Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you:
No adverts like this in the forums anymore.
Times and dates in your local timezone.
Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance.
Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely.
Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net.
If you are already a member then feel free to login now.
We just had a thread about classic space flight sims a few weeks ago, and though that one was pretty much dominated by TIE-Fighter memories, I think it's kind of funny that this was announced today:
Squadron 42 is a PC-exclusive classic space sim created by none other than Chris Roberts using the CryEngine 3 for some rather impressive graphics and vast levels - everything exists in scale, from the crews on the flight deck to the fighters right up to the kilometer-long carrier they launch from. Only basic infos are known so far, but the most important detail would seem to be that Squadron 42 is itself just a "game within the game", and part of the larger Star Citizen online universe, which aims to establish an interstellar nation where, in addition to military service, you may instead also try to make a living as, for example, a merchant, scout or a bounty hunter. The S42 segment comes complete with its own story campaign and will be playable online or offline, including optional co-op.
More information as well as the full trailer (5 minutes) and Roberts' own "kickstarter" are available here:
It sounds very interting but I'm not sure that I will enjoy it. Freelancer just wasn't for me.
His method of funding this game seems a little risky as well although I am sure that it will get funded eventually (especially as the website has crashed due to all the traffic).
RegalPhantom wrote: If your fluff doesn't fit, change your fluff until it does
The prefect example of someone missing the point.
Do not underestimate the Squats. They survived for millenia cut off from the Imperium and assailed on all sides. Their determination and resilience is an example to us all.
-Leman Russ, Meditations on Imperial Command book XVI (AKA the RT era White Dwarf Commpendium).
Its just a shame that they couldn't fight off Andy Chambers.
Warzone Plog
Aye, I just noticed the website went down. Hope it's back up again soon, it really contained a whole lot of information about what both Star Citizen as well as the Squadron 42 campaign are, including more demo videos. The best part to me was the "Why PC?" section, which really reads like a love letter to the computer as a gaming platform. Do check it out later!
I've not been thrilled about Wing Commander or Freelancer back then myself, but I confess that the movie-like visuals alone look somewhat compelling, and as an avid PC gamer I welcome a developer acknowledging this platform's full potential. Lastly, I have a soft spot for "sandbox" persistant worlds and the setting with its Starship Troopers-style "Service guarantees Citizenship" idea sounds interesting.
Two years until it'll be ready (provided the development process goes smoothly), but it will surely be interesting to see how it will come to be and so far there's lots of support from people. If Roberts is able to make good on his promises, this will be quite the shake-up for the scene.
Also, the trailer is apparently full of references to Wing Commander, from the uniforms to the name of the sector right down to the fighter and carrier design:
