Its a good time to be a space sim junkie.

Jarhead0331 · January 18, 2016, 08:44:26 PM

Elite, Star Citizen, Rogue System and now Evochron Legacy...looks like it was just released today. Sure its not as flashy as some of the others, but for a one-man development team, I'm impressed. 40% off making it $14.99...sold!

http://store.steampowered.com/app/398170/

SirAndrewD · January 18, 2016, 09:51:10 PM

Now if only Disney/former Lucasarts can give us Tie Fighter 2.

Hofstadter · January 18, 2016, 10:48:17 PM

I cant find any gameplay videos of it, from what ive read its a release of evochron mercenary with a bit of extra flash. Bit worried its just another elite dangerous, huge world with nothing to do

spelk · January 18, 2016, 11:36:19 PM

http://starwraith.com/

The Evochron series is a long running, constantly evolving space sim, that was built with compact economy of code and assets but with maximum content. One of its biggest boons is that it is a continuous labour of love for one guy (Vice), and it is always in development to a new level - with much in the way of community inspired development and community modding. I suppose its a bit like the Arcen games model of development.

The last time I dabbled with it (which was Mercenary, but its good to hear its next evolution is now out on Steam) one of the real benefits of the game was that it can be run as a 64 player server and people can connect up and fly with their mates, or newbies can be guided by helpful community members on how to become that miner, pirate, trader, fighter etc..

The game has an indie sensibility, but not scope. It has proper newtonian physics, satisfying combat, planetfall (now including Mech walkers to roam the surface of the planet) and a lot more...

http://www.starwraith.com/evochronlegacy/index.htm

The dev also has another series that sort of develops alongside the Evochron one, and its more a mission based affair, forfeiting the sandbox with structured and storied content, it's known as the Arvoch (Conflict) Alliance.

http://www.starwraith.com/arvochalliance/index.htm

Anyway, Space Game Junkie has just started a playthrough of EL

Sinbad, shows off some planetfall and walker exploration

And the devs channel is here

https://www.youtube.com/user/SFSW

I was pretty invested in the earlier titles, here's my 2009 gush over Evochron Legends

http://spelkzero.blogspot.co.uk/2009/05/evochron-legends_12.html

I was even inspired to dabble in modding the HUD, and taking the DRADIS look out of Battlestar Galactica and putting it on my Evochron craft

http://spelkzero.blogspot.co.uk/2009/02/dradis-for-evochron-legends.html

So 7 years ago I was frothing at the mouth over Evochron, and its still here, and its still developing, and its good wholesome community inspired indie fayre. :)

I've got to say/admire what Vice does with just over 300Mb is absolutely amazing considering most other sandbox space sims are in multiples of Gigabytes!

Martok · January 19, 2016, 03:55:34 AM

Now if Josh can just finish development on Limit Theory... (Please, please!)

Jarhead0331 · January 19, 2016, 06:07:43 AM

It doesn't want to detect my x55. Frustrating.

spelk · January 19, 2016, 07:31:57 AM

Quote from: Jarhead0331 on January 19, 2016, 06:07:43 AM
It doesn't want to detect my x55. Frustrating.

Post up at the Starwraith forums, I'm sure someone, maybe even Vice will try and help you JH.

Might be worth having a ferret around the Tech Support forum

http://www.starwraith.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=26

There seems to be a number of posts from other Saitek joystick users, but I can't see any relating directly to the X-55

Jack Nastyface · January 19, 2016, 07:05:25 PM

I just picked up elite: dangerous. Wow. Now to figure it out.

Jarhead0331 · January 19, 2016, 07:19:32 PM

Did you check out my gameplay video?

http://grogheads.com/forums/index.php?topic=15921.0

jomni · January 19, 2016, 09:51:35 PM

Quote from: Jack Nastyface on January 19, 2016, 07:05:25 PM
I just picked up elite: dangerous. Wow. Now to figure it out.

I'm now getting back into Elite after criticising it before. But I won't be buying Horizons as I still don't feel I need it at this point. Just short bursts of courier sessions for me.

bboyer66 · January 20, 2016, 10:05:15 AM

How is the lore/factions in Evochron? Are their wars going on between different races, etc. One of the things I liked best about the original X series was how much detail was put into the different factions, How unique each different factions ships looked, acted, etc. Speaking of which, shouldn't the X series be coming out with a new version soon? The last version was a total flop and I am hoping they get back to the roots of the series.

bboyer66 · January 20, 2016, 10:11:33 AM

Answered part of my question. Seems like Egosoft is still supporting its last game. :

Today EGOSOFT announces the new expansion "Home of Light" as well as update 4.0 for X Rebirth, both to be released in February 2016!

Home of Light (HoL) is an exciting expansion of the X Rebirth universe and makes the best use of the many new features of X Rebirth 4.0:

• (HoL) Much larger universe: The Home of Light expansion will bring three entire new systems, including the central Home of Light, known from the X3 games, with a massive new economy.

• (HoL and 4.0) Bulletin Board System (BBS): The new BBS system collects all currently available missions in space for an easier overview.

• (4.0) Trade improvements: Graphs showing market developments over time, a best deal finder and many UI improvements to make trading easier.

• (4.0) New engine technology: Extend your ship with a Jump Drive and other new technology to travel through the universe quicker than ever.

• (HoL) Trade stations: A new station type allows you to stock large amounts of any wares you like. Buy up goods when they're cheap and sell when the price is high, or when your competitors' stations mysteriously explode.

• (4.0) Customizable weapon upgrades: Craft weapon modifications to improve your favourite weapons.

• (HoL and 4.0) New enemies, new weapons, new missions, new and mysterious phenomena.

• (HoL and 4.0) Many new secrets to explore in the outskirts of the ever-growing X universe.

The Home of Light expansion can be pre-ordered NOW at a 20% discount for just 7.99 € on Steam.

X Rebirth Update 4.0 will be released for free.

Coming in early 2016 will be the new X Rebirth complete package, including The Teladi Outpost and Home of Light for just 49.99€. Available on Steam, GOG, or directly from egosoft.com.

JasonPratt · January 20, 2016, 11:48:43 AM

Evochron currently only has two factions (Alliance and Federation). But its Steam description looks quite amazing.

I finally picked up X3:TC and X3:AP on a recent holiday sale, but haven't played them yet. I'm dubious about trying to get into Rebirth when so many people are saying stick with (the latest versions of) X3.

JasonPratt · January 20, 2016, 11:50:06 AM

Note that its feature description is so long IT EXCEEDS THE 20K CHARACTER FORUM POST LIMIT!

JudgeDredd · January 20, 2016, 01:33:02 PM

Quote from: JasonPratt on January 20, 2016, 11:48:43 AM
Evochron currently only has two factions (Alliance and Federation). But its Steam description looks quite amazing.

I finally picked up X3:TC and X3:AP on a recent holiday sale, but haven't played them yet. I'm dubious about trying to get into Rebirth when so many people are saying stick with (the latest versions of) X3.

I'll be honest off the bat here - I haven't fired up X-Rebirth in a looooong time and in fact it's not even currently installed.

I did not like the turn it took from X3 Reunion and the Albion Prelude and Terran Conflict DLCs. I'm not being a purist here. It took me an awful long time to "get" X3 Reunion but once I did, I loved it. X-Rebirth has never hit me in the right way...not once.

imo it looks awful too.

However - as I said, I haven't fired it up in a long time - so it may well have progressed.