View Full Version : Sonalyst is back to the surface ?
Onkel Neal
11-26-17, 06:36 AM
Does Sonalysts have something in the works?
Sonalyst is a US studio focused on military training programs. It also have (had?) a gaming division, which was producing fine naval combat simulations. Among them, i668 and Dangerous Waters made history in naval simulations, the latter one still having a very active community. But Dangerous Waters released in 2005 and since, Sonalyst vanished in the virtual sea and no one ever heard from them again.
That was until now.
Sonalyst just posted screenshots of their last engine in action, on their Facebook page. There is no mention of what it is about, and their website isn’t showing anything yet. However, they answered the question everyone is wondering....
FULL ARTICLE HERE (http://www.twomoreweeks.net/periscope-spotted/)
Kaye T. Bai
11-26-17, 07:19 AM
Looks good (https://www.facebook.com/pg/sonalystscombatsims/photos/?tab=album&album_id=765120810360282). Almost like a 3D version of CMANO. Fingers crossed! :up:
Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas.. :D
I just checked the date again to make sure this was a new announcement. :)
In reality, I would be more than happy with a "DW2" that featured an updated (16 X 9) graphics engine and world map while not forgetting what the mod community has done over the years (keep it accessible). :salute: Maybe an option for dynamic or even real weather/sea state for MP sessions?
Please have a buying option that doesn't include Steam (if possible). :up:
I'm not sure how much we need advanced animations at stations, this would be a good "all hands" discussion so I'm open to other opinions. :hmmm:
"Gilding the lilly" is fun to talk about but bear in mind how it can effect game play. How many cores/threads will we need? How much blood will we need to sell for a new GPU? What kind of OS can be used?
Some type of "re-supply" option in campaigns. This could be dynamic based on how a campaign is going. :yep: For example, if the "red team" has targeted the "blue team's" supply chain, supplies (reloads) become harder to obtain. In practical terms, you want to reload 6 torps but only three are available at this stage of the campaign.
It would be really a dream come through to have 2nd iteration of DW with all those modern bells and whistles.
However to me it looks rather like small presentation of capabilities of their new simulation engine to catch the interest of military procurement personnel for the purpose of education/training.
Similar what E-Sim has done and still is doing with Steel Beasts Pro.
Which could be perhaps also promising as they managed after all to spin both versions of the best tank sim for professionals in uniforms and all the rest of us.
Time may tell.
Kaye T. Bai
11-27-17, 12:07 AM
Lots of new platforms in the game from the looks of it. San Antonio LPDs, Zumwalt DDGs, P-8 Posiedons, even F-22 Raptors. I wonder if this means stealth capability will be modelled in the game engine. The LCS and OHP FFG are in, though the latter has been retired by the U.S.
speed150mph
11-27-17, 12:22 AM
Just watched chazlys video, I am excited. I hope they make it with open world campaigns, like the silent hunter series.
I'm also curious about the different views they have shown about the interior of the ship. It looks like they've modelled some internal areas of the ships. That would be interesting if they made it like silent hunter 5 or ship simulator where you could walk around. Hopefully they have a quick view tab so you can quickly toggle through the stations in the heat of battle.
I really can't wait to hear more
makman94
11-27-17, 05:25 AM
What a wonderful news is this ! :Kaleun_Applaud:
These guys knows what the word 'simulator' means and if they go for a submarine simulator will be just heaven!
I'm also curious about the different views they have shown about the interior of the ship. It looks like they've modelled some internal areas of the ships. That would be interesting if they made it like silent hunter 5 or ship simulator where you could walk around.
Those internal areas (with pipes etc.) are for "damage control" stuff. Intriguing.... :hmmm:
I wish this project the best and I am most excited from the fact, that judging from external to code database, Lua AI scriptin Lua scripting, fbx 3D file format, as well as availability of SDK, seems to be quite open for outside moding and future development.
Thanks for FPS Chazly video I am leaning towards the idea that this could be DW2 for public consumption.
Why not steam? for me is the better platform, since I pay in Mexican pesos and is better than the USD convertion!-
Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas.. :D
Please have a buying option that doesn't include Steam (if possible). :up:
Then buy it from Steam. :)
I'm just asking for an option that doesn't include Steam. :up:
Those internal areas (with pipes etc.) are for "damage control" stuff. Intriguing.... :hmmm:
I also noticed that red pipe. :03:
But, let's not jump too far ahead. We've only seen pictures from Sonalyst. We don't know if we're seeing a basic story board or screen shots of an actual game. A lot of this might be wishful thinking on their part, nevermind ours. :hmmm:
For example, if they include damage control stations how are they implemented? Do you just dispatch sacrificial nubs to fight the casualty? Is it an Auto Crew option? Do you have to stop an attack to turn the right valves?
We also don't know the most important question. WHEN?
I'm hoping for something on sale between Christmas and summer but we don't have a clue how far the game has progressed. If its already in Alpha or Beta, they've done a great job keeping it quiet.
Still, I can't stop grinning today. :D
Kaye T. Bai
11-27-17, 12:51 PM
Looks like it'll be a hybrid Dangerous Waters/Fleet Command style game where you can command warships but also man individual battle stations. Awesome. :up:
Apparently they've been working on this for three years; hopefully this means it's near completion.
Next update expected here:
http://www.sonalystscombatsimulations.com/sim_engineII/index.html
Perhaps this may shed some more information on the subject. :up:
All in all its great that they still developing this awesome series of naval simulations with (perhaps) more user friendly mindset.
Looks like it'll be a hybrid Dangerous Waters/Fleet Command style game where you can command warships but also man individual battle stations. Awesome. :up:
Well, if you think about it, DW was already a hybrid between Sub Command and Fleet Command. :)
I like the idea of making an update but not straying too far from their roots. There's a good reason why we're still playing Sub Command and DW. :up:
Just one request to Sonalyst- :D
Could I please sail north from "papa-hotel" and not hit a beach? :up:
I understand why the USN could be sensitive about Pearl Harbor, I was home ported there for three years. :D
stormrider_sp
11-27-17, 04:34 PM
Nothing new. As far as I remember, this engine has been available since at least 2016.
Kaye T. Bai
11-27-17, 07:44 PM
A guy on Facebook said he saw an early build of this at a trade show in 2011. If so, they must've been working on this for quite some time.
Nothing new. As far as I remember, this engine has been available since at least 2016.
I remember a Sonalysts guy posted on this forum a few years ago and said they had something in the works but couldn't comment further. I guess this is what he was referring to.
Overkill
11-28-17, 10:11 AM
Looks like it'll be purty good when/if they decide to release it.
Ghost Dog
11-28-17, 04:19 PM
I really hope the new game has dynamic campaign. (or least dynamic/random encounters) Sub games have had this for a long time, going back to Silent Service in the 80s all way up to Cold Waters.
I fear that this will just be an update to Dangerous Waters with slightly better graphics and more platforms. (which get added with mods anyways)
Kaye T. Bai
11-28-17, 09:45 PM
I really hope the new game has dynamic campaign. (or least dynamic/random encounters) Sub games have had this for a long time, going back to Silent Service in the 80s all way up to Cold Waters. I fear that this will just be an update to Dangerous Waters with slightly better graphics and more platforms. (which get added with mods anyways)
Seeing those new models sure was nice, especially considering a lot of the models from Dangerous Waters were used before in Fleet Command, a game originally from 1998! :eek:
The new Arleigh Burke DDG model looks especially nice; the one from DW was atrocious and looked more like a JMSDF Kongo-class destroyer.
Do not know if this video linked below is known to anyone here but IMHO it gives some wider background picture and mixture of various areas of naval simulations/training videos which Sonalysts has been creatively involved in as of late. Including music ...wow! :k_confused:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYdEvxkPnN8
I must admit that after quite a few years of well-maintained radio silence from Sonalysts those most recent glimpses/previews/presentations are still shrouded in sort of enigmatic veil as much as they are intriguing.
One rather very positive motif presents itself that because of their involvement with RL naval topics we should expect (I think/I hope) realism and serious knowledge of the subject matter.
And that is a good thing....
Kaye T. Bai
11-29-17, 01:04 AM
Nice catch! I hope any new game incorporates some form of crew interaction. But man, would it kill Sonalysts to apply some normal mapping to their models? That glossy, artificial shinyness is a bit jarring. Anyway, nice vid.
would it kill Sonalysts to apply some normal mapping to their models? That glossy, artificial shininess is a bit jarring.
Graphics were never the forte or perhaps something Sonalysts would pay extra attention or resources to. Especially and understandably for the work used for training purposes.
As long as there is more simple and open way to improve graphics by modders that should be good enough. Then all is needed is time and will to make it better.
SirKerrald
12-01-17, 02:24 PM
On the plus side, destroyer design finally caught up with programmer art.
FPSchazly
12-03-17, 10:43 AM
Videos from Sonalysts posted a few hours ago!
Ticonderoga engaging surface craft with Harpoon:
https://www.facebook.com/sonalystscombatsims/videos/768692333336463/
Su-27s getting shot down by SAM:
https://www.facebook.com/sonalystscombatsims/videos/768691376669892/
Virginia on the (nail-biting close) stalk:
https://www.facebook.com/sonalystscombatsims/videos/768636860008677/
GravityWave
12-03-17, 01:13 PM
I would also really like to see an update that at least addresses the graphics 4:3 scaling - maybe open source (Vulcan or OpenGL). The mechanics seem to be already there. I'm coming back to DW waiting to see how CW evolves some more. CW's got the graphics and AI but is a different style. It's more game than simulator. With that said, CW is a lot of fun. DW is more challenging and deeper. Just ugly as sin these days. I'd be thrilled just to see a cosmetic update. I'm a customer for an upgrade. The Sonanalyst web site suggests more of a space simulator under development, though still involved with USN on interfaces.
I would also really like to see an update that at least addresses the graphics 4:3 scaling - maybe open source (Vulcan or OpenGL). The mechanics seem to be already there. I'm coming back to DW waiting to see how CW evolves some more. CW's got the graphics and AI but is a different style. It's more game than simulator. With that said, CW is a lot of fun. DW is more challenging and deeper. Just ugly as sin these days. I'd be thrilled just to see a cosmetic update. I'm a customer for an upgrade. The Sonanalyst web site suggests more of a space simulator under development, though still involved with USN on interfaces.
Something you could try with DW and SC is to crank up your screen resolution.
In some (most?) modern OS you can't change the display settings in-game BUT you can change them if you edit your dangerouswaters.ini file. :up:
Go to your dangerouswaters.ini file and find the .ModeID entry under [GRAPHICS].
The default setting is 1 (800 X 600). Change the 1 to a 2 for 1024 X 768 or change the 1 to a 3 for 1280 X 1024.
You can do the same thing with Sub Command by editing its .ini file.
We're still stuck with the 4:3 aspect ratio but the higher settings (especially 1280 X 1024) look "good enough" on a large monitor. :D
In terms of graphics engines, I think we need to be careful what we wish for. :03:
Sonalyst could pull a "Sorry, the new game ONLY runs in Win10, 64 bit" and that might alienate a lot of gamers who prefer an older OS. :o
Kaye T. Bai
12-03-17, 11:37 PM
Another video! Some shots of an Ohio SSGN, Burke DDG, LCS, San Antonio LPD, and a P-8 Poseidon. (https://www.facebook.com/sonalystscombatsims/videos/768636416675388/) :yeah:
Apparently it's just a test bed/tech demo for now, but they did not rule out the possibility of a game based on said engine in the future so it's not a definitive no. (https://www.facebook.com/sonalystscombatsims/posts/768894116649618) Keep hope alive! :)
Videos from Sonalysts posted a few hours ago!
Sweet Jesus in heaven! Turns out God exists and he is real after all! Praise be to Allah (and Sonalysts)! :up:
Videos from Sonalysts posted a few hours ago!
Virginia on the (nail-biting close) stalk:
https://www.facebook.com/sonalystscombatsims/videos/768636860008677/
So, has anyone else tried to figure out what we're seeing (besides the obvious 3D view)? :D
It looks like six or so "station" views across the top of the screen and something like eight game options along the side. :hmmm:
The two "satellite" buttons look interesting. :)
I would also really like to see an update that at least addresses the graphics 4:3 scaling - maybe open source (Vulcan or OpenGL). The mechanics seem to be already there. I'm coming back to DW waiting to see how CW evolves some more. CW's got the graphics and AI but is a different style. It's more game than simulator. With that said, CW is a lot of fun. DW is more challenging and deeper. Just ugly as sin these days. I'd be thrilled just to see a cosmetic update. I'm a customer for an upgrade. The Sonanalyst web site suggests more of a space simulator under development, though still involved with USN on interfaces.
The bigger issue is the 16bit one that requires wrappers just to make the game run on newer OSs.
Anyway the 4:3 thing is not just making the engine technically run in the 16:9 aspect ratio, it's also needed to rework the background image bmps and reposition the interactive objects on each station screen cause now everything is done based on a 800x600 matrix.
Currently modders can edit the bmps contained in the grp files and moving position of the interactive objects requires hexediting the dlls which is a pain in the ***, to say the least, but it's possible.
The Sonanalyst website suggests more of a space simulator under development, though still involved with USN on interfaces.
More and more I think, that Sonalysts potential new title based on the new engine would be rather more Fleet Command 2 than DW2. And that is fine.
I wish though meanwhile DW would be made more open to modding in its current state by making information and help about 3d limits, particle system editor, terrain file formats (compression), etc. available to the community.
That would possibly strengthen and bring more attention to the DW corner vs. CW in preparation and wait for the new title.
tian tian
12-14-17, 09:43 AM
Looks pretty good.
I'll be honest, the graphics are pretty lacking and that's kind of a disappointment but if its just as fun as DW then i am looking forward to all the new toys we get to play with.
The aircraft controls look a little basic but i guess it will be fleshed out later? I hope its not left as an afterthought
In any case my credit card is ready!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pu3J31A9T4
NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT FOR A NEW GAME, unless you're living in 1996. :D
These are promo vids for 688I from back in the day. :salute:
MR. Wood
12-14-17, 09:18 PM
**** I say rerelease all there old games that sold mega with a new engine and update graphics and take my money
Kaye T. Bai
12-15-17, 01:20 PM
*snip*
I liked 688(i); it had some stuff that DW didn't. Like a detailed interior (by 1997 standards) and additional audio cues, like the Chief of the Watch saying "Commence an air charge". Sub Command also had some additional audio cues too, like one of the sailors saying "Decks awash" when the sub dives.
Kaye T. Bai
01-08-18, 06:54 PM
Update: https://www.facebook.com/sonalystscombatsims/photos/a.784454151760281.1073741829.185995591606143/784454025093627/?type=3&theater
Looks like SCS will be at an expo in the next few days to show off their product.
so sonalysts is again hiding below the layer...I guess....
To be fair, Sonalyst(s) has always acted more like a developer ,who are mainly interested in Gov't contracts with games as a kind of a side-line.
They always partnered with a publisher in the past to handle things like distribution, packaging, and advertising. Putting the old CDs in the stores wasn't really their thing.
So, its possible they are looking for a publisher and saying "Here's what we can code for you if the terms are right". Or, we might be seeing them sending a pitch to the DoD with a consumer game as a fall back?
:k_confused:
I'm still keeping my fingers crossed, but I don't think we'll see anything until they find the right publisher.
Well, the Videos are form the new Sonalyst product called Sim Engine II which is for Military use only, its basically not a game, its is a Viewer for DIS Simulations.
Its also capable to simulate complete Warships with Statios like Bridge and CIC and there are no plans for a commercial release currently.
In its currenty state, its looks ok, but its still a bit slow and needs much more coding.
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