NEWS: X³: Terran Conflict announced

[Jakesnake5]

Alright, I have some serious questions for the developers:

1. Will the current X3 bonus pack be installable into this upcoming X3 game?

2. Have you decided to leave gate travel animations out or have you decided to put them back in?

3. Are cockpits planned or are they being left out again?

4. Are our current saved games going to work?

5. Have you decided to implement some sort of BBS mission/article partitioning/categorization system or will we still be forced to sift through random numbers of unrelated BBS missions in hopes of finding something that we can possibly undertake?

Thanks!

Unknown = both (I don't know, NDA)

1. Unknown

2. Unknown

3. Unknown (I hope not)

4. Unknown

5. Unknown. There is a way to mod out the current games 'extraneous' BBS articles, leaving you with missions only, so it'll be likely the same in TC (player modification).

For any information, Only Ego employees will dispense the information.

Be patient. Now that it's officially announced, it will come.

[Atkara]

I don't see how you can tell that...the main ship could be 5km long with the camera being a LONG way away.

As you've already noticed, the picture shows a ship flying alongside a bigger and different one (the flight leader) and the rest of the escorts are a bit further. The first escort in the scene seems to be quite near the flight leader. So, a relative scale comparison can be possible with a 10-15% margin of error.

Indeed, the flight leader features a top and a bottom turret -at least that's what they seem to me. Another thing to mention, is that the turret barrels are too long, in comparison to the ship's total length. So, this can't be an M1 or M2.

At first, this made me think of an M6, escorted by M4s. But the escorts seemed too big, compared to the flight leader, to validate such a statement.

So, I thought that an M3 (or M3+), escorted by 4 M5s would be more appropriate.

[g04tn4d0]

Why in the world are some of you answering my public questions to EgoSoft? You are not an authority. Please stop.

As for the NDA comments... an NDA would be necessary for interesting and potentially unique design ideas. It's also for when you hire outside people to test your software and an NDA keeps them from posting screenshots or information from the BUGRIDDEN alpha/beta that could potentilaly damage sales for when the game comes out. The questions I have asked are not about anything secret. Just because a software product isn't completed doesn't mean that it hasn't already been mostly mapped out. In fact, I don't know anyone who makes any software title without a base plan.

Just because feature lists can change over the course of production doesn't in any way mean that no questions about the game should be answered. If they change, then they change. That's why you respond with "well, this isn't set in stone but we're considering... XXXX" instead of "don't worry about it". EgoSoft knows this because they DO answer questions like these from time to time.

So, please, put a cork in it and let EgoSoft answer for themselves.

[MadBoris]

As to the new teaser image... link

I am pretty confident we are looking at a part of a movie sequence rather than in-game screenshot.

The apparent motion blur on the ships as well as the lack of crisp detail to the universe looks like a movie/cut scene. Furthermore distant planets on the sky box, as well as new planets and moons is just not realistic to expect for them to have redone all systems that way.

Also...none of us have a crystal ball but...
Reading the last few pages it's interesting to what people are hoping to see change from the X3 we now know.
I think it would be safer for people to keep expectations in check or you may be setting yourself up for disappointment by nothing more than your own over-active imagination. I don't see any revolutionary changes to UI, graphics assets, the universe, redoing models, etc. That would be a 3 year follow-up as X4, a new game, not an expansion. UI changes would be a massive undertaking but maybe with their hopes to get it to console, it may happen somewhat but very doubtful with 100's of functions UI is challenging to say the least. I see additional solar systems, additional ships, a new campaign. This isn't X4, it will likely be building on the current X3 game and it's existing assets with some new ones. It will be standalone which is becoming popular trend in gaming, meaning it will garner a full price rather than a expansion price, but I don't see this as anything more than an expansion, albeit a decent one I expect. With all the support that Egosoft provides with patches and free addons I have no qualms in paying full price for an expansion.

If history serves as an indicaor we will be seeing the game we now now with additions to the universe with minor changes/additions(minor in the large scope of the overall game world). But I don't anticipate any major underlying changes just more built on. Unless ofcourse they announce at the end of the year they decided to turn it into X4 and put more into it (it has happened before ). Sure it's all speculation but history should be an indicator and better to be safe than setup high expectations that will serve to only disappoint yourself.

[Paranoid66]

On the NDA front I doubt people who know anything will say anything at all! How can they judge what they are allowed to mention and what they are not that is a minefield. It would not be worth being cast out of the X-Universe Heavens just to satisfy impatient curiosity from the lowly masses.

From my experience on the forum ES are pretty strict about keeping lips well, and truly buttoned up! Even if you applied a blow torch, and pliers. Asking nicely just isn't going to do the business!

[fiksal]

I am pretty confident we are looking at a part of a movie sequence rather than in-game screenshot.

The apparent motion blur on the ships as well as the lack of crisp detail to the universe looks like a movie/cut scene. Furthermore distant planets on the sky box, as well as new planets and moons is just not realistic to expect for them to have redone all systems that way.

Agreed on motion blur.

Why not with planets though? Certainly they can do same as what they did in X3 - make them stationary spheres.

From my experience on the forum ES are pretty strict about keeping lips well, and truly buttoned up! Even if you applied a blow torch, and pliers. Asking nicely just isn't going to do the business!

speaking from experience, eh?

[MadBoris]

I am pretty confident we are looking at a part of a movie sequence rather than in-game screenshot.

The apparent motion blur on the ships as well as the lack of crisp detail to the universe looks like a movie/cut scene. Furthermore distant planets on the sky box, as well as new planets and moons is just not realistic to expect for them to have redone all systems that way.

Agreed on motion blur.

Why not with planets though? Certainly they can do same as what they did in X3 - make them stationary spheres.

Well, I can give you that. It is possible they re-did skyboxes and some new planet assets for the existing sectors. It may even make sense to place development resources into it because it gives the feeling to the gamer of a new game. Reunion was released end of 2005, so in that time they may have decided to put a fresh coat of paint on the sectors. A fresh coat of paint can go a long way to giving the feeling of a new car, when it's not. So it's possible, may even make sense, and being it doesn't effect the mechanics of the game it would be pretty painless to make happen, just art time. But I won't expect it.

[Vitez]

Wonder if Ego is going to make a english collectors edition for this? Because I would really buy all the collectors editions if they were in english and not just german

[softweir]

Why in the world are some of you answering my public questions to EgoSoft?

Because EgoSoft don't answer questions of this sort, this early; and because these are interesting points you have brought up that have stimulated our own highly creative guesses.

EgoSoft developers don't have the time to do more than take a cursor glance at this sort of discussion. We do!

Anyway, the feature list is probably still highly fluid at this stage, so even if you DID get an authoritative answer it would get turned into a lie by later developments.

[MadBoris]

so even if you DID get an authoritative answer it would get turned into a lie by later developments.

And...their is nothing devs like more than to talk about things that are still fluid so that they can be later called liars by the mentally/emotionally challenged. Loose lips sink ships. Experienced devs won't talk, just the way it is because immature and opinionated people taught them we can't be trusted to understand that what they say isn't some kind of promise or commitment, when the code hasn't even been written yet. Too bad really, but the gaming culture isn't really a slice of the best and brightest, no offense meant, but you all can agree to some degree I'm sure.

[esd]

Why in the world are some of you answering my public questions to EgoSoft? You are not an authority. Please stop.

Because you're not going to get an answer from Egosoft other than "wait and see"?

Is that authoritative enough?

As for the NDA comments... an NDA would be necessary for interesting and potentially unique design ideas. It's also for when you hire outside people to test your software and an NDA keeps them from posting screenshots or information from the BUGRIDDEN alpha/beta that could potentilaly damage sales for when the game comes out. The questions I have asked are not about anything secret. Just because a software product isn't completed doesn't mean that it hasn't already been mostly mapped out. In fact, I don't know anyone who makes any software title without a base plan.

Regardless, the answers to the questions you've asked would be covered by an NDA.

Just because feature lists can change over the course of production doesn't in any way mean that no questions about the game should be answered. If they change, then they change. That's why you respond with "well, this isn't set in stone but we're considering... XXXX" instead of "don't worry about it". EgoSoft knows this because they DO answer questions like these from time to time.

So, please, put a cork in it and let EgoSoft answer for themselves.

They're not going to answer except to say something along the lines of "wait and see".

Besides, if Egosoft said "Yes! Of course there'll be giant bananas with Kyon Emitters invading Earth!" and then that feature was dropped, there'd be complaints and dissapointment.
I've learned the hard way with other projects that you don't spill the beans too early, because if you do things will go wrong.

And of course - by remaining tight-lipped, Egosoft generate interest. Everyone wants to know. People speculate and discuss... this creates buzz, which is always good for a coming project

I also remind you to remain civil. They have every right to answer, even if you don't want them to.

[Carlo the Curious]

Experienced devs won't talk, just the way it is because immature and opinionated people taught them we can't be trusted to understand that what they say isn't some kind of promise or commitment, when the code hasn't even been written yet.

Managers seem to have issues with that as well. Especially senior ones.

[pjknibbs]

Besides, if Egosoft said "Yes! Of course there'll be giant bananas with Kyon Emitters invading Earth!" and then that feature was dropped, there'd be complaints and dissapointment.

Case in point: cockpits in X3. I'm sure that if Egosoft had been asked to produce a list of features the game would have at the beginning of development, cockpits would have been on there. However, during the course of development they found the game worked just as well (in fact, arguably better in some ways) without cockpits, so they didn't include them. Therefore they'd have been called liars if they'd announced cockpits were going to be in the game.

[TSM]

Besides, if Egosoft said "Yes! Of course there'll be giant bananas with Kyon Emitters invading Earth!" and then that feature was dropped, there'd be complaints and dissapointment.

Case in point: cockpits in X3. I'm sure that if Egosoft had been asked to produce a list of features the game would have at the beginning of development, cockpits would have been on there. However, during the course of development they found the game worked just as well (in fact, arguably better in some ways) without cockpits, so they didn't include them. Therefore they'd have been called liars if they'd announced cockpits were going to be in the game.

eeek Careful bringing cockpits into this PJK

All Game devs play it safe, Egosoft have every right to keep it zipped about all the features, I think instances where you know to much about the game content before you play it make the game boring to be honest.

And lot of people post ideas in here how many of you think the devs got time to read them, that is what the L3 forum is for.

[MadBoris]

I think the moral of the story is, by devs sharing info they have much more to lose and very little to gain. And eek is right, seeing that unmentionable word come up in this thread gave me shivers from release time for X3 back in the day.
Although joystick support, if dropped, would cause me some outrage.

[Myrmedon]

Although joystick support, if dropped, would cause me some outrage.

Harkens back to the pre-release days of freelancer...

Myrm

[Jakesnake5]

As for the NDA comments... an NDA would be necessary for interesting and potentially unique design ideas. It's also for when you hire outside people to test your software and an NDA keeps them from posting screenshots or information from the BUGRIDDEN alpha/beta that could potentilaly damage sales for when the game comes out. The questions I have asked are not about anything secret.

You have, unfortunately, a lack of understanding what a Non-Disclosure Agreement covers.

IT.. COVERS.. EVERYTHING!

Unless Egosoft specifically and in public announces anything, NOBODY, and this means the Betatesters, Dev's, etc., can say ANYthing about whats in the project in public.

Only what's publicly available and supositions can be posited. Nothing more.

[[RFA]Gravity]

Very very exciting, i suddenly want to bust out my copy of X3 and start playing again.
I look forward to this and given Egosoft's record in the past i really dont expect to see this till q4 hopefully in time for the christmas rush.

[Fresshness]

its a standalone game based on the X3 engine, meaning its like an Expansion to X3, but doesn't require X3 to run and is a game in its own right. So the game play will be simlar

I thought the 3 in X3: Terran Conflict would indicate only the fact that the story has only progressed very little, but what you are telling us is that it's really the same X3 engine with new updates...

my question would be, if it's not such a major overhaul (not anymore than let's say... XTM)... then why offer it as a standalone game and not a update (free, like all the rest, or is by saying that the real point is revealed?)

So one of the first impressions I get is that EGOSOFT needs money. and what better/easier/faster way than regurgitate some old material and put 5% new stuff in the mix?

My intentions are not hostile, please do not misunderstand critical discernment with hostility or aggression.

[MadBoris]

its a standalone game based on the X3 engine, meaning its like an Expansion to X3, but doesn't require X3 to run and is a game in its own right. So the game play will be simlar

my question would be, if it's not such a major overhaul (not anymore than let's say... XTM)... then why offer it as a standalone game and not a update (free, like all the rest, or is by saying that the real point is revealed?)

So one of the first impressions I get is that EGOSOFT needs money. and what better/easier/faster way than regurgitate some old material and put 5% new stuff in the mix?

My intentions are not hostile, please do not misunderstand critical discernment with hostility or aggression.

If you have noticed this is one of the avenues publishers have been taking lately instead of expansions. It's becoming industry wide, atleast more so lately. They include a little more content, don't require the individual to buy/own the original but do charge more than an expansion. This is becoming more and more the practice, some publishers may overcharge for it, while others give you the value for it.

But as i said regarding standalones on the last page, it's not a big issue from someone like Egosoft who supports the community so heavily. And after 3 years of work on it, it would only be right that they get some money on it, more so than a $30 expansion, which usually can be pumped out in 8 months by other devs/games. I don't doubt they have put the work in and standalone is fine especially if they had to branch off the old core code base early on in development for certain reasons, making it difficult or impractical to merge with the existing game code. No doubt the engine would get some work in 3 years, but how much remains to be seen. I don't think greed is the case here with the standalone but with some games i have seen it is to make up costs for a game.