Would you like to see more and richer patches?

[PackMan]

As I was reading some threads in this subforum it struck me how really nice some of these ideas are. Most game developers usually support their products with one maby two patches and the reason they don't keep pumping them out is naturally financial aspects. But... I was thinking, if Paradox introduced a way of charging their users for patches introducing new features, would YOU be willing to pay for that? If so, how much?

Being one who truly love Paradox games I would most certainly pay for patches that add new features to the game. The amount would have to be somewhere in between 10$ - 15$ to get me interested and to keep it simple and cheaper, Paradox would only distribute them through download (i.e http://www.gamersgate.com/)

After all, money is what makes the world go around (that includes our favorite game developing company Paradox).

 

[unmerged(50895)]

Count me in. If the patch is more than just a bugfix I'll pay for it. Something like 5 to 10 bucks would be reasonable imo.

 

[hellfish6]

Agreed. Sorta like how Doomsday worked.

 

[Lennartos]

As HOI is by far one of my favourite games, i would definetly pay ~10$ for a new expansion pack, IF it includes all the critical fixes(convoys,planes persistently attacking entreched units.....) and some improvements.

 

[unmerged(41649)]

the problem is what if some people don't want to get the patch and some do, and some people get the first patch but not the second. Pretty quickly you would have an increasing set of different versions of the game floating around and that would make troubleshooting and multiplayer gaming very difficult.

 

[Bulgarian]

I would play as long as they make it

 

[Pioniere]

A download version of v1.3 or a new patch. A payment of some amount I can accept. 5-10$

 

[Fredrik II]

Hmmm... interesting idea. We will look into the possibility. Thanks

Of course patches that fixes gamebreaking bugs have to be released for free, but the idea of releasing major enhancements with new features (like Ricky) is really good.

F

 

[unmerged(50895)]

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy (get's REALLY excited now)

This would be so cool. Doomsday is certainly not dead yet this way. I think the best way to go, would be to open up DD as much as possible so that the modders can do their miracles. More parameters are needed. An example: the AI often uses HQ's or Armor for garrison duties. There is no parameter to tell the AI that it must use infantry units for that. This is just one example that would really improve DD IMO.

By opening up DD as much as possible to enable the community to do the 'real' enhancing, DD could be elevated to new heights. Drewl...
I would we willing to pay for that!

 

[stabsoffizier]

I'd oppose that idea. The basic set of features in DD is more than sufficient, there'd be a lot of nice additions that could be made, look at the suggestions here themselves and what's made up by the modding community but other things have higher priority.
There are obvious weaknesses of the game but they are mainly based around the engine and the many bugs that are still in the game (although mostly not game-breaking ones) need to be cleared out first! Adding new features, nice, yes, but that would mean new bugs, compatibility problems, need for modding conversion for different versions of the game etc. etc. etc.
Furthermore I am not willing to spend money I'd otherwise could save because if I don't update regularly I'll soon no longer be able to play MP because all the other players updated to the new 'feature-package' sooner than I did or could.

However, what I'd pay a rather large sum for extra would be an edition of DD mainly for Mod development to provide the Community more possibilities in alering the game. A heavily expanded misc.txt, access to all the still hardcoded values, possibility of adding TAGs and Unit types, the possibility of compressing the altered game data to a DD/HoI2 readable file (similar to the system of MaxPayne 1 & 2) that's easily to be distributed, all the bells and whistles etc. etc. etc.
=> I'd empty all my pockets for this and as an extra offer my grandmother and girlfriend in addition.

But to be realistic I'd be happy with this: Fix the Mod-Dir if there is a new patch ever to come...

 

[hito1]

Very nice idea, I'd definitely pay for more features. I just hope this doesn't delay HoI 3.

Hint: look at hellfish6 proposals!!

 

[PackMan]

Hmmm... interesting idea. We will look into the possibility. Thanks

Of course patches that fixes gamebreaking bugs have to be released for free, but the idea of releasing major enhancements with new features (like Ricky) is really good.

F

I'm glad the idea reached your desk. The way I see it, it's a win-win situation for everyone. We (the community) get's the goodies we are dying to see while Paradox make more bucks needed to develop more games to make more bucks...

 

[hellfish6]

I'd like to see what they have in mind for upgrades. Granted, I'm sure I'll buy it regardless, but I'd like to know what their plans would be and what kind of enhancements they'd like to make.

 

[Pioniere]

Yes similar upgrades like Victoria revolution or perhaps an expansion CD.
To bad I can’t change my nick to: notorious barking dog. He he maybe it is the best for them moderators out there :rofl:

 

[Acheron]

I must say I am quite against paying money for bugfixes. Just doesn't seem right. And it set a dangerous pretext.

 

[PackMan]

I must say I am quite against paying money for bugfixes. Just doesn't seem right. And it set a dangerous pretext.

And that is why Fredrik said:

Of course patches that fixes gamebreaking bugs have to be released for free, but the idea of releasing major enhancements with new features (like Ricky) is really good.

We would pay for new material, not bugfixes.

 

[davekirk]

I don't like the idea... I have a bad feeling we might end up seeing things that seem like enhancements but should have been in the game in the first place (single province targeting with bombers, spy automation, etc) included with a "premium" patch. =/

Also, is it just me or do many threads with some great ideas (e.g. hellfish6) are seemingly ignored while this thread that offers a suggestion that could make Paradox more money gets a quick response from a dev? =(

 

[Myth]

oh noes teh conspiracy!!

or maybe its because responding (in detail) to ideas such as hellfish's would virtually confirm that HoI3 is in the immediate works, and as they haven't announced what their next project is, that may not be a good thing. also, this sort of idea doesn't just apply to HoI, but all Paradox games so it has a greater immediacy than any HoI3 suggestion.

that, and Paradox is a company and companies live off money

 

[davekirk]

I'm not talking about HOI3 or confirming their next project at all, I'm talking about patching HoI2. Hellfish is just an example of one person. I read many posts about how people complain something is broken and sometimes suggest ways to fix, or offer new great ideas to enhance or simplify aspects of the game, but they always go unanswered. Then I see this post where a marketing dev (no offence to you Fredrik, at least you are the first dev I've seen reply to a suggestion =) ) quickly agrees with an idea for charging money. It's just a personal frustration, and really irrelevant.

And really, there already is a way to release major enhancements and new features with a modest fee, they are called expansion packs! I am just worried we would see a small charge for a small enhancement for something that in my opinion shouldn't cost anything. I could imagine seeing more "premium enchancements" and less free patches. You may dismiss it as paranoia, but to me it is a legitimate concern.

I understand Paradox is a company and companies need money, but I always liked to think of them as a smaller company that really cares about listening to their customers to make a better product (that's why this forum is here!).

 

[PackMan]

...that, and Paradox is a company and companies live off money

That's exactly my point. If Paradox get payed (I'm talking less then the Doomsday expansion) for new patches/addons we would actually see some of these great ideas implemented.

Fredrik said in his post that patches fixing actual bugs in the game should continue to be free so I honestly can't see how this could be a bad idea.