Matrix Games Forums

I am not privy to the reasons why AB2 has not yet been released on Steam. It may be financial?

A Steam release will expose the simulation to a wider, more active market, which has many benefits for the user. At the moment the Matrix forum for AB2 is very quiet, and there is little additional content.

Sea Power : Naval Combat in the Missile Age was released on Steam on 12 November. You could argue that AB2 and Sea Power are aimed at a similar audience? They are both wargames and have a similar complexity.

The Sea Power forum on Steam is very active. There are well over 400 items (scenarios and mods) in the Workshop. There are several Guides available to advise new users how to learn the game. There are many user reviews.

I have bought AB2 and my initial impression is very positive. However, the sooner it is released on Steam, the easier it will be for me to learn to start mastering the game.

The game will be released to steam.

I am unsure what prevents you from "mastering" the game. What does the steam release have to do with the need to play the game?

I bought it here and it works fine, steam would be more accessible, sure. I just don't understand the argument here tbh.

My point is that mastering the game would be easier if there was more advice and examples given. Especially for less experienced player and those not familiar with AB1.

Currently there are 4 tutorial scenarios and they are fine.

It would be useful to have more guidance. It would be helpful if there were smaller scenarios available for beginners to practice on and learn the game.

I am not criticizing the game at all. I'm just saying that more user content, advice and guidance would benefit both the user, and perhaps the producer and Matrix through more sales.

Steam takes a bigger cut in the developers profits so I for one applaud them releasing here first, however, from what I'm reading the game still needs to be fleshed out, so I'm waiting (also, for the hopefully inevitable ab1943 mod )

If you buy at Matrix first, you later can download it again from Matrix AND Steam (after Steam release). If you buy via Steam, you have only one download source. Its probably just theoretical, but if one of the two sources falls silent, this might be relevant: you then have the alternative.

Let's be honest here, guys. The graphics are significantly worse than CMBO was 25 years ago (it's got bushes! And grain fields!). With CMBB it's not even a contest.

It'd get murdered in Steam as-is. Realistically you need adequate terrain graphics and option to scale the models much bigger so you can admire the tanks.. As it is, it's pretty much 2D abstract map colours textured on 3D with trees and fences on the flat terrain.

I mean, guys playing Rule the Waves lolled.

Barley - I'm not sure where your comments come from, and I'm assuming they are your "true feelings", which is unfortunate. In my opinion, none of what you said is accurate as to what this game does.

Does it have graphics such as, lets say "Warno" or a similar game (which I returned)? No. However, the feeling of tactical control and combat are better in this game than in any similar one at this time. The graphics are not "spectacular", but are most definitely a step forward from CMBO (I own all of the CM games by the way) and well past "25 years ago".

I look forward to any and all improvements that might be made, but I, for one, feel I am more than getting my money's worth with this purchase as it is right now! (which is a fantastic tactical combat game). The ability with this game to plan, execute, pause, react and engage in combat, is currently unmatched in computer gaming.

Not interested in having this discussion with you. I gave 25 year old game developed by a single guy as an example and you drag out Warno. Nope.

Either the dev sees the point of having representative graphics farther zoomed out and e.g. bumping up max drawing distance of fences and such from what they are now, or they don't, it's up to Veitikka guy.

Barleyman wrote: Sat Jan 04, 2025 11:07 pm Not interested in having this discussion with you. I gave 25 year old game developed by a single guy as an example and you drag out Warno. Nope.

Either the dev sees the point of having representative graphics farther zoomed out and e.g. bumping up max drawing distance of fences and such from what they are now, or they don't, it's up to Veitikka guy.

that right there...."not interested in having this discussion" is why you just sound like an angry toddler who didn't get what he wanted

Barleyman wrote: Sat Jan 04, 2025 9:31 pm Let's be honest here, guys. The graphics are significantly worse than CMBO was 25 years ago (it's got bushes! And grain fields!). With CMBB it's not even a contest.

It'd get murdered in Steam as-is. Realistically you need adequate terrain graphics and option to scale the models much bigger so you can admire the tanks.. As it is, it's pretty much 2D abstract map colours textured on 3D with trees and fences on the flat terrain.

I mean, guys playing Rule the Waves lolled.

The first version of Armored Brigade is already on Steam, has only the 2D graphics, and is sitting at "Very Positive" in Steam reviews.

If graphics are that important to you, you probably aren't the target audience for this game. It's geared more towards the hardcore war sim heads like me. The graphics could use a little polish. But they're quite serviceable. If they never do anything with them, I'll still be perfectly happy with it. I would much rather they spend time on factions, dynamic campaign, and expanding the equipment lists.