From Blues News....
SSI Vets form TSI
[Aug 08, 2014, 3:38 pm ET] - 14 Comments
Tactical Simulations Interactive (TSI) is a new developer formed by veterans of Strategic Simulations Inc. (SSI), which is today's second invocation of a classic computer gaming brand. And they are taking their roots seriously, saying they are looking to provide a new generation with the classic "gold box" RPG experience that made SSI famous. A TSI Games website is online, but this is currently just teasing us with a countdown that will hit zero on August 18th at midnight EDT. Here's what they have to say for themselves for now:
Tactical Simulations Interactive (TSI), a new independent video games studio with old school RPG sensibilities, has been established by Strategic Simulations Inc. veterans Paul Murray and David Shelley, and company President David Klein.
Drawing on their experience at SSI, the team at TSI aims to provide the next step in meaningful player experiences in the same way that SSI's 'Gold Box' titles did during the 1980s and 1990s.
David Shelley takes on the role of Producer/Lead Designer, while Paul Murray serves as Technical Designer at TSI. The team was integral to the international success of Strategic Simulations Inc.'s genre-defining RPGs, such as Curse of the Azure Bonds, Pool of Radiance, and Wizard's Crown.
David Shelley, Producer/Lead Designer, TSI said:
"Tactical Simulations Interactive is a return to providing the player full control of their party, with a focus on creating immersive and unforgettable story experiences, exciting exploration, meaningful social/political choices, and robust tactical combat."
http://www.bluesnews.com/s/153961/ssi-vets-form-tsi (http://www.bluesnews.com/s/153961/ssi-vets-form-tsi)
I wonder what fantasy realm they will take from this time?
I'd like them to work on making games like some of those old classic TBS games...
Three words....Soldiers At War!
Who the hell cares about their RPGs?
They need to get to work on Battles of Napoleon II or Age of Rifles II.
Oh, the the Dragonlance stuff sold a hojillion copies in the day...no doubt about that.
Me, AGE OF RIFLES.
Let's go people...
Best,
Jim
"Cyrano"
:/7)
Age of rifles...YES............. didn't SSI release steel panthers
AGE OF RIFLES??? Did someone say Age of Rifles?
I would sacrifice a gaggle of mewling children to Gorto for a proper sequel to Age of Rifles.
Quote from: challerain on August 08, 2014, 06:11:21 PM
From Blues News....
SSI Vets form TSI
[Aug 08, 2014, 3:38 pm ET] - 14 Comments
Tactical Simulations Interactive (TSI) is a new developer formed by veterans of Strategic Simulations Inc. (SSI), which is today's second invocation of a classic computer gaming brand. And they are taking their roots seriously, saying they are looking to provide a new generation with the classic "gold box" RPG experience that made SSI famous. A TSI Games website is online, but this is currently just teasing us with a countdown that will hit zero on August 18th at midnight EDT. Here's what they have to say for themselves for now:
Tactical Simulations Interactive (TSI), a new independent video games studio with old school RPG sensibilities, has been established by Strategic Simulations Inc. veterans Paul Murray and David Shelley, and company President David Klein.
Drawing on their experience at SSI, the team at TSI aims to provide the next step in meaningful player experiences in the same way that SSI's 'Gold Box' titles did during the 1980s and 1990s.
David Shelley takes on the role of Producer/Lead Designer, while Paul Murray serves as Technical Designer at TSI. The team was integral to the international success of Strategic Simulations Inc.'s genre-defining RPGs, such as Curse of the Azure Bonds, Pool of Radiance, and Wizard's Crown.
David Shelley, Producer/Lead Designer, TSI said:
"Tactical Simulations Interactive is a return to providing the player full control of their party, with a focus on creating immersive and unforgettable story experiences, exciting exploration, meaningful social/political choices, and robust tactical combat."
http://www.bluesnews.com/s/153961/ssi-vets-form-tsi (http://www.bluesnews.com/s/153961/ssi-vets-form-tsi)
Very interesting news. Many gold boxes still reside on my shelf, though sadly as collector's items now.
I look forward to a return of SSI.
Bring Greyhawk to life.
Quote from: magnus on August 08, 2014, 07:02:31 PM
Who the hell cares about their RPGs?
They need to get to work on Battles of Napoleon II or Age of Rifles II.
+1
Great news.
My most enjoyable gaming sessions were during SSI's hey day, looking forward to the rebirth.
Quote from: bbmike on August 08, 2014, 06:27:31 PM
Three words....Soldiers At War!
That and 101st Airborne, West Front and Close Combat are the games that got me to The Wargamer and the rest is history.
They are missing Koger. The guy who designed many of the games I care most about...Tanks....Age of Rifles....Red Lightning. Hopefully they can spring him out of Storm Eagle Studios.
Steel Panthers!
Bloody hell, how could I forget Age of Rifles! Yes!
Sadly, if that article is accurate, seems like they are only focused on RPG games, not the war games....too bad, really loved the wargames....I still remember waiting for their catalogs and reading them over and over...and then when you got their products, it was in an excellent big box with good artwork, with a good manual......the good old days.
One of my very first wargame experiences was that "Oh Shit" feeling as Kampgruppe's mass of T-34's rushed my Flak 88's and just kept coming until they lay in smoking ruin in front of my guns. Glorious!!!
Oh hell. They could stay busy for MANY years, just updating their old classic games to modern platforms. There's plenty of us that would buy the crap out of anything they produce.
As for who the hell cares for their RPGs - I'm definitely one that cares. But I love their wargames, too. Thanks for sharing this info, it will be very interesting to follow their website now to see what appears.
Because I know you're lazy bastards for the most part, here: http://tsi-games.com/
;)
Quote from: Banzai_Cat on August 09, 2014, 09:24:38 AM
Oh hell. They could stay busy for MANY years, just updating their old classic games to modern platforms. There's plenty of us that would buy the crap out of anything they produce.
As for who the hell cares for their RPGs - I'm definitely one that cares. But I love their wargames, too. Thanks for sharing this info, it will be very interesting to follow their website now to see what appears.
Because I know you're lazy bastards for the most part, here: http://tsi-games.com/
;)
Who told?
Everyone here has pretty much claimed it in the last year or so I've been on here. 8)
Also, it takes one to know one, so. Occasionally I can be motivated, though.
Quote from: Sir Slash on August 09, 2014, 09:19:03 AM
One of my very first wargame experiences was that "Oh Shit" feeling as Kampgruppe's mass of T-34's rushed my Flak 88's and just kept coming until they lay in smoking ruin in front of my guns. Glorious!!!
Dittos O0
SSI just wouldn't be the same without Norm Korger, Gary Grigsby & Joe Billings. I wish them luck but, I'm not sure anyone could repeat what SSI did, gaming has changed too much! Each game studio now days just puts out new versions of the same franchise over and over. Will new gamers even buy updated versions of the Gold Box games, I just don't know?
We all know that Age of Rifles as we know it will never be made........ it would be Age of Rifles and 4 or 5 expansions.....content in initial product releases seems to get less and less every year....man we were content spoiled back then.
Quote from: SgtRock on August 09, 2014, 02:14:27 PM
Will new gamers even buy updated versions of the Gold Box games, I just don't know?
Considering the surprisingly strong market for re-releases / updates of old pseudo-3D RPG party tacticals, and new properties designed expressly to resemble such older properties, I'd say they have a good chance.
Probably no chance to update the actual Gold Box games (except maybe the Buck Rogers games!??), but even if they created a new IP to work with an updated version of the combination isometric-tactical engine and the 3D-square map-plotting engine, they'd be in good shape.
This all however makes me want to play Fantasy General or its spiritual remake and super-update Fantasy Wars / Elven Legacy.
Considering that Joel and Gary went their own way, there's still enough of an imprint I think left behind that anyone taking up the reins/rights to those old, classic games, to remake them into something grand.
Of course, it would be just as easy to screw it up and disappoint thousands of gamers. Not that we're terribly difficult to please, but us older chaps remember the good old days and by gum, we want to relive it. With bells and whistles. And less-pixelated warrior woman bewbage.
And the announcement....
Seven Dragon Saga takes place in a high-powered fantasy universe, revolving around the Empire of the Seven Dragons. Eschewing traditional RPG tropes, Seven Dragon Saga provides the player with effective heroes right from the start, with TSI aiming to provide the next step in meaningful player experiences in the same way that SSI's 'Gold Box' titles did during the 1980s and 1990s.
This is not a tale of farmers or aspiring novices learning how to swing a sword; Seven Dragon Saga is a tale about the use of power. Players will need to assemble a brave troupe of adventurers "touched by the winds of the chaos". Known as the Touched, these brave adventurers will face the unknown, and embark on a quest to discover hidden truths and determine the fate of the Empire.
It is the Emperor's role to proclaim.
It is the Dragons' role to command.
It is the role of the Touched to act, without hesitation and without regret.
David Shelley, Producer/Lead Designer, Seven Dragon Saga, said: "Seven Dragon Saga provides a robust rules system and fresh campaign setting for us to draw from. We're adapting the pen and paper system as the seed to develop a compelling game experience, creating the type of strategy fantasy game our team is known for."
Seven Dragon Saga sets a new standard for intricate turn-based combat that can be adapted to your party's strengths. Explore a new high fantasy realm, recruit powerful NPCs, and craft useful items during your party's quest to discover lost secrets and transform the world. Key features include:
Classic RPG / Modern Gameplay: Create a full party under your total control right from the start. Venture forth to uncover lost secrets in an original fantasy setting.
Strategic Combat: Face challenges in turn-based tactical combat, updated with modern design philosophies. Carefully maneuver your party taking advantage of terrain and destructible environments.
Weigh Your Decisions: One group's ally is another faction's enemy. Make meaningful social/political choices that directly impact the world around you. Will you pursue duty and honor or choose riches and adventure with little concern for the consequences?
Proven Technology: Seven Dragon Saga is built using the Unity3D engine (Shadowrun Returns, Wasteland 2, Shroud of the Avatar).
Early Access Release Unreleased
[5:52 pm ET] - Share - 2 Comments
They had me when they referenced 'Gold Box.'
I subscribed to their mailing list and registered for their forums, but don't actually SEE forums yet...
Quote from: Banzai_Cat on September 02, 2014, 07:54:48 PM
They had me when they referenced 'Gold Box.'
I subscribed to their mailing list and registered for their forums, but don't actually SEE forums yet...
They exist, although not well identified..you have to click on the "community" link at the top....here is link
http://www.tsi-games.com/community/
Ah. Thanks, GR. Wouldn't have thought to click on the mouse-overable link itself.
Tactical Simulations Interactive has started a Kickstarter (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/537511454/seven-dragon-saga-by-tactical-simulations-interact) for Seven Dragon Saga. As of this posting $47,830 has been pledged towards the $450,000 goal.
I have only supported a few Kickstarters, but I felt I absolutely had to back this one.
I wish them luck. I have lots of SSI games from back in the day. I'd love to see a re-release of Steel Panthers 3.
The Seven Dragon Saga Kickstarter has been cancelled (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/537511454/seven-dragon-saga-by-tactical-simulations-interact?). :(
Postponed. They say they're going to work on it for a while then come back with a new kickstarter. They raised $100K of a target $400K.
Quote from: Huw the Poo on March 24, 2015, 01:46:20 AM
Postponed. They say they're going to work on it for a while then come back with a new kickstarter. They raised $100K of a target $400K.
That's a pretty big target. Is it supposed to contain the kitchen sink?