"Ready, fire, aim: the fast approach to software development. Ready, aim, aim, aim, aim...: the slow approach to software development." - author unknown
Update for C63:
So as we've been putting together the new game features we have come to the (not so startling) realization that all of these systems are connected, and it would really be best if we managed to test them all at the same time. This means that rather than release each new game system as it passes certification testing (and there are several new features in this category), we need to test them all together. While this will lead to a much more stable and bug-free game, it has the unfortunate side effect of delaying your enjoyment of said game.
We hope to release a huge set of these new features to you within the next 2 weeks.
Thanks for checking in with us,
Jeff
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
User Experience re-evaluated
Hi everyone,
So over the latest round of beta testing several things have come to our attention that need to be addressed. Player match-making is more difficult than we initially planned. People (especially subscribers) are having a hard time finding games that people stick around to play. Our first take on the problem was the "accept command" step that was added to the game launch system. This was a good 1st step, as it greatly reduced the number of games that were launching with no players at all sticking around to submit orders.
Our next step was then to figure out a way to track and remove non-active players from games. This is where the new "war department" page comes in along with the new game admin features like, "quit", "holiday", and "pause". This is proving to be a bit more complicated than we anticipated, but a preliminary version should be available shortly.
So far so good, however we think we can do a bit better. There are a few more changes to the game that will be added over the next month or so. "Full" 5 vs 5 team games will soon be available to subscribers only. "Team" 2 vs 2 games will soon be implemented and also available to subscribers only. "Duel" games will continue to be available to all players (not just subscribers) and we started planning a single player version of the game (not just a demo) that will allow people to jump into a game right away (this will obviously be against an AI opponent, something we didn't want to do but is apparently necessary). We will also be expanding our ad placements within the website. Initially the ads will be viewed by all players however we hope to enable subscriber filtering, shortly after the ads are enabled.
Anyway that's all the latest news for The Campaign of 1863.
Onward to victory!
Jeff
So over the latest round of beta testing several things have come to our attention that need to be addressed. Player match-making is more difficult than we initially planned. People (especially subscribers) are having a hard time finding games that people stick around to play. Our first take on the problem was the "accept command" step that was added to the game launch system. This was a good 1st step, as it greatly reduced the number of games that were launching with no players at all sticking around to submit orders.
Our next step was then to figure out a way to track and remove non-active players from games. This is where the new "war department" page comes in along with the new game admin features like, "quit", "holiday", and "pause". This is proving to be a bit more complicated than we anticipated, but a preliminary version should be available shortly.
So far so good, however we think we can do a bit better. There are a few more changes to the game that will be added over the next month or so. "Full" 5 vs 5 team games will soon be available to subscribers only. "Team" 2 vs 2 games will soon be implemented and also available to subscribers only. "Duel" games will continue to be available to all players (not just subscribers) and we started planning a single player version of the game (not just a demo) that will allow people to jump into a game right away (this will obviously be against an AI opponent, something we didn't want to do but is apparently necessary). We will also be expanding our ad placements within the website. Initially the ads will be viewed by all players however we hope to enable subscriber filtering, shortly after the ads are enabled.
Anyway that's all the latest news for The Campaign of 1863.
Onward to victory!
Jeff
Friday, January 14, 2011
Game Admin page AKA The War Department
Hi everyone,
I thought Id take a few minuets today to update you all on what we have been working on for The Campaign of 1863 over the last few weeks, the new "War Department" page. This new page will be accessible from the My Games page and will display helpful game data along with some key new game features.
The game data listed will include: current game date/turn, current objective held by status (Harrisburg - USA for example), casualty totals for each side. There will also be a listing of player/commander data for each player in the game which will include: current turn orders issued? (yes/no), number of consecutive turns missed, and the total number of turns missed.
The new game features will include:
Quit - This will allow players to abandon the listed game.
Pause - This will allow players to vote to pause the listed game. The game will only be paused if all active players vote to pause the game (with a specified resume date)
Holiday - This will allow players to voluntarily transfer command of their units to their Army Commander (with a specified date at which units will be automatically transferred back to the player)
After Action report (Evaluations) - This will allow players to evaluate their fellow players in a variety of categories.
AWOL commanders - This will not appear as an option for players. It will function as an automatic assumption of the missing commanders units by the Army Commander and will be triggered when a commander has missed a certain number of consecutive turns.
The new War Department page will be made available as soon as possible, however the new game features will come online and be made available on a case by case basis.
I thought Id take a few minuets today to update you all on what we have been working on for The Campaign of 1863 over the last few weeks, the new "War Department" page. This new page will be accessible from the My Games page and will display helpful game data along with some key new game features.
The game data listed will include: current game date/turn, current objective held by status (Harrisburg - USA for example), casualty totals for each side. There will also be a listing of player/commander data for each player in the game which will include: current turn orders issued? (yes/no), number of consecutive turns missed, and the total number of turns missed.
The new game features will include:
Quit - This will allow players to abandon the listed game.
Pause - This will allow players to vote to pause the listed game. The game will only be paused if all active players vote to pause the game (with a specified resume date)
Holiday - This will allow players to voluntarily transfer command of their units to their Army Commander (with a specified date at which units will be automatically transferred back to the player)
After Action report (Evaluations) - This will allow players to evaluate their fellow players in a variety of categories.
AWOL commanders - This will not appear as an option for players. It will function as an automatic assumption of the missing commanders units by the Army Commander and will be triggered when a commander has missed a certain number of consecutive turns.
The new War Department page will be made available as soon as possible, however the new game features will come online and be made available on a case by case basis.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Demo Now Available
We are very happy to announce that a Demo version of The Campaign of 1863 is now available. The Demo game lets you preview the look and feel of C63 while dropping you straight into the action. Taking place on the Day (or a.m.) game turn of June 29th you play as commander A.P. Hill. You will be able to read correspondence, view your staff reports (combat, unit, and intelligence reports) and plan orders for your units however the Demo game will not process an actual turn, meaning you will be unable to "issue" your orders or send out any correspondence.
Situation Report for commander A.P. Hill:
Previously having taken heavy losses around Fredrick City General Lee has requested you to pull back. You now find yourself under heavy Union assault in Haggerstown while the rest of your forces are scattered. General Lee has now decided to make a last stand around Gettysburg and has ordered you to join him if possible. Can you push through the Federal brigades standing in your way?
Situation Report for commander A.P. Hill:
Previously having taken heavy losses around Fredrick City General Lee has requested you to pull back. You now find yourself under heavy Union assault in Haggerstown while the rest of your forces are scattered. General Lee has now decided to make a last stand around Gettysburg and has ordered you to join him if possible. Can you push through the Federal brigades standing in your way?
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
New Games Available Now!
Mutant Entertainment Studios is very happy to announce that we have a new set of Beta Testing games available for The Campaign of 1863. There are two "Full" 5 vs 5 games as well as several of the new "Duel" one on one games. Please feel free to jump into any available game you would like. Registration is free and gives you 1 game "slot". When your free game ends you are more than welcome to jump into another free game. Premium accounts are available to those wishing to play in more than 1 game.
Thanks
Jeff - Mutant Entertainment Studios
Thanks
Jeff - Mutant Entertainment Studios
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
New 2 Player Game and Command Acceptance
Funny thing about team player games is that they require a team of players.
This became very apparent over the last month as we had many people sign up to play but fail to show up for the actual game. Frustrating for the players that actually try to play and frustrating for us as we try and build up enough of a player base to fill a few 5 vs 5 team games. So in the next few days we are very happy to announce a new 2 player version of C63: Lee vs Meade will be made available. This new version of the game will feature all of the strategic elements of The Campaign of 1863 while placing each player in charge of the entire Army of Northern Virgina or Army of the Potomac respectively.
A second feature we are happy to announce is the new Command Acceptance phase of a game. Now when a game is full (10 players for The Campaign of 1863 or 2 players for C63: Lee vs Meade) all players will be prompted to "accept their command". When all players have accepted the game is launched and we will send out notifications automatically that the game is ready and waiting. If other players fail to respond by the deadline (1 week after the game is full for daily games and 2 weeks after for weekly games) the MIA players are removed from the game and other players are free to take their place.
We have several other exciting new features planned, so stay tuned
This became very apparent over the last month as we had many people sign up to play but fail to show up for the actual game. Frustrating for the players that actually try to play and frustrating for us as we try and build up enough of a player base to fill a few 5 vs 5 team games. So in the next few days we are very happy to announce a new 2 player version of C63: Lee vs Meade will be made available. This new version of the game will feature all of the strategic elements of The Campaign of 1863 while placing each player in charge of the entire Army of Northern Virgina or Army of the Potomac respectively.
A second feature we are happy to announce is the new Command Acceptance phase of a game. Now when a game is full (10 players for The Campaign of 1863 or 2 players for C63: Lee vs Meade) all players will be prompted to "accept their command". When all players have accepted the game is launched and we will send out notifications automatically that the game is ready and waiting. If other players fail to respond by the deadline (1 week after the game is full for daily games and 2 weeks after for weekly games) the MIA players are removed from the game and other players are free to take their place.
We have several other exciting new features planned, so stay tuned
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Open Beta Announcement:
Beginning Monday October 11th, gamers will be able to experience the tense, strategic, team vs team gameplay that only Campaign of 1863 can deliver.
The Campaign of 1863 features one of the most important campaigns of the U.S. Civil War. With over 150,000 troops and the fate of a nation hanging in the balance, players will assume the role and responsibilities of one of ten historic military commanders. For each game turn, players will plan their actions, dispatch their orders and await the results.
Can you maneuver your forces to victory or will you suffer an inglorious defeat?
Enlist today!
The Campaign of 1863 features one of the most important campaigns of the U.S. Civil War. With over 150,000 troops and the fate of a nation hanging in the balance, players will assume the role and responsibilities of one of ten historic military commanders. For each game turn, players will plan their actions, dispatch their orders and await the results.
Can you maneuver your forces to victory or will you suffer an inglorious defeat?
Enlist today!
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