Version 8.403 still available?

[Steve V]

Hi, I'm actually just downloading the full game now and having browsed around a few boards here I realise that version 8.403 is the latest patched release, the problem is I can't see a link for it anywhere. The latest version on the downloads page is 8.30. Can someone tell me where I can get the latest patch?

Many Thanks

[Steve V]

Ah, It's ok, I got them all from the Wargamer site...

[vahauser]

Steve V,
 
Version 8.403 is not the latest version of SPWAW.
 
The latest standard official Matrix version of SPWAW is version 8.40.
 
The latest unofficial 'standard' version of SPWAW is Enhanced DVRN.
 
Version 8.403 is a pretty old version and is the ancestor of Enhanced DVRN.

[Alby]

8.403 IS the latest version Vahauser...
Mike Wood (lead programmer for SPWAW)  released 8.4 and 8.403,  with Matrix approval...so I would call them both "official"
8.4 had a serious flaw in it, hence 8.403 was released shortly thereafter, along with an upgraded OOB editor. so actually 8.4 is "older" than 8.403.

why they called 8.403 a "beta" I do not know..perhaps thats why Vahauser says 8.4 is most recent "official" release??

Enhanced Dv and DVRN use a modified 8.403 Mech.exe.

Links to 8.4 and 8.403 are here...
http://www.fprado.com/armorsite/sp_waw.htm

For more Info on Enhanced go here.
http://enhanced.netboardz.com/

[vahauser]

Alby,
 
Agreed.  I should have been more precise in my wording.  And you are correct.  The 'beta' aspect of 8.403 does create a gray area.
 
But since I use Enhanced DVRN, it's not a real issue for me.

[KG Erwin]

Vahauser, I think that Michael Wood at one time was considering upgrading the mech.exe further, but the enhanced team took the bull by the horns and did it themselves.

For this reason, I think Michael is pretty much done with it. Now, I gotta be careful here, as I think the enhanced mech.exe, which in truth is a hacked version, should be considered the definitive version. It's the one I use.

In other words, I fully believe that Matrix is leaving the game's legacy in the hands of the fans, with certain provisos implied.

Lots of gray areas here. The game code is NOT in the public domain. Matrix still owns it. I'll leave it at that.

[Kuokkanen]

ORIGINAL: KG Erwin

In other words, I fully believe that Matrix is leaving the game's legacy in the hands of the fans, with certain provisos implied.

I thought Matrix guys (before Matrix Games was even founded) got code for SPWAW from SSI some way like that

Lots of gray areas here. The game code is NOT in the public domain. Matrix still owns it.

Yeah... maybe Matrix could pass legal rights for code same way as they got it from SSI [:)]

[FlashfyreSP]

ORIGINAL: Matti Kuokkanen

ORIGINAL: KG Erwin

In other words, I fully believe that Matrix is leaving the game's legacy in the hands of the fans, with certain provisos implied.

I thought Matrix guys (before Matrix Games was even founded) got code for SPWAW from SSI some way like that

Lots of gray areas here. The game code is NOT in the public domain. Matrix still owns it.

Yeah... maybe Matrix could pass legal rights for code same way as they got it from SSI [:)]

Matrix Games only has the distribution rights to the Steel Panthers III game code, which they turned into SPWAW. They do NOT own the actual game code; their rights are restricted (IIRC) to free distribution. Further, they are not allowed to release the actual code to the public, because UbiSoft actually owns the copyright to the Steel Panthers III game code, which they acquired when they bought up the remnants of the SSI organization.

[Wild Bill]

Having said all that, do get version 8.403 and install it. Then install another copy of SPWAW (if you have the space) and try the enhanced version. See which is better for you and go with it.

Enjoy!

Wild Bill

[Kuokkanen]

ORIGINAL: FlashfyreSP

Further, they are not allowed to release the actual code to the public, because UbiSoft actually owns the copyright to the Steel Panthers III game code, which they acquired when they bought up the remnants of the SSI organization.

Argh! I meant code of SPWAW, not SP3 [:-]

Unless there are still bits and pieces of SP3 left (very likely) and I have no idea what that would be in language of lawyers...

[Alby]

ORIGINAL: Matti Kuokkanen

ORIGINAL: FlashfyreSP

Further, they are not allowed to release the actual code to the public, because UbiSoft actually owns the copyright to the Steel Panthers III game code, which they acquired when they bought up the remnants of the SSI organization.

Argh! I meant code of SPWAW, not SP3 [:-]

Unless there are still bits and pieces of SP3 left (very likely) and I have no idea what that would be in language of lawyers...

SPWAW used the SPIII code...

[Alby]

ORIGINAL: KG Erwin

Vahauser, I think that Michael Wood at one time was considering upgrading the mech.exe further, but the enhanced team took the bull by the horns and did it themselves.

For this reason, I think Michael is pretty much done with it. Now, I gotta be careful here, as I think the enhanced mech.exe, which in truth is a hacked version, should be considered the definitive version. It's the one I use.

In other words, I fully believe that Matrix is leaving the game's legacy in the hands of the fans, with certain provisos implied.

Lots of gray areas here. The game code is NOT in the public domain. Matrix still owns it. I'll leave it at that.

Gunny we did not "upgrade the Mech" as you say
We used the program made by thedeserat, which was approved by Matrix and Mike BTW, to rework the National Ratings for improved gameplay for soem of the minor nations.
we did not do anything "code wise" per say. and we would not know how anyway...[:D]

[FlashfyreSP]

ORIGINAL: Matti Kuokkanen

ORIGINAL: FlashfyreSP

Further, they are not allowed to release the actual code to the public, because UbiSoft actually owns the copyright to the Steel Panthers III game code, which they acquired when they bought up the remnants of the SSI organization.

Argh! I meant code of SPWAW, not SP3 [:-]

Unless there are still bits and pieces of SP3 left (very likely) and I have no idea what that would be in language of lawyers...

Matti, the SPWAW game is based on the SP III game code, so more than "bits and pieces" of it are left inside it. And because the SPWAW code is built from the SP III code, it cannot be released without UbiSoft's permission.

And Wild Bill is right...the original game was released in 1994.

[vahauser]

FlashFyre,

Don't tell Bernie that.  He's totally convinced that the game was released in 1985 and that he was somehow involved with that release.

EDIT: And to be absolutely correct, the date on the original SSI Steel Panthers CD is August 1995. However, the game might have been finished in 1994 as Wild Bill says and officially released for public consumption in 1995.

[Kuokkanen]

ORIGINAL: FlashfyreSP

Matti, the SPWAW game is based on the SP III game code, so more than "bits and pieces" of it are left inside it. And because the SPWAW code is built from the SP III code, it cannot be released without UbiSoft's permission.

So SSI had right to give code of SP3 to another party, however this party (who exactly?) doesn't have right to pass it to another?

[FlashfyreSP]

ORIGINAL: Matti Kuokkanen

ORIGINAL: FlashfyreSP

Matti, the SPWAW game is based on the SP III game code, so more than "bits and pieces" of it are left inside it. And because the SPWAW code is built from the SP III code, it cannot be released without UbiSoft's permission.

So SSI had right to give code of SP3 to another party, however this party (who exactly?) doesn't have right to pass it to another?

I am not privy to how Matrix got their rights to modify and release the SP III code as SPWAW; I do know that the assets of the SSI company were acquired by the UbiSoft Copany, and they are the only ones who can decide what happens to the code. From some things I have heard, it sounds like Matrix may have gotten their access from the SSI remnants, which the were acquired by UbiSoft. So Matrix's agreement with SSI is binding on UbiSoft, but UbiSoft actually owns the code. And if they refuse to release it to anyone, that's their business.

Why is this such an obsession with you, Matti? There is a legal "Gordian Knot" surrounding all of this, and most of us only know the "outer layer".

[Kuokkanen]

ORIGINAL: FlashfyreSP

Why is this such an obsession with you, Matti? There is a legal "Gordian Knot" surrounding all of this, and most of us only know the "outer layer".

Becouse I want to know at least that "outer layer" too. And possible future of SPWAW