I'm probably the only one here who doesn't own CMBN.
What's held me back is the limited number of downloads, the apparent weirdness that will go on if you switch computers (and it's eventually an issue for all of us with Windows 11 on the horizon), and not being able to send an email to Matt to get things sorted out if something awkward happens (I think Schrully is still around and he's very good, but he won't remember me and there are some serious crazies in BTS or its successors' management and I don't want to have to rely on their making a reasonable decision). When you couple that with a three figure price, you have a perfect cocktail for not buying, nostalgia and former loyalty be damned.
As usual I'm the last on the block to get the word. I'm now hearing rumors that CMBN will come out on Steam. Does anyone know anything about this? There is of course no way to know if they will support their product properly on the Steam platform -- they're very good but very set in their ways. Does anyone know if ALL the CMBN modules will be available ? The Steam platform could potentially remove a lot (but not all) of my perceived obstacles to buying this.
I do not own any CM games for many of the reasons cited above but that will change as more get ported to Steam, especially Red Thunder.
I think part of the answer to my questions is that CMBN is making its way to Steam via Slitherine/Matrix. That's good from a compatability perspective, but it also suggests that the Slitherine/Matrix/Steam version may not be as complete or up-to-date version as the one at Battlefront (assuming they still call it that).
I tend to buy my Marix/Slitherine games direct, but play them on Steam when a key is availlable. That may not be possible or perhaps relevant here.
Quote from: Philippe on March 15, 2023, 10:53:55 AMAs usual I'm the last on the block to get the word. I'm now hearing rumors that CMBN will come out on Steam. Does anyone know anything about this? There is of course no way to know if they will support their product properly on the Steam platform -- they're very good but very set in their ways. Does anyone know if ALL the CMBN modules will be available ? The Steam platform could potentially remove a lot (but not all) of my perceived obstacles to buying this.
https://steamcommunity.com/app/2297010/discussions/0/3790380616230793437/
Battlefront and Slitherine are thrilled to announce that Combat Mission Battle for Normandy, one of the most iconic titles of the Combat Mission series, is coming on March 28th.
https://www.grogheads.com/forums/index.php?topic=26793.0
Quote from: Philippe on March 15, 2023, 11:44:21 AMit also suggests that the Slitherine/Matrix/Steam version may not be as complete or up-to-date version as the one at Battlefront (assuming they still call it that).
As far as I know all Steam/Slitherine versions have the same content on release as the Battlefront edition.
There's a reasonably good chance I'm gonna end up rebuying all my WW2 CMx2 games from Matrixlitherine sooner or later.
Quote from: JasonPratt on March 15, 2023, 12:01:07 PMThere's a reasonably good chance I'm gonna end up rebuying all my WW2 CMx2 games from Matrixlitherine sooner or later.
If you have a Battlefront key you should still be able to get a Steam Key and have the game on Matrix.
https://community.battlefront.com/topic/138221-cm-black-sea-is-now-available-on-steam-here-is-how-to-get-your-steam-key-if-you-already-own-the-game/
https://community.battlefront.com/topic/140376-cm-cold-war-is-now-available-on-steam-here-is-how-to-get-your-steam-key-if-you-already-own-the-game/
https://community.battlefront.com/topic/137434-how-to-get-your-cmsf2-game-on-steam/
https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=4689029#p4689029
A Steam key for CMBN would definitely give me peace of mind. I've been a victim of Battlefront's draconian DRM a couple of times and the idea that my £50 bit of software stopped working coz I upgraded my PC really pissed me off
Snorf, like I know where my Battlefront keys are.... :doh:
Quote from: JasonPratt on March 15, 2023, 02:07:32 PMSnorf, like I know where my Battlefront keys are.... :doh:
Here : https://www.battlefront.com/index.php?p=orders
And now try to remember your Battlefront password.
.............................. :HideEyes:
There is a third version of the BFC CMx2 games:
- BFC
- Steam
- Matrix
The Matrix one has a simple serial number auth scheme with no install limits and no invalidation on new hardware.
You will have to wait for the Steam release, though.
The Matrix version also uses their PBEM+++ system, which works pretty well for PBEM matches, and is easier/quicker to use than emailing PBEM files.
Quote from: Pete Dero on March 15, 2023, 11:44:36 AMBattlefront and Slitherine are thrilled to announce that Combat Mission Battle for Normandy, one of the most iconic titles of the Combat Mission series, is coming on March 28th.
Day 1 purchase for me. Been holding off since they first came out due to the DRM scheme.
Quote from: Tripoli on March 16, 2023, 08:32:18 PMThe Matrix version also uses their PBEM+++ system, which works pretty well for PBEM matches, and is easier/quicker to use than emailing PBEM files.
The BFC versions also gain the PBEM++ system when the Steam release happens.
Personally I think it is unusable, but hey...
Quote from: Redwolf on March 17, 2023, 04:26:22 PMQuote from: Tripoli on March 16, 2023, 08:32:18 PMThe Matrix version also uses their PBEM+++ system, which works pretty well for PBEM matches, and is easier/quicker to use than emailing PBEM files.
The BFC versions also gain the PBEM++ system when the Steam release happens.
Personally I think it is unusable, but hey...
I did not know that. In that case, I would still recommend getting the Matrix version, as you get a Steam key (I believe) plus the effectively unlimited (100, I believe) downloads from Matrix. The only issue is the DLCs, which I don't know if the Matrix/Steam version has. FWIW, I'm using the PBEM+++ system right now (while getting my butt kicked) in the CM Cold War tournament, and the system is working well=no hiccups.
Quote from: Tripoli on March 18, 2023, 07:52:19 AMThe only issue is the DLCs, which I don't know if the Matrix/Steam version has.
Every Battlefront title released thus far on Matrix has had complete DLC availability, so there is no reason to assume that won't continue to be the case moving forward.
Quote from: Sigwolf on March 18, 2023, 11:09:55 AMQuote from: Tripoli on March 18, 2023, 07:52:19 AMThe only issue is the DLCs, which I don't know if the Matrix/Steam version has.
Every Battlefront title released thus far on Matrix has had complete DLC availability, so there is no reason to assume that won't continue to be the case moving forward.
Does DLC availability mean that they're included or does it mean that you have to but can buy them separately ?
Quote from: Philippe on March 19, 2023, 11:41:15 PMQuote from: Sigwolf on March 18, 2023, 11:09:55 AMQuote from: Tripoli on March 18, 2023, 07:52:19 AMThe only issue is the DLCs, which I don't know if the Matrix/Steam version has.
Every Battlefront title released thus far on Matrix has had complete DLC availability, so there is no reason to assume that won't continue to be the case moving forward.
Does DLC availability mean that they're included or does it mean that you have to but can buy them separately ?
If you already have any DLC on Battlefront you will have that DLC on Slitherine/Steam.
Base game & DLC have to be activated separately.
DLC you don't have on Battlefront will not be active in the Slitherine/Steam edition until you buy them.
THE PROMISED TIME HAS COME!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2297010/Combat_Mission_Battle_for_Normandy/
On sale for only US$122.36! That's like 24% off on average! :Party:
More importantly, I found both my BF password and my CMx2 keys where I had the prescience to archive them in case such a day, not to be even hoped for at the time, ever came.
How to use them, exactly, I don't know yet. But I shall be researching, in accordance with links upthread!
Quote from: JasonPratt on April 02, 2023, 02:05:37 PMTHE PROMISED TIME HAS COME!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2297010/Combat_Mission_Battle_for_Normandy/
On sale for only US$122.36! That's like 24% off on average! :Party:
More importantly, I found both my BF password and my CMx2 keys where I had the prescience to archive them in case such a day, not to be even hoped for at the time, ever came.
How to use them, exactly, I don't know yet. But I shall be researching, in accordance with links upthread!
In that case, register your keys with Matrix (if they are for CM: Normandy, or any of the other CM titles that Matrix has] and you can download the Matrix version, and get a Steam key from the Matrix version key you will get. If you purchased the CM: Normandy Big Bundle, the key will be accepted by Matrix for each of the DLCs, but you will have to enter it separately for each DLC.
I forgot to come back here and mention that I sort-of-blogged my activation in the original thread here: https://www.grogheads.com/forums/index.php?msg=724347
It came out the same way as you briefly described, of course.
So they will be doing one game at a time or are these slated to come to steam in short succession to each other?
Also notice their is no demo on steam for cm normandy, wonder if they will only use the demos when the steam demo week arrives.
Quote from: Destraex on April 02, 2023, 06:04:19 PMSo they will be doing one game at a time or are these slated to come to steam in short succession to each other?
Also notice their is no demo on steam for cm normandy, wonder if they will only use the demos when the steam demo week arrives.
CMBN - release set for March 2023
CMRT - release set for June 2023
CMFI - release set for September 2023
CMFB - release set for December 2023 or January 2024
Ah, so end-of-quarterly! That's reasonable.
asking in other instruction thread.
Quote from: JasonPratt on April 03, 2023, 07:22:07 AMAh, so end-of-quarterly! That's reasonable.
I don't think that needing a full quarter for each game with no code changes except Steam integration is reasonable. At least it should speed up after the first few due to experience gained, after all the Steam integration will be the same for all these games.
Not that it really matters to me. I will probably switch to the Matrix version of those CMx2 games that have it.
I meant reasonable from a profit-making standpoint, although I don't know about code changes for integration first with Matrix and then with Steam.
Quote from: JasonPratt on April 04, 2023, 08:58:29 AM<cite><a href="https://www.grogheads.com/forums/index.php?msg=724401">Quote from: JasonPratt</a> on 4/4/2023, 9:58:29 a.m.</cite>I don't know about code changes for integration<br>
They have to add the code to handle PBEM++ and tournament integration to each title, test it before handing it off to Slitherine who do the Steam integration. Now that it has been done once or twice :-) I'm sure it can go faster but there are likely other things going on at the same time.
Can I confirm that sending turn files to each other still works? That way if the system ever dies it's still a working manually.
Quote from: Destraex on April 05, 2023, 06:39:08 AMCan I confirm that sending turn files to each other still works? That way if the system ever dies it's still a working manually.
I believe it works, and can confirm it works in the professional edition. However, here is a 2 player game file for Normandy, done in PBEM. https://we.tl/t-fZZFOEjetv If you can open it, it works in PBEM
I am very happy to see CMBN get to Steam. Can't wait for the other WWII CMx2s to get there.
I was one of those "there from the beginning" CMx1 CMx2 customers who became very turned off by license activation issues the old "battlefront" way.
I spent far to much of my life trying to resolve licensing issues with DLC and patch upgrades.
Frustration meant that I even stopped trying to do re-installs as I moved to new computers.
Steam availability brings me (and my wallet) back as a customer. :Party: :ThumbsUp:
Note, for the record, had not issue taking my old Battlefront SNs and registering on Sliterine/Matrix to get Steam codes.
Right there with you Tank. Loved the game but hated the Instillation Process(s).