View Full Version : PT Boats in Focus: Interview
Onkel Neal
10-02-07, 07:51 PM
News, info, and screenshots. (http://www.subsim.com/ssr/pt_boats/pt_boats_interview1.php)
Neal
It sounds like there is going to be no replay value whatsoever :-?
No mission editor and scripted missions sounds like its all gona be over pritty fast... and its not gona be a case of falling back on multiplayer as i doubt there will be more then 5 people online at any one time.
Aw well. I might just be looking at the glass half empty :roll:
EAGLE_01
10-04-07, 01:18 AM
Scripted missions, no ME, vague areas of operation...it's a console GAME, not a sim. I am VERY disappointed. Been waiting on this since the first announcement. There is almost nothing cool for PC's anymore. Guess it's SH4, FSX and hopefully sometime soon, Black Shark (LOMAC).:damn:
P/S..You guys should check out 'Call Of Juarez' if you like shooter games at all. Very difficult and lots of fun.
iambecomelife
10-04-07, 11:44 AM
Scripted missions, no ME, vague areas of operation...it's a console GAME, not a sim. I am VERY disappointed. Been waiting on this since the first announcement. There is almost nothing cool for PC's anymore. Guess it's SH4, FSX and hopefully sometime soon, Black Shark (LOMAC).:damn:
P/S..You guys should check out 'Call Of Juarez' if you like shooter games at all. Very difficult and lots of fun.
I had a bad feeling this game was going to be scripted. I'm really starting to wonder why we hardly ever see dynamic campaigns for PC programs, whether it's first person shooters or simulators or whatever. Once you purchase a title it's only a matter of time before you know that the German sniper is always going to be hiding in THAT particular clock tower, every time you play for all eternity. What fun! :dead: The closest to a dynamic experience you get is dealing with all the cheating TK'ers in a game's multiplayer mode. Hey, at least no two spawn kills will be exactly alike. :roll:
Is it that devs just don't feel like making an effort? Maybe they're doing this deliberately so people get bored quickly and need to buy new titles to stay entertained? Strange that about a decade ago programmers could create software with semi-dynamic campaigns & excellent replayability and have it fit on 3 or 4 floppy disks. Nowadays we get multiple gig installs and an amazing dearth of talent.
mrbeast
10-04-07, 06:40 PM
Graphically it looks a bit of a mixed bag. Overall I think SH4 looks better.
Its pretty funny that you write off a game because it has scripted missions. You don't even have to try it and see if they've done something innovative with it, you decide is sux because it isn't dynamic (which for most of you means random).
As far as I can see, no one else is making a PT Boat product with an eye to historical detail, physics, and multiplayer. Perhaps you do?
For my part, Akella makes very good games; perhaps reserving your negative opinions until you have experienced a demo, or the game itself, would be a better option.
EAGLE_01
10-05-07, 02:38 AM
Its pretty funny that you write off a game because it has scripted missions. You don't even have to try it and see if they've done something innovative with it, you decide is sux because it isn't dynamic (which for most of you means random).
As far as I can see, no one else is making a PT Boat product with an eye to historical detail, physics, and multiplayer. Perhaps you do?
For my part, Akella makes very good games; perhaps reserving your negative opinions until you have experienced a demo, or the game itself, would be a better option.
Yeah. We'll see.
iambecomelife
10-05-07, 04:34 AM
Its pretty funny that you write off a game because it has scripted missions. You don't even have to try it and see if they've done something innovative with it, you decide is sux because it isn't dynamic (which for most of you means random).
As far as I can see, no one else is making a PT Boat product with an eye to historical detail, physics, and multiplayer. Perhaps you do?
For my part, Akella makes very good games; perhaps reserving your negative opinions until you have experienced a demo, or the game itself, would be a better option.
It has scripted missions. I don't like scripted missions. Therefore I won't like this game. I am not going to buy it. Even in cases where a scripted game's graphics or gameplay appeal to me I never like the game as a whole because of the fundamental scripted nature. In this particular case I've seen the demo and I loved the graphics. All the more reason for me to lament the lack of a dynamic campaign. The fact that nobody else is producing a PT Boat sim doesn't make me feel like I forfeit the right to criticize Akella.
It has scripted missions. I don't like scripted missions. Therefore I won't like this game.
Because you don't own, and haven't purchased a game in the last <time period since you decided you don't like anything scripted> that has scripted content. Uh huh. :up:
The fact that nobody else is producing a PT Boat sim doesn't make me feel like I forfeit the right to criticize Akella.
lol...little more than self-gratification and ego wrapped in a weakly intellectualized justification.
Why don't you go make the game that no developer has the will, ability, intelligence, what have you, to make. Write out your design spec, pitch it, fund it, hire for it, create it. Not that you would actually ever do that, but I do wish you could experience some punk*ss climbing on his soapbox proclaiming that your game sux because you didn't do <insert your pet issue here>.
The point is this: if you discourage people from purchasing a game in this very small and relatively unproductive gaming niche, you become a large part of the reason there aren't more games created for it. If it sells well but has enough communication from the community, you not only may see another game from them, but you will see changes. Witness the changes from Silent Hunter 2 - Silent Hunter 3: all community driven. But trust me, not from the whiners and complainers, but from the communicators.
I'll stop here in case I'm guilty of "trying to teach a pig to read". :damn:
In general I agree that scripted = bad. However, there are exceptions.
Janes/EA did a fairly nice job with Longbow 2 back in the day. The campaign was a series of scripted missions, but they were branching (ie, the next one of several possible, depending on the outcome and events of the last), persistent (eg, things damaged or destroyed in the previous remained in that state for the next), and many of the elements were random or "multiple chance" (eg, probability that a given unit or event may or may not spawn/occur, if it does it may occur anywhere within a wide area, and it's behavior may follow one of several tactical plans or conform to one of several possible doctrines).
All in all it worked.
Now if these PT boat guys do something like this....?
On the other hand, Longbow 2 was definitely an exception to the scripted = bad rule. I don't know if anyting like it has been done since. Unfortunately, most scripted mission sims are exactly what the gentleman with the complaint suggested.
JD
iambecomelife
10-05-07, 01:03 PM
It has scripted missions. I don't like scripted missions. Therefore I won't like this game.
Because you don't own, and haven't purchased a game in the last <time period since you decided you don't like anything scripted> that has scripted content. Uh huh. :up:
The fact that nobody else is producing a PT Boat sim doesn't make me feel like I forfeit the right to criticize Akella.
lol...little more than self-gratification and ego wrapped in a weakly intellectualized justification.
Why don't you go make the game that no developer has the will, ability, intelligence, what have you, to make. Write out your design spec, pitch it, fund it, hire for it, create it. Not that you would actually ever do that, but I do wish you could experience some punk*ss climbing on his soapbox proclaiming that your game sux because you didn't do <insert your pet issue here>.
The point is this: if you discourage people from purchasing a game in this very small and relatively unproductive gaming niche, you become a large part of the reason there aren't more games created for it. If it sells well but has enough communication from the community, you not only may see another game from them, but you will see changes. Witness the changes from Silent Hunter 2 - Silent Hunter 3: all community driven. But trust me, not from the whiners and complainers, but from the communicators.
I'll stop here in case I'm guilty of "trying to teach a pig to read". :damn:
You seem kind of ... emotionally invested in other people's criticism of this game.
I disagree with you about the merits of the game but you have a right to your opinion and I guess I have a right to mine.
Not too sure I'm going to make inferences re: your personal character all because your opinion about a computer simulation differs from mine, but that's just me.
Again, you are implying that in order to gain some moral right to criticize a product I have to create a PT boat game myself. Not sure I understand that.
You're going to stop here?
No way! You're on a roll, my friend. Keep it up.:rotfl:
Point was an intelligent person would get all the facts before forming an opinion, but like I said, trying to teach a pig to sing.
Complain away.
Seeadler
10-05-07, 04:48 PM
I don't know whether it is elsewhere also but here in Germany one can rent a few days (over a weekend) any new game at a video/DVD rental shop. Thus I make it with all new games which interest me, I try them a few days for less money to see if they convince me and how they fulfill my expectations and then I decide whether to buy them or not.
iambecomelife
10-05-07, 07:14 PM
Point was an intelligent person would get all the facts before forming an opinion, but like I said, trying to teach a pig to sing.
Complain away.
The fact is it does not have a dynamic campaign. Am I accusing them falsely of not having a dynamic campaign or did they indicate in the interview that it will not have one?
Please note that I'm not calling you unintelligent, an egomaniac, etcetera because YOU seem to plan on purchasing it - that's your decision and I personally don't mind.
Onkel Neal
10-06-07, 08:57 PM
Scripted missions or not, it's too early to judge the game. I've played some great subsims and naval sims that had scripted missions. They didn't have the longevity of an Aces or SH3, but I certainly enjoyed the game for several months.
End of the year release is still pretty vague. It sounds like a tossup to me whether I buy it or not. Personally the scripted missions isn't too appetizing to me either. I would like to see a demo to get a better idea of game play before I decide to buy or not.
SurfnSea
10-22-07, 10:00 PM
Seems we've steered away from another missing feature-Mission Editor. If I recall, at one time MP was not going to be part of the game either.
Also, to help judge if a game is/or going to be to my liking, I pay attention to what the company does NOT hype; you know if the game has a great feature it'll get hyped to increase interest. It's interesting that the way the company promotes this game is that it makes potential buyers, for right or wrong, hesitant to purchase right away if not sooner-to take a wait and see position. You'd think talk about this game would help create interest so we will pre-order or start whining about when the thing will be released and who's got it first etc. This game isn't creating that feel. Which I think is in part due to the instincts of us naval simmers; our feeling of apprehension at the unmodability, no ME, 'scripted' etc.
Perhaps some of the pre-judging is because some of us are taking a close look and not being impressed enough to save up for it and we can direct our attention at upcoming games that are worth our time to look closer. Maybe some of us are looking for the company that actually makes a quality naval sim that incorporates the features we're always asking for, doesn't treat us like dirt, and doesn't need numerous patches etc.
It'll be interesting to see how this game plays when it's finally released.
iambecomelife
10-24-07, 10:37 AM
Seems we've steered away from another missing feature-Mission Editor. If I recall, at one time MP was not going to be part of the game either.
Also, to help judge if a game is/or going to be to my liking, I pay attention to what the company does NOT hype; you know if the game has a great feature it'll get hyped to increase interest. It's interesting that the way the company promotes this game is that it makes potential buyers, for right or wrong, hesitant to purchase right away if not sooner-to take a wait and see position. You'd think talk about this game would help create interest so we will pre-order or start whining about when the thing will be released and who's got it first etc. This game isn't creating that feel. Which I think is in part due to the instincts of us naval simmers; our feeling of apprehension at the unmodability, no ME, 'scripted' etc.
Perhaps some of the pre-judging is because some of us are taking a close look and not being impressed enough to save up for it and we can direct our attention at upcoming games that are worth our time to look closer. Maybe some of us are looking for the company that actually makes a quality naval sim that incorporates the features we're always asking for, doesn't treat us like dirt, and doesn't need numerous patches etc.
It'll be interesting to see how this game plays when it's finally released.
No, I don't think so. All critics of this game suffer from "SELF GRATITIFICATION AND EGO WRAPPED IN A WEAKLIY INTELLECTUALIZED JUSTIFICATION!" to quote one of Subsim's finest minds. :rotfl: How dare we criticize the game unless we're making a sim of our own? :stare:
Anyways, given that so many new games nowadays retail for $49.99 in the U.S., I expect some pretty substantial replay value if I purchase one. I had no problem paying this price for SH4 since for all its faults it had substantial graphics improvements, a new theatre, and most importantly the same dynamic career mode that made SH3 a success. If the reports about this sim are correct, your PT boat is doomed to repeat the same old missions in the same general locations unless you play multiplayer or someone releases an enhancement permitting dynamic/semi-dynamic play. IIRC Akella was involved with Sea Dogs/POTC which in my opinion successfully balanced scripted and dynamic campaign elements; it is a little surprising to see them release something like this. PT Boats reminds me of a recent helicopter sim (name escapes me at the moment) that had great graphics and a lot of potential but a scripted career mode that seemed to have been tacked on as an afterthought. Since the game will lack replayability out of the box and since it will take modders several months (at least) to devise a mission generator/dynamic campaign if it's at all possible, why reward the producers by paying the release cost right away?
Yep, my money will be better spent on redoing the dash of my 66 GTO. Wood dash insert is only 49.00.
So I'll save .95 if KOTS costs 49.95 when it finally comes out. ;) LOL
Bah, no dynamico no purchasico.:nope:
hyperion2206
11-01-07, 08:58 AM
I don't think that no dynamic campaign is really a drawback. I mean German S-Boats could only stay out for ca. 2 days (maximum) before they had to return and I don't think that other PT boats more fuel. If you look at the S-boats: They left the harbour, went to the British coast, waited for a convoy to pass, attacked and then they headed back home. They didn't patrol the ocean for weeks like the U-Boats.
Therefore a scripted campaign with various missions is just logical.
Kapitan_Phillips
02-25-08, 05:50 AM
It has scripted missions. I don't like scripted missions. Therefore I won't like this game.
Because you don't own, and haven't purchased a game in the last <time period since you decided you don't like anything scripted> that has scripted content. Uh huh. :up:
The fact that nobody else is producing a PT Boat sim doesn't make me feel like I forfeit the right to criticize Akella.
lol...little more than self-gratification and ego wrapped in a weakly intellectualized justification.
Why don't you go make the game that no developer has the will, ability, intelligence, what have you, to make. Write out your design spec, pitch it, fund it, hire for it, create it. Not that you would actually ever do that, but I do wish you could experience some punk*ss climbing on his soapbox proclaiming that your game sux because you didn't do <insert your pet issue here>.
The point is this: if you discourage people from purchasing a game in this very small and relatively unproductive gaming niche, you become a large part of the reason there aren't more games created for it. If it sells well but has enough communication from the community, you not only may see another game from them, but you will see changes. Witness the changes from Silent Hunter 2 - Silent Hunter 3: all community driven. But trust me, not from the whiners and complainers, but from the communicators.
I'll stop here in case I'm guilty of "trying to teach a pig to read". :damn:
The whole point of this forum is to post your own opinions about the game, regardless whether or not anyone agrees. If people choose not to buy this game because of its scripted nature, then that's their choice. Dynamic content in a naval game, to many people, is critically important not just for replay value, but for immersion.
So instead of calling people pigs, why dont you post what you think about the game, rather than the person who posted above you? :yep:
nikimcbee
02-25-08, 06:30 AM
I don't think that no dynamic campaign is really a drawback. I mean German S-Boats could only stay out for ca. 2 days (maximum) before they had to return and I don't think that other PT boats more fuel. If you look at the S-boats: They left the harbour, went to the British coast, waited for a convoy to pass, attacked and then they headed back home. They didn't patrol the ocean for weeks like the U-Boats.
Therefore a scripted campaign with various missions is just logical.
The big issue (for me atleast) is re-playability. The game is fun once, then you know what is going to happen the second time. I guess if you like playing the same mission over and over...:roll: But you may be right, a torpedo boat game is going to be very limited on what you can do.
Kapitan_Phillips
02-25-08, 07:20 PM
I'll still give this game a go. Are there plans to release a demo or something like that? If what I can do on the boat itself is impressive and realistic, I'll still go for it. Besides, if they release a mission editor, we can rely on Subsim to make some interesting new ones for us.
nikimcbee
05-17-08, 07:13 AM
I wish I knew more about the Soviet Navy in WW2. They were pretty much a non-factor.
For me, the lack of a mission editor is a definent negative.
nikimcbee
08-17-08, 10:41 PM
Have they made any progress on this game, it seems like it has dropped off the map.:roll:
GlobalExplorer
08-19-08, 05:17 PM
Well, it's not like we haven't seen this before. Anyone here who followed WWII RTS - Battlefield Command - Theatre of War? Took 5 bloody years to finish and when it came out it was without soul / replayability. Now they are working on a sequel, fwiy I guess it might actually be good this time.
Now - just my personal opinion of course - what merits does this game display so far that it deserves an own forum? So far I dont see anything here but sweat and tears.
Just meant as constructive criticism.
CaptHawkeye
08-20-08, 09:01 AM
And so Akella continues the great developer trend of trying to turn a PC game into a console game for no reason other than someone probably misread the demographics charts. I bet they even blew off millions of dollars just making the look good too. Idiots.
nikimcbee
08-20-08, 03:37 PM
I'm just curious what's taking them so long. Is it a small dev team? financial issues?
What a joke....
I agree with GlobalExplorer, why does this game have its own forum?. It looks like its going to be a flop and not many people here seem to be interested in it anyway.
Of course there is a chance i could be wrong :-?
GlobalExplorer
08-24-08, 09:11 PM
I don't think that no dynamic campaign is really a drawback. I mean German S-Boats could only stay out for ca. 2 days (maximum) before they had to return and I don't think that other PT boats more fuel. If you look at the S-boats: They left the harbour, went to the British coast, waited for a convoy to pass, attacked and then they headed back home. They didn't patrol the ocean for weeks like the U-Boats.
Therefore a scripted campaign with various missions is just logical.
Does not compute, scripted missions will always play the same, nothing to do with patrol length (a normal mission in a flight sim takes just 1-2 hours but I'd still take a dynamic campaign any day). The reason people beg for dynamic campaigns is that they want to see something new every time they play.
Dynamic has become more a synonyme for random. In fact it doesnt really have to be fully persistent or dynamic the most important thing is that it should not be scripted.
But wherever you look, scripted missions. I don't get it. Maybe replayability and customer satisfaction is against the interest of game developers.
Concerning PT Boats, this is what I know so far:
-No dynamic campaign
-No mission editor
-Green health bars
-Company produced sea dogs + sequels 1, 2, 3 and year after year people say it still sucks.
-no one seems to know whats going on
Conclusion: I am not impressed so far.
GlobalExplorer
08-24-08, 09:15 PM
<double post>
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