I was just wondering what sort of effect the release of the long awaited Matrix CS game will have on this site.
My experience here has been one of playing games against friends and family members.
Moderators have not only provided great advise, but have done so in a timely manner. Of course, so have my fellow members.
What would happen if the membership here were to grow by tens times it's current membership in a short time?
I'm surprised that this isn't a pay-site as is.
Just curious?
Pat
Even with a new release of the game from a new company, I can't see the ranks of CS players swelling too much. With minimal upgrades to things like the graphics, etc., the new versions will probably not generate a lot of buzz in the wargaming world. In fact, assuming they can increase compatibility with newer systems (particularly the apparant Vista problem with hard target firing, the sound looping bug, etc.) and release some new content (scenarios, etc.), I imagine a large part of their sales will be current owners the CS series looking for a more streamlined install.
I am sure there will be some new players and some returning former players, and I wouldn't be surprised that quite a few will find their way to the Blitz when they're ready for a human opponent. I cannot see that active membership on the CS ladder will grow all that much. If it doubles, I would be pleasantly surprised. But who knows, we could be in for a real CS Renaissance.:)
Unless the Matrix release is totally botched (which I don't think would happen) it can only help.
The fact the game has lasted this long, which is unheard of in the gaming world, proves there is something to gain from it. It could introduce new players and invigorate old players:soap:
It is always wierd explaining what the game actually entails to people who have no concept of what a wargame actually is, and no Battlefield 1942 does not count. I agree that with the modern desire for fancy graphics, aged games such as the CS series, will eventually fade into history. Ten years is prettygood going for a game, the fact that I still don'r know every thing about it still keeps me playing. Also the fact that I still stuff up monumentally and sometimes just go about a scenario the entirely wrong way. I am an avid student of military history and this game above all others gives me a computer expression of that interest.
I agree with Mark is that the biggest threat to CS is Vista at the moment. XP will probably only be viable for a few more years and then will only reside on secondary older machines. Personally I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole, but I realise that as soon as organisations begin to use it, and because I work in IT I will eventually have to follow suite.
I can only hope that the Matrix version will be Vista compatible and to that end I would be happy for them to delay release for a year to get it to work on that OS, otherwise CS will disappear over the next 5 years as more people upgrade or buy new PC's.
Matt ~Digger
Pat,
The increased number of player will definitely won't hurt, just give opportunity to meet new people.
However I agree that it probably won't affect too many people. I just see what interests my younger brother and brother-in-law. They are not grown on old board games, which for me were natural predecesors of CS games. That's probably the main reason I have started playing CS at all :P
On the other hand remember, that many folks that will buy Matrix release will be playing campaigns against AI (as I was for few years without even knowing about Blitz...)
So, my assuption is that only few new people will come. But I hope that many of those who went on retirement will return to CS. Rico, echo-four, BT-7, Alma Street, Merkur... the list is much, much longer!
I hope that I'll be wrong in the first part
Slawek
If Matrix doesn't expect to sell tens of thousands of games, why would they go to the expense of creating this CS upgrade?
I really enjoy these strategy games and when looking for such, I discovered that they are definitely in the minority.
My joy stick days are over (at least that's what my wife tells me)!
Pat
I am one of the old grizzled vets that left so many days ago. I migrated to the Squad Battles ladder for awhile and had actually moved up to the top 10 (I think....I was close at least). But, after playing so heavily for several years I just had to do something different.
I spent about a year and a half playing an MMORPG called Earth & Beyond until it shut down. I then jumped into Guild Wars (and I am still heavily involved there).
But I am getting the war gaming itch again. I started a game in Eagles Strike last week. And this is the first I have ever heard of an update to the CS series. One of the reasons I quit playing it was that having to use multiple disks and trying to keep up with all the mods and patches etc was getting to be a pain.
However, I can promise that I will be purchasing the Matrix version with "all inclusive". It is what I had always hoped for. I suppose I could reinstall EFII and see if I could find the applicable patches to get back in the fold (and get my ladder games reinstated).
Anyway...back to the subject....I don't think that the Matrix version will really hurt at all.
I currently play on the Panzer Campaigns & Civil War Campaigns ladders here at The Blitz. I definitely plan on buying the Matrix version of CS once it becomes available. Once I become comfortable with the system I will start playing PBEM. So, you'll have at least one new member...eventually.