PBP Sim/New Beginning Set Rosters Compatibility

[LWPD]

I notice the Invasion Package was released with every single wrestler on the roster fully compatible with the PBP sim. This was a great to see and I hope it will be the trend going forward with other new editions.

At the time the New Beginning set was initially released there wasn't a PBP Sim for which the roster could be compatible and it's understandable that there would be a reasonable amount of lag time to get everything in sync. That was October...this is late January...and a quick check shows many wrestlers (such as Sly Drury (any year), Bloodline/Encubus 2121) are STILL not available for use in the PBP Sim.

Since it's already been a matter of months (not weeks) when can we reasonably expect to see all the wrestlers paid for in the New Beginnings package to be PBP Sim compatible?

[BDS]

COTGonline updates have been few and far between for the past couple of months because of the redesign of the Filsinger Games family of websites. With those websites scheduled to roll out on Monday, I'll be able to start devoting my time once again to actual COTGonline updates, and working on full simulator compatibility is pretty high on my list. This coming week I'm going to try to scrounge up some time somewhere for a mini update to fix some bugs. Then in February I'll release another patch which should roll a lot more of the New Beginning guys into the fold - anyone who was held out because of DQ moves, traditional roll finishers, or tag moves will be PBP Sim compliant after that update.

As for the rest of the guys in NB, I'll work them in as dev time allows. Anyone who isn't in after that February update is because of a special rule - Paralyze, Kill Prey, and so on - and they'll have to have a special routine written. Again, this is high on my priority list, so hopefully it won't take too long, but it's just a function of time.

I can guarantee, however, that every set released going forward will be released with full PBP Sim compatibility at the time it was released. I won't launch another set without it.

[Chewey]

thanks for the update. looking forward to the new website.

hopefully we can have the simulator working for tag matches in the manage cards/matches section of the stat tracker for those of us too impatient to roll out the matches on the game table.

[jefft]

lwpd said:

I notice the Invasion Package was released with every single wrestler on the roster fully compatible with the PBP sim. This was a great to see and I hope it will be the trend going forward with other new editions.

At the time the New Beginning set was initially released there wasn't a PBP Sim for which the roster could be compatible and it's understandable that there would be a reasonable amount of lag time to get everything in sync. That was October...this is late January...and a quick check shows many wrestlers (such as Sly Drury (any year), Bloodline/Encubus 2121) are STILL not available for use in the PBP Sim.

Since it's already been a matter of months (not weeks) when can we reasonably expect to see all the wrestlers paid for in the New Beginnings package to be PBP Sim compatible?

Good points. I'd also like to stress the importance of meeting set dates and consistant product output when we are working off a 'timed' subscription. I actually got soured somewhat on the apparent inconsistencies and delays in releases and info. It was a factor in my staying away from CotgOnline and discussion for the last few months. It sort of makes it seems like poor planning was involved. When I found out Invasion was FINALLY coming out, I came back. I need to know all that I'm getting for my money. Many gaming companies, for example, have scheduled product releases for their customers to review that usually go at least a year or more. I think we should have something like that by now. I think I read somewhere one of the company fellas mention not giving dates so we wouldn't be disappointed if they don't make deadline. I disagree with this, frankly. I don't think you have to set exact dates until you get really close and you are more sure, but 'coming in December' or 'first week in October' should be figured up by now. At this point, I'd even take '2nd Quarter of 2008'. Not good, but better than nothing, y'know. I gotta say it was also disconcerting to hear that in recent months the 'new websites' were given priority over properly maintaining, updating, and the timely production of new editions on the existing product that I am paying a set subscription for already. Granted, I'm not involved in the inner workings, but I've got to say that looking in from the outside it doesn't paint a favorable picture of how things are working and decisions being made. It seems to say lets add some pretty bells and whistles and put the new working and growing important new existing product to the side.

With new releases I understand that you have to factor in the proper amount of time and labor that goes into each, as well as determine a set amount of time between each release that makes the most financial sense. This should be figured out by now I think, but if there's an 'Upcoming products" section on the new site I haven't found it yet.

Personally, I'd wish for a new edition to come out every week if I had my way. I'm sure that's pretty unreasonable but I really love the game and can afford to put up the bucks. Obviously, each edition needs colorized (I would hope that excellent colorist is working way ahead on this by now) and entered in. A release once a month would be cool, but hopefully it wouldn't be more than one every other month.

Well, I think I'm starting to rant now, so I'll quit while I'm (hopefully) ahead. Basically, I just want to know exactly what I'm getting for my money here. I'm a guaranted customer for life in the game, but I don't want to get frustrated with the Online thing and, just based on principle, end up throwing my hands and going back to my b&w cards and little red and blue dice.

[krisosk]

jefft said:

Granted, I'm not involved in the inner workings, but I've got to say that looking in from the outside it doesn't paint a favorable picture of how things are working and decisions being made. It seems to say lets add some pretty bells and whistles and put the new working and growing important new existing product to the side.

I understand your interpretation, but it might be a little misconstrued. Remodeling the websites stands as a very important step in attracting new business. The Filsinger Games staff is small, and without the budget of the other game companies we may be compared to, but I can assure you that we're extremely devoted to working on providing a COTGonline product that delivers. If things have slowed temporarily, it was because of our equally important task of remodeling the look of Filsinger Games. It was a necessary step, but now that it's complete, we're able to focus solely on the development of Online.

jefft said:

With new releases I understand that you have to factor in the proper amount of time and labor that goes into each, as well as determine a set amount of time between each release that makes the most financial sense.

You're absolutely right on here.

jefft said:

This should be figured out by now I think

Up next Online will be the all Centra entertainment set. The concept was officially announced less than a week ago. As is normally the case with the aCe edtions, an early second quarter release is what we're looking at. As previously mentioned, the next Game Pack following Invasion would be either Classics or logically, War Games. As you might be already used to with Filsinger Game's handling of the releases of Legends of Wrestling game editions, details are provided as we determine them. Keep in mind though, that in between COTGonline game editions will be updates and general improvements.

jefft said:

Personally, I'd wish for a new edition to come out every week if I had my way. I'm sure that's pretty unreasonable but I really love the game and can afford to put up the bucks.

Personally, I wish there were millions of people out there like you...we wouldn't be having this conversation.

jefft said:

Basically, I just want to know exactly what I'm getting for my money here.

Understood. That's why prior to a purchase of subscription, you're told exactly what your money will be getting you. The Play-by-Play Simulator was in actuality an especially added feature never originally mentioned. The original Simulator still is in effect and available to use on every character in COTGonline, as advertised.


Your business is appreciated and your comments are taken seriously. The Play by Play simulator is a fantastic part of the Online experience and all editions going forward will be completely compatible. Like I mentioned, we're ready (and have already begun) to get back to focusing exclusively on the development of Online and hope you stay with us.


~ :-Xsk

[jefft]

krisosk said:

Understood. That's why prior to a purchase of subscription, you're told exactly what your money will be getting you. The Play-by-Play Simulator was in actuality an especially added feature never originally mentioned. The original Simulator still is in effect and available to use on every character in COTGonline, as advertised.

~ :-Xsk

Understood and thanks for the quick response and info. Just making sure about possible future worries with this 'online' thing really. For example, my subscription runs out in June or July, I believe. When I renew around then, if I get a year, I wanna make sure I know all that I'm getting for that year. I undertand the benefits at that point, but any changes and/or additions that will happen in that timeframe factor in there also. Maybe others thinks it silly, but I really think a proper schedule is needed.

[LWPD]

jefft said:

Just making sure about possible future worries with this 'online' thing really. For example, my subscription runs out in June or July, I believe. When I renew around then, if I get a year, I wanna make sure I know all that I'm getting for that year. I understand the benefits at that point, but any changes and/or additions that will happen in that time frame factor in there also. Maybe others thinks it silly, but I really think a proper schedule is needed.

It's not silly. It's a very reasonable request to want to know what you'll potentially have access to over the term of the service your purchasing. Intelligent consumer critiques on issues of importance helps the project much more so than empty glad handing or a general silence. I think we as consumers also have to balance our expectations with an understanding of the underlying realities guiding the project. That's what makes a forum like this such a healthy medium of exchange.

Osk has done an excellent job administering this project under the labor/budgetary resources he has to work with....resources which may not be as ideal as we as consumers would like them to be from a maximized output standpoint. I never thought I'd see the day when the type and level of CotG content we now have access to would be so readily available. Color cards, PBP Sims, Guidebooks in PDF...options have come a long way from where they were merely two years ago.

Hopefully the day will eventually come where every GWF Set ever made has been digitized and made available for purchase...and the toughest choice we have to make is picking 'which one' to buy on our own time frame.

Until then I'll keep enjoying the ride.