What games are you waiting for in 2006?

[Daynarr]

Cainehill said:

Can't believe nobody's mentioned Sumo Strip Poker.

[OG_Gleep]

*cough*wiseass*cough*

I thought more people on this forum would be following it. Close Combat aimed to bring Wargaming real time, and was the first game I am aware of that attempted to model how soldiers would react to orders. Until that point, every game featured robot soliders that blindly followed orders.

Since then a few games have attempted it, but for the most part, the player-end AI is still the same. I have been impressed with every Relic game since Homeworld, and makes me think that all the hoopla over CoH is more then hype.

We just may get a RTT that plays as well as it looks.

Official Site
http://www.companyofheroesgame.com/

IGN Preview
http://pc.ign.com/objects/743/743961.html

Gamespy Preview
http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/company-of-.../614683p1.html

[Bluebird]

Yes, a working version of Close Combat on my Linux box would be so great - why did they implement such a great game using such bad coding style? *sigh*

[Gandalf Parker]

Well Dominions 3 is of course #1 on my list.
Also Space Empires V is right up there nudging it.

Oblivion maybe if its more like Daggerfall and less like Morrowind.

Im still waiting for my copy of VGA Planets 4 that I pre-ordered years ago.
And Stars-SuperNova.

My choice for unique change-the-world game is called Tranquility (way cool) but I will go look at Spore

I still keep an eye on all the different efforts at re-creating Master of Magic

And Im waiting for more info on that game that Shrapnels pop-up ad mentions. Something about dare to dream?

Gandalf Parker

[Annette]

Gandalf Parker said:

And Im waiting for more info on that game that Shrapnels pop-up ad mentions. Something about dare to dream?

What timing, Gandalf! This morning's press release:

News Release For Immediate Release


Shady O' Grady's Rising Star Announced!
The Rock Never Stops In This Musical RPG!


Hampstead, NC, 20 March 2006

Are you a master air guitarist? Did you once buy AquaNet by the case? Does rocking
out to your favorite music sometimes lead to embarrassment (such as when your spouse
walks in to find your dry humping the sofa during the guitar solo of 'Hot For Teacher')?
Have you ever wished to become a rock legend without having to do pesky things like
learn an instrument or write songs?

And probably most important of all, are you ready to ROCK?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, Shrapnel Games has the cure for your
rock-n-roll blues! We are pleased to announce Shady O' Grady's Rising Star for
Windows, developed by Gilligames (known for Space HoRSE, their take on the classic
game M.U.L.E.).

Shady O' Grady's Rising Star is the first ever RPG set in the world of music. No pointy-
eared elves, no magical longbows of +5 ocelot slaying, Shady O' Grady's Rising Star is a
single-player RPG of longhaired freaks, hot chicks, killer axes, and other implements of
destruction.

The road to glory won't be an easy one. First, you'll have to form your band, with
bandmates rated for their playing, songwriting, stage presence, production, repair, and
business skills. Finding the right mix is the first challenge, but you have total control of
who is in the band, and who's out. Maybe you'll turn out like Dave Mustaine, kicking
members out every album, or perhaps you'll end up like the Rolling Stones, with a solid
group over the years.

Next it's time to put those skills to use. Write songs, rehearse, play gigs, record and
release CDs. Tour the American landscape in a beat-up old van (though the inclusion of
a garage means you don't have to always have that beat-up deathtrap on the road.),
visiting music stores, bars, clubs, theaters, clothing stores, studios, hotels, and your own
personal home. At the same time there are other bands out there doing the same thing
you're doing, but ultimately there's only one spot for number one.

Shady O' Grady's Rising Star features over ten genres of music, from straight up rock-n-
roll to ska and folk. The estimated career time is about twenty hours of gameplay,
although with all the open-ended choices the game is endlessly replayable. Shady O'
Grady's Rising Star also features extensive customization and modding abilities. Full
editors are included for modifying the look of your characters, changing the map, adding
or modifying equipment, and more! Even import your favorite MP3s into the soundtrack.

Right now Shrapnel Games is looking for a few good rockers who want to help beta test
Shady O' Grady's Rising Star. This is your chance to play the game before its general
release, and be an active participant in shaping the experience. All interested parties
should contact Mindi Arnesen by dropping her a line at mindi@shrapnelgames.com.
Please let us know your system specs. We may not get to personally respond to each
entrant, but we will read and evaluate all submissions.

Expect to see more about Shady O' Grady's Rising Star in the near future on our site,
www.shrapnelgames.com. In the meantime, check out the site for a complete listing of
all our award-winning and exciting games of strategy. There you'll find free demos (and
even a free game!), patches, and more!

[Gandalf Parker]

GREAT! And nice write-up!
Let me know when pre-ordering is available.
It looks like one I definetly have to get.

[Reverend Zombie]

OG_Gleep said:
*cough*wiseass*cough*

I thought more people on this forum would be following it. Close Combat aimed to bring Wargaming real time, and was the first game I am aware of that attempted to model how soldiers would react to orders. Until that point, every game featured robot soliders that blindly followed orders.

Too lazy to check which came first, but the Combat Mission series models soldiers' reactions as well. Of course, those games are not realtime, but use simultaneously-resolved turns of one minute increments.

[OG_Gleep]

On the scale of RT - TB that one would fall more on the side of TB imho. Close combat was impressive because it was 100% realtime.

Erik Youngs Squad Assult attempted to be the spiritual successor to CC, but tripped and landed in a puddle of suck.

[OG_Gleep]

Oh and Combat mission came out after the last CC I believe, which was 5.

[OG_Gleep]

I just got the new PC Gamer in. The Ved did a spread on Company of Heroes, and OMFG it looks good. Anyone who is even remotley interested I'd definatley pick up PCGamer to check out the preview. I simply can't wait.

They also had a big preview of the new C&C 3, which looks interesting, and a E3 preview. Some interesting games from the E3 preview that haven't been mentioned:

Maelstrom - Q3 2006 - RTS
Gods and Heroes: Rome Rising - Fall 2006 - MMO
Sid Mier's CivCity: Rome - Summer 2006 - City Building
Lords of the Ring Online - Fall 2006 - MMO
The Witcher - Fall 2006 - Action RPG
Sid Meier's Railroads! - October 2006 - Remake of Railroad Tycoon
Bioshock - Early 2007 - Spiritual Successor to System Shock (woohoo)
Sun - Fall 2006 - MMO