Combat Mission: Black Sea Article - Out by End of Year

[Cyrano]

Making scenarios was (and still is in some respects) quite easy in CMx1.  Making good scenarios has always been hard.  Just as an experiment some months ago, I tried to put together a couple scenarios using the "I Ain't Been Shot Mum" scenario books from Too Fat Lardies.  Of course they're different games, but even managing terrain -- particularly gorund slope on which I only then realized just how badly most miniatures games fudge -- distance between forces, and force balance, was a striking challenge. 

Just wrapped up "Angriff" versus Judge in CM:RT (yep, Judge, you got that IS-1 in the end...literally...), am playing "Baranovichi", "Huzzar!", and "Monty's Butchers".  Scenario design is a craft with a bit of art thrown in.  My hat is off to those that make the best ones.  So, to me, this just puts new toys in the hands of the talented.  Awesome news.

Best,

Jim
"Cyrano"
:/7)

[Bletchley_Geek]

Those are cool.  I am hoping that the design concept that was theorized back with CMSF in 2007 is finally coming to fruition...being able to pump out small content packs much more frequently than in the past.  SO far it hasn't worked, but this is a good sign.

I second that.

I am also reading between the lines of what Chris (Normal Dude) has been posting that they're considering to release "battle packs", probably with campaigns and "master maps". I can only hope that BFC is following the "release often, release early" motto, rather than pretty massive expansions where a bug in one single vehicle can delay the release of the whole thing.

[RyanE]

I think the length of time between releases has really hurt their marketability beyond the hardcore devotees.  Their team is not exactly small.  They have a couple programmers, a couple 3D artists, a few scenario builders, and at least a couple marketing guys.  Yet they go 4-6 months between any kind of release.

I like CM, but even I lose interest after a couple months.  I would basically buy anything they sell.  I have a dozen other games calling to me and they get my attention because stuff keeps coming out.  I almost think they they need to go to micro-sales...One or two vehicles and couple scenarios.  But I think their DRM and MP get real messy real fast with that approach.

[undercovergeek]

they have a couple of programmers - 2

the 3d artists cant do anything until the programmers do their thing

noone is a professional scenario builder its who can muck in when they can

and marketing cant programme, scenario build or create 3d art

so, basically its just 2 programmers

thats just one more than you, if you decided to start your own wargaming company tomorrow

[RyanE]

They a couple marketer...martin and I think Chris, right.  Aren't MikeyD and the guy fernando skinners and modelers.  Then they have Steve.  I know a few beta guys build scenarios and campaigns as employees.  There are a couple more people in the background doing tech support like Schullencraft and Elvis.  Add to that the two programmers and you have anywhere from 8-11 employees.  I am sure all are not full time, but my understanding the last time they talked about it was at least 6 of them are.

They have also stated several times that while programming is key, 3D modeling ends up being the bottleneck on releases.

[undercovergeek]

yeah, theres still quite a lot of art to be released for CMBS

[jomni]

Those are cool.  I am hoping that the design concept that was theorized back with CMSF in 2007 is finally coming to fruition...being able to pump out small content packs much more frequently than in the past.  SO far it hasn't worked, but this is a good sign.

It should have been like that and people thought it was like that before.  One WW2 base game with different modules.  But it evolved into three distinct titles. :/

[Nefaro]

Those are cool.  I am hoping that the design concept that was theorized back with CMSF in 2007 is finally coming to fruition...being able to pump out small content packs much more frequently than in the past.  SO far it hasn't worked, but this is a good sign.

It should have been like that and people thought it was like that before.  One WW2 base game with different modules.  But it evolved into three distinct titles. :/

They're saying this again?

???

Hopefully they stick to it this time.

[RyanE]

Those are cool.  I am hoping that the design concept that was theorized back with CMSF in 2007 is finally coming to fruition...being able to pump out small content packs much more frequently than in the past.  SO far it hasn't worked, but this is a good sign.

It should have been like that and people thought it was like that before.  One WW2 base game with different modules.  But it evolved into three distinct titles. :/

It's more than three distinct games for WW2...westfront is at least two (CMBN and bulge), Italy is one, and eastfront is at least three (early, mid, and late).  That is six plus all the modules, upgrades, and packs.  It creates a pretty messy product list.

[Elvis]

The  Vehicle Pack has been released.


Regarding releases, I've always been in the camp that too many per year isn't a good thing. I understand that BFC would like to release more titles per year than they currently are but I've also wondered if there might be diminishing returns if they did. As it is now, the core will buy nearly everything that is released. But will they still do that if there are one or 2 games, 2 or 3 modules, an Upgrade and/or Pack every few months? I dunno. If Black Sea makes it out this year, a person who buys everything will have purchased 2 main games, 2 Upgrades and a Pack. About $150. And that's with lower production than some are looking for. Although, I suppose a case can be made that they might sell more total units even if the core doesn't buy everything.

I may not be the best person to comment on this because, aside from Combat Mission games, I think the only other game I've purchased in the last 4 or 5 years is Skyrim.

[RyanE]

But if the core will always buy, and the majority left to buy are core, you have to pump as much out as you can.  The engine can only last so much longer and the opportunity is not unlimited.

In this engine, you are not going to get many new buyers.  The core is standing around waiting to buy and if its three months between releases, your cash flow and captured opporunity will suck compared to smaller releases every month.

Maybe the killer is that they are now working with 3-4 completely seperate engines instead of putting everything under a WW2 engine and Modern engine.

[WallysWorld]

The CMBN Vehicle Pack has been released for $20: http://www.battlefront.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=333&Itemid=575

[JudgeDredd]

...
I may not be the best person to comment on this because, aside from Combat Mission games, I think the only other game I've purchased in the last 4 or 5 years is Skyrim.

MY GOD!

I think I average 1 a month and I'm being conservative there!

Of course I would pretty much guarantee you get more for your money given those numbers  O0

[Elvis]

...
I may not be the best person to comment on this because, aside from Combat Mission games, I think the only other game I've purchased in the last 4 or 5 years is Skyrim.

MY GOD!

I think I average 1 a month and I'm being conservative there!

Of course I would pretty much guarantee you get more for your money given those numbers  O0

Yeah, that's why I was thinking that my opinion may not be the best on this subject. If there's a hunger, early and often might be the ticket.

Does it count if I've bought games for my kids? If it does, then I guess I can add a lot of money pent on Minecraft, Just Dance and Skylanders. :)

[RyanE]

Jusr be forewarned...activation appears to be a bit of a nightmare.  It immediately seems to have deactivated all modules.  I think I have to reactivate EVRY SINGLE module for CMBN...CMBN, 2,o, 3.0, MG, CW, and the new pack.

F****** awesome.  I can use all my gaming spare time to suss this out.

Number of people with the issue on BFC forum as well.  I love DRM.