seiv platinum: good idea?

Gaurav · #1 May 14th, 2002, 02:57 PM

I do remember Richard explicitly saying that there would not be a Platinum edition. Yet here I am, after several days of being unable to access this forum (move to new server and UBB upgrade may have caused that), seeing a vote taking place on which features should be in Platinum.

When Richard made his declaration, I was more worried that it would mean a limited number of future patches, but now I feel assured there will be at least a few more.

However, the lack of another release of SE4 does mean that at some point, MM will move on to another project, possibly but not necessarily SE5. A role playing game and a new type of game "within the Space Empires" universe was mentioned.

If Aaron does choose to produce SE5 however, I imagine it will mean several years of waiting while he recreates the game around a new GUI, new combat system, all kinds of new features perhaps. After all, MM is a very small company, and I have the impression from reading an old interview that Aaron has another full time job. Amazing how much he manages, isn't it.

Might it not be preferable from our point of view then, for him to continue patching SE4, slowly modifying it into whatever he might like SE5 to be? Outside games, it is perfectly common for software companies to release Versions of software, and charge for each new (major) release. Most of the time, these new releases are not rewritten from the ground up, but by modifying and extending the existing code.

What do you all think? Would you guys prefer MM to release new Versions of SE4 every year to year and a half or so, along with a continuous series of patches? Or would you rather MM produce a new game from the ground up when Aaron feels he is ready to move on?

Of course in the end, it is all up to Aaron.

[ May 14, 2002, 02:02 PM: Message edited by: Gaurav ]

geoschmo · #2 May 14th, 2002, 03:12 PM

The problem with doing that is that each succesive release further splinters what is an already small base to begin with. While Gold reportedly did very well, there are that small number of SEIV classic buyers who feel they "paid enough" and have no plans to buy it. An SEIV "Platinum" edition would no doubt do the same. You would end up with little Groups of people playing Versions of the game that were incompatible, unsupported and unpatchable.

I would much prefer to see Aaron continue producing patches for Gold until he feels comfortable with the end product. Hopefully the next few patches will add some more tools that modders can use. This would allow the fans to continue being creative and coming up with new and different mods for as long as we want, and allow Malfador to move on to newer and better things without having to support SEIV ad infinitum.

Of course this is just my personal opinion. I have no say in the matter.

Geoschmo

Richard · #3 May 14th, 2002, 03:59 PM

No there will NEVER be a SE:IV Platinum, because it doesn't make sense to do so and it is not good for customers. When we took on SE:IV originally part of the problem was that Aaron and Shrapnel were both in a hurry to finish it up due to fan complaints (anyone remember those

), and of course later on we got hit by some of the fans for releasing it too early

.

When the topic of Gold came out we considered just waiting for SE:5. The problem is we really wanted to support the fans in some meaningful way that would help Aaron stay in business. if you look at the PC Gamer review it points to our intent. We fixed almost every Last issue that folks complained about with the original package (ie major issues, not bugs or wanted items). We cleaned the manual up, we added some new art and sounds, we added TCP/IP play. We made SE:IV Gold what SE:IV probably should have been. So it is a good base to finish this game out on.

Aaron will continue to make patches as it is not a big deal to put in new features and issue a patch every couple of months or so while he is working on other projects.

Plus he has new things in the works with Dungeon Oddysey about to enter beta.

As far as the SE line goes the next game will be SE:Quandrant Wars which should be out by Winter of 2002 or Spring 2003. It will be something different for the series, but will be the basis for what we see in SE5.

SE:IV Gold is a good ending point because the SE series really needs to deal with the one knock to it, and that is that it is behind the times UI and graphics wise. I think SE5 will be the dream game eveyrone has wanted in the 4X space exploration universe.

Captain Kwok · #4 May 14th, 2002, 04:13 PM

SE:Quadrant Wars...sounds very interestering.

What kind of game is this going to be?

[ May 14, 2002, 03:13 PM: Message edited by: Captain Kwok ]

Richard · #5 May 14th, 2002, 04:16 PM

We'll have details on it later

.

disabled · #6 May 14th, 2002, 10:50 PM

Quadrant Wars? Is it gonna be a Starcraft Version of SE4?

[ June 16, 2003, 02:56: Message edited by: General Talashar ]

Richard · #7 May 14th, 2002, 11:51 PM

Who knows about that but maintaining patch production isn't a big deal as long as other games from Aaron are being ordered. So far we seem to be doing well.

PDF · #8 May 15th, 2002, 07:02 AM

Very interesting thread

IMO SE4 doesn't need Platinum or Titanium Edition

, but a SCENARIO EDITOR would be most welcome...
What's lacking from SE4 is the ability to play with more consistent SciFi backgrounds, uneven settings (Star Wars type)or just situations outside of the "star race" standard.

Currently noone has done any satisfactory scenario AFAIK, and that's a pity because all other modding tools are here !
Basically if we could just setup "at start" techs, colonies, facilities and ships/units ...

geoschmo · #9 May 15th, 2002, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PDF:
Very interesting thread
Currently noone has done any satisfactory scenario AFAIK, and that's a pity because all other modding tools are here !

<snif><snif>You don't like the scenarios in the scenario pack released with Gold? <snif> I am hurt.

I agree that a scenario editor would be nice. Unfortunatly, one of the only things Aaron has said for sure about the future is that we probably will NOT get one for SEIV. Apparently the economics of it considering the amount of work required to make a decent one just don't add up for Malfador as a company.

Interview with Aaron Hall on Space Empires.org

Quote:

SpaceEmpires.org:
Will there be a scenario editor? Is possible with the depth of SE4?

Aaron Hall of Malfador:
That's actually somewhat doubtful. It would take months to write a good one, and without revenue from the endeavor, its hard to be able to stay in business creating one.

However, don't be too disapointed. You would be suprised at the depth and complexity of what can be accomplished in the area of scenarios, if you just apply a little work and a little ingenuity. My "Stranded!" scenario in the scenario pack was done in about 30 minutes.

Geoschmo

[ May 15, 2002, 08:11 AM: Message edited by: geoschmo ]

Baron Munchausen · #10 May 15th, 2002, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by geoschmo:

I am on the same side as anyone who thinks a scenario editor would be a nice thing to have. However, I am also one of the few here who has not limited myself to wishing for a scenrio editor and actually made several scenarios, notwithstanding the current limitations.

Given a little time and work, I believe there is quite literally nothing that is possible in SE4 that cannot be setup in a scenario, with the exception of having it all setup and ready on turn 2400.0, if that is importatnt to you.

Would a bonified scenario editor make this process quicker and easier. Absolutely!

Is it possible to do without one? I think I and a few others have proven that as well.

Geoschmo

Note: As far as I know the game date is clear text at the beginning of the file. Once it was created you could edit your scenario with a hex editor and reset the date to anything you wanted.