PDA

View Full Version : Something heavy this way comes


Skybird
11-23-05, 09:20 AM
got this newsletter today, waited for it since years:

Nearing completion: eSim Games ready to accept preorders for Steel Beasts Professional, Personal Edition

Mountain View, Calif. - Nov. 23rd, 2005 - eSim Games, LLC is making final preparations for the release of the Personal Edition of Steel Beasts Professional ("SB Pro PE"). To properly estimate the size of the first production batch, eSim Games is now accepting preorders at its web site ( www.esimgames.com ).

"We want to prepare everything for a smooth production and delivery process, anticipated for mid-December, 2005," said eSim Games' President, Al Delaney. "Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee with absolute certainty a specific shipping date, but we feel that we are close enough to a release of the software to accept preorders now."

"We think that a word of caution is appropriate, as far as the targeted audience is concerned", said Al Delaney. "As the name of the product line suggests, Steel Beasts Professional is designed for the training of soldiers, be they active or reserve duty. We also think that those loyal fans who love the original Steel Beasts game despite its rough edges will like the Personal Edition even more than the original. However, we are fully aware that the amount of learning required to master a complex simulation software like Steel Beasts Professional will exceed most people's expectations, for an entertainment product. While it may be entertaining for those with expert level background knowledge, it certainly is not for everyone."

In August this year, eSim Games invited its customers to discuss anti-piracy measures for SB Pro PE. "It has been a vivid discussion", eSim Games' Technical Director said. "There were good arguments for different solutions, but we think that we're acting in everybody's best interest by choosing WiBu Systems' CodeMeter dongle. It is less intrusive and helps to find a better balance for the customers' fair use of our software than any other solution. I'm happy to report that it will not affect the price of the software. We're confident that the investment in a multi-license dongle is equal to the prevention of losses to piracy, and it will help us to offer our software at better prices for all our legitimate customers in the future. Finally, thanks to dongles, we can offer a more customer-friendly return policy."

Rooted in the classic "simulation game of the year 2000," Steel Beasts Professional is based on a brand new, custom-built graphics engine, compatible with DirectX 9 to take advantage of today's powerful consumer graphics cards. The new graphics engine can render fine details up close, with visibility distances of about 5 kilometers.

Steel Beasts Professional will require DirectX 9 installed. eSim Games recommends 1.5 GHz or faster processors, 256 MByte RAM, and graphics cards designed for DirectX 9.

Steel Beasts gave its debut as a tank simulation game of modern tanks in summer 2000. Development on Steel Beasts Professional started after the release of Steel Beasts Gold in April 2002. Over the past three years, the new engine was prepared, and the focus shifted from a purely armor centric point of view to a simulation of company level combined arms combat tactics.

Steel Beasts is from independent developer eSim Games, LLC, with its headquarters located in Mountain View, California. For more information, visit http://www.eSimGames.com, or contact Nils Hinrichsen: Ssnake@eSimGames.com

Konovalov
11-23-05, 02:50 PM
Is Steel Beast Two still going to be released any time in the future?

Skybird
11-23-05, 04:07 PM
It definetly is under developement, but will not be ready for release before late 2006, at the earliest. I personally think that late 2007 is the more realistic bet, maybe even 2008... These guys don't do half jobs.

Meanwhile you get substantial addons (free) for SB Pro PE with a planned frequency of two times a year (additional features, new platforms, etc). :D Basing on beta-tester's feedback I expect that no massive patching will be needed. :up:

Currently they have some loose ends to close together with Pro PE, if they can manage to do so within the next 12-14 days, they say they are confident that they will put the parcels under the christmas trees then.