Red Thunder announced!

[enigma6584]

I see why they developed the Russian front in '44, but are Soviet units and a few game engine improvements worth $55? It's a nice commercial move, I have to admit, selling an 'expansion' more expensive than some first line grand strategy titles.

Do you happen to know their (BF's) development costs? What they pay people for programming, artwork, time involved for research, tech equipment like computers, servers etc...? How do you know the $55 isn't the minimum needed to cover those costs? They need to make a profit as well or are you implying they should work for free? You say "a few game engine improvements" like coding is as simple as driving a car. It is not that simple.

France '40 is the 'biggest' forgotten front. Some units are already modelled, Pz III are already in the game, so are Pz II, and a some changes to the existing Mark IV and you have a IV D. Pak 36 done, German infantry done. Add a 38t and PzI and you pretty much have the German TOE done. Some French tanks are already modelled for the CMFI game, too.

It is not so simple. Putting this all together is a rather large effort, and takes massive attention to detail. There is no plug & play involved.

It seems BFC chose 1944 for 'tactical balance' purposes, as stated in their website. I think the 'balance' thing should be up to the players and their rules while playing.

They chose it for one primary reason.

Economical. Current game engine is geared, coded for late 43-through 44 dataset. Moving to a theater which continues this gives them a bigger bang for the development buck and allows them to use programming time to add in those features missing and thus improving the game engine. Once this massive work is completed and they have a very stable and feature full game engine, then they will be ready to move game engine to different time frame and use coding time, along with artwork expenses, map making etc. to pull off new TO&Es and make them work properly.