Trying to update my ongoing list of Combat Mission releases at the following URL:
https://tacticalwargamer.com/computergames/combatmission/combatmission.htm
Am I missing something? I haven't been following along with the patch releases, last news I have is the Game Engine 4 patches going out in the summer of 2020.
Was this the only BFC release for the calendar year?
I went to check the January 2020 post at their forum, with the look at the year ahead, and get this:
QuoteWith the release of Fire and Rubble coming relatively soon, I'm guessing at least one of you might wonder what else we have planned for 2020. Might as well get that out of the way now as well ;)
We are not quite sure what the next release will be, though we know for sure it will be one of the following:
CM Final Blitzkrieg Module. This will take the Western Front from the Rein to the Elbe.
CM Black Sea Module. Picture US Marines, Ukrainian VDD, and Russia VDV forces added to the mix.
CM Red Thunder Battle Pack. A bunch of battles for the late Summer 1944 time period was started a while back and is now moving forward again.
At least one more Battle Pack, yet to be determined.
And as always we'll be working on things we're not ready to talk about plus the customized British MoD version. We do like to keep ourselves busy!
Did any of these (or anything else) get pushed out in 2020?
I'm guessing not, based on their news page? https://www.battlefront.com/index.php?p=home
None of that has been released.
Happy to see another module for Black Sea and although the late war on the eastern front isn't my favorite, still glad to see Red Thunder getting some attention.
Anyway, I'll be pleasantly surprised to see these in 2021.
"Fire and Rubble coming relatively soon"
They didn't even get that out in 2020. I actually don't remember if they got any modules out in 2020. I think the only thing they got out was the move of CMSF2 to Steam with a patch. And that seemed to have consumed all of their resources, along with whatever they ended up doing with Slitherine for the UK MoD.
I really didn't think they could slow down their public product releases any more than they have, but I was wrong. This might be their driest year for new content, but I could be wrong. They have had a few very slow years in the recent past. And the comms about the release schedule is a little better, but still abysmal in its forecasting accuracy.
I'm just happy they started releasing things on GoG and at Matrix (thence also through Steam) this year!
Edited to add: that's CM Shockforce 2. It went to Matrix, and Matrix took it to Steam.
Which might have been inspired by some of their devs jumping ship and migrating to Matrixlitherine, and thus recapitalizing sales successfully. ;) (The Strategic Command series specifically, first in a re-release of their original titles, and then modern updates of them.)
Ok, that confirms it - thank you gentlemen.
Is Red Thunder ever offered at a discount?
Quote from: JasonPratt on January 02, 2021, 11:46:01 AM
Which might have been inspired by some of their devs jumping ship and migrating to Matrixlitherine, and thus recapitalizing sales successfully. ;) (The Strategic Command series specifically, first in a re-release of their original titles, and then modern updates of them.)
Sometimes old dogs do learn new tricks. Guess we'll see if other titles follow suit. CMSF2 was an easy enough test bed for the marketing model, excluding Afghanistan it is the one least likely to make much money. The original CMSF has been around since 2006, and you would think anyone really interested in the theatre would own it already.
They've semi-sort-of already tested Combat Mission sales on the new(er) main platforms, when the Strategy First versions of Battlefront's CMx1 games went to GoG. Progressively, too: first CM1, then later a dual release of CMBtB and CMAK.
Those are even less likely to be bought than CMSF2, due to their age and the same theory that almost everyone who would want to play them has long since owned them (though having a working electronic copy through GoG sells a lot of old games!)
I can only hope that SF2 profits Battlefront well enough to continue the move to wider distribution.
The next question, of course, is whether BF's notorious patching model is moving with SF2! That doesn't seem super likely -- the whole SF2 set is on Steam now, through Matrix -- so they must be at least experimenting with modern patching methods, right? :dreamer:
Addendum: even when hope is real, hope isn't a strategy, so to help this hope be fulfilled, I just bought the (current) entire SF2 set at Matrix for just under US$45 including tax.
Using their sale, and my amazing loyalty discount, combined. As per usual for this season. ;D
(Obviously I didn't want to help enough to wait to pay the full price. ::) :P Then again, if I had been super-interested in SF2 I would have bagged it long ago, so the sale worked in capitalizing on a customer who probably wouldn't have bought it otherwise. O:-) )
Battlefront gave vague target dates and didn't meet them without explanation? I never!
Quote from: RyanE on January 02, 2021, 11:45:18 AM
"Fire and Rubble coming relatively soon"
They didn't even get that out in 2020. I actually don't remember if they got any modules out in 2020. I think the only thing they got out was the move of CMSF2 to Steam with a patch. And that seemed to have consumed all of their resources, along with whatever they ended up doing with Slitherine for the UK MoD.
I really didn't think they could slow down their public product releases any more than they have, but I was wrong. This might be their driest year for new content, but I could be wrong. They have had a few very slow years in the recent past. And the comms about the release schedule is a little better, but still abysmal in its forecasting accuracy.
Pretty sure Rome to Victory came out in 2020 didnt it ? Or is that just lockdown time playing tricks on my mind.
Quote from: Zulu1966 on January 02, 2021, 08:42:22 PM
Quote from: RyanE on January 02, 2021, 11:45:18 AM
"Fire and Rubble coming relatively soon"
They didn't even get that out in 2020. I actually don't remember if they got any modules out in 2020. I think the only thing they got out was the move of CMSF2 to Steam with a patch. And that seemed to have consumed all of their resources, along with whatever they ended up doing with Slitherine for the UK MoD.
I really didn't think they could slow down their public product releases any more than they have, but I was wrong. This might be their driest year for new content, but I could be wrong. They have had a few very slow years in the recent past. And the comms about the release schedule is a little better, but still abysmal in its forecasting accuracy.
Pretty sure Rome to Victory came out in 2020 didnt it ? Or is that just lockdown time playing tricks on my mind.
Great question! It came out in November, 2019. I had to check my email to verify.
I hope they get the WWII games on Steam soon. I bought SF2 to support it even though it's not my favorite timeline. The sale + loyalty coupon made it really reasonable for it plus all the expansions. But I *really* want the WWII ones on Steam. I refuse to use the BF DRM model.
Just did my periodic search through the BFC forums for any slight hint at plans of info. I had seen a few weeks ago the Fire and Rubble module was hinted at an early January release. Seems like BFC is backpedaling on it a little. Someone mentioned something going on in Steve's personal life. The Fire and Rubble thread is showing some community impatience in BFC's release pace and lack of follow through on plans.
btw, The CMFI module did come out in 2019 and even then it was over a year late, IIRC.
Quote from: RyanE on January 02, 2021, 10:03:22 PM
Just did my periodic search through the BFC forums for any slight hint at plans of info. I had seen a few weeks ago the Fire and Rubble module was hinted at an early January release. Seems like BFC is backpedaling on it a little. Someone mentioned something going on in Steve's personal life. The Fire and Rubble thread is showing some community impatience in BFC's release pace and lack of follow through on plans.
btw, The CMFI module did come out in 2019 and even then it was over a year late, IIRC.
Jeez - where did that go. I stopped anticipating BF releases a long time ago. when something appears thats great - but I no longer anticipate anything. I still have enough content in what I have bought - which is all of them to last me years.
With Battlefront joining Slitherine to jointly work on defense contracts, the role out of retail products will be impacted I imagine.........and the role out has always been slow.
I have all their titles. Mind you, given my restricted game time and advancing age, I will probably expire before I get through all of the scenarios and campaigns.
New thread at BFC Board:
https://community.battlefront.com/topic/138136-welcome-to-2021/ (https://community.battlefront.com/topic/138136-welcome-to-2021/)
It seems like I go through of vicious cycle of diving back into CM, remembering why it annoys the crap out of me sometimes and uninstall it and then dive back in after enough time takes the edge off the annoyance. Right as I wipe my hard drive after yet another CM quick battle where the enemy picks, for reasons unknown to anyone, a Wespe battery, I see something like this and I'm tempted again:
(https://content.invisioncic.com/r254563/monthly_2021_01/1243271575_FRBone1.jpg.2199e0193f147887ed5a1d3867f16b36.jpg)
Re-release means after paying for all the incremental upgrades to modules that we now have to pay again? All I really want are steam versions. I will probably actually load up my copies more if I have a steam version.
Quote from: Destraex on January 04, 2021, 04:52:13 AM
Re-release means after paying for all the incremental upgrades to modules that we now have to pay again? All I really want are steam versions. I will probably actually load up my copies more if I have a steam version.
You do not need to pay again. All battlefront license holders get keys.
I assumed it would be like shock force II ... but it's great that we get copies of the steam version for free on re-release.
Quote from: Destraex on January 04, 2021, 05:21:38 AM
I assumed it would be like shock force II ... but it's great that we get copies of the steam version for free on re-release.
Yeah. My old BFC license converted fine both to Matrix and to Steam.
I'm not sure I like running from Steam better, though.
Quote from: Redwolf on January 04, 2021, 01:51:22 PM
Quote from: Destraex on January 04, 2021, 05:21:38 AM
I assumed it would be like shock force II ... but it's great that we get copies of the steam version for free on re-release.
Yeah. My old BFC license converted fine both to Matrix and to Steam.
I'm not sure I like running from Steam better, though.
I still use my original BFC instalment even though I have a Steam install available.
It's hard to tell how much difference it makes, because it ran fine on Steam, but I got the vague impression that it runs slightly better running direct from the original. I'm guessing that it's because without Steam there is more free RAM available?
If Elvis sees this, perhaps he can advise?
Slightly OT...
I'm still hoping that some kind of AA defence will get made available for non-US, non-Syrian forces in Quick Battles.
It is very frustrating for modern armies like the Canadians, British, German and Dutch to get fragged by cheap Syrian helos without any means of shooting back (as they would in real life).
As a minimum it would be nice to have some US loaned Stinger teams, which surely is easy to implement. But if BFC are feeling more ambitious they could have these national units within the timeframe...
Within the 2008 time period:
British could have the Starstreak (Stormer vehicle and MANPADS)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starstreak
Germans could have the Wiesel 2 AWC Ozelot (4 Stingers), the Roland, and the Flakpanzer Gepard, Fennek (Stinger ADV)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiesel_AWC#Wiesel_2
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_(missile)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fennek
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flakpanzer_Gepard
Canadians could have the ADATS
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Defense_Anti-Tank_System
Dutch could have the Flakpanzer Gepard and the Fennek (Stinger ADV)
The Gepard was phased out a couple years ago. A a partial answer from a real world perspective on the air defense philosophy in the German Army.
"Cost savings and the relatively limited engagement envelope of two to three kilometers, essentially. The Bundeswehr considers itself an alliance army that won't operate without NATO or UN context, so the assumption is that it'll operate under conditions of air supremacy with a relatively low air threat. These days, of course, the Gepard would be highly welcome again as a tool against drones (even if it would require a different kind of AHEAD/KETF ammunition, I suspect)."
https://www.steelbeasts.com/topic/4546-steel-beasts-content-wish-list/page/283/
Quote from: RyanE on January 07, 2021, 08:12:56 AM
The Gepard was phased out a couple years ago. A a partial answer from a real world perspective on the air defense philosophy in the German Army.
"Cost savings and the relatively limited engagement envelope of two to three kilometers, essentially. The Bundeswehr considers itself an alliance army that won't operate without NATO or UN context, so the assumption is that it'll operate under conditions of air supremacy with a relatively low air threat. These days, of course, the Gepard would be highly welcome again as a tool against drones (even if it would require a different kind of AHEAD/KETF ammunition, I suspect)."
https://www.steelbeasts.com/topic/4546-steel-beasts-content-wish-list/page/283/
Canadian ADATS was cancelled before the Shock Force timeframe.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1502380/Combat_Mission_Black_Sea/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1502390/Combat_Mission_Black_Sea__Battle_Pack_1/
Steam release date : Januari 21
Is that battle pack new? I don't remember that.
edit: Nevermind. I just checked my purchases and had bought it when it came out.
Way to support the developer!
Quote from: Gusington on January 11, 2021, 03:15:04 PM
Way to support the developer!
Hasn't it been like a year or so. Are you going to come into every thread I post in and say something completely off topic? There was a reason I stopped coming here. Rethought it a little and figured I would check it out again.
Thanks for reminding me of the petty little clique that frequents here, out of touch racists and all.
Awww, come on Ryan. Don't be like that. For out of touch racists we're not all that bad. We let YOU in didn't we? When someone gives you little 'Ding', just give them a little 'Ding' back with something witty and it's all good. Something like, "Sorry, I was too busy 'supporting' your sister" or "The only lines older than that one came down from the mountain with Moses". We only hurt the ones we love.
Why does every CM thread always derail into something hateful?! :uglystupid2:
Quote from: Boggit on January 07, 2021, 12:28:20 AM
Quote from: Redwolf on January 04, 2021, 01:51:22 PM
Quote from: Destraex on January 04, 2021, 05:21:38 AM
I assumed it would be like shock force II ... but it's great that we get copies of the steam version for free on re-release.
Yeah. My old BFC license converted fine both to Matrix and to Steam.
I'm not sure I like running from Steam better, though.
I still use my original BFC instalment even though I have a Steam install available.
It's hard to tell how much difference it makes, because it ran fine on Steam, but I got the vague impression that it runs slightly better running direct from the original. I'm guessing that it's because without Steam there is more free RAM available?
If Elvis sees this, perhaps he can advise?
There should be no difference in performance. I'd be lyin' if I said that I have anything factual to support that. :-) Slitherine/Matrix handles all of the Steam stuff. Steam tech support questions don't even come to me/us.
Elvis, while you're here, I attempted to install the demo for Red Thunder from the Battlefront site yesterday but it just would not install due to errors popping up. Any advice?
Quote from: Gusington on January 12, 2021, 10:03:53 AM
Elvis, while you're here, I attempted to install the demo for Red Thunder from the Battlefront site yesterday but it just would not install due to errors popping up. Any advice?
I am running Bitdefender as a security/anti-virus suite and it prevented proper operation of CM installers.
Without knowing any details of your situation and the errors given, I'd say check your AV suite.
Quote from: Yskonyn on January 12, 2021, 10:24:42 AM
Quote from: Gusington on January 12, 2021, 10:03:53 AM
Elvis, while you're here, I attempted to install the demo for Red Thunder from the Battlefront site yesterday but it just would not install due to errors popping up. Any advice?
I am running Bitdefender as a security/anti-virus suite and it prevented proper operation of CM installers.
Without knowing any details of your situation and the errors given, I'd say check your AV suite.
In the past I also had issues with Battlefront software using AVG internet suite.
^I thought the same thing. The error given was specific about 'incorrect parameters.' I'll check my Panda AV.
Quote from: Gusington on January 12, 2021, 10:29:38 AM
^I thought the same thing. The error given was specific about 'incorrect parameters.' I'll check my Panda AV.
You can safely turn off anti virus protection as long as your PC is wearing a face mask :crazy2:.
I have a whole body condom around my PC :)
That was it, the AV. Not sure what's in the Battlefront download to cause that, but fixed now. Thanks guys.
I'd like to hear what you think about Red Thunder, Gus. There used to be this thing called, "What's Gus Playing"..... :-"
Yeah those were the days eh? I totally forgot about that!
I fired up the Red Thunder demo just for a few minutes this afternoon to poke around, haven't actually played it at all yet.
I think it's got less of an, 'East Front' feel than my old friend CMBB but that one was the whole campaign and this one's just 1944. The Russian Sub-Machine Squads have incredible firepower. And there's Flame-Throwers! :bd:
Is CMBB still worth playing?
For me it hasn't aged well. But there are still quite a few who prefer CMx1 over 2.
^Yeah that's the general feeling I get when poking around.
Yes but VERY dated by now. Still a great older game as are all the original CM games. The last time my computer took a dump, I fished-out an older cousin lying around and CMAK was on it and a few turns into an old campaign brought back golden memories. But I don't think I could go back there permanently. :dreamer:
I missed out on these games when they were new :/
Don't fret. Cause CMx2 looks a lot better and certainly is the same in spirit. Just a little different, but without previous experience with the games I'd say go jump in !
It's definitely a unique (albeit rather hardcore) tactical game.
I started with CMx2 and never really got into the x1 games when I picked them up. I'm big on infantry tactics in these games and the infantry aspect of those older games leave a lot to be desired. IIRC squads are abstracted to 2 or 3 men, ASL-style. I put a couple hours into Barbarossa to Berlin for "nostalgia" value, and because Red Thunder doesn't have nearly the same breadth of scenarios, but pretty quickly I found myself wanting to go back to the updated titles.
The most annoying aging thing about CMBB (all CMx1) is the low maximum screen resolution. Today's computers would have the power to run at 4k or whatever, but there was an arbitrary decision to limit it.
CM Black Sea is now on Steam. Anyone who currently owns it and wants it on Steam you can get a Steam key at no charge here (the same thing that we did for CMSF2):
https://www.slitherine.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=93585
EDIT: Oops.....I hadn't looked to see that there was already a thread about it. Carry on.
Fear the blue line of impending doom.... (not my video but pretty amusing)
Just a heads up, Fire and Rubble (the module for CMRT) was just put up for pre-orders this evening!
https://www.battlefront.com/red-thunder/cmrt-fire-and-rubble-module/
:smitten:
I notice there's no estimated release date this time. Probably for the better, as amusing as the constant delays tended to be.
They say the rule of thumb is 4-6 weeks after they announce the pre-order. So maybe the end of February, beginning of March is a safe bet? Of course, anything could happen.
My only experience with pre-ordering from BF was the Rome to Italy expansion and that really soured me on the whole idea.
Yeah I feel you. That was a hell of a delay. Reworking the older TO&E code, adding in all the new factions, and a few other behind the scenes hiccups led to those delays. Trust me, BFC was just as upset about them as the rest of us were. But, it did eventually come out. I know they were holding off on putting out the pre-order for Fire and Rubble until they knew they were close to release, to avoid the issue with R2V, so it is probably the safer bet to assume that at the least the wait will not be as long.
I can say that F&R will absolutely be worth the wait, especially for those who are Eastern Front fanatics and for those who are hoping for a much more fleshed out CMRT in general. Plus, it brings with it the final infantry behavior tweaks, which is another big plus. And there is more good stuff from BFC to come as well.
Learned my lessons with the other releases on release timings and how things get communicated leading up to it so see no need to pre order, especially for digital orders without any discounts. Just better to not think about it and when it shows up, I'll consider it a good day as I am sure I'll buy it at some point though since I own everything they put out even if I don't play it as much as I should.
Same here.
Fire and Rubble does look great though. So when they release it I am going to purchase immediately. Just don't see the point for pre-orders, unless you have the money now and want to pull the trigger early anyway.
Shrug.
Fire and Rubble looks great. I hope we don't have to wait too long for this gem. O0
Fire and Rubble reminds me of the Seelow Heights scenario of CMBB times. Hopefully a modern clone is included.
That scenario was a real tough nut to crack. And a monster if I remember correctly.
Quote from: Redwolf on February 01, 2021, 10:17:30 AM
Fire and Rubble reminds me of the Seelow Heights scenario of CMBB times. Hopefully a modern clone is included.
ASL Veteran made it for Fire and Rubble and it's current status is "Final" (meaning it is all wrapped up...including briefing graphics). I'd be lying if I said I remember the CMBB version. It's marked as a 2 hour battle (and 15 minutes of variable time) and "Huge".
The modules battles range from gigantic epic battles (the final one of Ithikail's mini-campaign is a massive "edge of your seat gotta watch the next turn unfold" monster) to tiny battles. There's one 30 minute battle where the Soviets start off with 1 man until a few reinforcements arrive.
I'm very excited that people will get to see this soon.
TEASE! OK. Tell me M-O-R-E.... :dreamer:
Fire and Rubble will be absolutely worth it to anyone interested in the eastern front, anyone who likes CM games, and anyone who thought (like me) that CMRT was a bit light on overall content such as formations. F&R adds a ton of new equipment and formations to both sides, plus you get winter seasons to fight in. Who doesn't love some eastern front action in the snow? There really is a lot to this module, and for everyone who gets it, it will take quite a long time to make your way through all of the content. Plus, it will be great to see what the community does with it as far as new user made scenarios and campaigns go.
One (admittedly minor) benefit to pre-ordering is that you will get the game first. BFC do soft launches, which basically means the game goes live, and 12-24 hours later they make the official announcement. But if you pre-ordered, you get an email that the game is live the second it goes up. So, if you're one of those people that cannot help but comment "First!" on YouTube videos, then pre-ordering might be for you.
Good to know. Thanks Capt.
How will fire and rubble work for steam. Will it be on steam right away?
Have new multiplayer coop elements been added?
Quote from: Destraex on February 02, 2021, 08:28:36 PM
How will fire and rubble work for steam. Will it be on steam right away?
Have new multiplayer coop elements been added?
No to both. Not sure when CMRT and F&R are expected to arrive on steam, but I do believe they will eventually.
No word on multiplayer coop. I'm still hoping that it will happen eventually. In the meantime you can try this out:
https://community.battlefront.com/topic/137609-combat-mission-co-op-screen-sharing/