Topic: Before Activision Took Over, What Was the Plan for the SFC Series? (Read 10894 times)

Mr. Hypergol · « **on:** September 30, 2003, 01:03:15 am »

O.k., now that GAW and SFB based SFC is caput......I'm curious.

What was the original plan for the SFC series before Activision took over?

Was there a plan to have a volume 3 that added Tholians and Andros? Or was this always a pipe dream due to the programming limitations of the SFC graphics engine? For example, were web effects and displacement devices considered too difficult to implement with the current SFC engine?

Can any current or former Taldren employee's satisfy my curiosity?

ActiveX · « **Reply #1 on:** September 30, 2003, 01:25:03 am »

The answer is no...

Now the new question is: Which question was I answering...

kziti kat · « **Reply #2 on:** September 30, 2003, 06:57:13 am »

In my mind I see they had a choice to make after SFC:EAW: To go with OP because lots of people wanted playable Orions or to add the Andromodans and Tholians. I just wish the following of the game was good enough to support further expansions.

Alidar Jarok · « **Reply #3 on:** September 30, 2003, 10:43:46 am »

Wouldn't it all depend on Interplay, Paramount, and Activision. If Interplay had kept the rights to TOS and SFC, but not gotten any new rights, Taldren would make a TOS game.

It all depends on stuff Taldren never had control of.

David Ferrell · « **Reply #4 on:** September 30, 2003, 11:17:38 am »

When I was hired in January 2000, the plan was to do 2 then 3 with
Andros and Tholians for Interplay.

Many art assets were created for 3.

Thanks,

Dave

Strafer · « **Reply #5 on:** September 30, 2003, 11:53:24 am »

Quote:

Many art assets were created for 3.

*GASP*

You tease!!!

Mr. Hypergol · « **Reply #6 on:** September 30, 2003, 12:15:48 pm »

Thanks Dave.

Damn!!.........how in the hell did I end up on this timeline? Anyone know where I can pick up a spare flux capacitor?

Magnum357 · « **Reply #9 on:** October 01, 2003, 01:21:28 am »

"Damn!!.........how in the hell did I end up on this timeline? Anyone know where I can pick up a spare flux capacitor?"

Hey, if ya get one, you mind if I tag along?

Man, that really sucks! Just think, fighting against Tholian webs and Displaced Andromadains. The Newbies to SFB would probably been pissing their paints at night on how easily they got distroyed by a Andro Devestator Battleship with its huge array of Satilite ships!

Jester_OC · « **Reply #10 on:** October 01, 2003, 01:57:21 am »

Man almost forgot about that. Remember the funky designs for the Andros? Didn't we publish those pics once. Most were sucky and the one I liked was overruled. I loved the adros and could not wait to do the PA Panels. I was deathly afraid of the Tholian webs. I thought it would really push our feeling of 2d over the top. For the record I was against them especially because we would need to use the sucky ships from Klingon Academy. Man that game F-ed us so hard its not funny. If it weren't for KA I think our ships in SFC would have been light years better than most of the imprted models we ended up with. Interplay wanted to save money by sharing assets well then KA decided to change the way they made thier models which doubled our artists work. It would have been better to make our own ships from scratch.

At one point Erik was not allowed to look at KA because thier producer was afraid we were stealing his ideas, all the while he was stealing from SFB at one point the main enemy in KA was supposed to be Kizinti knock offs but I heard they changed that.)

Hmm am I still bitter? YES.

Rondo_GE · « **Reply #11 on:** October 01, 2003, 02:34:12 am »

This thread is almost too painful to read.

I knew I would regret coming here. I better scurry back onto the Off Topic forum where it's... safe....

Rogue · « **Reply #13 on:** October 01, 2003, 05:36:56 am »

Noooooooo! SFC3 could have been ... ah, nuts. We could be modding, flyng and complaining (not me) about GAW right now.

In heaven they will passing that disk out upon entrance. 'Play my good and faithful servant, play."

Darn it...

kiloton · « **Reply #14 on:** October 01, 2003, 07:06:23 am »

Were the art assets created mainly ship models? Was anything else created (like weapon graphics, user interface screens for the Tholians/Andros)?

I know it is not likely, but I would love to see these so I can have closure on this "death."

Ken

Lieutenant_Q · « **Reply #17 on:** October 01, 2003, 08:30:44 am »

Well, look at the bright side. When Paramount (not if) defeats Activision in the Lawsuit, Paramount will be looking to get a new ST game out ASAP. Can anyone think of a better candidate beside a game that has most of the artwork done for it already, Heck most of the Engine is already done, just need to add the new systems for the Andros and Tholians, How much work would they have left to do? I can see SFC4:GAW coming out the christmas after the lawsuit is finalized (assuming its not finalized after say July)

David Ferrell · « **Reply #19 on:** October 01, 2003, 12:26:06 pm »

We still have some of the art around, I'll try and find it all.

At least dummy art for the Andro interface was done, I rember seeing
prints of it soon after we moved in to Costa Mesa in 2000.

A Fighter model was done for the Tholians along with a freighter and
a Starbase with the remainder coming from KA.

Thanks,

Dave

Strafer · « **Reply #20 on:** October 01, 2003, 12:47:45 pm »

That would be very cool.

Ex-Taldren, hm? Nice

Jester too.

kiloton · « **Reply #21 on:** October 01, 2003, 01:20:55 pm »

Awesome. Thanks Dave and Jester (Marc?). If you could let some of that art see the light of day we would all appreciate it a great deal.

Thanks!

Ken

VelvetAcidChrist · « **Reply #23 on:** October 01, 2003, 05:22:47 pm »

well there s always some hope.
lets all just pray,pray and pray even more to gte geaw one day.sfc series shouldnt end with the bad 3rd game....man i gonna play some op now lol

3dot14 · « **Reply #24 on:** October 01, 2003, 06:02:46 pm »

Sigh if Gamespy is reading this thread, they are gonna have a field day.

But please Dave, any of those arts would be much appreciated...

Sethan · « **Reply #25 on:** October 01, 2003, 06:45:20 pm »

I'd love to see the art myself.

The only saving grace for me in the way things have worked out is that if SFC3 had been GaW, I wouldn't have had time to play. At least this way I can tell myself it never came out.

Thanks for the info, Dave & Jester.

Desty_Nova · « **Reply #26 on:** October 01, 2003, 06:58:50 pm »

WHY GOD WHY?!

You were actually making GaW...making my dream come true....

Dammit!!!

Toasty0 · « **Reply #27 on:** October 01, 2003, 07:29:52 pm »

<Toasty0 sneaks into the room and inhales deeply filling his lungs to the fullest extent and SHOUTS>

IT COULD STILL HAPPEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

<out of breath he now exits the room>

Klingon Fanatic · « **Reply #31 on:** October 02, 2003, 10:34:15 am »

I myself never played SFB. I became a follower of the Galaxies At War movement primarily because of the Klingon Academy Tholians. When I learned about the TRBs in OP and the TMP Andromedans by P81 and later DarkMatrix's kitbashes of them that's really when I felt the call to promote this idea for a SFC2/OP expansion or even a new game entirely. I love the idea that the TMP era Tholians and Andromedans would look different [better IMHO] than the stock SFB designs.

So Mr. Ferrell, let us see some of the proposed artwork for TMP Tholians and Andromedans, please.

KF

Tumulorum Fossor · « **Reply #32 on:** October 02, 2003, 07:36:52 pm »

I KNEW that there was some weird mojo going down between the SFC and KA camps! I've never played KA, but based on the articles I was reading that were previewing the game at the time, so much of the KA game mechanic philosophy seemed to be SFB/C in origin! I couldn't believe at the time that they were going to attach a joystick to an SFB/C type foundation (but I was reading to see if it would work).

And they were paranoid of YOU copying THEM? Sheesh! YOU were the programming team that actually had a blueprint for the game already (SFB)! Ah, well.

I vaguely remember KA being plagued with rather hefty delays in release. I wonder if that had something to do with the change in graphics? Hmm. I HAD thought it was going to have to do with the insane task of trying to balance/reconcile a tactical-based set of decisions (the SFB/C stuff), with the reflex factor (the joystick stuff).

Well, if there is any good news to be had from all this, it is that PERHAPS the SFC2OP engine can be crowbarred into accomodating the Tholians and Andros if the source code ever gets released ("forever" is a LOOONG time).

Interesting stuff. Thanks for the insight!

-TF

Captain KoraH · « **Reply #33 on:** October 04, 2003, 12:05:22 pm »

Some very interesting insight here about how the PC game development industry works. I'd love to see this artwork too. I feel like it's a piece of lost history that Dave and select others have stashed away in a closet somewhere and forgotten about. It would be great to have them see the light of day.

Lieutenant_Q · « **Reply #34 on:** October 04, 2003, 07:43:17 pm »

Let's look on the bright side Korah, With the pending Activision lawsuit, Paramount will surely take the license from them. Paramount will want to get a game out ASAP, Taldren already has the preliminary artwork done for a SFC involving the Tholians and the Andromedeans. Paramount could turn to Taldren and say, here, we need a game done, do your thing, We will decide who will publish your game later, just get cracking on it. I hope that it does happen, Id like to see what Taldren does to bring those races in.

Captain KoraH · « **Reply #35 on:** October 05, 2003, 02:08:12 pm »

If I had a nickel for every time I thought or heard someone say "If only [corporation] would do [X]" around here....

FPF_TraceyG · « **Reply #37 on:** October 05, 2003, 04:43:39 pm »

Hmmmm, I wonder if a certain ex-Taldren employee might be interested in taking up a hobby, say creating an expansion in the form of a patch for SFC:OP that might require the use of this lost artwork. Such a hobby might even be of interest to others that could help.

Jester_OC · « **Reply #38 on:** October 06, 2003, 12:40:57 am »

Unfortunatly we don't OWN the source. Quicksilver owns some of the low level engine stuff (QUILL ~shutter~..) that Interplay had the right to let anyone else use as long as it involved SFC in someway. So if we tried to make a new patch out of the juristiction of Taldren, well five groups could sue us(Cole,Taldren,Quicksilver,Paramount, and Activision). Not something you want to do if you have a wife and kids.

Source code alone is not enough you need Director 5.0 (or is it 6.0) to use Quill(TO MAKE THE UI) (~shutter~ bad memories MAKE IT STOP!) Which I don't have.

Anyway, I think that SFC is dead (sorry folks but is just my opinion) I don't think SFC3 sold real well. I THIINK SFC 1 sold the most then we got smaller and smaller (I always feel SFC was like the Planet of the Apes movies First one had a descent budget and time and the rest the time and money got tighter and tighter). It would be best to write a new game from scratch than try to make a new game on the old source. That would prob. mean making a game people think they can market. Which pushes you toward ACTION games rather than Strat games.

Just My 2 Cents,

Jester (Marc)

p.s. If anyone has any other questions that puzzeled you about SFC develeopment, just ask.

FPF_TraceyG · « **Reply #39 on:** October 06, 2003, 12:56:47 am »

Quicksilver, wasnt that a software company who back in the 90s first attempted to make a computer game from SFB, but went belly up?

starwolf3500 · « **Reply #44 on:** October 06, 2003, 12:15:44 pm »

An "all era" game with selectable eras (more advanced than the current SFC1 and 2 eras) and the ability to "add" races would be very cool. Imagine a Campaign Setup Screen where you select era then select up to 9 races (but not required to select all 9), select their status (ie friendly, hostile, ect but would default based on era) and then have the ability to select map areas to start the races in. Ahhh, to dream......

GT-Keravnos · « **Reply #48 on:** October 07, 2003, 10:09:36 am »

I am thinking of interesting swear words against Activision right now, (and they would be in Greek so I could write them here), but still, things being what they are...

It all comes down to money. Activision has them, I don't. So, whatever I could say at some point is pretty pointless, if I can't back it up with cash. In the end it is all about money. So, why Romero was allowed to make games? Yet his attitude sold to the game companies, the bravado he sold them was what was worth. Basically NOTHING! And thus, millions of wasted dollars later, some still don't get it.

The best WAY to evolve for OP right now would be the following...

OP 2, or GAW, with both Andros and Thols, BUT on a GRAND strategic scale, aka Federation+Empire. Grand strategy with the AI fleets being the little games you and me play today and every day.

I know this is probably just a well wish, but it could and would work. Think about it. They made a strategy game about running a banana island (tropico). It sold. Could not Grand scale strategy with ships that MEAN something sell? I don't know maybe I am missing something here, but it is too good a thing to let go of. That may be just me, but I feel that a Grand strategy OP 2 or GAW would sell like muffins.

But then every gaming company wants to find what makes Sims tick and sell, and will try anything to make it work.

In fact, I fully expect a First person SIMS game to come out. I mean, that is what the public truly wants. RIGHT?

David Ferrell · « **Reply #50 on:** October 07, 2003, 03:12:27 pm »

Marc or Erik would be better people to talk about Quicksilver/Interplay and Taldren
as they were actually there.

Yes Quicksilver did MOO3.

Thanks,

Dave

NCC2012 · « **Reply #51 on:** October 08, 2003, 08:29:56 pm »

(looks at the GaW material)

*sigh* Okay, if one of us wins a major lottery jackpot....

Jester_OC · « **Reply #52 on:** October 09, 2003, 12:15:13 am »

Well that is a complicated story. It all depends on who you talk to. For me it was simple. I felt that the climate within quicksilver did not suit me anymore. Actually 3 of the SFC1 core programmers (the ones that worked on it from the start til the end) left Quicksilver after SFC. All three ended up in start ups. I ended up at Taldren because I worked with the guys who started it and we got along great. So back to the quicksilver losing SFC thing. They made a bid that Interplay deemed too costly, the game industry being what it is and Interplay as strapped for cash as it was, needed a bunch of guys to do it for dirt cheap. Erik Zach and Sean had been planning on starting a company for a while and saw an opportunity. They got the contract. But it was not clear if they would be their own entity or part of interplay. After a while I let it slip that I was planning on leaving Quicksilver, and I was honored that they asked me to join them to be the Lead Programmer on SFC2 (and the Pay hike helped a hell of a lot). Over time it was decided that Taldren (then unnamed but Black Nine was brought up as a title) would be its own company. And that is about it. Now Erik/Quicksilver may know much more of the true dealings on getting the contract but I was kept blissfully ignorant.

These are my views and may NOT represent the true political nature of what REALLY went down.

Hope that helps.

For the most accurate rendition, ask Erik and Bill Fisher from Quicksilver and decide for yourself.

Jester_OC

Mr. Hypergol · « **Reply #54 on:** September 30, 2003, 01:03:15 am »

O.k., now that GAW and SFB based SFC is caput......I'm curious.

What was the original plan for the SFC series before Activision took over?

Was there a plan to have a volume 3 that added Tholians and Andros? Or was this always a pipe dream due to the programming limitations of the SFC graphics engine? For example, were web effects and displacement devices considered too difficult to implement with the current SFC engine?

Can any current or former Taldren employee's satisfy my curiosity?

ActiveX · « **Reply #55 on:** September 30, 2003, 01:25:03 am »

The answer is no...

Now the new question is: Which question was I answering...

kziti kat · « **Reply #56 on:** September 30, 2003, 06:57:13 am »

In my mind I see they had a choice to make after SFC:EAW: To go with OP because lots of people wanted playable Orions or to add the Andromodans and Tholians. I just wish the following of the game was good enough to support further expansions.

Alidar Jarok · « **Reply #57 on:** September 30, 2003, 10:43:46 am »

Wouldn't it all depend on Interplay, Paramount, and Activision. If Interplay had kept the rights to TOS and SFC, but not gotten any new rights, Taldren would make a TOS game.

It all depends on stuff Taldren never had control of.

David Ferrell · « **Reply #58 on:** September 30, 2003, 11:17:38 am »

When I was hired in January 2000, the plan was to do 2 then 3 with
Andros and Tholians for Interplay.

Many art assets were created for 3.

Thanks,

Dave

Mr. Hypergol · « **Reply #60 on:** September 30, 2003, 12:15:48 pm »

Thanks Dave.

Damn!!.........how in the hell did I end up on this timeline? Anyone know where I can pick up a spare flux capacitor?

Magnum357 · « **Reply #63 on:** October 01, 2003, 01:21:28 am »

"Damn!!.........how in the hell did I end up on this timeline? Anyone know where I can pick up a spare flux capacitor?"

Hey, if ya get one, you mind if I tag along?

Man, that really sucks! Just think, fighting against Tholian webs and Displaced Andromadains. The Newbies to SFB would probably been pissing their paints at night on how easily they got distroyed by a Andro Devestator Battleship with its huge array of Satilite ships!

Jester_OC · « **Reply #64 on:** October 01, 2003, 01:57:21 am »

Man almost forgot about that. Remember the funky designs for the Andros? Didn't we publish those pics once. Most were sucky and the one I liked was overruled. I loved the adros and could not wait to do the PA Panels. I was deathly afraid of the Tholian webs. I thought it would really push our feeling of 2d over the top. For the record I was against them especially because we would need to use the sucky ships from Klingon Academy. Man that game F-ed us so hard its not funny. If it weren't for KA I think our ships in SFC would have been light years better than most of the imprted models we ended up with. Interplay wanted to save money by sharing assets well then KA decided to change the way they made thier models which doubled our artists work. It would have been better to make our own ships from scratch.

At one point Erik was not allowed to look at KA because thier producer was afraid we were stealing his ideas, all the while he was stealing from SFB at one point the main enemy in KA was supposed to be Kizinti knock offs but I heard they changed that.)

Hmm am I still bitter? YES.

Rondo_GE · « **Reply #65 on:** October 01, 2003, 02:34:12 am »

This thread is almost too painful to read.

I knew I would regret coming here. I better scurry back onto the Off Topic forum where it's... safe....

Rogue · « **Reply #67 on:** October 01, 2003, 05:36:56 am »

Noooooooo! SFC3 could have been ... ah, nuts. We could be modding, flyng and complaining (not me) about GAW right now.

In heaven they will passing that disk out upon entrance. 'Play my good and faithful servant, play."

Darn it...

kiloton · « **Reply #68 on:** October 01, 2003, 07:06:23 am »

Were the art assets created mainly ship models? Was anything else created (like weapon graphics, user interface screens for the Tholians/Andros)?

I know it is not likely, but I would love to see these so I can have closure on this "death."

Ken

Lieutenant_Q · « **Reply #71 on:** October 01, 2003, 08:30:44 am »

Well, look at the bright side. When Paramount (not if) defeats Activision in the Lawsuit, Paramount will be looking to get a new ST game out ASAP. Can anyone think of a better candidate beside a game that has most of the artwork done for it already, Heck most of the Engine is already done, just need to add the new systems for the Andros and Tholians, How much work would they have left to do? I can see SFC4:GAW coming out the christmas after the lawsuit is finalized (assuming its not finalized after say July)

David Ferrell · « **Reply #73 on:** October 01, 2003, 12:26:06 pm »

We still have some of the art around, I'll try and find it all.

At least dummy art for the Andro interface was done, I rember seeing
prints of it soon after we moved in to Costa Mesa in 2000.

A Fighter model was done for the Tholians along with a freighter and
a Starbase with the remainder coming from KA.

Thanks,

Dave

Strafer · « **Reply #74 on:** October 01, 2003, 12:47:45 pm »

That would be very cool.

Ex-Taldren, hm? Nice

Jester too.

kiloton · « **Reply #75 on:** October 01, 2003, 01:20:55 pm »

Awesome. Thanks Dave and Jester (Marc?). If you could let some of that art see the light of day we would all appreciate it a great deal.

Thanks!

Ken

VelvetAcidChrist · « **Reply #77 on:** October 01, 2003, 05:22:47 pm »

well there s always some hope.
lets all just pray,pray and pray even more to gte geaw one day.sfc series shouldnt end with the bad 3rd game....man i gonna play some op now lol

3dot14 · « **Reply #78 on:** October 01, 2003, 06:02:46 pm »

Sigh if Gamespy is reading this thread, they are gonna have a field day.

But please Dave, any of those arts would be much appreciated...

Sethan · « **Reply #79 on:** October 01, 2003, 06:45:20 pm »

I'd love to see the art myself.

The only saving grace for me in the way things have worked out is that if SFC3 had been GaW, I wouldn't have had time to play. At least this way I can tell myself it never came out.

Thanks for the info, Dave & Jester.

Desty_Nova · « **Reply #80 on:** October 01, 2003, 06:58:50 pm »

WHY GOD WHY?!

You were actually making GaW...making my dream come true....

Dammit!!!

Toasty0 · « **Reply #81 on:** October 01, 2003, 07:29:52 pm »

<Toasty0 sneaks into the room and inhales deeply filling his lungs to the fullest extent and SHOUTS>

IT COULD STILL HAPPEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

<out of breath he now exits the room>

Klingon Fanatic · « **Reply #85 on:** October 02, 2003, 10:34:15 am »

I myself never played SFB. I became a follower of the Galaxies At War movement primarily because of the Klingon Academy Tholians. When I learned about the TRBs in OP and the TMP Andromedans by P81 and later DarkMatrix's kitbashes of them that's really when I felt the call to promote this idea for a SFC2/OP expansion or even a new game entirely. I love the idea that the TMP era Tholians and Andromedans would look different [better IMHO] than the stock SFB designs.

So Mr. Ferrell, let us see some of the proposed artwork for TMP Tholians and Andromedans, please.

KF

Tumulorum Fossor · « **Reply #86 on:** October 02, 2003, 07:36:52 pm »

I KNEW that there was some weird mojo going down between the SFC and KA camps! I've never played KA, but based on the articles I was reading that were previewing the game at the time, so much of the KA game mechanic philosophy seemed to be SFB/C in origin! I couldn't believe at the time that they were going to attach a joystick to an SFB/C type foundation (but I was reading to see if it would work).

And they were paranoid of YOU copying THEM? Sheesh! YOU were the programming team that actually had a blueprint for the game already (SFB)! Ah, well.

I vaguely remember KA being plagued with rather hefty delays in release. I wonder if that had something to do with the change in graphics? Hmm. I HAD thought it was going to have to do with the insane task of trying to balance/reconcile a tactical-based set of decisions (the SFB/C stuff), with the reflex factor (the joystick stuff).

Well, if there is any good news to be had from all this, it is that PERHAPS the SFC2OP engine can be crowbarred into accomodating the Tholians and Andros if the source code ever gets released ("forever" is a LOOONG time).

Interesting stuff. Thanks for the insight!

-TF

Captain KoraH · « **Reply #87 on:** October 04, 2003, 12:05:22 pm »

Some very interesting insight here about how the PC game development industry works. I'd love to see this artwork too. I feel like it's a piece of lost history that Dave and select others have stashed away in a closet somewhere and forgotten about. It would be great to have them see the light of day.

Lieutenant_Q · « **Reply #88 on:** October 04, 2003, 07:43:17 pm »

Let's look on the bright side Korah, With the pending Activision lawsuit, Paramount will surely take the license from them. Paramount will want to get a game out ASAP, Taldren already has the preliminary artwork done for a SFC involving the Tholians and the Andromedeans. Paramount could turn to Taldren and say, here, we need a game done, do your thing, We will decide who will publish your game later, just get cracking on it. I hope that it does happen, Id like to see what Taldren does to bring those races in.

Captain KoraH · « **Reply #89 on:** October 05, 2003, 02:08:12 pm »

If I had a nickel for every time I thought or heard someone say "If only [corporation] would do [X]" around here....

FPF_TraceyG · « **Reply #91 on:** October 05, 2003, 04:43:39 pm »

Hmmmm, I wonder if a certain ex-Taldren employee might be interested in taking up a hobby, say creating an expansion in the form of a patch for SFC:OP that might require the use of this lost artwork. Such a hobby might even be of interest to others that could help.

Jester_OC · « **Reply #92 on:** October 06, 2003, 12:40:57 am »

Unfortunatly we don't OWN the source. Quicksilver owns some of the low level engine stuff (QUILL ~shutter~..) that Interplay had the right to let anyone else use as long as it involved SFC in someway. So if we tried to make a new patch out of the juristiction of Taldren, well five groups could sue us(Cole,Taldren,Quicksilver,Paramount, and Activision). Not something you want to do if you have a wife and kids.

Source code alone is not enough you need Director 5.0 (or is it 6.0) to use Quill(TO MAKE THE UI) (~shutter~ bad memories MAKE IT STOP!) Which I don't have.

Anyway, I think that SFC is dead (sorry folks but is just my opinion) I don't think SFC3 sold real well. I THIINK SFC 1 sold the most then we got smaller and smaller (I always feel SFC was like the Planet of the Apes movies First one had a descent budget and time and the rest the time and money got tighter and tighter). It would be best to write a new game from scratch than try to make a new game on the old source. That would prob. mean making a game people think they can market. Which pushes you toward ACTION games rather than Strat games.

Just My 2 Cents,

Jester (Marc)

p.s. If anyone has any other questions that puzzeled you about SFC develeopment, just ask.

FPF_TraceyG · « **Reply #93 on:** October 06, 2003, 12:56:47 am »

Quicksilver, wasnt that a software company who back in the 90s first attempted to make a computer game from SFB, but went belly up?

starwolf3500 · « **Reply #98 on:** October 06, 2003, 12:15:44 pm »

An "all era" game with selectable eras (more advanced than the current SFC1 and 2 eras) and the ability to "add" races would be very cool. Imagine a Campaign Setup Screen where you select era then select up to 9 races (but not required to select all 9), select their status (ie friendly, hostile, ect but would default based on era) and then have the ability to select map areas to start the races in. Ahhh, to dream......

GT-Keravnos · « **Reply #102 on:** October 07, 2003, 10:09:36 am »

I am thinking of interesting swear words against Activision right now, (and they would be in Greek so I could write them here), but still, things being what they are...

It all comes down to money. Activision has them, I don't. So, whatever I could say at some point is pretty pointless, if I can't back it up with cash. In the end it is all about money. So, why Romero was allowed to make games? Yet his attitude sold to the game companies, the bravado he sold them was what was worth. Basically NOTHING! And thus, millions of wasted dollars later, some still don't get it.

The best WAY to evolve for OP right now would be the following...

OP 2, or GAW, with both Andros and Thols, BUT on a GRAND strategic scale, aka Federation+Empire. Grand strategy with the AI fleets being the little games you and me play today and every day.

I know this is probably just a well wish, but it could and would work. Think about it. They made a strategy game about running a banana island (tropico). It sold. Could not Grand scale strategy with ships that MEAN something sell? I don't know maybe I am missing something here, but it is too good a thing to let go of. That may be just me, but I feel that a Grand strategy OP 2 or GAW would sell like muffins.

But then every gaming company wants to find what makes Sims tick and sell, and will try anything to make it work.

In fact, I fully expect a First person SIMS game to come out. I mean, that is what the public truly wants. RIGHT?

David Ferrell · « **Reply #104 on:** October 07, 2003, 03:12:27 pm »

Marc or Erik would be better people to talk about Quicksilver/Interplay and Taldren
as they were actually there.

Yes Quicksilver did MOO3.

Thanks,

Dave

NCC2012 · « **Reply #105 on:** October 08, 2003, 08:29:56 pm »

(looks at the GaW material)

*sigh* Okay, if one of us wins a major lottery jackpot....

Jester_OC · « **Reply #106 on:** October 09, 2003, 12:15:13 am »

Well that is a complicated story. It all depends on who you talk to. For me it was simple. I felt that the climate within quicksilver did not suit me anymore. Actually 3 of the SFC1 core programmers (the ones that worked on it from the start til the end) left Quicksilver after SFC. All three ended up in start ups. I ended up at Taldren because I worked with the guys who started it and we got along great. So back to the quicksilver losing SFC thing. They made a bid that Interplay deemed too costly, the game industry being what it is and Interplay as strapped for cash as it was, needed a bunch of guys to do it for dirt cheap. Erik Zach and Sean had been planning on starting a company for a while and saw an opportunity. They got the contract. But it was not clear if they would be their own entity or part of interplay. After a while I let it slip that I was planning on leaving Quicksilver, and I was honored that they asked me to join them to be the Lead Programmer on SFC2 (and the Pay hike helped a hell of a lot). Over time it was decided that Taldren (then unnamed but Black Nine was brought up as a title) would be its own company. And that is about it. Now Erik/Quicksilver may know much more of the true dealings on getting the contract but I was kept blissfully ignorant.

These are my views and may NOT represent the true political nature of what REALLY went down.

Hope that helps.

For the most accurate rendition, ask Erik and Bill Fisher from Quicksilver and decide for yourself.

Jester_OC

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