Big announcement... Battlefront is now Slitherine

Redwolf · August 27, 2024, 07:44:00 AM

https://community.battlefront.com/topic/144314-big-announcement-battlefront-is-now-slitherine/

I guess that's bad news for the macOS version.

Tripoli · August 27, 2024, 08:03:22 AM

That is a logical development for Sliterine- Several of their games have professional versions that they are actively selling to NATO militaries, and it is likely a big part of their revenue. For example, they just recently sold the CMO Pro to the UK where (I believe) every military member will be able to download it. Likewise, Campaign Flashpoint and now Combat Mission also have pro editions they are selling to the military.

Jarhead0331 · August 27, 2024, 08:32:24 AM

This can only be a good thing for fans of the CM series.

Redwolf · August 27, 2024, 08:45:57 AM

Quote from: Jarhead0331 on August 27, 2024, 08:32:24 AMThis can only be a good thing for fans of the CM series.

Hmmm. As I see it the bottleneck holding back new content is that too much requires coding by Charles. But Slitherine doesn't seem to employ suitable programmers at that level, guessing from how they did PBEM+.

I don't see short-term change.

But maybe they held back some projects that are now being pushed through such as British forces for CMCW and maybe the engine performance improvements that Charles has been working on for a year.

ArizonaTank · August 27, 2024, 09:20:59 AM

I am hoping this means better visibility into the Battlefront future product stream.

I also think this will give the Battlefront team time, space and funding to explore the "next" thing. CMx2 is kind of played out (heresy to say that I know). Is that CMx3? Or, something completely new?

However, in the modern history of wargaming, these types of acquisitions are a mixed bag; some good ones and some not good.

Also with size, comes bloat, and hopefully Slitherine doesn't lose focus.

Anyway, as a guy who owns almost every Battlefront product, I wish them luck.

Sir Slash · August 27, 2024, 09:31:07 AM

I really hope this is a good thing for the series, which deserves to be supported and improved. But thinking back to the day I first downloaded the original game demo, and was instantly enthralled by it, why do I feel like I've just lost my Best Friend? Still, if they have to be bought-out, then Slitherine is probably the best group to do it.

Redwolf · August 27, 2024, 09:57:24 AM

Bit of a FAQ here: (no word on the macOS version)
https://www.matrixgames.com/battlefront-acquisition-faq

Interesting bit in there is that the new devs joining BFC are "Unity experts", which could point at a really fundamental engine change.

Tripoli · August 27, 2024, 09:58:54 AM

Quote from: Sir Slash on August 27, 2024, 09:31:07 AM...Still, if they have to be bought-out, then Slitherine is probably the best group to do it.

I absolutely agree with this. From my personal experience, Sliterine/Matrix is very supportive of wargaming in general, and professional wargaming in particular. I don't think there is a better company to continue to support and develop these products.

undercovergeek · August 27, 2024, 10:13:08 AM

The more programmers the better if you ask me

One of the things holding me back from jumping in head first is the number of things that happen in game that are inexplicable and no one on the forums knows why - why can't I see this from here? Why can he shoot me but I can't shoot him? Why can't I target the 3rd floor? All receive a collective shrug - it's the engine or the mysterious fog of war

Tripoli · August 27, 2024, 10:19:03 AM

Quote from: undercovergeek on August 27, 2024, 10:13:08 AMThe programmers the better if you ask me

One of the things holding me back from jumping in head first is the number of things that happen in game that are inexplicable and no one on the forums knows why - why can't I see this from here? Why can he shoot me but I can't shoot him? Why can't I target the 3rd floor? All receive a collective shrug - it's the engine or the mysterious fog of war

Regarding your question about why sometimes the enemy can shoot you, but you can't shoot him: in some cases, it is just a matter of the enemy got the spot, and you didn't. There is a bit of randomness in determining that, but being buttoned up, movement (and how the units are moving), having firing arcs set, and the type of equipment in question all factor in to making the determination of whether someone is spotted or not. BLUF: In CM, it is all very situation specific on the chance of spotting.

undercovergeek · August 27, 2024, 10:38:12 AM

Quote from: Tripoli on August 27, 2024, 10:19:03 AM
Quote from: undercovergeek on August 27, 2024, 10:13:08 AMThe programmers the better if you ask me

One of the things holding me back from jumping in head first is the number of things that happen in game that are inexplicable and no one on the forums knows why - why can't I see this from here? Why can he shoot me but I can't shoot him? Why can't I target the 3rd floor? All receive a collective shrug - it's the engine or the mysterious fog of war
Regarding your question about why sometimes the enemy can shoot you, but you can't shoot him: in some cases, it is just a matter of the enemy got the spot, and you didn't. There is a bit of randomness in determining that, but being buttoned up, movement (and how the units are moving), having firing arcs set, and the type of equipment in question all factor in to making the determination of whether someone is spotted or not. BLUF: In CM, it is all very situation specific on the chance of spotting.

Yeahhhhhh......... I don't know whether I want more transparency or just plain absolute info

It may not be the game for me

rss334 · August 27, 2024, 11:20:04 AM

So does that mean the performance patch we have all been waiting on is off the table? I've not purchased and will not purchase any of their games until they fix the performance. Red Thunder was the last and simply unplayable due to the frames and lag.

Redwolf · August 27, 2024, 11:23:48 AM

Quote from: rss334 on August 27, 2024, 11:20:04 AMSo does that mean the performance patch we have all been waiting on is off the table? I've not purchased and will not purchase any of their games until they fix the performance. Red Thunder was the last and simply unplayable due to the frames and lag.

To me it looks like the performance work Charles was on for the last year is indeed CMx3/Unity work, not a CMx2 refresh with better performance.

Zulu1966 · August 27, 2024, 01:19:51 PM

Quote from: Jarhead0331 on August 27, 2024, 08:32:24 AMThis can only be a good thing for fans of the CM series.

Absolutely agree with this. I personally am pretty excited to see where this takes things.

I guess the sold a million copies covers all the various titles and dlc. Still quite impressive for a niche wargame.

Zulu1966 · August 27, 2024, 01:24:46 PM

Quote from: undercovergeek on August 27, 2024, 10:13:08 AMThe more programmers the better if you ask me

One of the things holding me back from jumping in head first is the number of things that happen in game that are inexplicable and no one on the forums knows why - why can't I see this from here? Why can he shoot me but I can't shoot him? Why can't I target the 3rd floor? All receive a collective shrug - it's the engine or the mysterious fog of war

Well I am not sure these things haven't been explained..not sure there is a wargame that has been subject to as much forensic examination as to why it works the way it does. I think any question you may have has likely been answered somewhere and like any game it's not perfect but for sheer enjoyment and the feeling of actually commanding at the tactical level. Nothing comes close.

Graviteam I guess may be in the same bracket if I could actually figure out how it all works.