Can we have a full status report?

[Joshua l.Chamberlain]

I was wondering if norb would like to put a status report on the game?

[norb]

I want one too! It's time to start wrapping things up. The axeman cometh!!!

Right now I'm not sure of the status of everything. Too much is still in dev mode right now, and we need to move to code freeze and test mode sometime soon. The big thing of working hard to rewrite the AI is a huge project that I could work on for years and never be happy with. Right now we're just trying to squash the crazy bugs.

We are not feature complete, I think that some will get axed to finish things. We need to get a base game done, then add on to it. We are still planning on the end of the year. Sorry to be so circumspect, but Jim probably has a better handle on this than me.

[Joshua l.Chamberlain]

Yeah you need to rally the troops and form up and make that big push to the top hill where you can then chase those bugs to the trashcan where they belong.




Drive them BACK!

[Chamberlain]

Thanks for the update Norb !!!!

:woohoo: :woohoo:

Chamberlain

[norb]

OK, better handle on things now...

Spoke with Jim last night and we are working on a list that includes all features that are not in the game, but are targeted for the game. I wrote down my stuff, Jim has it now. Last night we moved two features to the patch list. We are planning to go alpha (feature complete) by August 1st. If a feature cannot get in the game by 8/1, then it's moved to the patch list. We're not going to go into what's included and what's not, cause that could start a discussion that we don't have time for now. But it's not a big deal really, means you'll just have to wait a little longer for certain features.

MP will be in the game, that's one feature we promised and will deliver. I think the confederate army was moved to the patch list though

[estabu2]

norb wrote:

OK, better handle on things now...

MP will be in the game, that's one feature we promised and will deliver. I think the confederate army was moved to the patch list though

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Nice!!! Union forever!!!

[Little Powell]

estabu2 wrote:

norb wrote:

OK, better handle on things now...

MP will be in the game, that's one feature we promised and will deliver. I think the confederate army was moved to the patch list though

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Nice!!! Union forever!!!

This is what I have to say about that:



:laugh: :laugh:

[Odox]

Respected Gentlemen of the Forum:

You have hit upon the one topic that is nearest and dearest to my heart. Forgive me that I disagree with the lot of you that the game should at all be hastened in any way. Truly, I ask for your forgiveness in this as I see my opinion is in the minority.

But I beg you, beseech you, urge you in the strongest possible terms: aim high! Produce a work of art! Aim for the highest ideal!

It disturbs me greatly to read that additional functionality will be included in future patches and editions. Belay that! Do not compromise! Drown out the din of the crowd that desires a premature gratification! Close the door to the beancounters and bookkeepers that clamor for income and tsk tsk on the outgoes! A work of ART, gentlemen, and NO COMPROMISE!

Alas, I am only a grizzled old wargamer. My opinion means nothing. But I know art when I see it, my gaze has not been diminished by my lust for this new creation, my spirit not vexed by my desire to hold this newborn thing potentially stillborn. I am old, and if age teaches one anything, it is that anything of true value is worth waiting for, under the grace of Almighty God.

Again, I beg the forgiveness of my colleagues if I have offended them. But I have seen so many endeavors go down this path of haste and compromise, my heart breaks to see it perhaps happening once again.

Do not fear that you will not have the enthusiasm and support you will need to see that your efforts are well-rewarded.

Humbly,

Odox

[norb]

Odox,

I've been working on this since Dec. 2006, right after I finished the last TC2M patch. Jim for almost as long, as well as most of the dev team. Fact is that I am very tired of giving up my nights and weekends and need a long break away from coding. So it's a morale issue for me.

IMHO...

Games are changing. It used to be a patch was a sign of failure, a bug that made it out. Not anymore. When I plug in my iphone to itunes, I look forward to patches. New content for the games I've loved and played through. Now a patch is a sign of a supported game. Sure, we could take 5 years and get in features A-Z, but instead we're going to release with features A-H, then patch in features I-Q, then probably do an expansion with R-Z.

We don't release anything that's not done, so if it doesn't work the way we like, it doesn't go out. So we would rather cut features, hold them off until the patch, then be proud of what we release.

The longer an indie game takes, the less of a chance it has of getting finished. My internal clock is about 3 years for a new game, 1.5 years for a major patch, and under a year for an expansion. We're coming up on that 3 year mark and I'm feeling it.

Hope you can understand.

[Amish John]

After playing TC2M, if GB is in anyway improved over and above that game (and I think we all know it will be), I doubt anyone will be disappointed with the initial release. Knowing there will be added features at intervals after initial purchase just entices me more. Norb and team demonstrated with TC2M they will only release a quality product. Also, I thought their post-release forum support was great.

"A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week."
-George S. Patton