Apologies for asking… but when…?

[Anderson]

Hi,

know this is a pain in the rear end for all developers of war games… I have looked around but cannot find the info…

So what is the best guess of the release data with all the very real qualifications that must come with such estimates … ?

Am a huge fan… your games and Combat Mission the only true wargames out there… keep up the good work and I constantly push your games to my CM chums… .

Thanks
All the best,
Kip.

[norb]

Best guess is the very tail of this year, early next. We appreciate you spreading the word, I think that's the best advertisement there is.

[Anderson]

Norb, hi,

Thanks for that…

Look forward to the release…

All the best,
Kip.

[Odox]

Warmest Greetings Gentlemen,

I also wanted to thank you Norb for that update. As I believe I’ve mentioned in the past, I certainly don’t mind you taking your time with this and producing a quality product, a real work of art.

As a hobbyist of this genre for many years (decades, really), I can speak for those of us who would be willing to pay very well, even several hundred dollars, for an exemplary masterpiece of what computer technology can do in the area of historical simulations. I know you have marketing aspects to consider in regards to price, but there it is: some of us truly appreciate art and will pay well to acquire it.

And as to marketing and distribution, I hope you will have pity on those few of us who live in such rural locations that dialup is our only option, making huge downloads impossible. I would be perfectly happy to send a money order to a trustworthy person, such as yourself Norb, for a copy of the game for those of us that require the game already on disk.

In fact, put me down for two copies, in recognition of your efforts.

Sincerely,

Odox

[norb]

For those that find it impossible to download games, we will find a way to get it to you. Even if we burn it at home and ship it. Odds are that it will have one time internet activation, then you won't have to connect again. But nothing is set yet.

[Gray_Lensman]

norb wrote:

For those that find it impossible to download games, we will find a way to get it to you. Even if we burn it at home and ship it. Odds are that it will have one time internet activation, then you won't have to connect again. But nothing is set yet.

Internet activation is not a good way to treat customers. Why? I have games that are over 10 years old and still playable even though the original designer/publishers are no longer in business. In contrast, if you require customers to activate by internet connection even if it's only one time, at some time in the future they may not be able to reactivate your game if circumstances dictate your abandoning support. Don't try to tell me that's not going to happen because I've been around since the early 80's and almost all software developers eventually throw in the towel.

A better idea is some sort of "serial" key attainable from you at the time of purchase. Then at least the customers can store that serial key with their copy of the game and can reinstall it at any time in the future that they wish as long as their systems' remain compatible.

You can even design the serial key to be unique with a little work. That way it can be easy to detect piracy of a specific serial key. By building encrypted serial number testing into your game executable you can even blacklist specific pirated serial numbers.

[Kerflumoxed]

Norb, Jim, et.al. ....Please do not ban me from the list for inquiring (I am tossing my "proverbial hat", a nice Secesh Beehive, figuratively into the room).... But, am just curious as to the End-of-Year release schedule. Quite frankly, anything worthwhile is worth waiting for and if more time is required, beyond EoY, I, for one, wholeheartedly support a delayed release! In other words, no pressure is intimated...just the "cat's" curiousity!

Thanks...for any hint! :blink:

[norb]

I don't think I'll ban you for that I have actually never had to ban anyone from a the forum, this or MMG. People usually learn they are not welcome and leave on their own. So I cross my fingers that it will never have to happen...

As far as the end of year release schedule, we won't know until we reach beta. That means all features are in the game, fully functional, not new features will be added, code freeze. When we hit that point we'll know the end of year schedule, or something close to it. Right now we have no idea and could not even promise that we'll make the end of year, that is our target. I hope we hit it.

[Kerflumoxed]

Thanks for the response! Greatly appreciated...and keep up the good work!