Slitherine

From an overview of BA forums and threads and attendant comments, in addition to noticing the lack of new Mods and or Mod 'modifications', I wonder if BA is losing its player and modders support? While there is no doubt that Modders have evolved BA and BA flexibility (towards BA2) and continue to so (albeit at a reduced level), is such development resource 'melting away'?

From the hits on my STICKY (yet another no cost Slitherine asset except for server cost) there is clearly an appetite for BA mods/variations but empirical evidence suggests that Modders are losing interest for whatever reason.

One might argue that this is driven by impending BA2 implementation, but, will Modder attrition i.e. loss of free corporate resource, be a self fulfilling prophecy? Slitherine will be the 'poorer' without Modders and thus the customer base will reduce, it is a circular argument. Some lateral thinking may be called for?!

Gilles

I'm not really sure what you are asking . BA is now well past its third birthday and so people do tend to move on to new shiny things as time goes on. I am always impressed with the dedication that is needed to produce some of the mods which people are releasing. Doing these kind of significant mods for BA is almost like working as part of the dev team - it can be a pretty steep learning curve and appreciation of the balance between time, performance, and features.

Cheers

Pip

Hi Pip, I am not asking anything. I am just reflecting......based on empirical evidence.

As to 'modders' being part of the Slitherine development team, well ok, but I suspect Slitherine development team members are salaried as compared to 'modders'. Your phrase 'almost like' is apt in that 'Modders' give of their free time.

As to 'new shiny things', surely BA should be part of that arena.

Gilles



Gilles

My point was that modding for BA is a lot of hard work, so I am always impressed by the number of people who take the time and effort to do it. Kudos to them!

As to new shiny things - there is a limit to what we can do to a game to keep it fresh without basically making a new game. And even then, people enjoy new challenges and new games. It's part of the circle of life .

Cheers

Pip

It's not that we are losing, it's that we are working on massive projects. Amaris it's his major Pacific Mod, and me and Cavehobbits Shceldt. Not to mention they will be Sp and Mp so naturally, it's going to take time!

pipfromslitherine wrote:… there is a limit to what we can do to a game to keep it fresh without basically making a new game. ….

Cheers

Pip

BA can still be improved a lot without a new engine, many mods could be included to new Campaigns, so, pushing BA steps ahead but, I never understood why BA don't adapted some of the Merr mods, like smoke for example, why not?.

New expansion are just new scenarios with some new units, but not with newer possibilities, what about Leaders?, Engineers?, etc., you posted several times that's to keep compatibility, but each new scenario/campaign may have its own resources, actions, etc. not affecting the older ones... so the reason should be another.

Its all up to the modder as to whether he continues. He knows he will not get paid for his work unless he gets in as a Developer for a commercial project.

But c'mon. BA1 is now dated and a pain in the rear end to build missions for. I for one will be happy for BA2 to come out and all of my modding time now will be spent AFTER it comes out.

I have a small project for BA1 - actions of the 82nd AB in Normandy - which will not take a lot of work on my part - and then anything after that will need to use BA2. The maps are a bear to make and the scripts ... oh the scripts.

There are a ton of mods out there now as it is. And now plenty of modules for the game. It is not like the material is drying up either.

How goes the Dieppe mod? I have half a mind to get that and add it to my game. Is it worth playing and are there MP missions for it? Or is it strictly an MP campaign/mission?

Old_Warrior wrote:How goes the Dieppe mod? I have half a mind to get that and add it to my game. Is it worth playing and are there MP missions for it? Or is it strictly an MP campaign/mission?

After Gottalove88's left the forums, Dieppe left with him. Luckily Cavehobbit and everyone else kept GJS alive

LandMarine47 wrote:

Old_Warrior wrote:How goes the Dieppe mod? I have half a mind to get that and add it to my game. Is it worth playing and are there MP missions for it? Or is it strictly an MP campaign/mission?

After Gottalove88's left the forums, Dieppe left with him. Luckily Cavehobbit and everyone else kept GJS alive

Don't forget Tunisia...

Old_Warrior wrote:How goes the Dieppe mod? I have half a mind to get that and add it to my game. Is it worth playing and are there MP missions for it? Or is it strictly an MP campaign/mission?

The initial versions are still around but they are not as complete as GL88 wanted them. I have a copy of it if you would like to look it over? It is strictly a single MP mission.

It plays well but does seem a little loaded for the Germans but, it is winnable by the Allied forces. Use the few night turns you have and, Smoke is your friend in this.

morge4 wrote:

Old_Warrior wrote:How goes the Dieppe mod? I have half a mind to get that and add it to my game. Is it worth playing and are there MP missions for it? Or is it strictly an MP campaign/mission?

The initial versions are still around but they are not as complete as GL88 wanted them. I have a copy of it if you would like to look it over? It is strictly a single MP mission.

It plays well but does seem a little loaded for the Germans but, it is winnable by the Allied forces. Use the few night turns you have and, Smoke is your friend in this.

His work was fantastic. I'm currently using his Lighting and night files and scripts.

I have a ton of ideas...but BA as it currently stands is simply too much to work with...I am really looking forward to BA2.

I'm guessing with the release of BA2, the battles will flood in and the problem will be more quality of scenario oriented. Either way, looking forward to it!