Throw a dog a bone...please! Vehicle add ons, when?

[StrykerPSG]

I know there have been other posts with regards to this subject, but since summer is upon us, when might we see the CV90 upgrade? I love the game but would certainly enjoy the additional vehicles. I know there are issues with regards to the countries consent to release, but what about taking on the view of other lite sims, such as Wings over Vietnam or Falcon 4? Basically, the game architecture is open for anyone to add whatever skins, mods or vehicles to the basic game, without compromise to anyones national security. Besides, with resources such as Janes Defence Group and Federation of American Scientists (?), there is not much that is private anymore. I just hate to see such a great engine, with so much to offer, moving at a slow rate.

Please forgive me if this was recently discussed and I overlooked the discussion in the search engine.

:cvcsalute:

[Hackworth]

I don't believe there was an actual issue with any country withholding the right to release additional features and vehicles. Ssnake basicly said so much in another post. Also, he eluded to a release date toward the end of the summer. I image in order to keep with the Summer release promise, but also to squash as many bugs as possible by then and add as much as possible. The recent update patch was a "quick fix" for some of the major bugs in the previous version (i.e. the über-crunchies and their mini-nuke-ATGM's, as well as the flying circus BRDM-2's) that rendered the sim unplayable for many. I'd expect around August...

[dejawolf]

standard release date estimation procedure:
if someone mentions a date, multiply that date by 3, and thats how long it will usually take.
so if someone says 1 day, it takes 3 days. if someone says 1 year, it takes 3 years, etc.

[MatsW]

Regarding the release of the CV9040, it's not an issue about classified information. The vehicle is done with open sources and some "qualified guesses".

The release timing is more about bringing a good and tested model out to the users. The CV9040 have been used in a basic model inside Swedish Army for about 6 months and it will be finished this summer.

Of course you could have a open architecture where everyone could make vehicles and put in, but then you just have another Operation Flash Point.

eSim put a lot effort to have realistic ballistic model, realistic fire control system with almost all procedures in it and also a damage model that will be almost as the real vehicle.

The CV9040 will probably have some bugs when it's released, but the numbers of them have been fixed down to a minimum I hope. It take some time to test every different situation and often, the community here reveals some that the tester, including the Army customers, haven't found.

It take some time to have new models but it's like Carlsberg Beer - worth waiting for.

[Kamatz]

It take some time to have new models but it's like Carlsberg Beer - worth waiting for.

Ah, that puts things in a more understandable perspective :lol: ..although I had to settle for Tuborg when shopping today.

But I agree on the bone-thing. Though I'd be a happy, happy camper with some info on what's coming - apart from the CV9040B & C. But heck, when I survived the wate for PE..I can sure as hell survive the wait for future addons.

[Skybird03]

Some how I have an extremely relaxed attitude towards that addon, or other vehicles. Since I do not miss them now, I will thankfully take them when they are there - and if they do not come, I nevertheless have suffered not the smallest loss, and their would be no dissapointement at all. That MUCH SBP already delivers!

Give me a fix for the only two things I really wait for: the rocks-issue and the water-issue, and I probably would stop to wait for additonal patches and addons beyond that on a regular basis! :lol:

[cobrabase]

I'd count on the Summer add-on as being the last freebie update before we have to start paying.

Make no mistake they'll always fix any bugs for free but added vehicles will start costing us.

[stuart666]

I'd count on the Summer add-on as being the last freebie update before we have to start paying.

Make no mistake they'll always fix any bugs for free but added vehicles will start costing us.

But that overlooks the fact that if you have a scenario which has the vehicles in, but the guy downloading it (or playing it on multiplayer) does not, there is going to be a whole lot of problems with compatability. Hell, we keep non custom heightmaps for just that reason. Imagine what it would be like with thousands of lines of code for new vehicles! You would be having crashes all over the place even if NOT using new vehicles.

I could perhaps believe that one day you will have to pay extra to get PLAYABLE vehicles. But I dont believe that Esim have ever made any claim to that affect. I cant help but think such a solution (If it was ever adopted) would be more appropriate for SB2 than SBpro.

[Skybird03]

I could perhaps believe that one day you will have to pay extra to get PLAYABLE vehicles. But I dont believe that Esim have ever made any claim to that affect. I cant help but think such a solution (If it was ever adopted) would be more appropriate for SB2 than SBpro.

"Steel Beasts Professional is supposed to enjoy a long product life span. To that extent we want to offer upgrades to it for as long as there are customers who are interested in it. The Personal Edition is a variant of SB Pro, and will receive just as much attention from us. In fact, we just need to compile the project with different flags set to incorporate all changes for each version.

SB Pro PE will therefore receive upgrades as long as there is a market for it. Of course, in the long run we cannot offer these upgrades for free, but we won’t charge for them during 2006 and some time into 2007. We haven’t made a decision about the price of future upgrades yet, but we intend to keep them moderate."

from:
http://www.tanksim.com/topic15_sbp_interview.htm

[stuart666]

I could perhaps believe that one day you will have to pay extra to get PLAYABLE vehicles. But I dont believe that Esim have ever made any claim to that affect. I cant help but think such a solution (If it was ever adopted) would be more appropriate for SB2 than SBpro.

"Steel Beasts Professional is supposed to enjoy a long product life span. To that extent we want to offer upgrades to it for as long as there are customers who are interested in it. The Personal Edition is a variant of SB Pro, and will receive just as much attention from us. In fact, we just need to compile the project with different flags set to incorporate all changes for each version.

SB Pro PE will therefore receive upgrades as long as there is a market for it. Of course, in the long run we cannot offer these upgrades for free, but we won’t charge for them during 2006 and some time into 2007. We haven’t made a decision about the price of future upgrades yet, but we intend to keep them moderate."

from:
http://www.tanksim.com/topic15_sbp_interview.htm

You can read upgrades in a numbers of different ways. If doesnt for example say that those upgrades would be vehicles. For all we know (and Esim have understandably not said an awful lot on the subject) it may be night combat, or a number of other different addons.There is far to little information on this subject yet to speculate on it. Ultimately we dont know yet other than these new swedish vehicles, if there WILL be other new vehicles. Id prefer to wait for an official announcement.

[daskal]

Well I might be alone with my opinion - but I think that the current models should be completed first: it would be great if we could finally have all of the interiors - and ofcourse in "interactive" version, like that beautiful Leopard2A5 :)

[Alan323]

Well I might be alone with my opinion - but I think that the current models should be completed first: it would be great if we could finally have all of the interiors - and ofcourse in "interactive" version, like that beautiful Leopard2A5 :)

I agree daskal, I'd like to see at least the LeoA4 interior and the completed M1 interior.

[stuart666]

Yes, Im particularly looking forward to the M1A1 clickable interior.

[Ssnake]

You can read upgrades in a numbers of different ways.
I try to be consistent with my wording. A patch just fixes bugs. An update includes bug fixes and minor feature additions. An upgrade is all of the above, plus at least one or two major feature additions, such as a new vehicle.
Our aim is to provide about two upgrades per year, and patches or updates when necessary.

And I said that for at least one year since the original release we won't charge for upgrades.

[Hackworth]

How will compatability in multiplayer work with different upgrades out there? Would the upgrades be in the form of crewable vehicles, but vehicles that everyone has (patched up to) so as to cure the compatability issue? They could be like our current third-person vehicles without the upgrade, but crewable with it? I'm not trying to get a vehicle list indirectly here. I'm curious about the compatability in MP. Its a small community as is. To add version incompatability to the mix might be a grave error with regard for the MP community.

[FlatTax]

Regarding upgrades: Having a period during which upgrades are free clearly implies there being more than a singular free upgrade. My question is will we get more than two?

[Scorpius]

How will compatability in multiplayer work with different upgrades out there? Would the upgrades be in the form of crewable vehicles, but vehicles that everyone has (patched up to) so as to cure the compatability issue? They could be like our current third-person vehicles without the upgrade, but crewable with it? I'm not trying to get a vehicle list indirectly here. I'm curious about the compatability in MP. Its a small community as is. To add version incompatability to the mix might be a grave error with regard for the MP community.

I was also wondering this myself.

[Homer]

It will probably work like it always has with everything out there.. you wont get into the lobby if your version doesnt match the hosts.

[Zipuli]

There was some talk about the new BMD-2 model being finished, some time ago. Any chance in seeing it in the summer upgrade with the CV? (or the Leo 2A4 interior?)

Zip

[Skybird03]

Regarding upgrades: Having a period during which upgrades are free clearly implies there being more than a singular free upgrade. My question is will we get more than two?

"Steel Beasts Professional is supposed to enjoy a long product life span. To that extent we want to offer upgrades to it for as long as there are customers who are interested in it. The Personal Edition is a variant of SB Pro, and will receive just as much attention from us. In fact, we just need to compile the project with different flags set to incorporate all changes for each version.

SB Pro PE will therefore receive upgrades as long as there is a market for it. Of course, in the long run we cannot offer these upgrades for free, but we won’t charge for them during 2006 and some time into 2007. We haven’t made a decision about the price of future upgrades yet, but we intend to keep them moderate."

What's so difficult in that? :(

[Thiefcatcher]

I rather would like to see some upgrades regarding the possibility to create your own maps, to "work" and change the ground, to have some more buildings, trees and bushes, some more briges.
Changes in the way river and streets are implemented: i.e tha a road/street will level the ground it is on, that the riverbanks are not as steepened as they are.

TC

[Homer]

Deja needs a new laptop. I bet if you buy him one, he will show you what he is working on :)

[Thiefcatcher]

Deja needs a new laptop. I bet if you buy him one, he will show you what he is working on :)

sure, cause I have a tree with notebooks hanging on it ;) Neverless, nice to read "between" your lines. I can wait :D

[stuart666]

You can read upgrades in a numbers of different ways.
I try to be consistent with my wording. A patch just fixes bugs. An update includes bug fixes and minor feature additions. An upgrade is all of the above, plus at least one or two major feature additions, such as a new vehicle.
Our aim is to provide about two upgrades per year, and patches or updates when necessary.

And I said that for at least one year since the original release we won't charge for upgrades.

I meant no offence Nils. I just dont think its particularly helpful for everyone to speculate on what is going to be available with which upgrade and when. I note you get irritated yourself when continually which vehicle will be available when.

[Ssnake]

Non taken... "irritated" may be a bit strong though - at least it's not my intention. :) But I think I've explained several times why I tend to be rather non-committal when it comes to predictions about dates and content. Maturity of released code is very important to us, and our development schedule depends to a large degree on what we're doing for our army customers.
That's a good thing as far as cool new features are concerned, and a bad thing if open issues of "lesser importance" (to them) get pushed aside temporarily. This makes it difficult to make accurate predictions. I'm not holding back any reliable information, but trying to squeeze me for more than I can give can sometimes... irritate me.
There. You got me. :mrgreen:

Overall I think that it is more useful for everybody to receive reliable information from me than lots of bullshit. But hey, if the audience wants pipe dreams - I got plenty. ;)

[Hellfish6]

Like M-60A1s and Centurions? :D