The Future of Submarine Games


In the last six months, the demise of sims has been pronounced in abundance. Print mags and sim webzines have been telling you sims are being cancelled left and right Jane's A-10: Cancelled. Wolfpack II: Cancelled. Silent Steel II: MIA. M1Tank Platoon 3: Cancelled. Fighting Steel Deluxe: Cancelled. Jane's Attack Squadron: MIA. Thunder Over Europe: MIA. The list goes on.

We all know that this is a down cycle for sims and we believe there is hope that in a couple of years, things will turn around and sims will be hot stuff again. Hey, I remember in 1973 when the EPA and OPEC throttled the life out of the muscle car scene. I had a 1970 Cobra Torino that had 450 hp and ran the quarter in the high 13s. In less than three years every car out of Detroit was a smog controlled, gas economizing slug. They even started making them as ugly as they were slow! It was heartbreaking.

But over time, things change. Now you can get a high performance machine that handles and has luxuries like front/rear AC. My '99 Riviera has a supercharged V-6 that would make my old Torino proud.

So, keep the faith. Things will improve, even if no one knows when. Silent Hunter II and Destroyer Command are showing signs of life. Harpoon 4 is still under development. There are stirrings from the Sonalysts camp.

When a new subsim does hit the shore, try to remember, the developers and game producers are our friends. They make the kind of games we like because they like them too. Why would they labor over armor thickness tables, ship model physics, and torpedo trajectories for a niche market? I know a few developers and they all love the genre.

Try to keep your criticism balanced. Should you blast a sim you had trouble with or didn't enjoy with all the invective and animosity you would normally reserve for someone who stole your car or used your toothbrush? I was told by one producer that high-level executives frequently ask him about hard-core negative postings on newsgroups and forums. The industry sees us as demanding, unappreciative, and impossible to satisfy. It's much easier and more lucrative to crank out Deer Hunter and Barbie games and their users rarely flame the game company to a crisp.

I work with a CPA accountant who likes computer games and is pretty good at them. He can play a mean Age of Empires warrior. I tried to interest him in learning Jane's 688(I) for some multiplay. He took one look at the hefty manual and waved it off. He assumed he would need to learn all the material to play competitive. The blessing and the curse of a good sim is its complexity. You want to command a battle fleet or do TMA on a Los Angeles class submarine? You need to learn skills and study. And this restricts the popularity of the sim. Mass market games generally do not carry the steep learning curve a sim does. So while we hard core sim players are delighting in the minutia of seven different stations and all their controls, casual gamers are passing up the sim at a 20 to 1 ratio. Sims truly are a niche market.

Niche market games have limited budgets. This mean a small number of programmers and artists must concentrate on the basics. Don't expect to see everything you want and imagine in a sim. Oh yeah, I'm with you--I wish a subsim could have full motion crews and other fun stuff. But as one producer told me, "We don't have the money to design and integrate these features into the product. I wish we could, too."

We should be finding out the status of Silent Hunter II soon. Either Mattel Interactive is going to sign someone to complete it or it will be canned. I went through the "we are planning to do this" stage with the fabled Jane's Ice Pack add-on for 688(I), Crusader Studios' Akula: Red Hunter, Silent Steel 2, and the interoperability between Jane's Fleet Command and 688(I). I'm not passing judgment here, just stating that when the momentum dies, so does the objective. For whatever reasons, the product champions behind those sims were unable to secure the financing to start work. To get a better feel for the whole process, read my friend John Sponauer's analysis of the life and death of a sim, M1 Tank Platoon 2, from its early development as an upgrade all the way through its last couple of weeks.

Despite my previous experiences with other sim companies, I am optimistic that Carl Norman and Rick Martinez mean what they say and SSI will continue to raise the banner of the Digital Combat Series while the Jane's, NovaLogics, and Microproses around them fall like unfortunate tin soldiers. This is not to say SH2 is a done deal--that moment will come when you hold the box in your hand. We look to the next rumored subsim as our best hope for advanced underwater warfare. All we can do is stay positive, supportive, and if it's decent, buy four copies when it comes out.

About The Author

Neal Stevens is the editor of Subsim.com and contributing author of the coffee table book United States Submarines.


MORE RESOURCES:

PHP Error Message

Warning: set_time_limit() has been disabled for security reasons in /home/a4488860/public_html/inc/rss.inc on line 8

Free Web Hosting
This weekend's NFL games - Kansas City Star

betting.betfair.com (blog)

This weekend's NFL games
Kansas City Star
The Chargers have gained three games on Denver in the last three weeks and would take the AFC West lead with a win. Dallas C Andre Gurode may confront ...
Scouting report: Ravens vs. ColtsBaltimore Sun
Indianapolis Colts vs. Baltimore Ravens: Three Different LinesGambling911.com
Indianapolis Colts vs. Baltimore Ravens point spread and oddsOnline Gambling Paper
Examiner.com
all 198 news articles »

Michigan endures another 'humbling' year - ESPN

Washington Post

Michigan endures another 'humbling' year
ESPN
Only a handful of games into his Michigan tenure, Rich Rodriguez knew the program had a steep mountain to climb. The winged helmet wouldn't equal 10 wins. ...
Today's guide to the UM and MSU gamesDetroit Free Press
Rich Rodriguez: A Collassal DisappointmentBleacher Report
Postgame notesColumbus Dispatch
Philadelphia Inquirer -BuckeyeGrove.com (registration)
all 1,554 news articles »

CHARGERS: Bolts, Broncos face a must win - North County Times

Chicago Tribune

CHARGERS: Bolts, Broncos face a must win
North County Times
The 34-23 loss on Oct. 19 pushed the Chargers 3 1/2 games off the pace, creating a seemingly insurmountable lead for a surging Broncos squad with breakaway ...
Today looms as de facto title game for BroncosColorado Springs Gazette
Chargers are masters of the strong finishSan Francisco Chronicle
Searching for Elvis: Stopping Dumervil critical for ChargersSportingNews.com

all 566 news articles »

Connecticut steals the college football stage with two historic games - Examiner.com

Examiner.com

Connecticut steals the college football stage with two historic games
Examiner.com
No matter, the annual Yale-Harvard game will always be known as THE Game. Dating back to 1875, when American football was still evolving from rugby (ie ...

and more »

Jets ready for clash with Patriots - NorthJersey.com

New York Daily News

Jets ready for clash with Patriots
NorthJersey.com
Those are facts, but if we do beat New England, we're one game out with six games left. Those are facts.” “We have to win this game,” cornerback Darrelle ...
Our Top 10 Most Memorable Pats-Jets GamesWEEI.com
A loss Sunday to the Patriots and the New York Jets will just be embarrassing ...New York Daily News
Pats-Jets rematch has different look than first gameCBSSports.com
Boston Globe -FOXSports.com -Bleacher Report
all 571 news articles »

Charean Williams' NFL blitz - Fort Worth Star Telegram

Los Angeles Times

Charean Williams' NFL blitz
Fort Worth Star Telegram
The Chicago Bears' running game has been absent since the bye week. While losing four of five games since then, Chicago has averaged only 58 rushing yards ...
Some wonder if quarterback's diabetes plays a partESPN
Sunday night previewLos Angeles Times
Must-win game for the Eagles? Wait a minute . . .Merced Sun-Star

all 190 news articles »

Randall Cobb's status: game-time decision - Atlanta Journal Constitution

Randall Cobb's status: game-time decision
Atlanta Journal Constitution
Kentucky coach Rich Brooks said after practice Thursday that it'll be a game-time decision whether to play Cobb, the wide receiver/quarterback/kick returner ...

and more »

Parker scores 17 in Spurs' rout of Wizards - The Associated Press

Washington Post

Parker scores 17 in Spurs' rout of Wizards
The Associated Press
Parker played for only the second time in six games, bothered by a bad ankle during what has been one of the worst starts for San Antonio in the Tim Duncan ...
Wizards' offense goes cold in loss to SpursWashington Times
Wizards-Spurs PreviewCBSSports.com

all 171 news articles »

Game 13 Preview & Thread: Nuggets vs. Bulls (7pm MDT) - Denver Stiffs (blog)

The Associated Press

Game 13 Preview & Thread: Nuggets vs. Bulls (7pm MDT)
Denver Stiffs (blog)
One of the best things about the NBA playing 82 games ... when your team loses, you get to watch them try to correct things quickly. ...
Clippers 106 - Denver 99 - That's Why They Play the GamesClips Nation (blog)
Bulls-Nuggets PreviewCBSSports.com

all 364 news articles »

HELENE ELLIOTT Excuses are the last thing the Kings need right now - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times

HELENE ELLIOTT Excuses are the last thing the Kings need right now
Los Angeles Times
They've played more games than most teams and traveled twice to the East Coast. Ryan Smyth and Rob Scuderi are injured. Their dog ate their homework. ...
13 games makes for a full day of hockey on SaturdayNHL.com
NHL CapsulesSI.com

all 289 news articles »

Google News

RELATED ARTICLES
Rome Total War: Battle Strategy Guide
A. FormationsIt's pretty much common sense to come up with a good formation foryour army but the basic idea in most situations is to have your infantry in front, ranged units behind, cavalry protecting the flanks and your general right behind the infantry.
Review - Sony PSP
I'm fairly certain there are folks at Nintendo feeling some serious self-loathing right about now. You see, back in the mid-90's Nintendo contracted Sony to develop a CD-ROM drive for the Super Nintendo.
New Helicopter Design for Your Video War Games
Using Underbelly Cone with Slots Facing Up On a Helicopter to Increase Payload and Liftoff Force. Picture a helicopter model sitting on top of a funnel.
Best Space Themed Games - Part I
Space? How much we can place where? Incredible words, unknown planets, fantastic creatures.But now I want to tell you about some space themed computer shareware games, and want you to play it - I choose only best 19 games from about 200!Here you can find 10 shooters with each of it's own unique gameplay, 5 puzzles, some with actions twists, 2 strategy and 2 actions and 1 arkanoid.
Solitaire RULES Half Life DROOLS
It's a popularity contest.Solitaire is hip, cool, and way more popular than Half Life 2.
Rent Games Online for the Kids
It's risky business allowing your children to play games online. I know that may sound funny but I have a good argument to back up my opinion.
Rent Games Online
Renting video games online has exploded in recent months! I for one am thrilled to see this available to me and my family. Over the summer it was my sanity saver! Why you ask? Well simply because for an affordable price I can rent unlimited games online and have them sent to my door.
The Story Behind OpenSimcity
I've always liked to play SimCity since I was little. I used to play the version for Super Nintendo for hours then and then.
Ingredients For A Great Game
There are millions of computer games out there on the market, how do you make your game best selling? What features have to be included? I have taken a look on previously best sellers trying to determine what makes a great game.Set the player in focusThe player wants to be in focus in the game, he or she wants to feel that he can control the outcome of the game.
PC Gaming Video: Meeting the Demands
If you have an interest in playing PC games that were made at least in the past couple of years, you've probably seen the serious video demands these games now have. It's not only that you need a fast system that can handle all of the information in today's games, but you need a major performance video card to handle computer game video too.
Increasing Rates of Climb in Fighter Aircraft Like the New Joint force Strike Fighter
We know from studying aircraft like the F-8 Crusader, in which my dad had the fortunate to fly while in the US Navy stationed in Puerto Rico, that when the wind was tilted upward on the aircraft that it had a lower takeoff speed and much higher initial rates of climb. At which point the wing came back to position and it was a pencil shaped rocket with wings.
Sega Dreamcasts Cause of Death?
What ever happened to that game console we used to call the Sega Dreamcast? Why did it suddenly disappear after 2 years of production? Was the government involved in brainwashing our minds like in George Orwell's 1984? All these questions will be answered as I investigate the Dreamcast's devastating decline.IntroductionIn the beginning it was good.
Laying Smart Dust With Smart Munitions
We believe that we need to make the Smart Munitions even smarter and incorporate their decent to the target to include the release of smart dust. We believe this is important as more often than not the battlespace includes urban areas where non-combatants and citizens not involved in the conflict reside.
The Future of Video Games
I've recently been thinking about where video games could be going in the future. I'm hoping to work in the game industry one day after I've finished university study and I've been wondering about it a lot.
SMS Gaming - Text Paging Games that can be Played by Anyone
Using the Physical World as a Game Board: This is not a Kinky game! SMS stands for Short Message Service.Just like our last article, this can be fun for teens and adults.
Mind Boggling Information About The Popular Bingo Game!
Have you ever considered mind boggling statistics of a BINGO GAME?The bingo game is the most popular online game in the world! Bing Crosby's nickname as a child was "Bingo" Screeno, a form of the bingo game, was played in movie theaters during the Great Depression The casino game, Keno, is based on the bingo game Most online bingo players also like to play online slot machines A majority of bingo game players have a pet, most notably a cat In 1929, the bingo game reached North America, and became known as "Beano" The bingo game became popular in Australia in the early 20th century. It was known as Housie The bingo game's origin can be traced back to 1530, to an Italian lottery called "Lo Giuoco del Lotto D'Italia".
RPG: Table and Computer
It's not a secret that table RPG games are not so popular as they used to be. However a certain number of amateurs are still fond of them.
Why We Play Games, Part 2
Last week we started to get into the motivation of the gamer. We discussed challenge and its ugly stepsister competition, two of the most common motivators.
Review: Samurai Jack -- Code of the Samurai
Fans of Genndy Tartakovsky's "Samurai Jack," which wrapped last year on the Cartoon Network, enjoy the quirky storytelling and stunning visuals, also the martial arts sequences. Naturally, it was only a matter of time before the online gaming industry turned the time-traveling samurai's adventures into video games.
Blast From The Past - Retro Games Are Hot Again
Miss the brainlessly simple and extremely addictive games from the 80s? Find out which game developers feel the same. Dozens of teams are creating new games based on the old classics.

home | site map

©2008 - All Rights Reserved by l l