My, what an interesting series of replies and comments.

First of all, just checked the update thread on totalwar.com, no further comments from CA/Sega since the notice regarding they were fixing a new bug they found. Like I said originally, I would expect to see it sometime next week now, unless the bug they found is causing a major rewrite of codes. I am sure when they know something, they will keep us informed as to a new patch release date.

Now, I have to throw in my 2 cents. MTW2 has the potential of being a great game, but isn't there yet. It is not unplayable in it's current state, just annoying in that after I fell in love with MTW, I anticipated even more fun with MTW2. IF, and I repeat If, the major combat bugs are fixed and characters can perform as advertised, then this game stay on my shelf for a long time.

But this game's CD is not coffee coaster material. Compared to other games and sequels that came out with HUGE hype and were major disappointments (can I mention Master of Orion III and Temple of Elemental Evil - want to talk about unplayable out of the box?) this game is heads above that category.

I bought into the industry review hype and got all excited to play MTW2. I should have remembered that reviewers; don't have much time to review in depth if they are going to publish anywhere close to the game launch; will often take a KNOWN AND PROVEN publisher's info on the game at face value; seem to value eye candy too highly; often don't dive deeply into the mechanics; and rarely play a game out to the end. You can get far better reviews from a game's forum within 2 weeks of it's launch.

I have been playing computer games since I got my first Apple IIE, and was playing strategic board games for years before that. Believe me, I have seen games come out that were such dogs that there should have been a flea collar in the game box. MTW2 ain't one of them. Yeah, it would be nice to get a game that is so perfect on launch it never needs a patch. It would also be nice to have peace on earth, end world hunger, a car in every garage, and hit the lottery every week. So have a little more patience and let's all send positive vibes so the programmers get it right with this patch.