A bad rumor
 

Has any one heard anything about Aaron saying he's not going to make another patch? Something about the fans being a bunch of ungrateful jerks? I think this is an untrue statement, and complete BS, but I wanna be sure before I respond to the email.

The Last I heard, which was from this site, is that he is hard at work doing what he love to do, and thats making SE better and better.

Just wondering.

Re: A bad rumor
 

It's possible that the sheer volume of feature requests and wishlists is leaving him a bit drained, but that's what software development is about: Catering to people who tell you what the think they want and then listening to them complain when they get it.

Until there's a statement on the malfador site telling us where we can shove our wishlists and feature requests, I'd get a pinch of salt to season that rumor.

Re: A bad rumor
 

Won't need any salt for that foul tasting thing. Its already in the trash bin. http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif Sender got an eye full though.

Re: A bad rumor
 

About the only person who could reliably tell us what Aaron is thinking today is Richard. Aaron hardly ever Posts to even the Beta forums. We just wait for the next beta. Since there hasn't BEEN a beta since 1.34 (1.35 was "direct to release") it's not surprising that some of the beta testers might be starting to wonder what's going on. But they can only speculate unless they can get a direct reply in email. I think that's where most of his spare time goes -- answering email. http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

[This message has been edited by Baron Munchausen (edited 16 May 2001).]

Re: A bad rumor
 

I got a reply from Aaron Last week on an bug report I sent in. He didn't give any specifics but said they hope to have a patch ready by the end of the month.

I don't know if that means ready to release or ready for beta testing, but it doesn't sound like someone tell me to "stick it".

If they follow the pattern they have established over the years they will keep releasing pathces up till the time when SEV goes into demo release.

Unless of course he sells his baby to a big software company and moves to an island somewhere. http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/ima...ons/icon12.gif

Re: A bad rumor
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by geoschmo:
Unless of course he sells his baby to a big software company and moves to an island somewhere. http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/ima...ons/icon12.gif<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

NOOO!!! Those b@$t@rds will kill it! http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/ima...ons/icon12.gif

Yes, as a beta tester, I am beginning to wonder (although I never really got access to the beta forum... I just quit with all the forums and sent in reports through e-mail). I'd immediately dismiss the rumor, and account Aaron's greater-than-normal reclusiveness to fatigue. As I've said before, he hasn't quit his day job (at least I haven't heard of him quitting his day job).

Re: A bad rumor
 

Has anyone bothered to consider the support and patches this game has gotten to date vs. most mass marketed games? After having worked in this industry for 15+ years I think Aaron has already gone above and beyond. People clamoring for more are obviously not bothering to look at the return on investment they have gotten for their cost of SEIV. Look at, for an example, Alpha Centauri: (3) patches then a disk called 'Alien Empires' with more patches (and 2 new races) for retail prices.

Enjoy the game the way it is: if anything else comes out rejoyce and send Aaron more money, because no other publisher would cater to his audience the way Aaron has.

Thank you, Aaron, by the way...

thanks,

Erhardt

Re: A bad rumor
 

I'll throw my 2cents in. Only this game and one other (Combat Mission) have shown this kind of dedication and customer support. Unless one of those big jerks can do this (and I doubt they would/could) my hard earned $$ go to Aaron/Malfador/Shrapnel and Battlefront/Big Time.

Hail the independents!

Re: A bad rumor
 

Well, usually a long delay like this means that he's working on something big. There was a long delay before the Map Editor was released, for example. Given all the bugs that keep cropping up, he could be re-writing some large chunks of the program to handle things differently. Sometimes when you have too many problems you have to step back and find a different algorithm to do what you want with less "duct tape & baling wire". http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif That could also allow for some cool new options in the existing features of the game. He could also be readying drones or some other major new feature.

Re: A bad rumor
 

I talked to Aaron yesterday and he has some new beta stuff in the works.

I can't get into why he has been quiet lately but it is good for him and for the future of Malfador to be sure http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif.

------------------
Sarge is coming...

Richard Arnesen
Director of Covert Ops
Shrapnel Games
http://www.shrapnelgames.com

Re: A bad rumor
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Richard:
I can't get into why he has been quiet lately but it is good for him and for the future of Malfador to be sure http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Way to squelch the rumors Richard... lol http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/ima...s/rolleyes.gif

Re: A bad rumor
 

Well let me just put it this way it will mean Aaron will have more time to devote to finishing the patching for SE4 and will also mean he will have more time to work on future projects http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif.

------------------
Sarge is coming...

Richard Arnesen
Director of Covert Ops
Shrapnel Games
http://www.shrapnelgames.com

Re: A bad rumor
 

I did hear a rumour that Aaron was going to be taking a 15-minute break from doing future patches in order to have a cup of coffee. Anyone able to confirm this?

Re: A bad rumor
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Richard:
Well let me just put it this way it will mean Aaron will have more time to devote to finishing the patching for SE4 and will also mean he will have more time to work on future projects http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

And I hope some more time for himself to relax. He really earned it! http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: A bad rumor
 

Let the poor guy take a break for a week or more. After all the work he's done he deserves it. He has given more support to this game than any number of companies, designers, or programers for any other game.

Its a rest well deserved


just some ideas Mac

Re: A bad rumor
 

A quick reply to Erhardt earlier on:

I'm pretty certain everyone here fully appreciates how much work Aaron has done adding extra features for us and generally doing things that no-one else does. I think the reason everyone is always asking for more is because typically Aaron actually DOES it! That's one of the biggest reasons I'm so impressed with the game, because it keeps getting better.

That's also why most of what I propose is in the "make it in an add-on" vein -- because I'm _quite_ willing to pay for an add-on, because it'd be good, and because he deserves it!

I agree all the suggestions can come across as ingratitude, but I don't think that's the case at all -- just overzealous fans. http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/images/icons/icon7.gif

--Chesh

Re: A bad rumor
 

There's an official announcement on Malfadors site saying the next patch will be out in a few weeks:

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>
Just wanted to let you all know that we’re hard at work on the next patch. We hope to have it ready within the next couple of weeks. If you have any outstanding items you think should be included, feel free to email us.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Re: A bad rumor
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Mark Pavlou:
I did hear a rumour that Aaron was going to be taking a 15-minute break from doing future patches in order to have a cup of coffee. Anyone able to confirm this? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I also heard he's actually stopping to eat from time to time as well. Is this true?

Re: A bad rumor
 

I'd add HPS Simulations to the list, particuarly for their Tigers on the Prowl series, which went about 30 patches before a new Version for sale (3 times), with many new features and fixes per patch, etc.

PvK

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by pathfinder:
I'll throw my 2cents in. Only this game and one other (Combat Mission) have shown this kind of dedication and customer support. Unless one of those big jerks can do this (and I doubt they would/could) my hard earned $$ go to Aaron/Malfador/Shrapnel and Battlefront/Big Time.

Hail the independents!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Re: A bad rumor
 

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR> I also heard he's actually stopping to eat from time to time as well. Is this true? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well if it is true, he's breaking the contract. It was explicitly stated that he was not permitted solid foods until patch 7.45 was completed.
The drip feed should be more than enough, it's peanut butter flavoured so don't say we never give him anything.

(I am in no way affiliated with shrapnel or MM and any strategy or contractual changes arising from this post are not my responsibility..... Sorry Aaron.)

Re: A bad rumor
 

Hey Richard,

Please make sure Aaron is aware that he has so many people who appreciate his efforts.

thanks,

Erhardt

Re: A bad rumor
 

Yes please, let him know that he is very highly thought of amoung us all. Thanks.

Re: A bad rumor
 

I'll agree with that. Aaron is da man.

Re: A bad rumor
 

Agreed -- he's gone way beyond the call, and just keeps going. Thanks, Aaron!

--Chesh

Re: A bad rumor
 

BTW - Aaron _is_ answering e-mail suggestions for the next patch; I sent him a minor suggestion Last week, and got a reply today! I'm so happy...

Re: A bad rumor
 

Bad rumor dispelled! We just got notice of beta 1.36 in email. I supposed Richard will post the details as he has gotten into the habit of doing. Apparently Aaron does want to get the next patch out Real Quick. Hold on to your hats... http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/ima...ons/icon12.gif