Why no PBEM means game is unstable or incomplete

[jbs]

I will clarify my position and then drop then drop the argument giving you the last word. I followed this web site prior to CTP1's release and bought the game soon after it was released. I was very disappointed with the game, removed it from my hard drive and didn't continue trying to play the game. After the first patch was released and after CD released 4.2, I started playing again or I should say modifying. Following CD's example, I felt I could fix a lot of the problems in the game. If not for CD, I would not have played the game nor would I be even considering buying CTP2. I have been playing/modifying the game off and on since Jul. With the second patch and with TP's powerslices and the Awesome AI's in addition to CD's mod, CTP1 became a good game for me. I would recommend CTP1 but only if those user mods are included. The point is that the customer fixed the game for Activision. I have been following the release of CTP2 and been looking forward to buying the game. I was leaning towards even buying the game upon release again. The review of the game being slow concerned me, but not enough to keep me from buying the game. However, when I learned that hot seat was dropped (because of bugs) and no more than 8 Civs (and yes I understand Pyray's comments). I became very concerned. I have programmed and I have designed many GUI's and for me those two items indicate some deep unresolved problems in the game coding. Now factor in Activision's history with CTP1 and the fact that this release is timed for Christmas and the impression grows that the game is being rushed just like CTP1. Now the review comments that I dismissed earlier become important again. My gut tells me that like CTP1, after two official patches and three user patches, we might have a good game. Will Activision support the game with patches? Currently Activision's position is no support. If Activision is not willing to commit themselves to supporting the game prior to release why should I commit my money. Just think. Hot seat was pulled because of bugs that couldn't be fixed before the e deadline (indicating rushed release) - no statement that a patch will definitely be released (indicating Activision is uncertain if they can fix the bugs which indicates unresolved coding problems even in the released game). I am not against CTP2, but I am against everyone just believing all the marketing hype. I am just asking people to think before buying.

[MarkG]

quote: Originally posted by Mike the Nuke on 11-07-2000 10:57 PM If Hot Seat (and PBEM) worked in the first game, why not the second.

cause it's another game. of course they share parts of code or other parts of code are based on ctp1 code. still, it's a another game, with many things added/changed

[MarkG]

quote: Originally posted by jbs on 11-08-2000 11:41 AM The point is that the customer fixed the game for Activision.

actually, some customers(not all of them) modified the game to be play better according to a large part of the customers

it is also true that another large part of the customers have never played with a mod, and enjoyed it!

quote: I have programmed and I have designed many GUI's and for me those two items indicate some deep unresolved problems in the game coding.

so what? are you not buying a game because of "unresolved problems" somewhere in cut features instead of actual problems in the released game?

so, you're not buying the game not because it's bad and it has problems, but because it could be better if they worked more on it?

quote: Will Activision support the game with patches? Currently Activision's position is no support.

actually, the response from Pyray was "I dont know" and was specifically for a pbem/hotseat patch

quote: If Activision is not willing to commit themselves to supporting the game prior to release why should I commit my money.

if you want to include patches in the price of the game, aren't you excusing the existance of bugs, which you also consider unforgivable?