Capcom Pulls The Plug on Steel Battalion: Line of Contact

[Parias]

It seems as if Capcom’s rickety run of their expensive, online-only Xbox Mech sim is about to take another turn for the worse, as they have just announced that on September 30th they will be discontinuing service for the game’s "Campaign” mode servers. They’ve posted an appreciably vague notice on their BBS at this address (http://www.capcom.com/BBS/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8283).

“Xbox Steel Battalion - Notice to End Campaign Mode

Thank you very much for your continued support of Capcom’s Steel Battalion product.

As of Friday September 30th, 10:00AM-12:00PM PST, Capcom will be ending the online services for Campaign Mode of Steel Battalion. We appreciate your continued support of our product, and sincerely apologize for any inconveniences this may cause. Thank you for your understanding of this matter.

However, we will continue services and support for both Free Mission Mode and System Link play.

Please enjoy Campaign Mode for the short time it is still available.”
This is actually significant news because it means that most of the game’s content will now be inaccessible to new subscribers. Thanks to the way the game works, if you have not already “unlocked” most of the game’s content by playing through the Campaign, then following the end of September anybody who decides to play Free Mission or System Link mode will only have access to three of the game’s missions and a very small quantity of “VTs” (Vertical Tanks) available for use – out of a maximum of 24 missions and 31 unique VTs. What this also means is that new players will be paying $200+ for a neutered product which is barely capable of offering any of its original, promised functionality (the game is still available through retail outlets)

Capcom has released no word on the possibility of a “patch” to automatically unlock this content for all players in the non-camapign modes. Suffice it to say, the existing community is less-than-pleased, not to mention the bad precedent it sets if Microsoft sits back and allows publishers to butcher their Xbox Live titles post-release in such a way.

[GrinR]

Every sucker got exactly what they paid for. *shrug* Not being a sucker, I don't care if they shut this down.

[Evil Avatar]

Every sucker got exactly what they paid for. *shrug* Not being a sucker, I don't care if they shut this down.

You are a dipshit. Capcom just started putting this product back on the shelves a few months ago and now they are going to pull the plug on the servers?

That isn't "getting what you paid for". Pull your head out of your ass, just because you didn't purchase the game doesn't mean that the people who did should get screwed.

I think Microsoft should really fuck Capcom because of this.

[GrinR]

I know you bought this, so I forgive your harsh words.

Pay $200 for a very specialized game, get specialized game treatment. If they had sold it with a (albeit insane) Xbox controller edition, instead of tying it to a massive and frankly unworkable specialized controlled, there would be far more people playing ... and maybe it would still be available for the suckers (oops I mean consumers) to play.

Truth hurts.

[Githon]

Registered explicitly to second Evil Avatar's "You are a dipshit".

[Parias]

Pay $200 for a very specialized game, get specialized game treatment. If they had sold it with a (albeit insane) Xbox controller edition, instead of tying it to a massive and frankly unworkable specialized controlled, there would be far more people playing ... and maybe it would still be available for the suckers (oops I mean consumers) to play.

I have no idea what you mean by "unworkable specialized controller" (?). The reason why the game was a slump, as well as why most of the previously-active community has given up on it is primarily due to Capcom's refusal to address the game's core issues from launch day, only squeaking by with the barest amount of public relations and maintenance work, and had absolutely nothing to do with any kind of "lolomgwtf the controllar has five bajillion buttons and foot pedals what the fuck is this" issue - you'll even note to this point that the game was almost something of a resounding success on launch day, only falling flat on its face once everyone realized how horribly broken it was. The only patch ever to come out was a half-assed fix for a nasty exploit which spread out of control in Campaign mode allowing everyone to duplicate their "supply points" as well as all of the game's rare, limited-quantity equipment, but because Capcom never actually followed up with a database wipe to fix the worst of the damage, the patch was ultimately useless.

The only thing they actually did do, to their minor credit, was reset the "Optional Parts" list, but this doesn't change the fact that Little Timmy will never see his third-generation Quasar because it's sitting in Big John's long-forgotten VT hangar collecting dust. This is actually the case for a lot of the Campaign mode's VT's - they can't be purchased because too many people have bought them, clung to them, and then signed out of their accounts, never to play the game again. Hence, these VTs have never returned to the game's farce of an "economy" and are as such disgustingly rare.

The entire reason for this game's failure rests solely with Capcom however; and are the consumers to be blamed for wanting to spend $200+ on what should have been the greatest god damn online Mech sim ever developed? This game had insane potential, but it was all squandered away by Capcom's flat-out ignorance of the community and their refusal to support the game properly, and now they're kicking what's left of the community in the face with this maneuver. The community isn't even primarily concerned with keeping Campaign mode running at this point (because they know there's zero chance of changing Capcom's mind) - all they want instead is that patch to make everything unlocked automatically so that the game isn't totally worthless as even a LAN title.

Go onto the Capcom BBS and scroll through the dozens of pages of complaints, cries for support, and general rants the commuity has posted over the months since the game's conception on their site - you'll be astonished at the sheer amount of apathy this company has shown for its own userbase. Not that I'm extensively knowledgable about such things, but this is one of the most horribly run mass-marketed MMO's I've ever seen, and it takes a special kind of talent to mismanage an online-only title as much as this. The community has every right to be outraged.

[Frogleg Special]

A game doesn't have to be labeled as a mech simulation because of the size of the controller, but because of the gameplay and knowledgeable community.

Down with Steel Battallion. Go with Mechwarrior 5.

[ECM]

Registered explicitly to second Evil Avatar's "You are a dipshit".

Ditto to both of those.

[Lodin]

Bah! It's not like the online portion has ever worked properly anyway. Capcom has been fucking the userbase up the ass from day one with SB.

[GrinR]

Dipshit I may be, but that's $200 I'm not out - unlike you poor saps. What are you doing to do with your $200 controller now? Maybe you can write "GrinR is a dipshit" on it. Maybe that will make you feel better.

[Zeal]

I bought the game and the dumbass controller. It sucked.

[Githon]

I'm not clear on why I'd have to write that down somewhere to remember.

[GrinR]

I'm not clear on why I'd have to write that down somewhere to remember.

Give it time.

[Offworlder]

Dipshit I may be, but that's $200 I'm not out - unlike you poor saps. What are you doing to do with your $200 controller now? Maybe you can write "GrinR is a dipshit" on it. Maybe that will make you feel better.

You do realize you're trolling, right?

This was a product that was incredibly unique, immersive, enjoyable and promising, and would have been entirely worth the 200 bucks if only the company that produced said product had even just minorly supported it.

Why do you insist on being insulting?

[ECM]

Dipshit I may be, but that's $200 I'm not out - unlike you poor saps. What are you doing to do with your $200 controller now? Maybe you can write "GrinR is a dipshit" on it. Maybe that will make you feel better.

I actually gave the game to a friend several months ago so the server shutdown doesn't actually affect me, but that still doesn't change the fact that you're a dipshit.

[Oblivion]

this dipshit thingie is going to stick, I guess. congrats GrinR!

[Zeal]

Can people please stop accusing everyone of "trolling"? This shit is becoming GameFaqs.

[bapenguin]

Can people please stop accusing everyone of "trolling"? This shit is becoming GameFaqs.


Eww...Stop Trolling by calling us GameFaqs ;)

[Lodin]

Fun Fact: There are PC drivers out there for the controller. Heard from some guy who claimed it worked like a wonder with Freespace 2.
Still not worth 200 bucks, but it might be something to look into.

[Steve_Erhardt]

Dipshit I may be, but that's $200 I'm not out - unlike you poor saps. What are you doing to do with your $200 controller now? Maybe you can write "GrinR is a dipshit" on it. Maybe that will make you feel better.
Well, I never did get LoC, but I did get the original SB. That's still cool to play. Now I'm glad I never picked up LoC, but that decision was actually made a long time ago once I heard about the fucked up way people would get the best VTs and then stow them, never to see the light of day again. :rolleyes:

As for what I'm doing with the $200 controller now, well, I'm using it for Mechwarrior Mercs as well, thanks to Franknstik. Still need to tweak it, and at this point I still prefer my X-35/X-45 set up for Mercs, but the SB controller is shaping up nicely as well.

[pur3r4ge]

Parias, I'm kinda with GrinR on the "specialized" thing. Most consumers aren't going to buy it due to the fact that it cost more then the console. The average consumer doesn't read game specific forums to see if other users feel that a game is broken before purchase. You're unhappy with your purchase due to the after-purchase support, but that's not the reason most people avoided it in the first place.

[Thenetcase]

Dipshit I may be, but that's $200 I'm not out - unlike you poor saps. What are you doing to do with your $200 controller now? Maybe you can write "GrinR is a dipshit" on it. Maybe that will make you feel better.

I don't curse much... But I think that we should up his level of stupidity from "dipshit" to "fucking moron". Anyone with me?

If you pay $200 for a game that's awesome and has an amazing controller, that game should at least exist for a few years afterwards. And no, just because you spend $200 on a game doesn't mean you're an idiot.
Just because you harshly criticize other people for their purchases might make you an idiot though...

-TNC-

[Evil Avatar]

Dipshit I may be, but that's $200 I'm not out - unlike you poor saps. What are you doing to do with your $200 controller now? Maybe you can write "GrinR is a dipshit" on it. Maybe that will make you feel better.

It made me feel better. Anyone else?

As to what I'm doing with my $200.00 controller, I can still pay the single player game just fine. I'm really only out the $50.00 I spent on the online CD.

[Paltry]

Dipshit I may be, but that's $200 I'm not out - unlike you poor saps. What are you doing to do with your $200 controller now? Maybe you can write "GrinR is a dipshit" on it. Maybe that will make you feel better.

Oh man that was pretty funny

[BabyJesus]

I never picked it up, but wanted too. Maybe I'll try and get one cheap off of ebay and play the first game.. I don't care about the online side of the game... I heard you need a mega connection to run it anyway...

[KingLeerUK]

Dipshit I may be, but that's $200 I'm not out - unlike you poor saps. What are you doing to do with your $200 controller now? Maybe you can write "GrinR is a dipshit" on it. Maybe that will make you feel better.

Wow, that's a pretty unbiased and understanding viewpoint you have there, I'm glad we have people like you in this world that adhere to the "if it doesn't happen to me, I don't give a fuck" attitude. Your contribution to society must be astounding. Looks like you've leveled up from "dipshit" and earned your "fucking moron" ranking, congrats.




The fact that this game essentially costs $300 to should not translate into a "well you were dumb for buying it in the first place" response. If anything, the additional money and dedication required to both obtain and become proficient at this game should garner MORE support for its plight.

The fact that "most consumers" wouldn't purchase a product because it is more expensive or specialised should also NOT translate into a lack of support for the product. People buy expensive cars everyday, but you don't see Porsche or Ferrari walking out on their customer support obligations sooner thant with a standard commuter car, if anything they stick with the customer longer and provide better customer care. The exact opposite has happened with Line of Contact and Capcom. From DAY ONE the company has provided only the most minimal of support, only addressed one exploit in the game (there are several) and never did anything to help with connection issues. Trying to get any information, even about gameplay has been nearly impossible as Capcom has maintained a closed-door policy with regard to information on this game. The majority of information on my site (http://www.lineofcontact.net) is derived from translated Japanese pages.

As others have already made mention, the precedent being set here is a VERY dangerous one for XBox Live titles going forwards. If there is no response and intervention to Capcoms actions regarding their title, it opens the door for all other publishers to cancel online support for their games at any time post-launch should they so desire. The problem with LOC is that the game is exclusively ONLINE ONLY so the removal of ANY online functionality seriously impacts the game. There is no single player component for Line of Contact... at all.

For more information on this game, and updates to the email/phone/letter campaign I am waging to increase awareness of this situation, please visit my site at www.lineofcontact.net (http://www.lineofcontact.net) or view the pertinent threads at www.steelbattalion.org (http://www.steelbattalion.org/forum).

Thank You

[Doctor Setebos]

I don't think anybody who purchased the game deserved this craptacular treatment from Capcom, but holy hell, people -- $200 for a single game!?! I couldn't spend that kind of money one one game. Even if it was the absolute most fantastic game in history: $200!?! For $200 I can get 4 GREAT games, and I have! I'd rather spend that money on multiple gaming experiences rather than dump it all into one game and a controller that won't work for anything other than that game and its subsequent sequels (if any). But that's just me.

I'm going to get called a dipshit for this, aren't I?

[Thenetcase]

I don't think anybody who purchased the game deserved this craptacular treatment from Capcom, but holy hell, people -- $200 for a single game!?! I couldn't spend that kind of money one one game. Even if it was the absolute most fantastic game in history: $200!?! For $200 I can get 4 GREAT games, and I have! I'd rather spend that money on multiple gaming experiences rather than dump it all into one game and a controller that won't work for anything other than that game and its subsequent sequels (if any). But that's just me.

Actually THAT is a lucid response.
I think $200 is excessive for a game too, but if someone DOES spend that much money on a single game, then I'm not knocking them for it. If I had $200 to blow, I might do so myself. Fact is, I DON'T have $200 to blow. :)
Personally I'd like to see something like that with MechWarrior 5 attached to it... But that's just my opinion.
I have played Steel Batalion and I must say it's awesome. :) I can see how some people would want to fork over $200 for it and the controller.
Now if the controller got to the point where it had large market support, I would consider spending $200 on it in a heart beat.

I'm going to get called a dipshit for this, aren't I?

Nah... ;) Not yet, anyway........................ But I'll be watching you.

-TNC-

[KingLeerUK]

I don't think anybody who purchased the game deserved this craptacular treatment from Capcom, but holy hell, people -- $200 for a single game!?! I couldn't spend that kind of money one one game. Even if it was the absolute most fantastic game in history: $200!?! For $200 I can get 4 GREAT games, and I have! I'd rather spend that money on multiple gaming experiences rather than dump it all into one game and a controller that won't work for anything other than that game and its subsequent sequels (if any). But that's just me.

I'm going to get called a dipshit for this, aren't I?

It's your personal choice whether or not to spend the money. If you don't, that's fine, but criticism of others that do is what will make someone look like an ass and offend people. I personally feel that I've gotten more than "4 games worth" of enjoyment out of Steel Battalion and Line of Contact because the games have a great deal of depth and challenge involved. It took me less than a couple of days to get through Halo 2... Steel Battalion continues to challenge me as the skill level necessary to "pilot" is far beyond any basic FPS. Line of Contact takes all the skills developed from the first game and puts them to the test online against others who have been honing their skills. I've been perfectly happy playing a single title for the last year and will continue to do so for as long as the game draws breath.

Here is an example of the depth involved in the game... there are 31 different VTs (the tanks) in the game. Each VT has a specific set of stats that give if a very unique performance profile. Each VT has a number of weapon options available, but not all weapons are available for every VT. VTs have a standard and maximum weight unit allocation for loadout, going over standard makes the VT performance and balance statistics change. VT armour for each model has varying "distance modifier" attributes to it that modify the damage effect of weapons fired against them. In Campaign, you can further modify VT performance by equipping optional parts, which increase performance or add abilities to the VT. Some parts can even offset overloading weight effects. There are over 60 weapons in the game, ranging from close range cutter booms, long range howitzers, guided and unguided missiles, smooth bore cannons, proximity mines, flamethrowers, gauss emitters, and dozens more. VTs are classed based on their roles, and within each have unique abilities and drawbacks which make choosing your platform a balance of pro and con.

Now take all of the above and add in squad tactics and strategy, large scale open maps, variable weather and evironment and a very dedicated and close knit community of players.

That is why I play Line of Contact and Steel Battalion. Try and find those things in Halo 2.

[Doctor Setebos]

Actually, nevermind. I take back what I just said. I just realized that I spend $14.95 a month on a CoH subscription, which means that if I keep this subscription for a year, I will have spent over $200 on one game experience. And I have to say it's definitely worth the price. :D

I hate eating my words. They don't taste like chicken.

[Heretic Machine]

That isn't "getting what you paid for". Pull your head out of your ass, just because you didn't purchase the game doesn't mean that the people who did should get screwed.

He's just mad because he wasn't able to buy it himself.

[Testcase]

I hate eating my words. They don't taste like chicken.

For a second, I read that as "They don't taste like children.

I actually gave up on LOC a long time ago and am content with just dinking around the first game. Didn't know about the PC driver/Franknstik thing so I'm definitely looking into that one.


BTW, Grinr is a dipshit. And yeah I do feel better now, thanks.

[Liquidize105]

I don't even play and I feel insulted by their self-righteous notice.

You apologize sincerely AND ask for my continued support? Don't patronize me you %$#^!

[Eon]

I bought the first Steel Batallion because I'm lucky enough to have the scratch and I figured that supporting something like this was like giving money to charity for the rest of the community.

I mean - holy hell! That controller is the REASON I bought the game. Actually piloting a mech rather than steering one with a simple joystick RULED. The start up sequence was PURE CHEESE but it ruled.

My game still works fine with the regular XBOX, and I don't feel like the money was poorly spent. :)

[TrackZero]

Dipshit I may be, but that's $200 I'm not out - unlike you poor saps. What are you doing to do with your $200 controller now? Maybe you can write "GrinR is a dipshit" on it. Maybe that will make you feel better.

Uh, maybe I'm going to...I don't know...play Steel Battalion on it? This announcement is only with regards to the online game (hence the : Line of Contact). Shit, get your fucking facts straight next time.

And yes, I'm pissed off about this as well. My only hope is Capcom bothers to unlock the content with a patch for everyone to use.

And Microsoft will NOT be leaning on Capcom because of this, they need Japanese developers for the 360 and won't want to screw this up.

This game was still worth every penny to play the best mech sim I've ever experienced.

[TrackZero]

Can people please stop accusing everyone of "trolling"? This shit is becoming GameFaqs.

Says the other guy I consider a troll. That'll change my opinion.

[F3nyx]

Wow, I love it when people shit up threads with the very first post.

On topic -- yes, this is an awful and exploitative policy, but presumably the company chose to do this because it's the most profitable route. As long as Joe Casual Gamer doesn't know that Capcom has has a bad record on post-release support, he'll keep blowing cash on games that are retired from Live in a matter of months.

Buying a $200 controller for a console is the height of contradiction to me... people often (not without merit) bash PC gaming since a good graphics card costs roughly the same as a good console, but buying that kind of overblown controller goes a long way towards nixing the price advantage.

[TrackZero]

Again, just to point out, this is in regards to Steel Battalion: Line of Contact, not the $200 main game + controller. This is simply a title that plays on Live! that Capcom is dropped support for, against all community protests.

[Heretic Machine]

Buying a $200 controller for a console is the height of contradiction to me... people often (not without merit) bash PC gaming since a good graphics card costs roughly the same as a good console, but buying that kind of overblown controller goes a long way towards nixing the price advantage.

It should be pointed out that there are people working on making a driver to use the Steel Battalion controller on the PC. Mechwarrior goodness.

[GrinR]

It certainly wasn't my intention to troll. My post was derived directly from my true opinion about SB and its ridiculous controller. It doesn't surprise me in the least that Capcom is treating its customers like this, doubly so in regards to a very specialized game that clearly enjoyed a very small userbase. No, I haven't looked up the numbers. I don't need to, it's the only $200 game I have ever heard of, in the entire history of gaming.

I said when it came out that those who bought it would be suckers to do so, and not only do I stick by that now, but I'm doubly amused by the vitriolic response to my stating it again; as if it were my fault that you purchased a laughably overpriced game and got screwed in the end.

Pshaw. As if a pathetic moniker like "dipshit" would affect me in the least. I've been taken to task for lesser offenses by greater men without losing sleep and find expletives to invariably be the white flag of disagreement. "dipshit"... is this the best EA has to offer these days? Sad.

[Testcase]

It's just about all you rate these days, I guess.

[GrinR]

Again, just to point out, this is in regards to Steel Battalion: Line of Contact, not the $200 main game + controller. This is simply a title that plays on Live! that Capcom is dropped support for, against all community protests.

As far as I can tell, this would be the primary draw to the game. Since there are obviously quite a number of SB zealots here, I'm certain I'll be corrected, but isn't SB without online play going to run out of steam pretty quickly (if it hasn't already)? I mean how long has that game been out?

This whole kerfuffle reminds me of the cancellation of anime shows, where fans go insane without realizing just how delicate their soap bubble was the whole time - and how lucky they were to have it at all.

[Heretic Machine]

This whole kerfuffle reminds me of the cancellation of anime shows

Although I'm not into the anime scene anymore, it should be pointed out that most animes run for a pre-determined amount of time... I've never heard of anyone being surprised when an anime ends.

[GrinR]

It's just about all you rate these days, I guess.

*sigh* oooh, burn.

[Heretic Machine]

It certainly wasn't my intention to troll. My post was derived directly from my true opinion about SB and its ridiculous controller. It doesn't surprise me in the least that Capcom is treating its customers like this, doubly so in regards to a very specialized game that clearly enjoyed a very small userbase. No, I haven't looked up the numbers. I don't need to, it's the only $200 game I have ever heard of, in the entire history of gaming.

I said when it came out that those who bought it would be suckers to do so, and not only do I stick by that now, but I'm doubly amused by the vitriolic response to my stating it again; as if it were my fault that you purchased a laughably overpriced game and got screwed in the end.

Pshaw. As if a pathetic moniker like "dipshit" would affect me in the least. I've been taken to task for lesser offenses by greater men without losing sleep and find expletives to invariably be the white flag of disagreement. "dipshit"... is this the best EA has to offer these days? Sad.

Line of Contact and online play hadn't even been announced or rumoured when Steel Battalion came out. The people who only bought the first game have lost nothing.

[GrinR]

Although I'm not into the anime scene anymore, it should be pointed out that most animes run for a pre-determined amount of time... I've never heard of anyone being surprised when an anime ends.

Fair enough, but the response is the same. Who expected -Capcom- to provide a stunning online experience forever, or apparently at all? Hell, Capcom has been milking their franchises enough to make Blizzard look like LGS.

[Steve_Erhardt]

It should be pointed out that there are people working on making a driver to use the Steel Battalion controller on the PC. Mechwarrior goodness.
Actually that's already done... been using it for Mechwarrior Mercs for a while now, as I mentioned earlier. ;)

[GrinR]

Actually that's already done... been using it for Mechwarrior Mercs for a while now, as I mentioned earlier. ;)

Cheers to smart nerds! Still, can't you get top-of-the-line Thrustmaster or MS gear for $200?

[Githon]

It certainly wasn't my intention to troll. My post was derived directly from my true opinion about SB and its ridiculous controller. It doesn't surprise me in the least that Capcom is treating its customers like this, doubly so in regards to a very specialized game that clearly enjoyed a very small userbase. No, I haven't looked up the numbers. I don't need to, it's the only $200 game I have ever heard of, in the entire history of gaming.

I said when it came out that those who bought it would be suckers to do so, and not only do I stick by that now, but I'm doubly amused by the vitriolic response to my stating it again; as if it were my fault that you purchased a laughably overpriced game and got screwed in the end.

Pshaw. As if a pathetic moniker like "dipshit" would affect me in the least. I've been taken to task for lesser offenses by greater men without losing sleep and find expletives to invariably be the white flag of disagreement. "dipshit"... is this the best EA has to offer these days? Sad.

...Dipshit.

[TDiddy]

I first played this at E3 when they first showed it to the public, and from that moment on I knew I had to buy it. Needless to say, I had that huge bitch the day it came out and never regretted it. Never bought Line of Contact, though, because of all the problems I heard it had. Then I figured I would buy it when the priced dropped, which it never did around where I live. Hell, the Fry's by my house still has Line of Contact for $50.

BTW: When a non-gamer comes over, it is so fun to have Steel Battalion on, and tell them to go ahead and try it out while your getting ready. I don't think I have seen anybody get the vehicle started.

[shaloop]

...Dipshit.Indeed.

Another bitter Line of Contact player here. Despite Capcom's astounding failure to support LoC in any meaningful way the game's player have stuck with it and created a vibrant community dedicated to this incredible game. Check out lineofcontact.net to see the amazing depths this mech sim posseses. I don't think any of us expected Capcom to keep the servers on indefinitely, but a year and a half seems far to brief. Our main gripe is that Capcom is crippling the game. If they would release a patch that unlocked the game's content for use in Free Mission mode we'd be... well maybe not happy, but we'd accept it. But Capcom seems unwilling or unable to do that. In light of the fact that new players continue to enter the game this seems especially galling. Will Capom be offering a refund to players who just bought the game and will only be able to access a portion of it's content?

[wsc6tech]

It certainly wasn't my intention to troll.

Yes it was.

My post was derived directly from my true opinion

and you know what they say about opinions.

SB... ridiculous controller.

YOUR opinion.

I spent money on a game that still enjoy a full year after purchase. I did purchase it used, but do not regret it and condsider it money well spent.

only $200 game I have ever heard of, in the entire history of gaming.

Probably the only fact you used.

I said when it came out that those who bought it would be suckers to do so,

Again YOUR opinion. If you are not here to troll, why do you continue to reply?

As if a pathetic moniker like "dipshit" would affect me in the least.

It seems to. You keep defending you opinion like it was fact. Who cares? Another vote that you are a "dipshit!"

[Dag-Sabot]

Every sucker got exactly what they paid for. *shrug* Not being a sucker, I don't care if they shut this down.
Registered just to say:
You're not only a dipshit but the flaming-asshole leader of the Uber idiot clan. But im sure you get that alot, and my meek insult is mere dog shit against your composite retardation sandwich-reactive armor. The fact is that SB (single player for you retards) and LOC (multiplayer online only for the imbecilles) Came in a $200.00 package is here nor there. It is by far the most immersive game ever played on the x-box (that means very good for you cretins).
-It deserves support whether it cost a billion dollars or one cent.
Without rehashing everything else that was said about this game, in its current castrated and denatured form it is still head and shoulders above anything released on ANY platform("bestest game ever" if your mom drank too much gin while she was pregnant with you).
We have a strong community, who is unwilling to bend over and take it up the ass just cause some suit at capcom needs our server to produce the 50th viewful joe or megaman spinoff. We are looking for your support to spread the word and not taking it laying down.
Because of morons and methane emitters like yourself, the publishers do whatever they feel like.
Its attitudes like your own that helped a major turd like hitler kick off the fun in WW2.

"Well fuck its only Poland right? Theyre suckers for being right beside germany like that! LOL It didnt happen to me so youre all fucked ha ha ha...were being invaded? Shit!"

Youre a prize turd, fucking idiot.

[GrinR]

How amusing. Perhaps you all could start a website. www.grinrisadipshit.com? Maybe if you get enough hits you'll feel better about having wasted your money on a product that was apparently never supported to begin with, and has now been dropped. Blaming me makes me laugh, as anyone who has been on this site long enough would know, and it makes me laugh even harder knowing that the flames directed at me are exactly as futile as the so far nonexistant flames directed at the real culprit - Capcom.

Oh, but by all means, dipshit away if you like.

[Steve_Erhardt]

Cheers to smart nerds! Still, can't you get top-of-the-line Thrustmaster or MS gear for $200?
Does MS make sticks anymore? I thought they stopped?

As for Thrustmaster, yeah, but A) I've already got 2 X-36's and one X-45... I'm a big old Saitek Whore and I don't see anything about the Cougar that'll change that, and B) the SB controller is WAY more "mech-ish" (though speaking only for myself I still prefer my X-36... years of use have me fairly ingrained to use it over anything else).

In my private flights of fancy, I like to imagine I'll be struck with enough inspiration to actually get off my duff and build a cockpit around the SB controller for mech games instead of just dreaming about it, since I didn't manage to snag any of the TESLA II pods that were sold off not long ago. :p

But the smart money says that'll never happen. heh.

[GrinR]

Registered just to say:
Its attitudes like your own that helped a major turd like hitler kick off the fun in WW2.

"Well fuck its only Poland right? Theyre suckers for being right beside germany like that! LOL It didnt happen to me so youre all fucked ha ha ha...were being invaded? Shit!"

Youre a prize turd, fucking idiot.

Aaaaand SCENE. Thanks for registering so you could unintentionally close this thread on a good note.

I invoke GODWIN'S LAW (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwins_law)!

THREAD CLOSED.

[Dag-Sabot]

Blaming me makes me laugh

No one is blaming you, A.D.D chickenhead.
heres a re-cap:
Parias posted a newsworthy event, to hopefully expose our plight to the gaming news wookies out there.
-Youre just some jackass who likes to kick people in the nuts when they're down. Go play in the traffic.

Yeah its ineffective to slag you but it sure feels good. Sorta like when the pool boy is slamming your mom while youre at daycare.

[wsc6tech]

Blaming me

WTF??? Blaming you for what??? I disagree with your opinion on a topic you know only what you read in a gaming magazine. Get over yourself. If you can't be constructive, STFU!!!

[GrinR]

Shhh, I said thread closed.

[Parias]

Does MS make sticks anymore? I thought they stopped?

As for Thrustmaster, yeah, but A) I've already got 2 X-36's and one X-45... I'm a big old Saitek Whore and I don't see anything about the Cougar that'll change that, and B) the SB controller is WAY more "mech-ish" (though speaking only for myself I still prefer my X-36... years of use have me fairly ingrained to use it over anything else).

Quite so. This isn't exactly the only instance of an exclusive controller being used for a single game, however - on top of my Steel Battalion controller, I also own a copy of the complete Ace Combat 5 controller bundle. Not only is AC5 a kick-ass PS2 title, but the controller itself is naitively USB and as such can be shoved into your PC with extreme ease and a bit of driver-hunting (from the same driver party responsible for the PC SB controller drivers, in fact). The AC5 bundle itself cost me $150, and much like with Steel Battalion, I haven't regretted the purchase.

Steel Battalion in particular was special to me however, because after the joke that was Mechwarrior 4 came out, it's not like any other new Mech sims have been released. In fact, after Mech4, Microsoft completely shifted gears and went straight for the "Mech Assault" avenue, completely canning any hopes of Mechwarrior 5 being released any time soon in the process. As a rabid fanboy of Mech sims, Steel Battalion seemed like a dream come true.

[Evil Avatar]

Pshaw. As if a pathetic moniker like "dipshit" would affect me in the least. I've been taken to task for lesser offenses by greater men without losing sleep and find expletives to invariably be the white flag of disagreement. "dipshit"... is this the best EA has to offer these days? Sad.

Sorry, I was saving "ass licking goat-fucker" for a future post from you.

[Testcase]

I bought SB for the first game. LOC was a birthday present and overall, I only spent about 30 minutes playing it. I could never get a decent connect to a campaign game and the couple of free-for-alls i got in were against japanese guys who whaled all over me. Single player has been entertaining for me so far for the year+ I've had the game.

Man, I gotta get a hold of the PC driver and try it out. Went looking through the SB boards and found out about a way to use the Action Replay soft-mod hack for Xbox to give all the VTs and stuff gained in the campaign for free-for-all. If Capcom doesn't release a patch when they pull the campaign plug, that'll be all players will have to turn to.

[wsc6tech]

Shhh, I said thread closed.

Yes, and like your opinion, it will be ignored...

[Evil Avatar]

I also own a copy of the complete Ace Combat 5 controller bundle. Not only is AC5 a kick-ass PS2 title, but the controller itself is naitively USB and as such can be shoved into your PC with extreme ease and a bit of driver-hunting (from the same driver party responsible for the PC SB controller drivers, in fact). The AC5 bundle itself cost me $150, and much like with Steel Battalion, I haven't regretted the purchase.

Dude. I really wanted one of those and I didn't have the scratch for it when it came out. (Because a certain company never paid me what they owed me... and thats the lead in to a story longer than I have time to tell.)

I did finally get a copy of Ace Combat 5 from Namco just a few days ago. There are some great people working there.

[Testcase]

Quite so. This isn't exactly the only instance of an exclusive controller being used for a single game, however - on top of my Steel Battalion controller, I also own a copy of the complete Ace Combat 5 controller bundle. Not only is AC5 a kick-ass PS2 title, but the controller itself is naitively USB and as such can be shoved into your PC with extreme ease and a bit of driver-hunting (from the same driver party responsible for the PC SB controller drivers, in fact). The AC5 bundle itself cost me $150, and much like with Steel Battalion, I haven't regretted the purchase.


Wonder if there's any chance of using the SB controller to play AC5? :D

[Phades]

It certainly wasn't my intention to troll. My post was derived directly from my true opinion about SB and its ridiculous controller. It doesn't surprise me in the least that Capcom is treating its customers like this, doubly so in regards to a very specialized game that clearly enjoyed a very small userbase. No, I haven't looked up the numbers. I don't need to, it's the only $200 game I have ever heard of, in the entire history of gaming.

I said when it came out that those who bought it would be suckers to do so, and not only do I stick by that now, but I'm doubly amused by the vitriolic response to my stating it again; as if it were my fault that you purchased a laughably overpriced game and got screwed in the end.


So you don't like it when game makers make an attempt to release something different to the marketplace. Fair enough. Personally, I find it refreshing and fun to see something like this come out. I like it when they try something different. Steel Battalion is a great experience and unlike any other mech game out there.

As for the price, I guess you've never heard of the Neo Geo. Those games didn't even include a special controller, just a cartridge.

[zangster]

Ah, the forums are so much easier to read when you add someone to your ignore list. It's like a mighty poo storm has lifted from my shoulders. Goodbye grinr, whereever you are.

I had Steel Battalion for a short time and it was damn fun to sit in front of that controller but it was a tough game. Is there a chance another company could produce mech games that use the SB controller?

[Steve_Erhardt]

I would hope so, but I think if we're brutally honest with ourselves, the whole SB experience, as EXCELLENT as it was, was really a niche kind of thing. Another company would probably have to be slightly insane to develop another game that catered to the SB controller.

[mister_slim]

It certainly wasn't my intention to troll. My post was derived directly from my true opinion about SB and its ridiculous controller. It doesn't surprise me in the least that Capcom is treating its customers like this, doubly so in regards to a very specialized game that clearly enjoyed a very small userbase. No, I haven't looked up the numbers. I don't need to, it's the only $200 game I have ever heard of, in the entire history of gaming.
Not a Neo-Geo fan?

[MrPoo]

Wow, grinr... you've been on these forums a long time... you've said some pretty deep stuff before, and I even mistook you for a hardcore gamer.
Dunno what happened to you, I mean, it's not as if you even got screwed by Capcom, here... nor did I, but I just don't see why you feel the need to gloat about it.

Hardcore gamers don't laugh at others for being screwed by companies. Well, not the last time I checked, anyway.

Trolls do.

Perhaps, dear sir, you will be laughing at the Katrine victims next, for their expectation of immediate government intervention to solve all their problems?

Or maybe you'd like to piss in the face of crackbabies, for having the silly notion of expecting to pop out between the legs of caring mothers?

No, hopefully you're not that bitter.

Your criticism, and reactive Greater-than-Thou posts, are suprising and--moreso--disturbing. Without even being a Steel Battalion owner I'm not even sure how your opinion is relevant. Maybe in your own little world, I guess. Must be nice there. How's the weather under the purple sky? Need to lick some more stamps?

In any case, I was really surprised by your comments on this subject. And, more importantly, greatly disappointed. As a longtime member you've had a lot of great posts, but never ones that were so acutely insidious.

Nonetheless, you're entitled to your opinion, and I don't object to that.

[Thenetcase]

Thank god this country isn't in anarchy yet, or someone would have offed him a lot time ago. ;)

[Thenetcase]

(mistell) ;)

[Dwraith]

I like the Garpike and Steel Battalion:LoC. It sucks that Crapcom blows hairy nut-sack and is shutting down half of an online only game. Thanks for the support some of you on this board have shown us Battalion heads. And to another certain someone here... Think; remove head from ass then type. Jesus loves you, even if you hate the world... and eat paste.

[jwbxx]

I remember when i first saw that steel battalion controller. I didn't know what it did, or what it is used for, but i knew i had to get one, or die trying.

[Dag-Sabot]

Yes it is a truly grand game amongst all the diposable titles they have out now. It had its share of glitches and exploits but it really made me feel i was in a VT (mech). Often after combat i would come away with my hands shaking and sweating, no other game has done that to me(except RL nice graphis btw). Heck i bought an extra contoller a surround sound system and HD tv beause of this game. Its been a crazy rollercoaster ride. Thanks for all your support, and sympathy.
-Looks like 1up has posted something about Capcoms little "F.U" to its fanbase.

[Rifter]

I am pretty annoyed by this one. The bugs and crapping on from Capcom pushed me away from the game. Steel Battalion is quite an amazing game. Mech Assault and Mech Warrior pale, compared to Steel Battalion, for a sim. It is really hard to really express what the game is like, without sitting down with the controller and the game in front of you. I have a few very HARD CORE Battletech fans, that love the controller and games. It really is the ultimate in a mech simulation game. It has so much potential, that was really hurt by Capcom's lack of support.

[Dag-Sabot]

Oh yeah i totally agree i liken it to the gran tourismo of mech games to my friends. It just blows me away that the bottom of the barrel lowest of the low publishers took up this title, its dissapointing that a competent publisher could not seee the potential in an intelligent sim like this. *shakes head*
I feel nothing but contempt for capcom, or righteous indignation they ve turned so many away from this incredibly innovative game years ahead of its time...I had no interest in consoles or the x-box before this title came out.

[Twigz'N'Berries]

Are you guys done gangbanging GrinR? I think you have blown out his "O" ring already. Yeah, it was an insensitive post to all those who hunkered down money. But I think a little of that aggression is misguided and should be directed back at Capcom. Hell, why can't MS have it ported over to their servers? They run several servers to support a number of other titles. Why not just add this one to its stable? I'm sure Capcom and MS could come to an agreement.
Well, just my two cents on the matter.

...I thought the game and controller looked sweet, but I am not 'hardcore' enough to put down $200 for a game and controller. But all those who have (at least in this forum) seem to believe it was worth it. Which just goes to shopw that value is in the eye of the beholder.

[Dag-Sabot]

Are you guys done gangbanging GrinR?
I guess, hes not twitching anymore.
re: $200 for a game thats nothing, i have friends who've dropped a small fortune playing w.o.w and buying crap for that game. Ill blow 200 bucks on a weekend of binge drinking with my idiot co-workers. And if you ever seen LOC in 720p it looks glorious, you dont need to be hardcore....dude. :D

[Twigz'N'Berries]

I guess, hes not twitching anymore.
re: $200 for a game thats nothing, i have friends who've dropped a small fortune playing w.o.w and buying crap for that game. Ill blow 200 bucks on a weekend of binge drinking with my idiot co-workers. And if you ever seen LOC in 720p it looks glorious, you dont need to be hardcore....dude. :D
Well, that is a term that is being tossed around lately. Hardcore and Casual seem to be the only two types of gamers. I just meant that the average gamer isn't going to spend $200 on a game and controller...$250 if you throw in LoC.
Oh, I've blown $200 rather quickly before. She was a stripper named K.C. (Kasey, Casey....I didn't ask the spelling) who gave incredible lapdances....

...hmm, too much information.

[Dag-Sabot]

LOL its all about customer satisfaction.

[Rifter]

Oh, I've blown $200 rather quickly before. She was a stripper named K.C. (Kasey, Casey....I didn't ask the spelling) who gave incredible lapdances....

...hmm, too much information.

No... that wasn't ENOUGH information. Where can we find the stripper that gives incredible lapdances? :D

[Parias]

Here's a nice update - Capcom, deciding to go over the heads of the dozens of inquiring fans demanding an explanation instead elected to give a direct response to IGN. Here's the laughably vague posting (http://xbox.ign.com/articles/648/648053p1.html):

"Current user base conditions are at a level where it is no longer feasible for us to continue the Campaign Mode service. However, we will continue Xbox Live services and support for Free Mission Mode."

That's it. Thanks for keeping us all in the loop Capcom, I'll be sitting on the edge of my seat awaiting your next soul-riveting press release on the matter. And no, there's still been no official response to the big thread raging out of control on their own forums.

Edit: Apparently Gamespot has also put up a similar piece.

[Babbster]

Despite this mess from Capcom, I'm sucker enough for five gamers and would happily buy a Steel Battalion again if they ever decide to try it on the X360. The atmosphere of SB was fantastic and would be glorious in HD on the ole big screen. Then again, I probably don't feel quite as screwed because I didn't pick up Line of Contact. I'm a single- and local-multi-player gamer at heart and, of course, I'm the only person I know personally who would drop $200 on a videogame...well, apart from one friend who was a Neo-Geo addict back in the day but he's settled down some since. :)

[Dag-Sabot]

LOC is in 720p HD

[Dwraith]

...I thought the game and controller looked sweet, but I am not 'hardcore' enough to put down $200 for a game and controller. That was me when I first saw Steel Battalion. Then I went over to a friends house and he was playing Steel Battalion: Line of Contact. Wow, I was sold. He was talking about tactics to use when storming this base at the top of a hill with some other guy that was with him online. Awesome! By far the best video game purchase I have made in years. Thanks again to everyone who has shown their support.

[Twigz'N'Berries]

No... that wasn't ENOUGH information. Where can we find the stripper that gives incredible lapdances? :D
At a place called the Sahara Theatre off of the 60 freeway in the City of Industry. They do high quality work...um, so I'm told.

[GrinR]

Sadly, I had a business trip to go on (and am still on). Only on EA could someone ridicule a $250 video game (SB + LOC for online play) being shut down by the parent company and get flamed with such passion for finding it amusing that anyone is surprised.

Just about every post here was some crude attempt to put me to the torch, as usual, because the truth hurts.

Of course I'm a hardcore gamer. It's precisely because of that that I am amused by this development. Capcom released a game that required $200 to buy it, a desk to put the massive controller on, and a screen big enough to allow you to see the tiny viewports worth of game you get to see. Innovative? Yes. Incredibly expensive and appealing to a very very tiny market? Fuck yes.

So like anime collectors, Star Trek fans, and any other type of narrowcast fanboi some folks plopped down their cash and got their money's worth. I said good for them then, despite my personal opinion that they were suckers, and I say good for them now. Ditto for the online "expansion" (for full price).

So when Capcom shuts down their obviously unprofitable online service for the game, what is my response to be? "Poor sad pandas! I hope Capcom rots in hell!!"? Hardly.

And for the notion of me kicking innovation - oh please. I've written at length about the need for innovation that builds on previous success without rehashing or succumbing to franchisitis many many times. Innovation does not exist in a bubble however. Samba de Amigo was innovative as hell, and fun to boot, but it still required you to look like an idiot shaking maracas in front of the TV. I loved it, but I wasn't surprised by the unimpressive sales.

SB may have been the most impressive game of all time, innovative and engrossing, but like many other games of its ilk, I will never know because I can not or will not pay the massive sums it requires to give it a whirl. Mechwarrior gaming centers, Phazar, Terror-dactyl (I think this is what the 3D VR arcade game was called), and yes the 3DO and NEO-GEO in general would all qualify.

So. Pardon me if I have little sympathy for a game doomed at birth for this very fate - death by calculated obscurity.

[Eon]

Quite frankly you weren't flamed for your opinion - which you are quite entitled to have and talk about - so much as for the incredibly cocky and irritating way in which you expressed it.

You took an event that is good news for exactly nobody and crowed about it. Some people are out a lot of money, others had been waiting for very almost this exact game for nigh on twenty years. That you would mock its demise and then act like the wounded soldier when they upend wheelbarrows of flaming shit on your head is disingenous and quite frankly, the mere fact that you were foresaw this correctly doesn't excuse you acting like an asshole about it.

[GrinR]

Quite frankly you weren't flamed for your opinion - which you are quite entitled to have and talk about - so much as for the incredibly cocky and irritating way in which you expressed it.

You took an event that is good news for exactly nobody and crowed about it. Some people are out a lot of money, others had been waiting for very almost this exact game for nigh on twenty years. That you would mock its demise and then act like the wounded soldier when they upend wheelbarrows of flaming shit on your head is disingenous and quite frankly, the mere fact that you were foresaw this correctly doesn't excuse you acting like an asshole about it.

Excuse me, when exactly did EA become a knitting circle? I've been flamed for everything and anything, at any time, for any reason or no reason for years on this site (and most others). Welcome to the internet, put your big-girl pants on, and give the touchy-feelie crap a rest. I expect civility, and often wit, from my internet - but never coddling.

Buy PS2, the xbox fans go to town and vice versa. Buy a portable and the home-centric laugh and ridicule. God help you if politics comes up!

It's astounding that you (and others) somehow derived "wounded soldier" from my post(s). As if clarifying my point again and again were somehow a cry for help. In fact, I specifically laughed in the face of the criticism, and explained why I always do!

And did you say, "nigh"?

[Eon]

Pardon me, should I instead have said "you weren't flamed for having an opinion but for being a shitfucking asscock."?

"Just about every post here was some crude attempt to put me to the torch, as usual, because the truth hurts." That bit right there was your "wounded soldier" quote.

And yes, I used the word "nigh". It's called a vocabulary. :)

I'm not playing apologist here, I'm simply highlighting that you didn't get flamed for your opinion, but for the way you chose to express it. Frankly I have fuck all invested either way, but your post suggested you weren't aware, so I thought I'd help you with it.

[Dag-Sabot]

I just cant believe your blatant trolling. This has nothing to do, -no you have nothing to do with this thread other than to add your lame-ass opinion, which you have, ad nauseum.
We get it. j00r a harcore gamer. Everyone who bought steel battalion is a sucker, yeah ok, whatever.
Youre also missing the bigger picture here: If others see that Capcom got away with this bullshit what happens to you when your "Ken and Barbie do My little pony world" massive multiplayer online, becomes unprofitable? Don't come to me for sympathy or support.
Futhermore: Ign and gamespot have picked up on Kingleers and Parias' news story and have contacted capcom and posted their terse responses in their news sections, obviously they feel there is some newsworthy fare there.
in closing:

You're arguing merely for the sake of argument, and its really pathetic. You should know better.

BTW: going to "grammas" house for your weekly enema does not constitute a business trip.

[GrinR]

Hopeless. Post after post I say the same thing, and each time the same people reply to things I never said. *sigh* Oh well.

For the record, as if I hadn't already said it a zillion times, I may be a abrasive jerk but you're going to have a hard time pinning the self-pity pin on me. For me, unless we're talking about real news events (like Katrina) I just don't take anything personally. If you toddle on back through all the posts you'll note I'm not making any personal attacks, nor am I backtracking at all. My response to the pitiful, crude, and vulgar response to my opinion has gone from amused to somewhat bored.

I'm sure there will be more invective enroute. *shrug*

[Dag-Sabot]

Hopeless. *shrug*
Agreed: You'll need about 2 yrs of staring at a neon sign that reads: "You're An Asshole" before it filters through.
I may be a abrasive jerk but you're going to have a hard time pinning the self-pity pin on me.
I agree I would also like to reiterate: "dipshit".
Self pity? Where do you get that? The only thing i pity is that you didn't end up on your moms face as planned, instead you came full term to troll, annoy, and flame.
-Have pity on us all.
(*Besides that, admitting that youre an "abrasive jerk" doesnt give you a license to be a dipshit.)
my opinion
Your opinion has been noted, derided and dismissed. You should learn to be more constructive to further any discussion, yes even a discussion you do not agree with. I think that you believe that everyone's purpose in life is to amuse you. You're a spoiled child heading for a head-on collision with a life lesson. Good luck.
For me, unless we're talking about real news events (like Katrina) I just don't take anything personally.
You're an idiot, this is a video-game news thread. You should make your own thread entitled: "Im an asshole, only natural disasters make me take anything personally".
You're a dipshit, seriously. Wow i cant get over what a retard you are, i knew i forgot something. Ah well, have a happy and safe hurricane season,
XOXO
Kat

EDIT: *News update*...Capcom promises to patch freemode, enabling players to obtain unlockable items previously available only in the soon to be defunct Campaign mode. Campaign mode is due to go off line at the end of September much to the shagrin of the game's small but rabid fanbase....

Well guys I guess we won a minor victory; one that will enable our small but tight-knit community to at least exist and maybe grow. (despite the game being emasculated by Capcom).
Many thanks for all your support! (I really love this board).

Feel free to visit www.steelbattalion.org
-Leave your trolls at grandmas house.
Many thanks,
Good-bye,

Dag Sabot
(2nd LT.)
Morale Officer,
Pacific Rim Forces,
Ha Shi Dao Island

[shaloop]

OMG! Hilarious smackdown! GrinR, please keep posting so I can watch Dag beat your sad ass down some more. It's great stuff! You rock, GrinR!

[Testcase]

EDIT: *News update*...Capcom promises to patch freemode, enabling players to obtain unlockable items previously available only in the soon to be defunct Campaign mode. Campaign mode is due to go off line at the end of September much to the shagrin of the game's small but rabid fanbase....

Good news to hear. :D

[Dwraith]

I smell BBQ...

This is the greatest thread ever! I laughed so hard I sharted!