Quote:
Originally Posted by karamazovnew
Just think, if in 2007 Ubisoft could've copy/pasted my SH3 folder (with GWX3, OLC gui, ACM) and managed to solve the Save problems, they would've released it as SH4 and all would've been amazed. The GWX team (and all the other great modders) are actually a big hinderance for the Ubisoft team, in terms of community gamers. Just think how much they need to bring in SH5 to make us make the switch in the first days, with absolutely no mod. They need to make it perfect from the start, new yet familiar, hard yet stable. And on top of that, come up with enough gameplay innovation to make the return to the Atlantic a commercial attraction. I do know what I'd like to see there and what would make the SH5 the best naval sim ever, but since this is not the proper thread, I'll stop here. Hey, since the Ubi team is here in my town, I should mail them a few tips  . |
Much to think about there, Karamazovnew.
I can only remark on my personal experiences as the GWX project manager...
...but Dan Dimitrescu and I talked about the challenges that the success of GWX has presented to the Silent Hunter devs, when we met in Houston.
Someone in the group present there exclaimed that SH3 with GWX was 'better than SH4' (I was really hoping no one would say such a thing because we don't want any sort of adversarial relationship with the SH devs.) at which point Dan remarked that the Silent Hunter dev team actually had to compete with that idea. Dan laughed a little when he said that, but it was obvious that he was quite serious.
I then stated that it was never our intention to make their job more difficult... because we cannot do what we do... without their work being in place first. I also stated that I had hoped that our work would augment the commercial success of the Silent Hunter series.
In some ways it puts us all (GWX... and apparently the Silent Hunter devs to a degree) between a rock and a hard place.
Some may think that being in that situation would make them feel 'cool' but it only makes me feel terrible... and guilty.
For the user's sakes, I am glad that we were able to give SH3 further life and longevity... but at what cost to the future of the series? We can only speculate.
I know exactly how stressful it was to produce GWX to a level that would be 'cutting edge' ... For that reason, I am certain that the pressure in the Silent Hunter dev offices... is crushing. For an object that is "just a game" many people are affected by it in very
real ways.
Very depressing really.