First screens for PT-Boats addon "Southern Gambit"

[Sonarman]

It would appear Akella has not stopped work on the PT-Boats series and is in the process of creating a Mediterranean expansion called "South Gambit" for PT-Boats.
The developers have, based on user feedback been working to improve the simulation part of the game in particular. Repair and sinking times have been made more realistic and judging by the screenshots & video below the arcade like HUD may have disappeared.

Akellas official page for the game has some Video for the addon (in translated Russian)

& also are some nice Screenshots.

[HEMISENT]

Also interesting to note that they're already putting out an expansion pack but haven't gotten around to releasing the game to the US/EU market, although Australia is getting it now. We've been waiting for this for how many years now?

What a bassackwards way of doing business!

[Sonarman]

Could be they are having a hard time finding a publisher/distributor willing to take on a niche genre like simulations. Apparently their largest market is in Russia where simulation games are hugely popular which explains the focus on the Black Sea campaigns rather than the Pacific etc in the original game.

[Furia]

I have been waiting for this sim for 5 years, that seem ages..
I sincerely do not understand the marketing methods of Akella.

[Sonarman]

I think the problems started about 3 years ago when Akella "got into bed" with 1c, they insisted that a pure simulation game would not have a large enough audience and largely based, I think, on the success of Battlestations Midway held the game back to introduce higher level fleet control changing the overall emphasis of the game into what we have now a strategy sim hybrid. The latest screens and videos above however suggest that the developers are trying to re-introduce some of the lost simulation elements back into the game.

[Furia]

I had no idea that "Battlestations Midway" was a success.
I guess not among those hardcore naval simmers that I know.

I hope PT-Boats turns more into a simulator rather than a strategy game.
By nature PT-Boats are more a tactical element rather than a Theater Strategic element by itself.

Any move into a more simulator orientated product is very welcome.

Akella should not forget that the most succesful "Naval products for PC" such the Silent Hunter series, 688i Hunter Killer or Dangerous Waters have been more simulator oriented.


Cannot wait to have my hands on the English version if they are ever kind enough to make a Europe/US release.

[Pips]

It's good news that they are looking at the Med, it is a fascinating theatre of operations. Has huge scope for small craft wars.

I've had the game now for just over a week and am having an absolute blast!! Graphics are amazingly well done, especially the water effects. This is my first naval sim (been hooked on aviation sims for years) and I must say that I am very impressed. I've only just managed to master the three tutorials and am just getting into the first campaign - Operation Weserubung.

The tutorials are a great way to get familiar with the controls of the game, which are surprisingly complex. The biggest thing I've found to date is getting used to the speed with which things happen. So much slower than air combat action. The funny thing is you can see whats happening, or about to, but ships react more slowly than aircraft (manoeuvering, speed etc). Consequently you try avoiding or offensive action but there is always that time period where you literally just have to sit and take it for a bit. Tough on the nerves!

[Onkel Neal]

Just saw a news item for this:

PT Boats: South Gambit Announced
Gamers Hell - London,England,UK
Akella has unveiled the development of South Gambit an add-on to the naval tactical simulator PT Boats: Knights of the Sea in the works at Akella studios ...

[HEMISENT]

Thanks Neal, looks good. Sure would be nice to know if there's ever going to be a US release. Are they aware that the Christmas shopping season is approaching and maybe, just maybe that might be a good time to put this on the market?

[Sonarman]

I believe the add-on is going to be released in Russia for Christmas hopefully Battlefront.com will snap this up too and do a quick localisation. If you'd like to see that happen post your wishes over at the official Battlefront PT-Boats forum (the US/UK publishers).

[Bartolomeus]

I hope Akella makes a Addon about US PT Boats in the Pacific.

[Dale1957]

Thats What I'm Talking About!