Shock Force: Let's get over it.

[Copper]

I see no point in belaboring the obvious facts with respect to the disappointments we (but not all) share with Battlefront. WE should perhaps understand that we are in mourning over the loss of any further CMx1 evolution, and stuff that cold body into a photon torpedo tube, and blast it off into the deep void of space to the melancholy hiss of the bagpipes.

It's over.

Time to look at the bright side of things:

1) We still have a great gaming system in CMx1.
2) Shock Force (I cannot in any good right manner associate that name with Combat Mission) does have potential, but in its current form is still unplayable by many of us who use PBEM and QB systems. For those of us who are not into the droll and boring uncon warfare played out within a lackluster desert backdrop (come on now, how many of us really get into playing desert CMAK maps?), there may be some new features and game developments that bring in other modern miltiary units from other countries that I think would be quite interesting.
3) If BF does survive this "evolution", I can see some interest in a WW2 development in this game engine being worth the time and money. PBEM will be fixed, but QB's will be forever lost. I remember the best thing about Advanced Squad Leader was the ability to purchase units, but also, there were some absolutely fantastic scenarios made... so that does offer hope to the playability of the CMx2 engine in the future.
4) CMx2 RT is not RTS. In no way can anyone sanely make the association between command and conquer, warcraft and CMx2.
5) Many of the details in the CMx2 engine ARE better than what we had in CMx1... we are just not used to the vehicle and its controls as of yet. We need to consider this more.
6) There is an obvious movement towards new gaming platforms throughout the industry, our beloved MOO2's, X-COM's and other turn based wargame/strategy games are perhaps indeed a dinosaur and the last of their kind. How do we embrace the new?
7) Besides BF's current failings, beta testing on paid customers, and the need for much more work... the engine is not a piece of crap. It is quite good for what it can do. Let's be realistic: give this game better pathfinding, PBEM AI and other little details, and its not too far away from a GREAT engine... it's just not CMx1.
8) WE can still hope for CMC development... I think the idea was GRAND and it would have given us an engine that we could play out for DECADES on. But you have to realize, that the money is in short product lifecycle, modules, new spinoff games (based on an already tested engine that does not require further sunk costs and huge resources... higher profits), so it may never come.
9) BF is not the only wargame company that is seeking our dollars and attention. Let's not create idolatry here. Look at what Matrix did for CS (Got to buy that SOME DAY) and X-COM. Other gaming companies may be able to deliver a CMx1 type game with WEGO that is a vast improvement over BF's last trilogy, even without the source code.
10) IF worst comes to worser, we all have chess boards, Stratego, and wonderful new worlds to explore courtesy to online and strategy gaming. Who knows when the next PLANETARION, EVE, World Of Warcraft, Second Life, and CIVILIZATION may come out of no where to smack us on the ass and call us Hank. I'm sure the Blitz will be hosting a ladder....


Cheers all!

Leto