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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> Empires in Arms the Napoleonic Wars of 1805 - 1815 >> Tech Support >> Question

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Question - 12/20/2007 5:24:32 PM

lavisj

Posts: 89
Joined: 10/17/2006
Status: offline

From the high number of bugs that have been reported, and most occuring during normal (non exotic) gameplay, I was wondering if this was a natural occurance for computer games, or if it was a lack of beta testing the game? It seems to me that a lot of the bugs should have been detected by the beta testers.

I am not familiar with the process that the game went through, but for someone who was debating wether to buy the game or not, it sure does not look good.

Post #: 1

RE: Question - 12/20/2007 5:50:48 PM

Marshall Ellis

Posts: 5630
Joined: 10/2/2001
From: Dallas
Status: offline

Actually, we did do a lot of testing. The guys found almost 2000 items that needed to be addressed. Most of these dealt with rules implementations. This is a complex board game and it mandated a complex engine be developed.

It's not perfect but with the thousands of different rules interpretations and "house rules", I don't expect it to ever please everybody. I also understand that my job is to please everybody and I won't stop trying :-)

I'm always frustrated with bugs. They are a reflection of my imperfections and it when they are aired publicy then OUCH! I also know that they are a normal part of development and are always there. I haven't seen a game yet that was bug free.

_____________________________

Thank you

Marshall Ellis
Outflank Strategy War Games

(in reply to lavisj)

Post #: 2

RE: Question - 12/20/2007 6:02:06 PM

lavisj

Posts: 89
Joined: 10/17/2006
Status: offline

Thank you for your answer Marshall. You did a lot of work for sure already (how big was/is the development team? ... not beta testers) .....
I will just wait until you get a couple patches out to address bugs and AI, TCP/IP issues.

(in reply to Marshall Ellis)

Post #: 3

RE: Question - 12/20/2007 6:22:07 PM

Monadman

Posts: 2085
Joined: 12/6/2005
From: New Hampshire
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: lavisj

From the high number of bugs that have been reported, and most occuring during normal (non exotic) gameplay, I was wondering if this was a natural occurance for computer games, or if it was a lack of beta testing the game? It seems to me that a lot of the bugs should have been detected by the beta testers.

I am not familiar with the process that the game went through, but for someone who was debating wether to buy the game or not, it sure does not look good.

For the record:

A lot (not all) of the bugs that are now being reported (post release) were previously cleared (i.e. the function worked) or was written off as a deviation. Unfortunately, as Marshall just alluded too, due to the complexity of this system (and his code), when you go in to fix one function it very well may break (and has broken) another.

Richard

_____________________________

(in reply to lavisj)

Post #: 4

RE: Question - 12/20/2007 10:59:08 PM

Marshall Ellis

Posts: 5630
Joined: 10/2/2001
From: Dallas
Status: offline

The development team was large (See credits file) enough to create a monster! I don't even know how many people in total? I was the sole programmer and Richard (Above post) was very involved in helping me shape my code and in design. We have a "Some-Hate-Some-Love" relationship :-). Some days we love each other and some days we hate each other. I may talk to him more than my wife?????? Point is that we challenge each other on our ideas and it seems to work!

_____________________________

Thank you

Marshall Ellis
Outflank Strategy War Games

(in reply to Monadman)

Post #: 5

RE: Question - 12/20/2007 11:09:33 PM

Monadman

Posts: 2085
Joined: 12/6/2005
From: New Hampshire
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Marshall Ellis

The development team was large (See credits file) enough to create a monster! I don't even know how many people in total? I was the sole programmer and Richard (Above post) was very involved in helping me shape my code and in design. We have a "Some-Hate-Some-Love" relationship :-). Some days we love each other and some days we hate each other. I may talk to him more than my wife?????? Point is that we challenge each other on our ideas and it seems to work!

He called me sweetheart once.

Richard

< Message edited by Monadman -- 12/20/2007 11:20:02 PM >

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(in reply to Marshall Ellis)

Post #: 6

RE: Question - 12/21/2007 2:41:15 AM

Murat

Posts: 803
Joined: 9/17/2003
From: South Carolina
Status: offline

�My one buddy was playing a MMORPG when he got a call from another one and at the end of the conversation he said "OK, I love you honey." His wife hepled us give him crap about that for almost 6 months.

Speaking of getting crap, I need typing lessons

(in reply to Monadman)

Post #: 7

RE: Question - 12/21/2007 10:16:08 PM

JavaJoe

Posts: 546
Joined: 9/12/2005
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Monadman

quote:

ORIGINAL: Marshall Ellis

The development team was large (See credits file) enough to create a monster! I don't even know how many people in total? I was the sole programmer and Richard (Above post) was very involved in helping me shape my code and in design. We have a "Some-Hate-Some-Love" relationship :-). Some days we love each other and some days we hate each other. I may talk to him more than my wife?????? Point is that we challenge each other on our ideas and it seems to work!

He called me sweetheart once.

Richard