SamuraiProgrmmr
Posts: 353
Joined: 10/17/2004
From: Paducah, Kentucky
Status: offline
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Coregames,
My post started out as a refutation of the implication that Delphi was not a top-notch programming platform. Maybe I should have stopped there.
It grew into a rant against people who have threatened not to buy the game if Matrix doesn't do exactly what they want - especially those who threatened to gather their minions to boycot Matrix and / or WIF in the same way. Anyone who has crossed that boundary in any of the WIF threads can consider themselves as the 'target' of that portion of the post and have my permission to hate me forever. If you (or anyone else) does not fit that bill, I aplogize for my rant.
I read this forum as a series of e-mails and after glancing back over this thread have come to the realization that the threats of boycott, singular or en masse may have been from another post. I apologize to all for breaking forum etiquitte in that case.
To Everyone,
I have no animosity to anyone on this forum, but the tone has shifted in the last few weeks and I fear what that tone might do to this game.
When I hear about a new game, the first thing I do is find the 'official' forum and try to go back to the beginning and read the threads. It gives me a pretty good idea of how the project is perceived about the people who likely care about it the most. I suspect, that if I were not already introduced to WIF as a table top game, I would quickly move on to the next candidate for a game purchase and never look back.
If that happens, Matrix could take a financial beating.
Before I go on, let me give you my credentials so you will understand that I know what I am talking about. I am a 20 year veteran custom software developer. I have usually worked alone. I have many systems to my credit including (but not limited to) 3 complete accounting systems (including payroll), 2 job cost systems, 2 boat / barge dispatch systems, a car repossesion management package, a customizable commision tracking program, and an agricultural finance/marketing package that totals 150,000 lines - all written solely by yours truly. My claim to fame is that several peices of this software have been in constant usage for over 5 years without having to be touched by a programmer. I even once delivered a project that had 0 bugs. By 0, I mean ZERO - NONE - ZIP - NADA. I know what it takes to write quality software.
Having said that, I will say this:
ANY SOFTWARE CAN BE WRITTEN TO DO ANYTHING IF THERE IS ONLY ENOUGH MONEY AND TIME GIVEN TO COMPETENT PROGRAMMERS!
Before Chris M started work on this game, I considered porting WIF to a PC myself. After a few weeks of thinking about how to put it together and what it would take to accomplish the task, I decided not to. It was just too big to complete in my spare time. It is possible that some of the people at Matrix may feel they have bitten off more than they can chew for a profit. Remember, they are a business. They MUST make profits or they will ALL be looking for new jobs.
I am sure that the people directly involved in this project still feel that it is doable and are looking forward to building a piece of software that fulfills the requirement set out in the initial agreement. However, if there is enough grumbling, naysaying, bitching, moaning, whining, griping, and threats; the managment types may start reconsidering. With the remarks made in this forum, they would be negligent if they did not at least think it through one more time and consider dumping this project before it starts costing red ink.
All of the activity here, especially the threats to gather a group of perspective customers and boycot the product could easily bring that about.
I FEAR that some of the negativist prophecies of doom can become self fulfilling.
Matrix gave us a place to tell them what we wanted. They gave us a place to discuss what will or will not work. I have participated in those discussions. I have my opinion (and agenda). Many others have another. I have consistently tried to point out that there is a possibility for everyone to get their wish list. But even the concept of 'let's all support each other and ask Matrix to do several things' has fallen on deaf ears. There are denizens of this forum that have rejected that and ranted (repeatedly) about how "their way was the only way that this game would ever work and how can anyone be so stupid to think otherwise". This is not a direct quote, but I think anyone who has frequented this forum will agree that the tone has conveyed this at times.
I have stated publicly that I will pre order and PRE PAY for my copy of this game. I have not put any conditions on it such as:
1) If it is done by next Monday
2) If it is done by next Month
3) If it is done by next Year
4) If it has TCP/IP
5) If it has PBEM
6) If it has the full sequence of play
7) If it has a compressed sequence of play
8) If the graphics are redone
9) If the graphcis are the same
10) If a certain supplemental kit is included
11) If it has an AI
and so on.
No, I am ready to pony up right now - unconditionally! Why?
Because World In Flames is simply the BEST Strategic Level World War II game I have ever played. It will be a shame for this game to go unported in a professional manner.
Chris M did a fine job, but apparently was not able to secure financing to treat it as his primary focus of activity. Hell, we all have to earn a living.
I can tell I am getting a full blown rant going now... so I am just going to make one point and then I will stop.
To those of you who are acting like Matrix is harming us by not allowing Chris M's version to continue to be distrubuted - GROW UP! They are about to invest several hundred thousand dollars into this project. Why should they continue to let it be given away?
IF YOU WHINERS CARED ENOUGH ABOUT THIS GAME TO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THE PLAYTESTING, YOU WOULD HAVE A COPY!
But no, you wanted to sit on your ass while others clicked and typed and groaned after losing some playing time to a new bug. I bet you even planned to get a copy just before it was finished in the hopes that it was 'good enough' and you didn't have to pay the purchase price until it hit the bargain bin.
I said I was going to say one more thing and then quit -- I LIED
We should be doing anything we can to encourage Matrix to complete whatever game they intend to and SUPPORT IT! I mean it! Tell the world how great it is and then, when the revenue starts rolling in we can ask Matrix to add expansion packs, create scenarios, create editors, release new versions or whatever we want. But SUPPORT IT! That will ensure that this piece of software can be as great as possible.
Matrix will make whatever decisions are fiscally responsible. They will listen to our opinions and look to us for suggestions, but when the chips come down, they will make a BUSINESS DECISION. When that happens, the only choice we will have is to make it successful enough that they want to continue expanding it.
One Last thing - I Promise to stop after this.
If any of you are that unhappy about how Matrix is handling this, you do have three valid avenues to effect change
1) Acquire ownership of World In Flames from Harry.
2) Acquire ownership the rights to MWIF from Matrix Games.
3) Acquire ownership of Matrix Games.
Any of those will put you in the decision loop in some fashion. #3 will guarantee that you get just what you want.
Until you are willing and ABLE to pony up the cash to do that, you need to remember that the people who are willing and able to have done those three things are going to make decisions that you may not like. Quit taking actions that may make them make a decision we will all hate.
That is enough for now. I will go get my asbestos boxers 'cause I know my butt is about to be flamed.
DISCLAIMER : I am in no way associated with Matrix Games other than as a possible customer.
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Bridge is the best wargame going .. Where else can you find a tournament every weekend?
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