Battle of the Bulge

Pitta

According to dev Twitter, the game is now 'waiting for review'.
I'm incredibly hyped for this one, but they will probably take some more time, even if approved, to get some marketing done.
Anyway, it's coming.

munkie

This and Baldur's Gate is all I am waiting on. After these, I may rest.

TauRho77

I am still baffled about the Apple review process. Does anybody have an idea of roughly how long it takes to submit and be approved provided it doesn't get rejected?

Owen

There's this handy thing but it's entirely unofficial and based on "exit poll"-style data: http://reviewtimes.shinydevelopment.com/

TauRho77

Cool, thanks Owen.

TheDukester

Review times have always steadily hovered at 6-8 days; that hasn't changed since the opening of the App Store.

What confuses people is that that figure often spikes way up for all the major holidays. Another bit of confusion comes from the developers themselves, who can choose to "release upon approval" or who can pick a specific date (perhaps for marketing reasons, or to avoid another big release, etc.). That can lead to Apple-approved games just sitting there.

But Apple's part of the process is 6-8 days. Always has been, always will be, world without end.

munkie

I have wanted to understand what they actually do during their review process. Fire-up the app, create a username (Apple_tester_one?), play the dickens out of it? I am sure there is a test script they follow, and check off as they go along. But consider the test floor conversations that must go on when someone is testing a Baldur's Gate or a Battle of the Bulge. These are huge releases for us, the few, the niche market. But do they realize the property they are testing in BG? Do they have a VIP process for the big players such as EA, GameLoft, etc. or are all company properties treated equally?

There are hundreds of questions I could ask that will lie around unanswered as Apple does not have to and will not share their inner-machinations. And as a technologist I marvel at the products that Apple pumps out, when you think about then they are downright incredible devices. But on the other hand, I would not want to have to deal with Cupertino on the business side of the house as they truly live up to the role of megalomaniacs that they are.

Wow that got preachy, sorry for that. Now I think I will go find a copy of Mega Lo Mania and pretend to be Apple.

doublebullout

I wouldn't be surprised to see a release during the weekend of Dec 14-16. Pure supposition on my part, but it would make sense to commemorate the 68th anniversary of the beginning of the Battle in some way.

TheDukester

I don't think I'd be giving too much away to state that the developers are very aware of the calendar. A release during the Bulge "window" is/was a high priority.

munkie

Well the German war machine was definitely rolling up the iron by this point. Can this be compared to the Apple approval process? One wonders.

Emos

Can't wait either, my iOS gaming life will be complete then (at least for a while ;)

Pitta

We will release our game “Battle of the Bulge” on the iOS App Store at 15:00 EST on 13 Dec.

HELL YES!!!

Owen

Oh yeah - was that on Facebook?

Pitta

On Twitter. I thought I linked that to you this morning (via Twitter).
On Facebook they have a picture of the team celebrating this morning :)

CAN'T WAIT.

Emos

Just came in to say I saw that tweet on my lunch break and rushed here to post it! Got me beat Pitta ;)

TauRho77

@Pitta - AWESOME!!!! Between this and Baulder's Gate, I will not want for much in the foreseeable future. This is exactly why I love Kickstarter. I may have been kicked in the nuts by WarBalloon (Star Command), but games like these are why I keep backing them.

TheDukester

Let's all just book some time now over the Boxing Day holiday to play some asynch games. Who's with me?!

blackfire1929

Edit: Sorry, posted in wrong thread by mistake

doublebullout

And now the waiting begins for El Alamein. I'm at least as excited for that one, too! But I believe BOTB will definitely keep me satisfied for a good while.

Owen

Battle of the Bulge is the real deal, guys. Wow.

Pitta

This is mean :)
Full blown review tonight? :P
Video? :P :P

Owen

Review next week.

.. you're right, that was mean. :)

Pitta

LOL.
CAN'T WAIT.
Do you think it will be suitable for a newbie in the genre?
I'm spreading the word among friends not really into war gaming (I'm not too, but I love the Panzer Corps demo...even if I would prefer something a bit less daunting and smaller).

Owen

It seems like a perfect introductory wargame. Great tutorial, in-depth manual if you want it. Crystal clear interface. It's amazing.

Pitta

.........

If you continue to do so, Santa won't bring you any present this year, you know.

Owen

Hey, you asked. :p

TheDukester

Pitta said:

Do you think it will be suitable for a newbie in the genre?

Very much so.

All of the really scary stuff about wargames (super-intense rules, long gameplay, etc.) has been jettisoned in favor of a more modern, friendly design.

Pitta

Well, on the official site they posted the whole manual.
It is a bit daunting at first read...but I like the historical references and the general tone.
It's been a month I'm watching all the real footage form the Ardennes offensive I can find...
Can't wait.

Emos

The Real Deal you say? You have me salivating now! Thanks for the heads-up on the manual being posted, I'll have to check it out later!
So guys, do you all think that this has the potential to be a breakout game for the wargame genre or will simply be a niche game for its core audience now matter how good and polished it is? If this lives up to expectations I really hope the developers make a profit and will continue to create more games...

TheDukester

Pitta said:

Well, on the official site they posted the whole manual.
It is a bit daunting at first read...

I've never even looked at the manual during playtesting. The intro and the tutorial were enough to begin playing.

Pitta

Thanks for the infos.
A second read of the manual was a bit clearer.

BTW I remember I read something about pricing and space long ago, but I can't find anything official any more.
Does anyone know? (Especially space occupied)

Thanks!