being dishonest, just inefficient or misunderstood as the result of some kind of miscommunication. I do appreciate your responses to the complaints and think you guys do deserve a pat on the back or a high-five or something. Maybe a beer.

Anyways, I think a lot of us are tired of waiting. I for one realize that I am being a bit impatient. But when you go through all the news, forums, and etc. surrounding BiN since Q1, it can seem a bit disheartening and disappointing. I'm sure you guys are doing everything you can. Thanks.(as long as it is released today[:'(])

[TheHellPatrol]

ORIGINAL: bostonrpgmania

@ thehellpetrol

I am planning to buy one or two HPS games
I am thinking of one SB and one operational games
Can you please recommend two?
(I am now living in Canada. To avoid extra cost (tarif etc) I am planning to buy through military hobbies
They have 39 selections of HPS games. If you could recommend two out of this that would be highly appreciated
I have played Korun Pocket, HTTR, Rising Sun, CM and CMBB for your information
Thank you in advance

Sure, 1st choice: Market Garden 2nd: Bulge '44 or Tobruk '41
[:)]

[ggallagher]

Good to see that you and Marc are maintaining your composure in the face of all us disgruntled, impatient grogs. Always a trade-off between trying to maintain the balance between "time to market" (e.g., get whatever you can out as quickly as possible and address the other issues in the timeframes following) versus "time to volume or quality" by making sure all elements are in place for a successful product launch before the trigger is pulled.

The former approach can please the most customers in the quickest time, but could lead to bad customer experiences for the minority at the outset (and/or bad word of mouth and trade reviews), while the latter approach - at least IMHO - provides for the best long term results in terms of the quality of the experience and overall customer sat, at the expense of some disgruntled folks who want it ASAP for them and damn all the rest....

Grew up as a product manager doing formal phase/gate reviews for product launch....now running a US trading comapny for a Japanese manufacturer where my product marketers believe that as soon as it's off the loading dock, it's ready to launch ("What do you mean we should have manuals, marketing materials, software drivers, etc. in place before we release? I need sales now!)......

Bottom line is, there's never one, absolute truth when it comes to such matters. (Or in popular slang: "Damned if you do, damned if you don't!")

[benpark]

BWAAHHH, MONKEY WANT GAME!! MONKEY WANT!!!

(Freaks out, smashes everything in room, then busts through wall-leaving monkey shaped hole)

[ggallagher]

ROFLMAO....

So what part of Brooklyn you from?....Grew up in Flatbush, near the Parade Grounds

[benpark]

Williamsburg. Highest per capita ratio of friggin' ice cream trucks with loudspeakers on terra firma. I hear "Beautiful Dreamer" all day long.

[ggallagher]

Brings back memories....Bungalow Bar, Carvel and Good Humor trucks......

[Cliffor1]

It's here!!!! And I'm downloading it.... 46% and counting......