European Air War - The Gen

Hi Guys

It seems we have very quickly started developing mods to the game, some of which, will break back compatibility.

Now, to understand the problem better, there are two ways we have of proceeding.

Option 1
1.27.exe We can develop the game in a way, which allows you just to change exe's.
Plus: You'll use the new exe with everything, and be able to change back to a different exe, without a problem.
Minus: We won't be able to bring a lot of new exiting things into the game at this stage.

Option 2
1.30.exe This option would break with the past, and we would build a patch like 1.2, which would give you lots of new things.
Plus: Doing this would allow a lot of new stuff into the game, with updated data structures, textures, sounds, and 3dz's.
Minus: It would change EAW to the point were none of the previous exe's would work anymore with the new version. 1.0, 1.1, 1.2, 1.2a, 1.26, and FXEXE would all be incompatible. You would need to have a separate install of EAW, to run the older exe's.

It's really a simple 1 or 2 really, but here we can discuss it, if you like.

To briefly explain my #2 vote at SimHQ.

I am now convinced the Code Group won't produce an EXE that makes our aircraft and add-ons library at Sandbagger's obsolete.

When--and IF--we go full to 16-bit screens and even larger "drawing boards" for modders, that necessary updating of low-res aircraft will begin. Probably with enthusiasm. It already gets regular "high-res" updating. As long as the old aircraft can be used, all will be well.

Since the new models will require 1.3, that patch will quickly become the new standard--assuming it's going to be as good as we hope.

And a Christmas release target date of the first updated EXE makes sense. Whatever name we give it and with or without 16-bit screens.
Present the best we can give AT THE TIME.

Don't worry. All the old EXE's and aircraft and add-ons will have their advocates and arguments. The game will still be played the BC way online and off.

Despite the near-unanimous vote so far for #2, our library of aircraft, their 3dz's and FM's, and related weapons.dat and loadouts will still be popular.
But having a new and exciting (NOT EXIT-ING) Exe will stir the blood of old EAW'ers everywhere.

So Knegel has made a good point.

Hi Wuddy.

Nothing is going to be truly obsolete, but the scenarios will need to be updated, in just the same way as some of them have been with HR aircraft. You must admit, when there is a HR and LR version of the same aircraft, which one are you going to use?

The choice of exe will be the same. The only snag, if I can call it that is, this next exe won't be the last, more the start of a line of development, which as times goes by will change the game completely. But, I think the CORE of the game will remain the same.

Didn't I say that?
Well, you said it better.