Why can’t you guys grasp that this is not a patch?
Because some of the things included in the upgrade should have been patch items, and indeed are standard patch items across the industry. Let's look at the v3.0 features list:
http://www.battlefront.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=273&Itemid=459
"Improved shaders" - This obviously fixes problems with the shadows and shaders that have been a hallmark of CMx2 games since day 1. These problems are on BFC to fix, since they weren't working properly, yet we have to pay for the fix now.
"More realistic/varied RoF of automatic weapons." - This implies that there were problems with how machine guns were being handled. The onus is on BFC to fix the problems in their software, yet we have to pay for the fix now.
"
Improved load time for scenarios, especially larger ones with complex terrain" - BFC obviously fixed problems in their software that contributed to bad performance. The onus is on BFC to fix the problems, yet we have to pay for the fix now.
"Improved responsiveness of 2D editing, especially for large maps" - See above.
"Improved load time for 3D Preview, especially large maps" - See above.
As you can see, it's not just an upgrade we're paying for, but also patch items that BFC has stated "would always be free." The precedent for rolling patch fixes into the upgrades was set when v2.0 came out. They fixed a big issue with the MGs, and implied that a 1.12 patch for CMBN would fix it for those who were still running the 1.0 version of the game. As you know, it never came. We can expect more and more patch items to be rolled into upgrades, as has already happened.
It takes substantial work to upgrade the different games to include all new features.
Except, as we have since found out, upgrades
don't include all new features; see tank riders. BFC's explanation that it would take "too much time" also doesn't make sense when compared with what they did for 2.0. They totally re-textured the US infantry units and added normal maps for nearly every single item in the game. You can bet the farm that it took
a lot of time to do that. Sure, they were also able to use art assets from CMFI for 2.0, but they would also have been able to use tank riding assets already done in RT for BN. I suspect the real reason they didn't add tank riders to 3.0 was because they couldn't farm it out to their volunteer laborers to do it for free, like they were probably able to do with the texture work in 2.0.
This work has to be paid for. I know you want stuff for free, so do I, but the world just don’t work that way.
I haven't seen anyone here say that 3.0 should have been offered for free. However, when you find parts of it are patch fixes and not features worth paying for from other CMx2 titles, it makes one question why he or she should pay for an upgrade when, by BFC's own standard, certain items in the upgrade are clearly fixes.
Have a look at CMSF, CMA and CMBN<CMBB<CMAK .. back then they didn’t port upgrades backwards, didn’t cost a thing but the games suffered for it. However you can still make a choice and don’t upgrade if you don’t want to. Your whining won’t hold the rest of us back though.
CMSF is still quite playable and enjoyable today without any of the upgrades. The simple fact is BFC took it upon themselves to keep all of their games updated at the same level. No one lobbied for this or asked for it as far as I am aware. However, it's becoming clearer and clearer BFC really didn't think things completely through with the upgrade system. It's starting to become a big mess, really.
I've purposely tried to stay out of the majority of these arguments since it's really not that important in the big scheme of things. It's a video game. It's really down to whether or not each individual finds value in spending the money for the upgrade. If you find value in it, great! Other people have found the value not to be there, and that is perfectly OK too. Both sides are free to voice their opinions on the matter. As one who has become increasingly dissatisfied with the CM franchise to the point of not buying anymore titles, I certainly won't bash or belittle those who continue to enjoy the series and purchase whatever BFC releases. More power to them, and I'll continue to enjoy reading/watching the AARs they post here. However, it does get tiring when those of us who have problems with BFC's trajectory are consistently being told we're freeloaders, whiners, luddites, etc. when there are valid concerns that we have.
Edited for teh grammerz.
