Quick update on development progress.

[Joel Billings]

Thought you'd want to know where things stand. For the past few days we've had our programming list down to 1 or 2 items, but something keeps coming up that is important enough to fix. As of this afternoon we sent a version to testers that looked good, but I can't say if something else will come up.

The scenarios have been finished and unless we come up with a major data error, they should be good to go. The artwork is all done now as well.

For the past week we've been editing the manual and this will probably take a few more days to finish (there's a lot there and a lot different from UV). Since the exe needs additional testing on the recent changes, this shouldn't be a big problem.

So in short, we are within days of going gold unless something major develops unexpectedly. My guess is by next Monday we will be completely done.

What I don't know is exactly how long Matrix's production cycle is going to be, or how long it will take to get the game ready for digital download. My hope (and David is certainly trying for this) is that Matrix will have games to sell at Origins on June 24 and the digital download will start around the same time. Wish us luck.

[brisd]

We all are eager to see the finished product and know you will release it WHEN IT IS DONE and not before. Thanks for the update, great news!!! [8D] And thanks for your patience with those who are asking for digital downloads 'when it goes gold'. Sheeesh! [:@]

[Onime No Kyo]

On one hand, I've been on pins and needles waiting for the release. On the other hand, take your time guys. You know that this game will win every award on the face of the Earth. [&o] The more perfect you make it the less the buzzards that give those awards out will have to pick at. Keep up the good work, you have many sim geeks to gratify.

[Mike Scholl]

Joel. It is REALLY reassuring to see you guys making your decisions based on putting
the best possible product you can in the box and not giving in to the dolts screaming
to "give us whatever you've got now". Your attitude in this matter is refreshingly
old fashioned..., pride in your product.

[fabertong]

Hurrah............July looks a complete write-off..........[:)]

[Mr.Frag]

Your attitude in this matter is refreshingly old fashioned..., pride in your product.

As I said in the Dev forum a long time back when the word "patch" came up ... "that is demoralizing, it means we failed as a team."

It is really a pleasure working with 2by3. Even when they say they can't get something fixed they go off and fix it anyways. Just in the last week when we were all set for gold, Mike came along and completely gutted the TF routines and redid them from scratch. It caused a couple of major bugs and shook things up, but the end result is the odds on anything going wrong in "your" game is greatly reduced because it was done.

I was scratching my head wondering how insane these guys were to make such a large change at this late state, but it just shows how committed they are to getting it right no matter what.

While you might not be super happy because your favorite "XYZ" is not in the database, you will not be screaming because the game crashes on you every 15 minutes of order entry. This game can take you working for 24 hours entering in orders. It is *that* stable. "XYZ" can be dealt with in the editor, crashes can not.

[Grouchy]

Digital download, that's a nice surprise! Thanks for offering that option!

I'll start to suffering from the typical "want this game badly now" but yeah, make sure it's stable and finished. PacWar was released 12 years ago and those couple of extra days....

[GBirkn]

Many thanks for the update, Joel, and thanks again to the entire team. It's nice to see a group so determined to get it right the first time.

[Platoonist]

Ahhh. Should give just enough time to complete putting up my giant mural-sized wallpaper map of the Pacific Theater of Operations in my den. Then'll I just need to find some colored thumbtacks. Goodbye wife....I mean life. [8D]

[2Stepper]

ORIGINAL: Mr.Frag

As I said in the Dev forum a long time back when the word "patch" came up ... "that is demoralizing, it means we failed as a team."

Nah, I wouldn't take it that way Frag. Though I can understand how you might... The community of people that buy wargames and games in general are almost "pre-programmed" to expect that SOMETHING will be amiss at release time because those that developed it were under a tight schedule. Then patches would follow...

While that's a sad story of the industry it's equally sad that most of us out here have gotten used to it. It is VERY refreshing to know that Matrix took the time and effort to make a great product that we all could enjoy... I'm sure it'll be a gem out of the box... and with regards to patches? Heck I'd just look at them as "developmental improvements". [:D]

I mean really, who ever said you can't improve upon perfection? [;)][8D]

[Raskal67]

I will once again be buying multiple copies for self family and friends so ahem...Thank you guys for the hard work and attention to detail! As a daily lurker and seldom poster who has had UV on the HD since the beginning I am so excited I could dance a gig. (dancing). Thanks again!

[Becket]

ORIGINAL: Joel Billings
My hope (and David is certainly trying for this) is that Matrix will have games to sell at Origins on June 24 and the digital download will start around the same time. Wish us luck.

Fantastic...I know it's not a promise, but glad to hear that is the hope. Good luck!!!!

[jhdeerslayer]

Drool....[&o] Thanks for the update Joel!

[Von Rom]

Thanks for the update Joel.

Please do not feel under pressure in any way. All you guys take your time.

This will be THE game about the Pacific War.

Release it only when you feel it is ready.

I am waiting to buy my copy [:)]

[kaleun]

Thanks for the update.
Its good to know that a) progress is being made and b) Even at this late stage, major improvements are added.
You guys are great!
[&o][&o][&o]

[2ndACR]

Thanks for the update, even though I am dying to get this game, take all the time you need. Just not too much time.

[Damien Thorn]

I am glad to see digital download available. I am wondering, however, what form the copy protection will take this time. UV required the disk to be in and, with the lat version 2.30, it caused some people a lot of problems. I assume this time copy protection will involve some sort of code to be entered. Actually, I don'tthink piricy will be a big issue. Most gamers wouldn't play WitP if you tied them down in front of a computer and forced them to (sad, but true). The remaining ones would pay almost any price for the pleasure. [:)]

[denisonh]

My sentiments exactly.
I look forward to the fruits of your labors.

Thanks

ORIGINAL: Mike Scholl

Joel. It is REALLY reassuring to see you guys making your decisions based on putting
the best possible product you can in the box and not giving in to the dolts screaming
to "give us whatever you've got now". Your attitude in this matter is refreshingly
old fashioned..., pride in your product.

[Arnir]

I'm looking forward to it. Keep up the good work, folks.

[Jaypea]

Digital download . . . you just made my day [&o]

Thanks much and I hope this will be a big success for you all!

JP