HOI4 - Development Diary - October 12th 2016

[Alex_brunius]

@Alex_brunius I don't think everyone can hear Sabaton music when I host a game.

I don't think that Sabaton music is an expansion...

 

[safe-keeper]

The worst thing is, I read the DD and read "planned feature" instead of "paid feature". Then the first reply was about how there would be a discussion about the Blitz order being a paid feature, and I downvoted it because I thought, "heck no, something that basic and essential would never be thrown in a DLC".

I realised I was wrong when I read the DD again -_- .

Seriously, this is not an add-on like 3D models and tech tree images for Spanish units, or a TFH-style scenario bookmark. This is a basic, much-needed game feature. I'm tempted to compare it to things like dragging-and-dropping to select several units at once. It shouldn't be some "special cool thing" that people have to pay extra for.

But if you buy dl c, they will justify their choices based on sales. Just saying..

Problem is that by paying for the DLC you give your tacit approval for what you say is a horrific idea. Short of the decision being revered the best thing people can do is not buy the thing. One thing companies understand more than anything is poor sales.

Nope. You can buy a product even if you dislike one design decision. Not everything has to boil down to a black-and-white "boycott or support".

 

[podcat]

I'm not 100% certain but I believe it is handled like for the SP game—the features are actually there but only unlocked if you have the DLC. Gameplay DLC have most or all of their code integrated into the main game and the AI has always been able to use new features, only the players without the DLC are restricted.

Cosmetic expansions might use the host's expansions, I'm really not sure.

You dont get cosmetic content, but you do get code features in MP if host has them

 

[Phelian]

Paid Feature: Blitz Command

I thought you would monetize the game through Nation-Focus DLCs.
In my eyes this looks like a paid bug fix for the not working AI and Battleplaner.

 

[rainkloud]

Disappointed to see dlc being worked on while naval and air combat are still well below reasonable expectations. I've seen the devs comment on this but priority wise I inferred that it was more of a we'll get to it when we get to it" type of thing.

 

[VoodooEconomist]

I thought you would monetize the game through Nation-Focus DLCs.
In my eyes this looks like a paid bug fix for the not working AI and Battleplaner.

Well, expecting them to just monetise the National Focus is a bit off - adding new features such as Espionage etc. is definitely DLC-worthy and many of us would not object to that. But what is debatable is whether or not the Blitz option for the battleplaner is a new feature or a much needed improvement of an existing one.

 

[Lykanion]

It is quite clear here that the battle planner was not intended to do encirclements. that is clear from the player's role is to draw the plan and then to watch for opportunities.

Yes, I agree that it was not intended to do small scale encirclements. But it seemed clear (to me, at least) from the description and the pictures of battle plans with multiple attack orders and different front width that you would control and shape the advance of your armies to create these opportunities you speak of.
Also DD45 speaks of an advance from the front line to the offensive line via a shapeable arrow. This is illustrated by a picture showing a two(?) provinces wide advance towards Moscow.

 

[Shock360]

@Alex_brunius I don't think everyone can hear Sabaton music when I host a game.

cosmetic and sound dlc arent included in his statement

 

[Duke Von Hannover]

As a long time supporter of Paradox and also of HoI i am dissapointed that an integral feature of the new battleplanner system is behind a DLC.

It's not that I don't understand that development time costs money - it's that currently the battle planner system for offensive operations is useless in MP and close to useless in SP (to the point where I have used it about three times offensively) and have never used frontlines when defending/being pushed back. To me this is a fix for a system that is currently not fit for purpose.

It is not an upgrade to a working system. Like the enhancements to warfare/forts that came in various EUIV Dlcs and its not making Islam playable in CKII (which would be analogus to National Focus Trees) it's fixing a system that is currently in game and attempting to make it fit for purpose.

As a consequence I have downvoted this post, and if it wasn't for the fact I bought the fieldmarshal edition I would be boycotting the DLC unless this was made a free feature.

The Paradox DLC system has always been clear - You get bugfixes and QOL upgrades for free, you get new systems and mechanics behind a paywall. There is a small degree of overlap but generally speaking that is how it works.

There is no way I would classify this as a new system or mechanic, it is a fix to an existing mechanic that is wholly unsuitable for the game.

 

[P3D]

So, how does the Blitz Command differs from the following:

1/ I set up a small frontline with mobile troops.
2/ manually select a few divisions (preferably armor) from the frontline and send them on the way as spearhead
3/ With Battleplan active, the front will follow the advancing spearhead, protect the advance, and also assist in the attacks.
4/ I will have to adjust the frontline once in a while, so that's about the only difference I get in this paid feature.

 

[Ancalimé]

Sigh, yet another dissapointment.
PDX, you are starting to make EA look like a shining beacon of integrity by comparison.

I have always held PDX a step higher than other studios, because they wanted to make a quality product with a passion, despite their limited resources. I commended the community for taking ownership of the game (any game) and working day and night to make it a better, more comprehensive experience. I turned a blind eye to the dozens of gimmicks released as paid DLCs because I loved the games and decided that some people wanted those things, even though they added nothing to my gameplay.

But this; this is unforgivable in my eyes.

You have released an incomplete and woefully buggy game at full price and consistently failed to listen to community feedback and their wants. You were slow to react to the many -frankly- game breaking flaws the game shipped out with. And now, you say you will release an expansion, while the game is still far from being anywhere near fixed and with a feature that defies the term "feature".
This is not a feature and it certainly shouldn't be paid. The lack of this ability was one of the things that made the game incomplete when released. It did not appease the micromanagers among us despite your claim @podcat (I'm one of those), it frustrated us.
It's spectacularly greedy and sleezy that you ask for us to pay for it now.

I am utterly dissappointed in you Paradox and you have certainly lost my business.

P.S.: To those who say "this is not right, but I will buy every DLC they release anyway"; You are the reason why this is happening. Your attitude caused the marketing people to become bolder in their quest to grab our money with DLCs with no substance and with "features" that should've been included in the base game which we all called "unfinished". You're enabling this kind of behaviour by constantly buying every single s**t they put out. Stop it. You'll have no justification to complain when you're not satisfied otherwise.

 

[Broheim]

I will buy the DLC no matter what, but I agree with the people saying that blitz should be free, if anything should be free. Such features should be in the base game, so for example new players can enjoy such a vital thing in WWII warfare. Getting in new players so they get hooked and buy dlc is probably a wise choice, this thing will damage your rep in the gaming community and worsen relations with existing map starring experts. I also understand that alot of people hate DLC and what it stands for in the gaming community, and they should still be allowed to blitz, they bought a WWII game after all. Hope you will change this Paradox, even though it will not affect me. Other than that, I am happy that you implement a Blitz system.
Cosmetics, music packs, fleshing out nations are great dlcs. New features too, but the battle planner should have a blitz system in the base game. This is not a new feature, this is just something that was missing.
I am confident that you will see the problem by doing this.

 

[Sleight of Hand]

PDX, you are starting to make EA look like a shining beacon of integrity by comparison.

Steady on now.

It's a mistake, yes, but they will see the error of their ways.

 

[Phelian]

adding new features such as Espionage etc. is definitely DLC-worthy

Yes absolutely. The Nation Foci came me first to mind but there is definitely more to add, apart from fixing core mechanics.

 

[safe-keeper]

The Paradox DLC system has always been clear - You get bugfixes and QOL upgrades for free, you get new systems and mechanics behind a paywall. There is a small degree of overlap but generally speaking that is how it works.

Yes, this is exactly why I'm frustrated. We've always gotten major patches, almost like little free DLCs, with expansions. It's a big part of why I don't have a problem with PDX making lots of DLCs, they also make sure to fix the game for those who don't want to buy them. Sure, you need a couple DLCs to enjoy EU4 and CK2, but I'm having lots of fun without having to shell out.

Sure, this is just one feature, but it does so much for the battle planner that I feel it really feel it should be free.

 

[Smiles_]

I like the idea of the Blitz feature. I likely will end up purchasing HOI4 dlcs.

That said, I'd add my voice to the chorus of general disappointment, since it seems like a feature that would be part of the base. Unique national focuses for other nations, totally seem like proper DLC candidates. Additional sprites, or more historical elements like named infantry equipment (similar to some of the historical mods out there), I'd be fine with with as DLCs.


Smiles

 

[rcbricker33]

Yes, I agree that it was not intended to do small scale encirclements. But it seemed clear (to me, at least) from the description and the pictures of battle plans with multiple attack orders and different front width that you would control and shape the advance of your armies to create these opportunities you speak of.
Also DD45 speaks of an advance from the front line to the offensive line via a shapeable arrow. This is illustrated by a picture showing a two(?) provinces wide advance towards Moscow.

And you can do those things. Once again I agree that the expanding frontlines needs to be fixed, but the Blitz was not promised in the vanilla. It is not a fix on a broken portion of the BP. It is an added feature to the BP.

I am basically neutral as to whether this should be paid for or free. I don't actually care. I get involved in these discussions mainly because of claims that just are not accurate. You all want to argue that the Blitz should be free cause you think it is important piece and should be core...cool. But the argument that it was promised from release or that it fixes an existing feature in the BP is just inaccurate.

 

[Elwin00]

I foresee a vigorous discussion about blitz command being a paid feature.

You know what? You were right!

 

[Gothmog]

"Paid Feature: Blitz Command".

I have to be honest here: this is what I thought/expected the battle plans would be able to handle from the start, or when that failed as something that would be fixed later on. I guess I was very much mistaken.

The fact that you couldn't get it to work right away is understandable (Paradox games have always needed a bit of polish to shine, going back all the Way to EU/EU2), but to have it appear now as a paid feature makes me sad.

 

[misterderp]

You know what? You were right!

Haha it would seem so.