TNBT Contest

[Lion Around]

Where do you get that idea from, Lion Around? Just curious...

Let's put it this way. When was the last time Egosoft released a full game? I seriously wonder how they manage to continue paying the bills, let alone continue development, if all they have to ride on is profits from a 3 year old game and the "Superbox" released recently. Video game development is costly, and without a decent source of income, they might have some troubles. I'm dead serious when I say i will NOT be surprised if/when Egosoft goes into bankruptcy. In fact, I'm practically counting on it. The pessimist in me is stronger than ever.... for some reason, the jaded, cynical side of me finds it amusing when developers go all belly-up. Face it, space games don't do all that well anyway.

I could be wrong. Maybe they'll release their best game yet someday. But I still think Egosoft is going down, either way.

All of the above were my own opinions. Flamers can kiss my ass...

[silentWitness]

I do hope that Egosoft don't have any such problems. I for one didn't enjoy eve for very long. I lasted a total of three months before I got so bored I simply couldn't take it anymore!

The ccp model of gaming simply bores me. Although it's nice seeing that one of the Icelandic governments funding projects did pay off in the end! I think Egosoft should move to Iceland! Their government is simply giving away money to businesses that want to bring in jobs!

We would very quickly have TNBT then!!

[Gavrushka]

All of the above were my own opinions. Flamers can kiss my ass...

Pledge bound, most people will simple ignore you, or in chuckling deceitfulness apply chilli lipstick before obliging right on your puckered brown eye...

My take... It'll involve helping frogs get across a road.

[pjknibbs]

MMPOGs are the future, no doubt.

I don't buy it. Just because WoW is an unstoppable juggernaut with 12 million subscribers (or whatever it is) doesn't mean that's the model everyone will follow, or even that it's the model everyone SHOULD follow. The mere fact that every competitor that launches to try and beat WoW has failed so far suggests to me that the market for MMPOGs is about as big as it's likely to get! Not to mention that, speaking personally, I don't want to play MMPOGs...14 months of WoW taught me that lesson.

[Vitez]

*=Encyclopedia
1.) Since the gate-system is over*, there's gotta be some sort of FTL drive
2.) Since the races are quasi united*, some new fraction should come in (or Earth starts bitching again)
3.) Did I mention it's gonna be a spacesim? Because it is
4.) New sectors
5.) Possibly an MMO (Black Prophecy sucks, JGE is dead Vendetta is old and of little importance)
6.) Plot: a 1000 years from TC, Earth is dead, finally became real mythology, and something like Hiigara in Homeworld
7. Go back to the "roots", with less of TC and more of X2/3 (in some aspects)

[Gavrushka]

MMPOGs are the future, no doubt.

I don't buy it. Just because WoW is an unstoppable juggernaut with 12 million subscribers (or whatever it is) doesn't mean that's the model everyone will follow, or even that it's the model everyone SHOULD follow. The mere fact that every competitor that launches to try and beat WoW has failed so far suggests to me that the market for MMPOGs is about as big as it's likely to get! Not to mention that, speaking personally, I don't want to play MMPOGs...14 months of WoW taught me that lesson.

It will be single player I feel...

Perhaps I am being commercially naive, and I understand Egosoft is a business,- But they do play a far more interactive role in this community than any other developer I have come across.

I think they would take their ideas as to where tnbt goes from their core support- the L3 and above forums and discussions were for more than just the improvement of existing games - I think we are going to see more or less what we 'generically' want- It will be released far earlier than 'polished' and although there will be many grumbles - The last section of development will be done with our input- The way it has always been.

Late October of this year we will get the first official announcement regarding TNBT...

...How do I know? I am the Gavrushka, and my words are wrapped in wisdom.

[Vitez]

Late October of this year we will get the first official announcement regarding TNBT...

I was hoping for feb-march on the GDC

[silentWitness]

MMPOGs are the future, no doubt.

I don't buy it. Just because WoW is an unstoppable juggernaut with 12 million subscribers (or whatever it is) doesn't mean that's the model everyone will follow, or even that it's the model everyone SHOULD follow. The mere fact that every competitor that launches to try and beat WoW has failed so far suggests to me that the market for MMPOGs is about as big as it's likely to get! Not to mention that, speaking personally, I don't want to play MMPOGs...14 months of WoW taught me that lesson.

Last time I checked the demographics it has a very interesting pool of players... As usual Asian, male were the overriding demographic represented as is typical of the genre. MMPOGs appeal to those of 18 to 35, with large disposable income. Single men continue to dominate but internet demographics have shown a skew towards female players, although how many are truly female we aren't sure. Asia is truly besotted with WOW, Followed by the US, although it lags in Europe somewhat.

The majority of the games popularity doesn't really translate to other games... if you look at the social games that have always been popular in Asia, you'll see that WOW is not really so popular because of the 'game' aspect. e.g. comic books are mainstream in parts of Asia and everyone reads them on the daily commute, the cartoon esque side of WOW does really well to appeal to this audience! Asia games together even without computers! WOW is simply another socialisation tool. In my opinion, this is why it has not been beaten by other MMPOGs, which may compete on gameplay but doesn't appeal to Asia so directly.

Blizzard was very smart when they chose their subject matter. The Asia market defines WOW, the US market is actually somewhat of a bonus... as the 'game' aspect appeals to them. WOW is a money tree for Blizzard but other genres won't really thrive in the same way.

[Aro]

Linear but highly story driven cel shaded style game with multiple multiple paths and customizations. With some online play for good measure, mainly co-op. Based in the X'verse.


A second super secret game where they team up with Notch/Markus to produce an insanely addictive space based sandbox style space game that sells far too many copies while still in alpha/beta.

[Terre]

space and ground (planets) maps, including leveled boss encounters.

Unfortunately with programmers like Benny Kayser onboard, who advertises his services as "Level Designer", that kind of plat-former fluff is all to close, my heart would sink if it was allowed to enter a dark universe.

Link

[X2-Eliah]

Hrm. Level designer would be an industry-standard term for sector designer, actually. For instance, I bet Freelancer had good level designers who set up the space stations, trade lanes and so forth.

Additionally... I guess it is too much to hope for, but I'd rather not see any of the X races (maybe except for Kha'ak, Xenon) in the TNBT. Or at least have them greatly re-wamped. As it is, they are so... dull. Eurgh.

[Terre]

Hrm. Level designer would be an industry-standard term for sector designer, actually. For instance, I bet Freelancer had good level designers who set up the space stations, trade lanes and so forth.

Additionally... I guess it is too much to hope for, but I'd rather not see any of the X races (maybe except for Kha'ak, Xenon) in the TNBT. Or at least have them greatly re-wamped. As it is, they are so... dull. Eurgh.

I'm sure you're right, but just the term fills me with dread.

As for the races, if the X-Universe was comprised of a near-fixed gate pattern and the races trapped within, then with the gates switched off, they will still be about; amongst anyone/thing new.

I hope that the dialogue and animations are brought up to date and that they can viewed at screen resolutions of 2560x1600, without looking fudged, this also applies to craft and station textures.

Is there a texture mapping system more akin to vector graphics, rather than the 1980's bitmap approach?

[Jerald]

The consensus so far, for the most part is that Egosoft will follow the Trade, Think, Fight Model. Because gate travel comes to the end, the X races will somehow play a part in ending the x universe with the discovery of FTL. An experiment with FTL goes horribly wrong which leads to the discovery of a whole new universe, races, and factions. It sounds like Kyle Brennon all over again.

Be interesting to hear more thoughts on that. When the TNBT is announced, I will announce the winner.

[Observe]

- As already prophesied Jump-gates will be replaced by some sort of FTL drive.
- We already know 3DS Max remains the modeling program for ships etc.

[Apoch]

Ooh! Ooh! I know what it's going to be!

Can I enter your contest??

[Gavrushka]

I will announce the winner.

And the substantive prize too of course?

[Observe]

Ooh! Ooh! I know what it's going to be!

Can I enter your contest??

Please do so! Of course your NDA means we will have to change your predictions by 180 degrees.

[Apoch]

Let's just say that the Guitar Hero franchise isn't really dead.

[Deadbeat_Spinn]

Let's just say that the Guitar Hero franchise isn't really dead.

Damn...I hoped it was.

[Tycow]

Space sim... anything else is guess work.

Let's just say that the Guitar Hero franchise isn't really dead.

Worst news ever! Guitar Hero sucks!