chrisb

Been watching SC for a while, but on purpose, I was not getting too involved or excited about it. Probably going to take lots of time to get to know the game, proper space sim type, which appeals to me a lot. I got TOM but it isn’t what I’m looking for nor will ED be. I want a large space sim, not simply dog-fighting, with the same outlook all the time. I won’t do much dog-fighting anyway, not that fast/good. The line-up I have so far is as follows, not bought these yet, getting opinions on the SC forum etc first. Also the Constellation has a few variants coming out shortly, so would be best to wait for those to appear. Constellation (large carrier, good onboard protection) 4crew Aurora LN (small carrier, plus fighter ability) 1crew 325A (small carrier/fighter/fast) 1crew Freelancer (medium carrier plus an explorer variant, some protection depends on variant, as do all) 2crew My aim is not to dogfight much, but to explore, mine, cargo carry etc. Possibly setup a ‘Organisation’ when the full game is out (carrier, exploration, salvage/repairs type company, obviously with fighter protection available), could be a couple more years yet, till the full game is out, but they are dripping out things till then. I think its possibly wise to leave the bulk release until nearer the time. I know they’re working on planet surfaces and so on, so landing and exploring looks like its going to be in there. It’s a mammoth task and yes as said here on this forum, it may not live upto its own hype, but it will be the space game to have (imo), simply because its a space sim. Making your way into deep space for exploration, sleeping onboard, having food stocks to last, fuel etc. Also I love the idea you can keep travelling via the sleep mode i.e. come off the bridge into the crew quarters, then into bed, then logoff, come back and start from where you left off (certain ships), waking up simply drifting in space (needs to be pretty friendly or fairly remote). The fact your character can die, gives it something real, reason to be cautious, careful in what you do, all adds to the immersive feel. Plus the ships are really something to see, especially because they have the living quarters that are onboard that you can interact with, this gives the game/sim a whole feel, not just a cockpit view if you like. Walking around the ship whilst in space with a crew of humans or AI/NPC. Also a great thing of course, its going to be mod-able. I have already seen some designs of ships that may go into game eventually. I can see many variants appearing of ships, possibly docking stations, remote outpost type places, who knows, looks exciting. Even more so now, because the long wait part, is now over halfway through, glad in a sense I didn’t bother at the beginning, as it would be hard to keep on-track with delays etc. Contrary to some on here, I don’t think this will harm KickStarter, it’s a really independent project, yes it will be compromised at some point, like this series with A3 going mainstream (loosing the sim style aspect, arguable, but for me it has). But by then you have your sim, fully playable with huge content and to a staggeringly high quality finish. So if it gets compromised, you still win out, the universe is there, if they try to change it later, which they may, stick with what you have and let new players take care of any new commercial driven aspect, which will be centred around dog-fighting differences I would imagine, plus areas to do that, which there will already be anyway, but probably dumbed down, made simpler. If it were to be compromised, I would just steer clear of that side and continue how I started, there will be plenty of players to do that. The same with this series, I play A2, simply because it feels more real, not because of graphics, although it would have been nice to have them too, but for the feel of the game. With SC, you start out with this feeling (even now), it feels immersive and it hasn't even started really, more or less all in hanger with ships I'm more interested in. Plus of course the game engine and the finish is pretty much, well, great. But I would gladly have them sacrifice graphics for immersive feel, but here with SC, it looks like they are going for everything, immersive feel, outstanding graphical quality, mod'ability, vastness etc, all in the package. I can maybe feel a change coming for me, well I think its already underway, certainly got my interest and a few others I know now. :)

I use the Mi-26 a fair bit in A2, its a great heli. I think mine was made by (OWP) for FP, not sure. There are six variants inc the crashed model. But its nice to see a newer version under way, will be interested in watching progress.

Anyone using a Strike 3 KB, would like to know what they're like. Want something reasonably priced and fairly lightweight to carry. Just to replace my ageing V7 KB, which is showing signs of wear a little. I know the size of the Strike3 is the same as my G19, going off advertised sizes (or thereabouts), which would suit me a little better than the V7, which is larger all-round. Edit: Gone for the Strike 3 KB, looking forward to it arriving. :)

Hello to anyone new and goodbye to anyone not staying long..;)

PC always wins on longevity, this series for one is a great example. Elite Dangerous (perhaps another, we will see), also Star Citizen. These and many others before and ahead will have years of playable enjoyment. That’s new play, not re-run. Unlike most console fodder, which lasts a short while and disappears unless you want to re-run it. I look forward to buying ED and SC (above), not yet, wait a little I think first. Also possibly Ground Branch (if they put in that 'editor'), when its available. Maybe even, WW2 Enemy Front maybe, haven't read up much on that yet. I think PC is always better, its where ‘indie’ operates and that’s the best thing we have gaming wise, new ideas not bagged up, re-hashed rubbish. PS. I thought they only had the 4*** series AMD in the Xbox or was it Sony, just something I read, not sure don't own either. If correct the 4*** is a little behind, don't you think..;) Edit: just had another quick look at Enemy Front... perhaps not..:(

In the past I used a mix of AI mods, or I should say pbo’s from various AI mod/addons. These worked very well indeed, however they were best used for missions made by the user, specifically with those mods in mind. It also took time to tweak these and make them work really well, but good gaming needs time. I play in an ongoing war-gaming world, where missions are made based on fully militarised terrains/regions. Therefore its easier to customise it down to certain mod/addons. I only use one mod for AI now (sig), it covers all aspects concerning AI, almost to the point of independence (I test for it too). After that, I use a set of other mod/addons to cover other things, these are combined into folders, I find it easier to split mod/addons up and folder them up myself (always have done), was also easier to test combined results that way, for me. I only return occasionally, to the original game (vanilla), to check game progression (that doesn’t take long on the whole for A3 ;)). AI and everything concerning AI is the most important thing for me. Very realistic, tactical & reliable AI is paramount to my/our gaming, especially as AI is the centre pin for militarised terrains. All other mod/addons are far less important in that respect, but its still very nice to have them, notably islands/terrains, all work by others concerning these, is much appreciated. Has to be said though, I/we spend most of our time in A2 at the moment, vast war-gaming world.

Thanks for sharing your great work..

Not elitism, just how the game (sandbox) should be fully explored imo, elitism that made me laugh. I don't dismiss it, I simply don't play it, I bought the series for the editor, not the campaigns.

Directed at many.. you included ;). I'm not in a battle over the dlc, its rubbish throw away stuff. How they implement it, is their concern, for me, it just mainstreams the series, which is a shame. But they have to earn, so be it.. None of us will change that, however much we argue between ourselves, they will do what they are going to do, like it or not.

Its great to see these buildings for A3, top quality. However, not all are AI friendly, most though are, so your forgiven..;) Thanks for sharing these.:) Edit: Only just read the first post, its a great shame you feel that way, but completely understandable. Many thanks for sharing your great work.

What claims, where's my brief :butbut:, I never talk about campaigns.. I can't, I haven't, nor want to, play any of BI's campaigns..;) Did they make some, you will let me know how they went, won't you :p. Your not a wargamer are you, its showing...:o

Some meanings, in this thread, have been twisted soo much, they’re in danger of breaking..:rolleyes:

Several hundreds, lost count. Many of which, would have been ones I made for the group. __ Your not war-gamers, are you.. ;) come on, own up..:rolleyes: Campaigns are simple games nailed onto, what is, a great format idea, i.e. the editor, mod/addon making ability ('military' sandbox).. The campaigns are simply there to sell the product, they could have released the editor alone with mod/addon making ability, as it is now, and it would still have been worth a few hundred pounds to buy, its gold this series (not the campaigns)... A2 is far more geared to that side (wargaming), at the moment, it may change later down the road..

Wildebeest ?

Articulated (bendy bus) ? :D Would be great, how hard would that be to do ?

No tags required. What I said there, is exactly what I would like to see. BI have a market there, it may be smaller than mainstream obviously, but releasing mainstream style material for free (zeus :rolleyes:), then releasing rubbish (karts) that o.k. may just be to see how a system works out (doubt that), seems a little bit of a waste. Great for mainstreamers, if thats really what they want to see, just not the type of thing the players I play the game with, or myself, want to see. I'm thinking more wargaming, whereas many, if not the majority, would be delighted to get regular quality material, to add to a much larger gaming world. Sub, or to buy each month, whichever way they wanted to do it. The series is wandering way off course now, for me, only my opinion, I see it being completely mainstream. But I understand why that is, from a business point of view, I would have done the same probably if it were my business, well I did do something similar in my prior business. It works well from a business point of view, to have something that sells easily to throw away gamers. On the other hand, as I did in my own business, I kept the core people/customers I started with (I was in a completely different industry, but it works much the same), by still offering the original product, also whilst improving it continuously for its purpose, without corner cutting and quick money making ideas. In this case, simply appeal to both types of playing styles, is what I'm asking BI to do, that's all. Wasting time and manpower on releases like this, when things are yet to be finished, just seems, well ridiculous. Split the game, like I explained, it would pay them to do so and also keep players like myself very happy, release quality material monthly or whenever they have it, to those players that are willing to pay for it, at or around the price mentioned. There are many out there, away from this community here, that would be more than willing to pay for quality for their gaming/hobby. As it is, the series for us, is slipping away, which is a great shame, because it has soo much to offer, other than this, well, nonsense. I see things that could be pushed forward, just being left behind i.e. 3d editor, AI (although I have that now), quality terrains, more of them smaller if need be, units, vehicles, aircraft etc, etc. All that play, cohesively with one another, no conflicting, as said, quality.

Did I not say 'don't say'..................... :p Really not interested, its the editor, nothing else really, of course mod/addons, not campaigns.

My idea of hell, games like this, reproduced rubbish..

I have the free version (v3), its great, could be very tempted..

No, never played any of their campaigns, before anyone says anything, no, I don't want to play them either..;)

They really should split the game, make more money, release a larger more powerful editor (3d) with new tools etc ('a new game' but not), on its own with a couple of basic equipped factions and a terrain for £40 or so (no campaigns). Then follow that up with ‘buy to use’ extras i.e. terrains, armies, equipment, vehicle, aircraft etc. Make these high quality that work cohesively with all other parts, no conflicting etc. All high quality extras. . Of course still allow very ‘restricted’ mod and addon making (certain types), but BI themselves should concentrate this particular side of their business on content, building the mil/sim style ‘as a game’ (not VBS, that’s a training tool, not a game. o.k. I know, it’s a different business ;) ). War gaming is a lucrative market place, they just don’t seem to see it as a business. £40 a pop for added content, a release each month, I’m there no problem, the rest of the group I play with too. Those that can’t or don’t want to, have the mainstream game, with the 2d editor, its good. Come on BI, do the right thing, make wargamers happy, we tend to be willing to part with money, for quality, very quickly. I’d pay that for a dozen terrains alone (12 months), those that worked flawlessly with the game (don't need to be huge terrains, but quality). Cheap entertainment really, in comparison to going down the pub one night and seeing £60 piss down the wc.. A note: I appreciate every mod and addon that I have used over the years. I’ve contributed to many that have had the facility to allow me to do so, even helped when people have needed upgrade pc’s to help them keep making them. Its ment, in no way, to be derogatory to those makers, we have a better series for it. But.. I’m talking about a new concept, BI making a 'new' game, with ongoing extra content for players to buy, guaranteed to work, as said, cohesively with the 'new' game itself (no conflicts etc), high quality extras, £40 a pop, a release each month or sub. Turning and making part of the series, into a true mil/sim style game, you have the assets to do it, the know how and ability. The market may be smaller for wargaming, but it would be very lucrative, I'm sure. Why not, as said, your sat there with the ability to do it. Probably not a popular view with many, but for me and many others I know, it makes perfect sense. ;)

There is no problem with BI making money, it’s a business, I certainly wanted to do the same, so yes, o.k. Making missions for a group, doesn’t tend to give me any problems, all the players will buy good quality DLC material, if it comes available (not karts). As to the way BI are doing it, well look, they're on the cash bandwagon, mainstream gaming is like this, what can we say, we should all know that. Look at it this way, if it was another game, lets say BF (was there a dirt bike thing), anyway, players would just expect it. A3 is mainstream, those that think otherwise are a little delusional. None of us own BI, we have very little say, in-fact no say, in what they do, business wise. You Buy, You Don't Buy.. Those are the rules that tend to be followed by consumers. Its sad that they do this to a great series, but its their series, they can continue to destroy its future credibility, anyway they think fit..

Karts :rolleyes:. Sad really.

I would really recommend this terrain to everyone, it has very good performance and the detail is exceptional. What I have seen so far of the improvements, they seem excellent. Thanks for the update and your hard work. :)

Thank you, anything that makes it feel a little heavier and awkward to handle when landing or slow. Its great at the moment, very good the vibration etc. Just feels a little too easy to land, for its size and so on. Thanks, appreciate your work and sharing it.