Sonalysts...why?

[Jarhead0331]

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.

[jomni]

It's like Thirdwire going Android.  Such a shame. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.thirdwire.star_vector

[Jarhead0331]

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.

[bayonetbrant]

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.

[Jarhead0331]

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.

[endfire79]

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)

[Nefaro]

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. 

:'(

[Rayfer]

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.

[Jarhead0331]

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. 

[bayonetbrant]

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.

[Martok]

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. 

[jomni]

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).

[Nefaro]

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.

[eyebiter]

.

[mirth]

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.