Scenario Editor

[Andreas1968]

I note from the FAQ that there will be no scenario editor in the initial release. To me that is a show-stopper. I understand that it will be possible to edit XML files, but since I do not know what these are in the first place, I doubt I would have much success in editing them. I can only urge the developers to seriously consider the time and investment required for the addition of a scenario editor that is at least as capable as the one in CM. I believe to do so would open the market for the game considerably, leading to increased sales. Probably not worth delaying the initial release for, but a must have at an early stage in the future development.

All the best

Andreas

[Erik Rutins]

Andreas,

ORIGINAL: Andreas1968
I note from the FAQ that there will be no scenario editor in the initial release. To me that is a show-stopper. I understand that it will be possible to edit XML files, but since I do not know what these are in the first place, I doubt I would have much success in editing them. I can only urge the developers to seriously consider the time and investment required for the addition of a scenario editor that is at least as capable as the one in CM. I believe to do so would open the market for the game considerably, leading to increased sales. Probably not worth delaying the initial release for, but a must have at an early stage in the future development.

As you say, we decided not to delay the initial release for this. However, it's the #1 feature on our list for future work and we figure it would take us maybe 3-4 months given the structure in place to finish one that is full featured. In other words, if the first release is a success, I would expect the second one to include a full editor. With that said, I'll post some more info on editing the XML files as time goes one. There are certainly limitations but it's actually remarkably open at the same time.

Regards,

- Erik

[Andreas1968]

Thanks a lot Erik for the info.

All the best

Andreas

[kipanderson]

Erik,

Yes… I agree with Andreas that a scenario editor is very important. If I can edit the text files to do 90% of the job, OK… but if that feature were not there it would indeed be a show stopper.

All the best,
Kip.

[benpark]

I think a map editor is pretty necessary. It seems many developers don't include them, as it seems to make add ons less of a posibility. I think that approach may seem the right decision-I actually think it loses sales.

Look at the Combat Mission series (sorry, but it's very apt here). 3 different games with robust map editors, but no OOB editor. The player is able to make any scenario they wish in the theatre of their purchase. This is a huge draw, and makes for a large following.

The previous Tin Soldiers games did not include map editors. This seems like a necessary thing for these games-tabletop emulation with great looking graphics. I should be able to build the table the way I want it, just like at home. As for losing sales by making this option available, there were never addons for either game(for the time period), so now people that want battles that are not in the games, they are out of luck.

I realize it is far too late in the process to add this option to this iteration. I also realize that the map system may need to be somewhat "genaricisized" and revamped. But please, please do consider it for the future. I'd rather see something like the inablity to import new 3d models to limit the modders from getting too carried away and making an "all in one" game out of something that has been laboured away on for so long. Koios and Matrix deserve to make lots of games in this series, and profit. I believe fully that there would be more of a following(and more money!) with a map editor.

[Erik Rutins]

The full-featured editor I mentioned would include a map editor. The way the maps are built at present, it's a much longer and more involved process. Changing the forces on the map is easy though. Changing the terrain is relatively easy, though time consuming. Changing the map countours themselves is the tough part at present and I would expect that if Panzer Command meets our expectations in terms of sales, the next release will have a full editor.

Regards,

- Erik