GAZZ said:
2 questions:
1. Is this version finally delivering on what could be called a stable, serious product? Or are we still dealing with a somewhat bootstrapped, "kind of working software"? At $70+, I am frankly concerned about all the bugs being reported!!!
2. Massive hesitation about databases. Is there a feature comparison available anywhere? What are the pros and cons? What does the H3 software come with anyway? I undertsand that one must match database and imported scenarios, but in my case, I like to build my own scenarios anyway, so if you start from scratch, should you start with the original H3 Db, the Player Db, or Db2000?? Very confusing.
As one of the fellows reporting all the bugs, I think that can confidently say that there have been many bugs fixed since the H2 version. You can see for yourself. There is a partial list of bugs addressed on
SZO and another one on
AGSI.
Unfortunately, there are many folks who keep describing it as a "work-in-progress". [
Their words and not mine.] I tend to agree with that assessment. Although steps are always being taken forward, it is sometimes, "Three steps forward and two back." This is a personal observation, but it is shared by a few with whom I've spoken.
A preliminarly patch is about to be released, officially, v3.7.1. It does address a good many bugs, but it also seems to create a few see:
Behaviours Unchanged in the Beta Patch 3.7.1 .
After 3.7.1 is released, a second 'maintenance' patch has been planned, according to AGSI. This second patch will also be free of charge.
After that, I have been told that the next release will be v3.8.
Matrix's position, as stated by David Heath, is that no decision has been made on whether the 3.8 version will entail a fee. My
personal feeling is that it will.
Now, can you live with the current bug situation? That is a personal choice. However, I believe that there remains at least two game-killer bugs.
Target list ignored
ECM Boomerang - You gotta see this one to believe it. :laugh:
One kills solitaire play and the other kills Multi-player games, IMO. They are not CRASH bugs.
Except for the ECM Boomerang bug, I think that the state of the MP is actually better than the solitaire play level. So long as there is a human controlling units, any quirks or oddities can usually be handled. Unfortunately, the AI can only do as it is programmed to function. :upset:
Now, regarding the different databases, every database has a unique 'flavour'. Some databases cover different time periods like the Post-WWII Colonial era, the Cold War Era, WWII period, or the modern Missile-Age. Every database is a reflection of its editors. They are all worthy of inspection. The game comes with two database: Original DB [ODb] and ANWDb.
In fact, ANW has a launcher that is a real asset to the game. Many have told me that they would consider it a huge leap forward for it allows players to
quickly and easily switch between the various databases. Play a WWII scenario and then play a Cold War scen right afterwards.
If you like designing scenarios, I recommend that you select a database that suits your needs. For example, different editors view the tactic of Strafing differently. One DB editor may eliminate it entirely as an option while another editor will allow for it. Because I am involved with the
PlayersDB, I will suggest it since I believe that it allows for the greatest flexibility and accommodates the most needs. Of course, you may disagree after trying it, too!
Unfortunately, there is no ANW demo currently available. I hope that this long-winded discourse helps.