Topic: Before Activision Took Over, What Was the Plan for the SFC Series?

[David Ferrell]

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

Nope. Quicksilver's still in business.

Scott Bennie  

Ok, so why did they not complete their version of SFB on computer?  

As Scott said, they did, it was called SFC.  Jester_OC started out as a Quicksilver
employee and moved to Taldren after SFC1.

Thanks,

Dave

[FPF_TraceyG]

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

Nope. Quicksilver's still in business.

Scott Bennie  

Ok, so why did they not complete their version of SFB on computer?  

As Scott said, they did, it was called SFC.  Jester_OC started out as a Quicksilver
employee and moved to Taldren after SFC1.

Thanks,

Dave  

I see, well thanks for that. I had heard of a first attempt at computerising SFB as far back as 1990 buy a company called Quicksilver, I didnt realise that was the same company who did SFC. I guess the next question to ask then, is what hapenned after SFC1 with Quicksilver and how was the trophy passed onto Taldren? Thanks.

[GT-Keravnos]

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?
   

[Alidar Jarok]

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

Nope. Quicksilver's still in business.

Scott Bennie  

Ok, so why did they not complete their version of SFB on computer?  

As Scott said, they did, it was called SFC.  Jester_OC started out as a Quicksilver
employee and moved to Taldren after SFC1.

Thanks,

Dave  

I see, well thanks for that. I had heard of a first attempt at computerising SFB as far back as 1990 buy a company called Quicksilver, I didnt realise that was the same company who did SFC. I guess the next question to ask then, is what hapenned after SFC1 with Quicksilver and how was the trophy passed onto Taldren? Thanks.  

Wasn't it Quicksilver that made Master of Orion 3?

[David Ferrell]

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]

(looks at the GaW material)

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

 

[Jester_OC]

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

[3dot14]

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

Unfortunately, I'd say you are right.