http://store.steampowered.com/app/320410/?snr=1_4_4__tab-NewReleasesFilteredDLC_1 (http://store.steampowered.com/app/320410/?snr=1_4_4__tab-NewReleasesFilteredDLC_1)
This one has me scratching my head. Sonalysts, known for developing hardcore naval combat simulations has been quiet for a long time. Now, they come out with this new game called Near Impact. It combines tower defense type play with first person action elements. It's corny, ugly, and just feels really sloppy.
Now, it does have a pretty nice 3d global map with the hallmarks of potentially interesting orbital mechanics. I'm not really sure why they made this, but hopefully it's simply a test of a new engine and there is something much more professional and polished in the pipeline.
It's like Thirdwire going Android. Such a shame. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.thirdwire.star_vector
Quote from: jomni on September 17, 2014, 07:25:28 AM
It's like Thirdwire going Android. Such a shame. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.thirdwire.star_vector
Indeed...another WTF? moment in sim/gaming history.
There's a lot more money to be made in the casual gaming market of phones/tablets than in the hardcore sims market, I guess.
Quote from: bayonetbrant on September 17, 2014, 09:22:12 AM
There's a lot more money to be made in the casual gaming market of phones/tablets than in the hardcore sims market, I guess.
That was admittedly the logic behind TK's decision. However, TK's unabashed admission that money was the primary motivating factor was a slap in the face to those fans dedicated to the Strike Fighters franchise.
Perhaps if the revenue from this good, it might fund development on their main core products? (Unless they've given up on their core completely)
Quote from: endfire79 on September 17, 2014, 09:38:49 AM
Perhaps if the revenue from this good, it might fund development on their main core products? (Unless they've given up on their core completely)
If I understood correctly, their core customer used to be the Navy. Dunno if that's still the case.
Sad to see this development. I'm not even sure this is a new engine, judging by the graphics.
:'(
Quote from: endfire79 on September 17, 2014, 09:38:49 AM
Perhaps if the revenue from this good, it might fund development on their main core products? (Unless they've given up on their core completely)
Yes, the possible silver lining in every cloud.
Quote from: endfire79 on September 17, 2014, 09:38:49 AM
Perhaps if the revenue from this good, it might fund development on their main core products? (Unless they've given up on their core completely)
This is precisely why I bought it. Unfortunately, the game sucks so far, and at under $10, I don't see this generating a lot of fundage.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on September 17, 2014, 09:27:31 AM
Quote from: bayonetbrant on September 17, 2014, 09:22:12 AM
There's a lot more money to be made in the casual gaming market of phones/tablets than in the hardcore sims market, I guess.
That was admittedly the logic behind TK's decision. However, TK's unabashed admission that money was the primary motivating factor was a slap in the face to those fans dedicated to the Strike Fighters franchise.
gotcha. I guess what we can hope for is like the suggestion above - that the commercially successful projects are being used to underwrite the stuff they'd rather be doing.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on September 17, 2014, 09:27:31 AM
Quote from: bayonetbrant on September 17, 2014, 09:22:12 AM
There's a lot more money to be made in the casual gaming market of phones/tablets than in the hardcore sims market, I guess.
That was admittedly the logic behind TK's decision. However, TK's unabashed admission that money was the primary motivating factor was a slap in the face to those fans dedicated to the Strike Fighters franchise.
This is what happened with Magitech (developer of the
Sango and
Takeda franchises) as well. Sad to see this.
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on September 17, 2014, 09:27:31 AM
Quote from: bayonetbrant on September 17, 2014, 09:22:12 AM
There's a lot more money to be made in the casual gaming market of phones/tablets than in the hardcore sims market, I guess.
That was admittedly the logic behind TK's decision. However, TK's unabashed admission that money was the primary motivating factor was a slap in the face to those fans dedicated to the Strike Fighters franchise.
But TK's mobile games are mostly free (With in-app purchase).
Quote from: jomni on September 17, 2014, 05:18:41 PM
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on September 17, 2014, 09:27:31 AM
Quote from: bayonetbrant on September 17, 2014, 09:22:12 AM
There's a lot more money to be made in the casual gaming market of phones/tablets than in the hardcore sims market, I guess.
That was admittedly the logic behind TK's decision. However, TK's unabashed admission that money was the primary motivating factor was a slap in the face to those fans dedicated to the Strike Fighters franchise.
But TK's mobile games are mostly free (With in-app purchase).
They're still a small 'mobile' mockery of the previous sims. I would like to have seen the SF2 series get further improvements, or a new series begun. I still keep my SF2 titles installed because it's an enjoyable flight sim experience that doesn't require much reorientation when stopping by for a visit.
I just wish there was an in-game option for extending the high-to-low res ground gfx "bubble" around the players point-of-view in SF2. The mod is a pain in the ass (vague and hex modding required) and I failed to get it working on my latest computer's install. There used to be a modded file hosted with it already done but that's long gone AFAIK.
.
Quote from: eyebiter on September 18, 2014, 05:49:03 AM
It's too bad Sonalysts couldn't make a casual Naval warfare / sub hunting game, something along the lines of Panzer General.
Hex grid, South China sea region, near future setting with surface, air, and underwater assets.
Have some scenarios reflect the amount of civilian traffic in the region. Cargo ships, fisherman, oil and mineral platforms etc.
That would be sweet.
Quote from: bayonetbrant on September 17, 2014, 09:22:12 AM
There's a lot more money to be made in the casual gaming market of phones/tablets than in the hardcore sims market, I guess.
This..all about trying to make money..would be cool if they then invested some of it into something more substantial though.
well, we're starting a kickstarter campaign for Mirth and Martok's burlesque show.
leather ain't cheap.
Quote from: GDS_Starfury on September 18, 2014, 11:04:00 PM
leather ain't cheap.
Neither is that baby walrus or 1/16th replica of St. Peter's Basilica we're going to need...
We're going to need more than one baby walrus.
Quote from: mirth on September 19, 2014, 02:18:56 PMWe're going to need more than one baby walrus.
Especially if Gus is out running half-marathons
I am the baby walrus.
Snap out of it, mirth! You're confusing yourself with Gus!
I thought Mirth was the eggman.
I worked with some Sonalyst reps in my last job. They were trying to sell the weather company I worked for some technology. This was back when their #1 claim to fame was their piece of shit video game.
The bragged on and on about how great they were. When they left, I showed our CEO and COO a review of their sub game, and the crap ratings it go. ;D
The fun thing was that their rep, a retired Air Force Colonel, "Rip" Coleman, KNEW me, and he never acknowledged my presence. I didn't have much use for him in the military..he was an ass-kissing apple polisher then, and an arrogant SOB always.
No..we didn't purchase their radar system. I wanted to be the one to call them, but they wouldn't let me! :)
funny how life works out like that. :)
Quote from: DennisS on September 21, 2014, 01:21:42 PM
I worked with some Sonalyst reps in my last job. They were trying to sell the weather company I worked for some technology. This was back when their #1 claim to fame was their piece of shit video game.
The bragged on and on about how great they were. When they left, I showed our CEO and COO a review of their sub game, and the crap ratings it go. ;D
The fun thing was that their rep, a retired Air Force Colonel, "Rip" Coleman, KNEW me, and he never acknowledged my presence. I didn't have much use for him in the military..he was an ass-kissing apple polisher then, and an arrogant SOB always.
No..we didn't purchase their radar system. I wanted to be the one to call them, but they wouldn't let me! :)
Which "piece of shit" video game are you talking about? Certainly not Dangerous Waters. That one was pretty outstanding. Certainly not Fleet Command. That was a pretty good game for its time too. Certainly not Sub Command...yeah, that was a pretty good game too back in the day. Definitely not 688(I) Hunter Killer...yep, that was a pretty great game too. They have a strong track record of developing modern naval combat sims at a time when few other development houses were working on similar projects. So, which one are you talking about and why the serious beef?
Good questions Jarhead. Their sub sims have always been outstanding. I remember chatting with one of their staff (online) many years ago...it seems they do (or at least did) a lot of work with the US Navy. He was a decent chap, whoever he was.
Heck, I still play Dangerous Waters. Great game when you are in the mood for realistic sub hunting