Panther Games Command Ops 2 Limited Time Offer Bundle Pack Coming Soon

[Grim.Reaper]

I guess the question will be can multiple core versions of the game run on the same computer?  If so, the worse case will be having multiple versions installed to play various modules you have installed.  Not very elegant but doable I guess.

From what understood and could be wrong, for your modules to be playable on.new core updates, you would need to upgrade them.  But if multiple versions can run on your computer, then you could just start the older versions your modules are attached.

[Grim.Reaper]

Just saw a post in the forums where Dave said multiple versions would reside on your computer...each version able to play the modules you upgraded for it.  So again maybe not elegant, but does allow you to choose what you upgrade which that doesn't sound bad at all to me and still gives me the ability to upgrade older content if I want.

[Grim.Reaper]

And Dave just confirmed you can skip upgrades for a version...for example if version 3 comes out and you don't want to upgrade, you can skip it.  Then when version 4 comes out you can upgrade at that point to that version, without having to,upgrade to version 3 first.

With this clarification, I don't have any issues with this method, you really can pick and choose what you want to do and when you do it.  I think the remaining only question is to whether the core engine will always be free like first thought or if at some point that will cost money too.....although, not sure I would mind that much since my choice whether to upgrade.

[jomni]

Just saw a post in the forums where Dave said multiple versions would reside on your computer...each version able to play the modules you upgraded for it.  So again maybe not elegant, but does allow you to choose what you upgrade which that doesn't sound bad at all to me and still gives me the ability to upgrade older content if I want.

Almost sounds like how Command is doing their DB upgrades. Old ones are still there so that you can still play old scenarios.  But command also has a tool to convert old scenarios for the new db.

[Grim.Reaper]

Dave, also clarified that core will always be free...so sounds good to me.

[Rayfer]

And I scratched my head with how Battlefront handled/handles their Combat Mission patches, engine upgrades and add-on's.  Can't put my finger on it but this CO2 release just doesn't feel right. I'm going to wait until this is all sorted out and we know for sure what the pricing model really is.

[Grim.Reaper]

Dave does explain the final pricing model in above link so I don't expect much to change.  After really thinking about this, I think it is a decent model and similar to other games.

Let me use the example of far cry 3 and far cry 4.  Far cry 3 was released and you had to buy core game and optionally any dlc specifically for it.  When far cry 4 came out, you had to buy the core game (if you wanted the new stuff) and the dlc specifically for it.  It was your choice if you wanted to get the latest version or stick with the old.  The dlc is not sharable between the two.  If you wanted to play both the old and new versions with their specific dlc content, you would leave them installed side by side on your computer.

The model for co2 is basically the same

- In both cases, content is specific to version
-  in both cases, you can run versions side by side to play specific content
-  in both cases, totally your choice if you want to upgrade or stay on current version

Two big advantages of co2 are:
- never have to pay for core product, only new content or upgraded content you want (granted content may be more expensive then other games, not sure yet)
- you have the option to upgrade your past content to make it playable in current version...most other games don't even give you this option...most other cases your old dlc becomes dead weight

Although this wasn't clear to me at the start, in the end I have zero issues with the model.

[smittyohio]

I'm still not sold on the model without knowing how well they will support older versions of the engine / data packs once they've moved on.   But, I'm probably willing to bite on the bundled pack I think, even though i own some of CO1.   I'm not really sold on the new UI changes, and I can't really play the game as it is right now because of the overlapping text issues.   Once those are ironed out, I'll give the free engine another shot and make sure I enjoy the game.   I setup some attacks last night in one of the free scenarios, and was a little miffed to see a tiny engineering company hold off 2 full groups (8 units, can't remember the scale) of mechanized infantry and armor.   They eventually withdrew, but it reminded me of some of my frustrations with CO1.

[Grim.Reaper]

I'm still not sold on the model without knowing how well they will support older versions of the engine / data packs once they've moved on.   But, I'm probably willing to bite on the bundled pack I think, even though i own some of CO1.   I'm not really sold on the new UI changes, and I can't really play the game as it is right now because of the overlapping text issues.   Once those are ironed out, I'll give the free engine another shot and make sure I enjoy the game.   I setup some attacks last night in one of the free scenarios, and was a little miffed to see a tiny engineering company hold off 2 full groups (8 units, can't remember the scale) of mechanized infantry and armor.   They eventually withdrew, but it reminded me of some of my frustrations with CO1.

I doubt they will support old versions of the game to any extreme extent and wouldn't expect them too....there aren't many, if any, other game companies that provide support on older versions once they have moved on.

If your not sold on this version, you don't have to upgrade now...wait until a version comes out you want and then jump in.....of course the commander pack deal might not be there at that point....all personal choices and that is what I like about the model

[-budd-]

How many times have you played a later game in a series and wanted features ported back to an earlier version, no you have the choice. Core engine its stated will have added features, take mounted ops for Instance I imagine that feature alone would take a lot of time and effort to port back to earlier packs. I don't expect that for free. Multiple installs should work well and will keep user created content playable. Maybe I only want mounted ops in one or two of my modules , install a second copy , redownload and install the modules you want to upgrade and off you go. Thing is if your happy with how they play you don't have too  and can jump in later on a newer module. I have zero problem with this, choice is good with me. Even with all this the commander pack is a steal and I think they might have spoiled us with this.

[JudgeDredd]

^ Battlefront's games. I always upgrade the older modules when available  ;D

[RyanE]

I want good game companies to make money and continue investing in their products.  I am more than happy to keep plowing reasonable money into companies that support my hobby.  It would cost me a lot more to make a game I like by myself.

[Cyrano]

I bought Kursk '43 from JTS the other day as part of the Rich Hamilton fire sale and went to the HPS site to download the patch.  That lead me to thinking about the Jena patch that Dr. Tiller just released for BOTH the HPS and the JTS versions bringing the larger 2D graphics to the table.  All free and years after these games made either company any real money.  I appreciate them and their work.

I've defended BFC's model in large part although the 3.0 jump in the WW2 games gave me a minor case of the squick.

This is a whole new level and is creating some real cogdiss because I love this system and its games.  I'm probably in because the risk-reward is relatively in good proportion, but, I think I've put my finger on what bothers me:  we don't know what we'll be losing if we don't pay down the road and what we'll get to keep.  BFC hit us at the moment of the patch with the reality that we couldn't have all the cool new 3.0 stuff without the upgrade.  LnL is entirely prospective.  It's a bit more transparent, but I'm OCD about this stuff.  I'm not going to want all y'all to have all the cool things and I won't...even if we never play an on-line game against each other once in our lives.  I want a world in which games are feature-complete, tested, and done when I open the box, take out the 3.5'' disks, crack open the 300 page spiral-bound manual, and imagine how very grand the game before me will be on my brand new 13'' VGA monitor.

I would also like a pony.

Best,

Jim
"Cyrano"
:/7)

[-budd-]

Firesale....what firesale.....this still going on?

[Cyrano]

Rich Hamilton has been selling a fair number of different HPS versions of the JTS games (I know, it's confusing) on E-Bay for $20 each + postage.  If you reach out to him directly -- his e-mail is in the E-Bay listings -- he can make you an even better deal on bulk purchases.

I don't know what he has left, but you can find all the information by searching for "HPS Simulations" on E-Bay.

Best,

Jim
"Cyrano"
:/7)