Info: 2024 Game Updates

[Warwick]

Old age isn't for sissies.

Regards, Warwick

[carp]

I don't see this game as a distraction. After my stroke, I used it as a learning tool, building the largest maps from the start, then putting together extensive scenarios based somewhat on a reality of some point in time. It was great therapy to rehab my longer-term thinking and memory skills. I was a semi-competitive she's player at one time. I never went to a ranking, but I played ranked players. I gave that up eons ago, but I just couldn't see playing a computer to try to bring those skills back, and since I've played Steel Panthers since the original 24-piece game and followed the upgrades through all of the DOS, the Windows versions, so I chose to stick with that I could recall the basics and the manual is much easier to understand if your prior knowledge is low-level.

It's still extremely hard for me to play a scenario I didn't design. My brain just refuses to look at an OOB on a roster and translate that information onto an existing mapboard. The units become all jumbled and the rally function becomes a crap shoot. Campaigns fall by the wayside as I can't quite relate pieces of the same units to each other, so decimation of every coy and company is quite normal and hard on moving on to the next scenario.

But if I put things together on my own, my memory processes very well, so I'm content. Considering I had to relearn to read and keyboard, SPMBT was a huge re-learning tool.

I'm 72 and have retired multiple times. But I've only seen what dying is like once. It does mature a fellow's thinking. I don't want to stress over things I have no control over, and I want to wake up early every day so I miss no time in our woods. I rarely consider any time wasted, but I do consider some activities and people a waste of my time, so I filter much better than before. I know I'll never be 23 and freshly discharged from the Army again, ready to take on the world. But I also know I don't need to cram living into living. Life is a good thing to have.

[DRG]

Originally Posted by carp

I don't see this game as a distraction. After my stroke, I used it as a learning tool, building the largest maps from the start, then putting together extensive scenarios based somewhat on a reality of some point in time. It was great therapy to rehab my longer-term thinking and memory skills. I was a semi-competitive she's player at one time. I never went to a ranking, but I played ranked players. I gave that up eons ago, but I just couldn't see playing a computer to try to bring those skills back, and since I've played Steel Panthers since the original 24-piece game and followed the upgrades through all of the DOS, the Windows versions, so I chose to stick with that I could recall the basics and the manual is much easier to understand if your prior knowledge is low-level.

It's still extremely hard for me to play a scenario I didn't design. My brain just refuses to look at an OOB on a roster and translate that information onto an existing mapboard. The units become all jumbled and the rally function becomes a crap shoot. Campaigns fall by the wayside as I can't quite relate pieces of the same units to each other, so decimation of every coy and company is quite normal and hard on moving on to the next scenario.

But if I put things together on my own, my memory processes very well, so I'm content. Considering I had to relearn to read and keyboard, SPMBT was a huge re-learning tool.

I'm 72 and have retired multiple times. But I've only seen what dying is like once. It does mature a fellow's thinking. I don't want to stress over things I have no control over, and I want to wake up early every day so I miss no time in our woods. I rarely consider any time wasted, but I do consider some activities and people a waste of my time, so I filter much better than before. I know I'll never be 23 and freshly discharged from the Army again, ready to take on the world. But I also know I don't need to cram living into living. Life is a good thing to have.

We're the same age and in some ways gone through the exact same issues

I did what would have been a 10 min job moving Icons from SPWW2 to SPMBT but today practically every step needed thinking through but I got it done but it took me 4 times longer than it would have 6 months ago but the real test will be doing it again in a week or so to see if the memory of how I did it stays...... or I have to relearn it

That said, Andy and I are both recovering from our own separate issues but we have discussed this and we are going to enjoy this summer off and will start preliminary (baby steps ) work on the MBT patch and MAYBE a mini update of WW2 in early October and really put a full effort in November and HOPEFULLY have something to release early December 2025.

For now..... that's "The Plan"

Don

[DRG]

UPDATE September 28/ 2025

SO FAR "the plan" has not changed but on top of everything else that has happened this year I was diagnosed with COVID Sept 12 and for any of you that have had this nasty bug.......you have my sympathy

For me this is day 21 since contracting it and I feel 97% better than I did two weeks ago but I have found that I can start something with a fair amount of enthusiasm but I do not have the stamina I had even a month ago and I am HOPING that improves in the next couple weeks and if it does---- "the plan" can go ahead as detailed in the previous post.

[strykerpsg]

While I am certainly thankful for the years of dedication you've put towards this endeavor, I would love to see this passed onto a developer that could continue the series and just pay you roylaties forever. This would also enable it to expand to the next level and entertain the next generation of gamers. I too was an early adopter of the series and have honestly not touched it since about 2023.

Glad to hear you're recovering well. Hope the series will continue on for another 25 years.

[DRG]

I am sorry to say "The plan" to "really put a full effort in November and HOPEFULLY have something to release early December 2025." is not working out and right now all I can say is we" HOPEFULLY will have something to release sometime in 2026"

It was difficult to write that but "sometime in 2026" is much more realistic at this point in time than "something to release early December 2025"

Keep in mind this update for SPMBT is not going to contain any earth shattering code changes that will transform "your gaming experience" It is intended to tidy up some loose ends and add a few units that have been annouced to be introduced before 2030 so what you are using now ( V17 ) is not significantly differerent than what we hope will be V18

[strykerpsg]

I personally just love the various updates and open self modding capabilities of the game. My only wishful upgrade would ever be an updated engine for better resolution and nicer terrain. Everything else about the series I have thoroughly enjoyed over the years.