[Jamie]

Thanks guys... I'm posting my response from the SCS forums for those who didn't click on Fish's link because I think it still applies and I also think it does address FERdeBOER's concerns:

Hey guys,

I wanted to post a message in the forums Monday night but I guess Roger beat me to it... Thanks for the kind words, guys, not sure where to start with this one.

I basically grew up at Sonalysts. The SCS team took me out for my first beer on my 21st birthday (as an intern) and they recently took me to lunch for my 30th birthday. The SCS game development lab was a fantastic place to come to work every day and as far as a "relaxed work environment" I doubt I'll ever find one as laid back as "The Cave" (as it is affectionately known by those within the company).

As for the future of SCS, I don't think it's as grim as Roger paints it to be (or at least that's how I choose to delude myself, perhaps). At the moment (and as a company) Sonalysts is QUITE healthy financially. Because of that health, however, the game group is seeing more and more non-commercial work coming in that needs to be tended to. Often that work is based on the core DW game engine and the NavalSimEngine, but those efforts often cannot be leveraged into a new gaming product. When paying non-commercial customers come knocking on your door with their checkbooks out, and then the PC gaming market (sales climate) looks cold and volatile as it has for the last few years... well, it makes sense why Sonalysts has chosen to "cash those non-commercial checks" instead of taking a more risky endeavor with a new commercial product. That does not mean, however, that they won't choose to "take another shot at it" in the future, because I am confident that they will.

Personally, however, I just really enjoyed the creative process (and still do). I like developing a product from "concept to completion" and seeing that product fulfill its potential (given the usual restrictions, of course). With my new role as Technical Producer and Designer at ESPN.com's Fantasy Sports division, I'm hoping that I can still "scratch that itch" in this new arena. I'm an avid gamer, an avid sports fan, and a fantasy gaming addict... so here's hoping that it will be a natural fit.

I will certainly still "linger" on these boards and on Subsim.com from time to time, but I'm sure my assistance will not be needed as Roger will service your needs in a more than ample fashion. There's no one more dedicated to the current and future pursuits of SCS than Roger. I'm sure he will continue to "fight the good fight" in my absence.

I've been very fortunate to watch how SCS has grown over the last 10 years and I truly wish Sonalysts (and the Game Development group) nothing but success in the future... they've worked so hard and they simply deserve it!

Thanks for everything, guys!
- Jamie

Good luck, guys... and Good Hunting!