What is a realistic release date for SE5?

[Iron Giant]

I think at this point a few screenshots would be nice. We, the consumer(s) have come to understand that:

1. Features don't always make it into the final.

2. Screenshots generate debates and questions. Thats a big reason why we are all here. Adult debates and discussions.

3. Computer games get patched. Malfador has been better than most about fixing things and supporting the product long after most other programmers would have given up and moved on.

I really, really, really think we've all been good little boys and girls and I think a couple of screenshots will not tip the balance of power in our little galaxy

[Gandalf Parker]

A good programmer will NEVER consider themselves "done" with a game. It takes upper managment to say "its done enough" or they will lose the market momentum. I dont think we will see too much of a problem since there is no such thing as a "version 1" of SEV. Unless its a huge rewrite of SEIV it will follow the usual numbering scheme. Adding .01 for bug fixes, .1 for patches, 1.0 for upgrades, and if the changes are enough to make it seem like a whole new game then give it a new name. But it still would amount to being SEIV with major changes (Im hoping so anyway). So we should think of it as SEIV version 1000.

There are also excellent beta testers involved. My only worry there is.. we know how long it can take to finish a game in SEIV. Are they still finding/fixing things or are they having too much fun? (dont flame me, I was only half serious)

Gandalf Parker

[Suicide Junkie]

wildcard06 said:
...
Then, I feel sorry for the consumers (especially the younger ones) who feel they got ripped off with an inferior product.

I feel sorry for the ones who don't realize they're getting ripped off and keep buying crap because its the latest thing.

[Timstone]

I think giving screenies at this moment is very cool. That way you can see what has been left out/changed in the final version of the game. I can still stare in awe at the original gameconcept of X-COM: Apocalypse. And I wonder if someone evry would like to remake the same game. Just playable on current systems, nicer graphics (still retain the sprites) and of course the items/ideas that have been left out of the original. But that is another story.

So in short: give us more screenies, this gives us some more eyecandy and more things to talk about. And that is always fun.

[Xrati]

Muckyfoot did that with their release of Startopia. They had their web site put out pix of the beta testing screens as they were testing it! I thought it was a good advertisement for the game and you got to see the progress of the beta testing. That kept you informed as they progressed through the testing stage and into final release, while continuing to wet your appitite for the game. (A big tease)

[Krsqk]

Hey, all. Haven't posted in a while, it seems.

I'd agree (of course) with the sentiment that a completed game is better than an earlier release. I also agree that (heresy, I know) you can't play SEIV 24-7 while waiting. *ducks* While I've been lurking here, I've also picked up a couple of other habits to help pass the time:

I think someone already posted it on this forum, but Battle for Wesnoth (www.wesnoth.org) is quite enjoyable and requires much of the same type of long-term strategic thinking as SEIV, although in a bit of a different setting.

Kingdoms of War (www.abandonedcastle.com), while not necessarily my favorite, has still been enjoyable--at least, once I got into an active kingdom. Sitting around at the beginning waiting for my kingdom mates to show up wasn't too fun. Since the game is still technically beta, the docs available do conflict with each other and actual game conditions. The forum has better info on it. This game is currently in between "ages," with the next one due to start this weekend, if all goes well.

Rubies of Eventide (www.eventide.net) has proven to be the only MMORPG I've ever enjoyed. Decent balance, hundreds (thousands? tens of thousands?) of character setup possibilities, over 20 zones to explore, an active community rivaled only by the community here (in my experience, at least), a separate PvP server, a separate RP server, and 2 general servers. The motto for RoE is "Choose wisely," and the choices made at character setup and throughout the building process make all the difference between a flop, a sub-optimal character, and a successful build. Plenty of excellent documentation and fan sites exist, so learning the game isn't anywhere near as difficult as for KoW, in spite of being orders of magnitude more complex. Did I mention this is what I've been playing most lately?

The thing that has attracted me to all three of these is admittedly the price--all are free. I appreciate the ability to experience all these games have to offer before I decide if they're worth my support.

I'm not looking for a replacement for the SE series. I'll be first in line (well, depends if I can elbow Puke out of the way or not ) to pre-order SE5 the minute it's available. I already know I can expect all the things that make games great (that's a good thread, too) from anything in this series. I've been with it since SEII, and I plan on my great-grandchildren opening SELXXXVII for Christmas. I look forward to rubbing my hands in anticipation as I open the box, insert the CD (DVD?) for the first time, and install SE5 on my HD. For the time being, I'm greatly enjoying at least 2 of the 3 above games, though, and wouldn't mind supporting them as well.

Not sure exactly how I got off on this, oh, except as a way to pass the time waiting for the patch. See, when you get interrupted by telemarketers, you lose your train of thought. Anyway, good to see things still active as ever, and good to see Fyron's only a couple of days away from his 300,000th post.
(See, now he'll have to respond to this to correct me, and I'll respond that it was just a joke, and he'll respond back, and that will push his post count even higher. That, or he'll just respond with "Meh." ) Take care, and maybe even check out some of my links.

[Raapys]

I have to agree with Atrocities, Nexus wasn't really worth it. Sure, it's beautiful to watch, but once you've played it a time through or so there's really nothing to draw you back, at least that's how I felt.

Right now I'm into MoO3 again, with all the mods. There's something addictive about it which I can't really put into words. I think my space game fantasy at the moment would be MoO3 with all of SEIV's features. Me wants SEV.

[Arkcon]

So here's a question, what would the beta testers say was the difference between the SE5 demo, and the released SE5. Does it have to be completely done, just waiting for mass duplication or can it be released with a few teensy bugs that still need to be ironed out.

The SE4 demo was so long ago, I don't even remember -- was the only thing missing back then a correct spelling of "jubilant"?

*SIGH* I was being patient, occasionally checking this board and Malfador's site for news, and now I've gotten all excited about SE5 again. I've been playing against the TDm Modpack again, and I'm just wishing I could really play on that 3-d perspective view I've seen in screenshots -- the SE4 2-D screen, which once seemed just fine, now seems so old fashioned.

I wonder, would Malfador consider releaseing a short move file, showing someone clicking around on the system map screen, just to show us how the functions work?

[Fyron]

The SE4 demo had some odd bugs. I remember the game crashing as soon as my fleet got into the double digits for experience... or was it 20% or so? Some threshhold...

Posted by the highly pronouncable Krsqk:
(See, now he'll have to respond to this to correct me, and I'll respond that it was just a joke, and he'll respond back, and that will push his post count even higher. That, or he'll just respond with "Meh." )

bah!

[cshank2]

I hope that gorgeous ship-design screen doesn't change. Also, will different placement of components effect combat? Say, you put armor around the bridge, will the armor act like SE4 where it's destroyed first no matter what, or will it wait till other components in front of that are destroyed to take the brunt?