Guys ... it lasts long

[nukkxx5058]

Hello guys,

I remember 6 years ago (not sure exactly if it was 6, 5 or 7 ...) I was very excited to see that matrix is going to develop a grand-strategy napoleonic game. The pleasure was total !
3 or 4 years later, I read that the project collapsed for obscur rights reasons. At this time, I was delighted to read that "the wars od napo" turned into a computer version of "EIA" ! I'm still delighted that the game will be faithfull to the original board game (with dices thrown etc.). But guys, it starts to be a little bit long ... no ? I'm a matrixgames faithfull custommer and i purchased lot of games from you. I love the turn-base system.

I know there is a kind of doctrine here saying that "it will be ready when it will be ready" or something like that. But you know, 6 years is very long comparing to human life average duration ! and all that for a computer game ? so why don't you release an inperfect game (ie. with some bugs) that you will continuously improve with patches ? (like paradox does with EU games).

Well, there's no agressivity from me in this message, just to tell you that it starts to be a very long time that this grand-strategy napo game is awaited ...

Anyway, thanks to matrixgames to exist !!!

regards
nukkxx

[Erik Rutins]

Well, we didn't exist 6 or 7 years ago and I think it wasn't until four years ago at the earliest that we got the license so I think your time scale has expanded a bit. [;)]

With that said, yes it has taken a long time. This is the work of a single developer (Marshall Ellis) with a small support staff. Unlike larger game companies, we can't throw 50 people at a project to finish it in twelve months. We also won't release this product until we feel (and Marshall and our testers feel) that it's ready to go. Otherwise, what would be the point of all the time and toil? Our opinion is that people will always be ready for a good game, whenever it is released and things are still looking good for a release this year.

Regards,

- Erik

[nukkxx5058]

I just hope I won't die before the release of EIA ...

BTW, when was the free release os SPWAW ?? (this promotion action made me discover matrixgames ... (it was a great action !)

[Zap]

Nukkxx, it is a great place! I hold your same enthusiasm. I learned about Matrix when I bought Korsun Pocket at a Fryes Electronics store. I've been enjoying this sight.

Thanks, Eric for taking the time out to reply.

I've praised Matrix before and have not changed my opinion. I don't pay attention to the negative posts. Its nice to be older, to be able to discern fact from fiction.

[donkuchi19]

I found Matrix games when I was looking up EIA on the internet. Since then I have purchased WITP, GGWAW, RFTS, and CoD and downloaded PW and WiR. Not only have really enjoyed their games, I have learned so many new acronyms.
[:)][:)][:)]

[Pippin]

so why don't you release an inperfect game (ie. with some bugs) that you will continuously improve with patches ? (like paradox does with EU games).

When companies start on that trend, I don't buy any of their games again.

[coregames]

ORIGINAL: Pippin

When companies start on that trend, I don't buy any of their games again.

I enjoy EiA tremendously, and releasing a buggy version would be problematic, just as you say Pippin. I would probably be patient with the patches needed to fix it, but many gamers would not. Let's not let impatience lead to a critical and commercial failure - Matrix should get it right before releasing it. We'll all be glad they did in the long run.

[denisonh]

No Coasters, dam it........

[NeverMan]

ORIGINAL: Pippin

When companies start on that trend, I don't buy any of their games again.

What trend is that? Giving a release date then not meeting it, then giving another release date, then not meeting it, then giving another release date, then not meeting it, then giving another release date, then not meeting it, then giving another release date, then not meeting it, etc, etc, etc.... Yeah, I tend to agree.

Why would I buy, or even consider looking at, any of Matrix Games' other games when this game as been so problematic for them? They only have 1 guy on this game, that's absurd. Hats off to Ellis but he should seek out a real company that might actually give him some support and back up what they say, unlike Matrix.

[denisonh]

"real" campanies as in a company focused on "making profit" vs publishing a quality product. Matrix has been upfront that they will publish quality products versus rushing "half ass" products into production like "real companies" (MOO3 anyone?)

Spare me.

ORIGINAL: NeverMan

ORIGINAL: Pippin

When companies start on that trend, I don't buy any of their games again.

What trend is that? Giving a release date then not meeting it, then giving another release date, then not meeting it, then giving another release date, then not meeting it, then giving another release date, then not meeting it, then giving another release date, then not meeting it, etc, etc, etc.... Yeah, I tend to agree.

Why would I buy, or even consider looking at, any of Matrix Games' other games when this game as been so problematic for them? They only have 1 guy on this game, that's absurd. Hats off to Ellis but he should seek out a real company that might actually give him some support and back up what they say, unlike Matrix.

[coregames]

ORIGINAL: NeverMan

Hats off to Ellis but he should seek out a real company that might actually give him some support and back up what they say, unlike Matrix.

All well and good, if it was Ellis who had the license to produce EiA on behalf of ADG. Since Matrix has it, that's who will produce it. Marshall Ellis and his team are doing fine work, but without the legitimacy of Matrix, ADG would probably not have signed the deal.

[Zap]

Hats off to Ellis but he should seek out a real company

Matrix is a real company albeit not like you would want them to be.
I will wait. I don't have the same urgency for release as you.

[nukkxx5058]

ORIGINAL: Pippin

so why don't you release an inperfect game (ie. with some bugs) that you will continuously improve with patches ? (like paradox does with EU games).

When companies start on that trend, I don't buy any of their games again.

"imperfect" doesn't necessarly mean "completely buged". Anyway, a computer software free of bugs is a dream and doesn't exist. There should be a balance between number of bugs, playability and release date. That's how software industry works.

[NeverMan]

A "real company" would throw more resources at Ellis to put out a quality product in a timely fashion.

I understand that Ellis doesn't have the license to publish EiA, however, my point was that from a programmer's standpoint I would find it hard to work for a company that didn't support me and kept hanging me out to dry.

[Pippin]

The problem with that theory, is companies pump out rediculously buggy software, and also make it a habbit. Furthermore, many CLAIM these bugs will be fixed, but often you may never see one decent patch.

I have been burned too many times by this. I am a lot more cautious now than ever, and for good reason. Not much has improved since the early 80's. We have had our E.T. disasters back then, as well as our late 90's Iron Blitz disasters. We are in 2005, and I do not expect things to improve.

[oldtimer]

I think Matrix is doing a fine job and is very responsive to people in this forum. I for one am willing to wait for this game.

How many game companies have forums out there where a person has the opportunity to talk with the programmer as they are building the program?

How many companies will change their program based on feedback from said forum? Remember TMR (granted that is a big deal in EiA, but they were almost done and had to change that and add it in). That would have a MAJOR impact on their code and AI logic.

They tease us with screen shots, but I don't see that at other company. Now several other companies provide Demo games, but you still don't have any say on the final product as you do here. I watched how Matrix Games is also very dedicated to improving their released products GGWAW for example. They have worked hard in making player suggested improvements and are doing a great job at it.

Overall Matrix Games have shown to me that they are extrememly dedicated to there market and do all they can to put out quality products. It seems they believe the quality of the product is more important then the quantity of programs they produce. I think that is a rare trait these days.

Keep up the good work Marshall Ellis and Matrix Games.

[ktotwf]

Amen!

[nukkxx5058]

Oldtimer said: "I think Matrix is doing a fine job and is very responsive to people in this forum. I for one am willing to wait for this game."

I recall you that I am waiting this game for 5 years ! (at the origin it was called "The wars of napoleon" then it has been canceled and replaced by a PC version of EiA. So you are mybe a bit otimistic when you say that "Matrix is doing a fine job and is very responsive to people in this forum". Yes, admins here are nice people. Fortunately otherwise I would be away for a long time !

Regarding bugs in softwares, all companies , including matrixgames sale buggy sofwares. Then the most serious companies fix bugs through patches. That's exactly what I'm expecting from matrixgames, jut because I trust those guys ! And that;s why I purchase their products.

Let now imagine they are working on bug corrections on PBEM right now. Does it prevent then to release the game without the PBM function and in 2 months to release the patch with full unbugged (as much as possible) PBEM patch which let us the time to learn how to play before starting pbem.

I usualy don't mind to wait for a procuct, but this time too much is too much. And of course, i don't blame the developper (marchal elis) but the company which doesn't provide enougn resources for the game's development. Does it mean they do not beleive in it ? and that game improvement budget will be cut to zero 3 months after the game release because of the small ommercial succes (compairing to development costs) letting the customer stucked with buggy software ad vitam eaternam ?

Did you realize that so many people who were looking at the game left because of the huge development duration (5 years so long !!!!)

Sorry, guys, but I think that, as a customer, I've got the right to fear such fufture for the game. I'm now looking to CoG as a more serious option ... (by chance, it stays in matrix's pocket !

[datacollectioncenter]

Hey guys:

There are a lot of people waiting on this game and I know that! I also know that we've done everything with the best intentions to our customer HOWEVER, I cannot predict how many and the severity of each bug the testers find thus I miss release dates because of this. Matrix is behind me and backs me with as many resources as they can and YEP, you're right it is never enough BUT it would never be enough even if I were working at Microsoft!

I can tell you that we are VERY, VERY close to be able to release this thing and I know that you all have heard that a thousand times but I'll just make it a thousand and one times!

I appreciate all of your support and understand the frustration!

Thank you

[Erik Rutins]

NeverMan,

ORIGINAL: NeverMan
What trend is that? Giving a release date then not meeting it, then giving another release date, then not meeting it, then giving another release date, then not meeting it, then giving another release date, then not meeting it, then giving another release date, then not meeting it, etc, etc, etc.... Yeah, I tend to agree.

Why would I buy, or even consider looking at, any of Matrix Games' other games when this game as been so problematic for them? They only have 1 guy on this game, that's absurd. Hats off to Ellis but he should seek out a real company that might actually give him some support and back up what they say, unlike Matrix.

You've made a few assumptions:

1. That only one person has ever worked on this project (though Marshall certainly has the Lion's Share)
2. That a project with a small team that changes from a separate game to a EiA adaptation is easy to set a schedule on
3. That there are a lot of other "real" companies out there with an interest in a turn-based EiA adaptation that would do it "right".
4. That the fact that we've released over thirty games in the past five years is irrelevant compared to a few that have been delayed.

We are committed to seeing this through and releasing Empires In Arms for the computer.

Regards,

- Erik