This is getting a bit old

[Jutland13]

Count me as those greatly anticipating this release, but questioning when/ if it will ever happen and how it is happening. I am a project manager. We as the players/buyers are the user groups. we have had our input. It is the role of the project manager to be providing details on design and timelines. We all know things change, but keeping us all in the dark and uninformed as to the progress is a bit tiring and frustrating.
Why can we not get info on the progress of this project, milestones as they ocurr. We do not have to get the final date, but the progression towards that date would helpful.
This was originally to be an early Summer release, we are now late Fall/early Winter.
I agree like many, getting it right is essential, but what does that mean and where are we on that path?
I understand Matrix does not want to set false deadlines and wants a great product. The wargamming industry is a relatively small one and keeping consumer buy-in is critical, so instead of the old secretive method, why not be a bit more transparent. The hits on the site are decreasing and as much as I loved WITP, I find myself moving on, due to project run-on, with no discernible or defined end in site.
I think the users deserve a bit more than what we are getting. I do appreciate all the ffort going into this, but the failure to communicate is one of the biggest issues in all projects and it seems we are getting to that point.

[Tactics]

That Jwilkenson guy seems to talk a lot about what is going on.
 
I'm not as close to the development to AE as others. I bought witp in 2004 and then sat on it for a year. That said I'm probably less sensitive to the delays, but again, that Jwilkenson kid does seem to post a lot; and, considering there is an AAR for AE, questioning if it will ever be released might be a bit overboard.
 
I can understand your pain, but I don't feel it in this particular situation. I know that doesnt hellp, but maybe your post will start a firestorm of updates.

[Sardaukar]

You should also remember that AE team is doing the project IN ADDITION to their day jobs, AFAIK.

[Yamato hugger]

ORIGINAL: Sardaukar

You should also remember that AE team is doing the project IN ADDITION to their day jobs, AFAIK.

Well, personally I work nights [:'(]

[cantona2]

ORIGINAL: Sardaukar

You should also remember that AE team is doing the project IN ADDITION to their day jobs, AFAIK.

Exactly.

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Yamato hugger

ORIGINAL: Sardaukar

You should also remember that AE team is doing the project IN ADDITION to their day jobs, AFAIK.

Well, personally I work nights [:'(]

Well, heck, then get back to work! We're waiting on you! [:'(]

[Don Bowen]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: Yamato hugger

ORIGINAL: Sardaukar

You should also remember that AE team is doing the project IN ADDITION to their day jobs, AFAIK.

Well, personally I work nights [:'(]

Well, heck, then get back to work! We're waiting on you! [:'(]

Hum, those sheep seem to be making sure they keep you in front of them.

[Nikademus]

we know nothin......NOTHIN!

[:)]

[witpqs]

ORIGINAL: Don Bowen

Hum, those sheep seem to be making sure they keep you in front of them.

Oh, hi Don. Geez I didn't see you there. [&:]

[Don Bowen]

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: Don Bowen

Hum, those sheep seem to be making sure they keep you in front of them.

Oh, hi Don. Geez I didn't see you there. [&:]

Now where'd you get a picture of my mother in law??

[Lecivius]

ORIGINAL: Don Bowen

ORIGINAL: witpqs

ORIGINAL: Don Bowen

Hum, those sheep seem to be making sure they keep you in front of them.

Oh, hi Don. Geez I didn't see you there. [&:]

Now where'd you get a picture of my mother in law??

Your Mother In Law? Looks a heck of a lot like my wife if I skip the Honey du's & play a turn or so of WITP. Perhaps we have a common ancestor [:D]

[terje439]

Hmm you are upset because it was supposed to be out in the summer and it is now winter...
I opened an account at ADG in -96 to buy the computer version of WiF [:D]

I'd rather see a game delayed and be done right than see it released way to early (Age of Conan anyone?).

[aciddrinker]

o well if most of us waiting so long, i just thinking that we can wait bit more.

AoC = good marketing + force alpha testers to paying for game.

[kaleun]

I insist, it will be released on Dec 7; exactly one year after it was announced IIRC.

[Gem35]

Ok, AE will be released tomorrow because if folks whine enough it will magically appear.
Reminds me of my little kids, they wanted to get a toy because ALL of their friends had that toy.
Jump up and down cry and throw a tantrum and guess what, still no toy!
Now go to your room and don't come out until you are done crying.

[jwilkerson]

ORIGINAL: Jutland13
I think the users deserve a bit more than what we are getting. I do appreciate all the ffort going into this, but the failure to communicate is one of the biggest issues in all projects and it seems we are getting to that point.

Even when from our perspective - we've been typing until our fingers are bleedin' - people want more! [:D]

To be brief and get you reading faster - I'll present the links to a few of the more interesting "communications" that we're tried to do lately:

The land AAR from Andy:
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=1933265#

The Air AAR from Ian:
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=1910523

And last but not least - the "hold up" (for those that have been reading) has been that in June, we decided we had to re-write the AI processor, that has cost us several months - but we think it will be worth it. Here is the most detailed discussion of same:
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=1877107

[Gem35]

ORIGINAL: jwilkerson

ORIGINAL: Jutland13
I think the users deserve a bit more than what we are getting. I do appreciate all the ffort going into this, but the failure to communicate is one of the biggest issues in all projects and it seems we are getting to that point.

Even when from our perspective - we've been typing until our fingers are bleedin' - people want more! [:D]

To be brief and get you reading faster - I'll present the links to a few of the more interesting "communications" that we're tried to do lately:

The land AAR from Andy:
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=1933265#

The Air AAR from Ian:
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=1910523

And last but not least - the "hold up" (for those that have been reading) has been that in June, we decided we had to re-write the AI processor, that has cost us several months - but we think it will be worth it. Here is the most detailed discussion of same:
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=1877107

Thanks kid.[;)]

[Grotius]

Stardock Games, publisher of Galactic Civilizations II and other strategy games, routinely offers buyers the option to purchase a beta of the game and the right to upgrade to the release version for free. It gets them revenue during the beta-test, and it gives them far more testers, so they catch more bugs and AI problems than they would with fewer testers. GalCiv II has a very impressive AI -- I've never beaten it on the "normal" difficulty level. The AI went through countless iterations based on player feedback during the paid beta. And buyer complaints about bugs were muted -- it was, after all, a beta. I beta-tested GalCiv II and a couple of its expansions this way, and I thought it was great. The AI improved noticeably.

The downside of this approach is that it means letting go of secrecy. Admittedly, that can be risky. The public sees the game early, before it's released. If the game is real buggy or the AI is bad, bad buzz may grow, and the game may not sell. Stardock took this risk and reaped great rewards; its games have sold very well. (Stardock also has novel approaches to copy protection, incidentally; these are even riskier but seem to have paid off very well for it.)

I have no idea whether Stardock's model makes sense for a wargame company, which serves a much smaller market. Maybe the risk is higher in the wargame sector. And in fairness, I don't know of any other game company that follows Stardock's practice. (MMORPGs do, but they are different -- they can hook people with the beta for a few days, then shut down the servers as they switch to release, which means no one can keep playing the game for free.)

Still, I mention it because it sounds like the AI is the focus now, and the AI may benefit more from massive testing than any other facet of the game. I know Matrix won't change its policy for WITP/AE this late in the day, but it's something to think about for other games.

[wworld7]

This idea/concept is not new, it has been mentioned before in regards to Matrix other Matrix games(IIRC, I think the last time was for MWIF so there may be some posts on the +'s and -'s in that forum).

IMO, WITP-AE would not be a good project to test this on.

[Cmdrcain]

ORIGINAL: jwilkerson

ORIGINAL: Jutland13
I think the users deserve a bit more than what we are getting. I do appreciate all the ffort going into this, but the failure to communicate is one of the biggest issues in all projects and it seems we are getting to that point.

Even when from our perspective - we've been typing until our fingers are bleedin' - people want more! [:D]

To be brief and get you reading faster - I'll present the links to a few of the more interesting "communications" that we're tried to do lately:

The land AAR from Andy:
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=1933265#

The Air AAR from Ian:
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=1910523

And last but not least - the "hold up" (for those that have been reading) has been that in June, we decided we had to re-write the AI processor, that has cost us several months - but we think it will be worth it. Here is the most detailed discussion of same:
http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=1877107

Probably way too late, but has there been nany thought to allowing sorting Commanders by ability?

Ie: its a pain clicking on every General, etc to find either a Rear, combat or assault commander...

If their speciality like Rank was sortable and shown....