Slitherine

quote:

ORIGINAL: Titi

To stay in the same mood.

Did you think that this site cost a lot to maintain? A lot more each month!!! That it will be the consumer at the end that will pay the cost. And maybe it will be a specific cost for some specific buyer.

If you want an advice : register again when (general date here, nothing specific) you will digital download the game if you ever want to play the game. I think Marshall is maybe taking some more time to program a surprise to a registered StCyr .


PS Did i said i love smiley

quote:

ORIGINAL: timewalker03

With all the games Matrix is currently releasing, I don't see much in the future of this game. I don't think Matrix is very dedicated to this one. If they were they would have more than 1 person working on the code, and many many playtest groups going right now. Also if they are mostly worried about the play by email part of the game, then its going to be half-assed. The only true way to play the game is to pick chits and roll dice, smoke two packs of cigs during each diplomacy phase, and sweat over every build each economic interphase.

I hope Matrix isn't blowing smoke about this game, but it seems they have invested only a small amount into it and may fold the project before its completion. Also I would like to teach my soon to be 11 year old son how to play before he leaves home to attend college. I'm guessing college will be here before the game. Well sorry for the negative, but I don't see much chance of release even this year and as slow as they are going next year either. I hope to see it soon.

One of the things to think about is that some of the most successful live action games out today release 70 to 80% completed projects and complete them through patches. Release the original game then add all the alternate rules from EIH and the General's through future patches. Please do something with this game soon. Either release it or scrap it.

quote:

ORIGINAL: Hard Sarge

where have they failed ?

one thing I think Matrix may do wrong, is bring games into open forums much too early, players see there is a fourm for the game, they think it must be close to being done, a lot of times the project is just starting

but they trying to let the players know what is going on

quote:

Matrix is not alone in this. All of the game companies do the same thing - make some artwork and announce the game at least a year in advance. Then when it comes down to the crunch they are either late or release a poor product. I really had hoped Matrix was better than that but I guess not.

quote:

ORIGINAL: timewalker03

I think its funny how much people defend Matrix and this project. I first heard about it in february of 2002. I searched it out and found that Matrix Games was the company that was making it. I then found that they had a forum for the game so that people could put input in on the game. I signed up for the forum in june 2003. It is now March 2006. From 2002 to 2006 we are at 4 years since I heard about this game going into production.

4 years is a long time to know about something. Sarge you can try to make a point about what anyone knows about this game. I do know that they have one part time programmer working on this game. They have at least one play test group of I would guess seven players since the game has 7 major countries. The one thing I don't know about if they pay the playtesters or not. If they don't and I suspect they don't, I then wonder why they don't have ten playtest groups or get everyone who is on these forums to help work on it. The more the merrier would fit well with this. I would do it for free I know that.

The number one thing that bothers me is that they have the Lead/Sole programmer working on other projects which tells me the dedication from Matrix really isn't there. I also realize that this game isn't gonna be a game that everyone buys. It's going to be a game that those who loved playing FtF and God forbid by email will buy and play as much as possible. Understand Sarge that 3 years of development is a long long time in todays day and age, and we live in an age where we could download patches for the "extras". All I ask for is the basic game with the original optional rules that came with the game. I could care less about looks.

The AI is the most improtant part of this game. If they had more than a part-time programmer they could have completed the game by now. 2 programmers are better than 1 part-time programmer. 3 are better than 2. etc. Thats would show some form of dedication. A dedication to us, consumer and the fan of the game. Look at something else. The only link we had to Matrix stopped talking to us except to comment on a post or two. Also to those who speak of patience and throw nintendo comments out may not realize that time doesn't stop. We all get older. I'm a realist. I don't know what tommorrow brings, so I would like to either have the game sooner than later or just not have to think about it any more.

Also, I believe if more of us would demand something from Matrix, they would react. Of course some people look at this blindly and that is why the game is now 3+ years in development. I'm sure that we will hear the game will be released by christmas. Which christmas Who knows. If it is this one then I'll be the first in line to apologize to Marshall and all of you, then the first in line to buy the game either via D/L or at the nearest store. I hope we all get to play soon but we'll have to wait and see.

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ORIGINAL: Marshall Ellis

Timewalker03:

I hear ya and understand your frustration.
If there is one thing we could have done a little differently, I think it would be to keep the lid on things until they're closer to done. I would love to not say anything until testing begins. Anticipation only last for so long until it turns into frustration then morphs into dispair! I know how a lot of you guys feel BUT this is still fun to me and I'm enjoying every line of code and every beta release!

I'll do the forums and info releases differently next time! You won't hear much until I've got something GOOD to say...

Thank you

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ORIGINAL: kc_chiefs

BINGO!

Big problem I believe. It taxes the staff in having to reply to things.

Matrix would do better to put up a forum for the game about one month before it releases. Get a group of gamers in a review pool for advice during development of the game and let the rest of us wait.

Too much pre-hype of a game kills the enthusiasm for it.

Does anyone remember Talonsoft advertising their Ironclads game? Man, they had me interested for a long time on that one. Then it never came out. I gave up on Talonsoft after they started doing their oddball games.

I am glad to see Matrix picking up the older Talonsoft titles.

For new titles - mums the word is the best policy. This is not Harry Potter ...

quote:

where have they failed ?

one thing I think Matrix may do wrong, is bring games into open forums much too early, players see there is a fourm for the game, they think it must be close to being done, a lot of times the project is just starting

but they trying to let the players know what is going on

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ORIGINAL: donkuchi

You also need to remember that Matrix is the publisher not the developer. They may have some input but they are really just making it available for purchase. If you notice, all of their games are 'published' by Matrix but have different developers such as 2 by 3, David Winters, Marshall Ellis, Shaun Sullivan, and so forth. Guys this isn't Microsoft. If it was, we wouldn't be buying their games. I support Matrix for giving the individual developer the support they need to bring their games to market. I have already purchased 8 of the games published by matrix and only two are by the same developer. It may take a little longer but the results are usually worth it.

quote:

ORIGINAL: pzgndr


So when is this StCry dude going to develop his own game and give us a chance to critique his efforts? THAT might be amusing.