So what's happening with the new patch?

[Shadrach]

It's been nearly a year now since the last patch, and I've heard several times that a new patch is in the works. Judging by the time spent to release this, it must be HUGE, or it's fixed some really pesky bugs.

I would've like to see some kind of list of things already fixed and being tested, as well as some confirmation from the developers that yes, a patch is being worked on and an estimate when it will be released.

There are several things I'd like to know if have been addressed:

- Memory leak + crash issue on Windows 10
- UI sluggishness and general performance issues
- Several PBEM++ issues, especially end of game information
- Naval bombardment auto-kill issues
- All kinds of scenario editor issues

Again, some kind of information on what's changed would be great, and an estimate on when we can expect it to be released.

[RFalvo69]

Don't forget some form of "Players' Scenarios Greatest Hits" to be added to those already available.

Yes, I do know how to install them. Yes, I'm lazy [:)]

[76mm]

Yes, it has been a long time with no news on this topic...

[larryfulkerson]

The playtesters would like to hear about it too. At least I would. We're wondering what's up too.

[Shadrach]

Larry, what's the latest patch version you guys are testing, and how long has it been since you've heard anything from the developers or Matrix?

I'm sure you guys are under some kind of NDA but are you able to give any insight on the number of fixes or any major improvements, specifically on the things I mentioned earlier?

I think it's the complete lack of communication that's the most troubling part here, not necessarily the lack of a patch. I mean, we've known there's a patch in the works for a long time (six months?) but no idea what it contains or an estimate on when we can see it.

[larryfulkerson]

ORIGINAL: Shadrach
Larry, what's the latest patch version you guys are testing, and how long has it been since you've heard anything from the developers or Matrix?

I'm sure you guys are under some kind of NDA but are you able to give any insight on the number of fixes or any major improvements, specifically on the things I mentioned earlier?

I think it's the complete lack of communication that's the most troubling part here, not necessarily the lack of a patch. I mean, we've known there's a patch in the works for a long time (six months?) but no idea what it contains or an estimate on when we can see it.

I myself am testing 4.1.0.40 and it's my understanding that *that* is the latest and greatest version. But there's no oversight so the playtesters can run any version they want really. Tamas has left the team and so I'm not sure who is in charge now and that may be one of the reasons for the delay. We've heard very little at all since 08Oct2019. We're not sure what's going on. But the good news is that there's been a boatload of fixes. I'm not allowed to say what exactly right now but I'm not super up to date with what's been fixed since the last patch at any rate. It would be really nice if SOMEONE who is considered "higher up" would say SOMETHING about it. I'm wondering if that's too much to ask.

[Lobster]

Larry, in the dev forum Bob told you who is currently doing the job Tamas was doing. I'm not saying anything because I don't know if I'm allowed. But it is definitely someone 'higher up'. [;)]

[larryfulkerson]

ORIGINAL: Lobster
Larry, in the dev forum Bob told you who is currently doing the job Tamas was doing. I'm not saying anything because I don't know if I'm allowed. But it is definitely someone 'higher up'. [;)]

And this Bart what's his name....have we ever heard from him about anything at all? Does he really exist? Does he know what he's doing or is he just another stuffed shirt? A note from him would do wonders for the communnity.

Note to Bart: How about a word or two? Pretty please. With a cherry on top.

[76mm]

OK, I'll bite...what was Tamas doing that Bart is supposed to be doing?

[larryfulkerson]

ORIGINAL: 76mm
OK, I'll bite...what was Tamas doing that Bart is supposed to be doing?

Tamas was getting better at being the decider for the team when he left. I'm assuming that 98% of what he did was behind the scenes, a laison with Matrix for this project or whatever. But now that you ask about what he did directly, to be honest with you....I have no proof that he ever *did* anything. But everything had to be cleared through him so he must have been indispensible for having to do something.

[DD696]

This makes me want to receive the title of "play tester" as it appears that is the only way a player can have any chance of the game being updated. Last official version .21, beta version at least .40. Assuming a fix/improvement or two or five per version and with 19 beta updates (assuming sequentially numbered) it would appear that someone is doing some work on this game. The lead programmer hasn't made any comment here since February.

Information would be nice - might keep some players from giving up. I'd like to know about editor improvements/fixes.

How about it? Make all of us play testers? Or at least me.

[76mm]

I'll pass on becoming a playtester--no time for that--but it sure would be nice for somebody, anybody, to tell the players what is going on.

Many of us have been playing the game for twenty years, it would seem like a basic courtesy. I can't speak for others, but I lose interest relatively quickly in games for which the devs neither release updates nor communicate--if the devs aren't interested/excited, why should I be? Contrast TOAW with many other games on the Matrix forum--the difference is night and day.

[DD696]

War in the Pacific AE had beta updates produced almost weekly for a very long time, years, until the programmer got pulled for another game. These updates were available to be used by any player who cared to use them. The last update for the game is the latest beta update. Matrix appeared to give up on the game and not release the final version in the case of AE.

Is that the case here? With the exception in that the beta is going to be held in great secrecy?

AE is a prime example of how a game should be supported, not counting Matrix not releasing a final version of it.

A very big difference in how this game is handled - I was going to say supported, but obviously the major difference is in the level of support.

So what's happening with the new patch?

[larryfulkerson]

So what's happening with the new patch?

Tamas, the most recent "leader" was replaced by a Bart somebody and so now maybe something will happen.

[DD696]

Well, I can truly believe a Bart Simpson is in charge.

[demyansk]

Looks like an independent person needs to work on it. I wish I knew how to do all the stuff for when I retire.

[Lobster]

ORIGINAL: DD696

Well, I can truly believe a Bart Simpson is in charge.

It's not Bart Simpson you need to worry about. It's Ralph Kramden. [:D]

[BigDuke66]

A patch per year is in my view the minimum goal that a game should get. It just needs this prove of support, TOAWIII showed how bad it is for the well being of a community when you have to wait for several years to get vital things fixed. Veterans here surely remember that it went as far as users releasing patches. The result was a community that basically ceased to exist, and that fallout was not only seen here but also on other places like the Blitz wargame club with numbers of played games & active gamers declining.

My current top problem with TOAWIV is the bugged interdiction, any new game starts from my side are on hold till this is solved. We can't just play a game with bugged combat mechanics. At least none with any noteworthy air part, so we are stuck with WW1 or before.

I don't mind that Ralph(our programmer afaik) doesn't post here, he's not there for public relations but to work on the game. But someone at Matrix must be, I don't care if it's Bart now or Homer or Bob Dole, but we really should either here or see something before 2019 is over.

[larryfulkerson]

but we really should either hear or see something before 2019 is over.

I quite agree. Maybe we should start at the top and send somebody an email to inquire.

[Lobster]

ORIGINAL: BigDuke66

A patch per year is in my view the minimum goal that a game should get. It just needs this prove of support, TOAWIII showed how bad it is for the well being of a community when you have to wait for several years to get vital things fixed. Veterans here surely remember that it went as far as users releasing patches. The result was a community that basically ceased to exist, and that fallout was not only seen here but also on other places like the Blitz wargame club with numbers of played games & active gamers declining.

My current top problem with TOAWIV is the bugged interdiction, any new game starts from my side are on hold till this is solved. We can't just play a game with bugged combat mechanics. At least none with any noteworthy air part, so we are stuck with WW1 or before.

I don't mind that Ralph(our programmer afaik) doesn't post here, he's not there for public relations but to work on the game. But someone at Matrix must be, I don't care if it's Bart now or Homer or Bob Dole, but we really should either here or see something before 2019 is over.

I would like to see hot fixes for bugs like the broken interdiction that have an impact on game play. That's not difficult.