Turbo,

I've read alot of posts on several forums and never once found a remark from a "lapdog" saying you should be grateful for a patch. All software has bugs. When they are identified, the releasing company has a responsibility to act for a reasonable length of time to support their work. Customer satisfaction as an overall indicator is very important.

The other side of the coin on support issues is that some people will never be pleased. No amount of work will make them happy. Now, if you are designing new programs, do you target the majority of your audience (whom you CAN please), or the few people who will never be happy? The answer is obvious there. Maybe you will like the next Total War release better, but even if you don't, whether or not CA cares by necessity, has to boil down to a question of whether you represent a large portion of their target market. You are in the minority, so guess what? Do you think Microsoft cares if 10% of the world hates Windows XP? (Mac users). Nope Microsoft doesn't care because they can't please those people.

I see these kinds of discussions on every gaming site I visit. You have people who like the game, and want to talk about it to get tips, or just to share their experience, and then these few people who want to beat up on it. The logical response is: so then go play something you like, but why cry in other peoples beer? The result of your complaints in this context isn't going to change a thing.

If you are really unhappy with the product, then write to CA and tell them so directly. Be specific about what you don't like and see what response you get. Tell them you vote with your dollars. If enough people complain, they get results. I just think you are totally barking up the wrong tree with a game that has gotten such consistently good reviews and happy people playing it.