Can't believe I'm actually posting again, god knows how long it's been since I've done that. That's assuming I ever posted, because I can't remember the last time I did.
Anyways, I wanted to set a few things straight. To start off with, I'm not a big supporter of Derek Smart. Mainly due to the issue with his continued support of his degree when it's documented that it's not accredited.. So keep that in mind when you're reading this, I don't personally like the guy, but I can at least open my eyes to reality.
Since I already mentioned it, I do want to make a comment about his education. A LOT of people get degress from offshore (hell, probably some onshore as well) mills. I recently read an article about a Smith & Weston BoD member was canned because he had a degree from a mill. I'm not saying that means the degree is worth something, or that it means Derek has any real credibility for the knowledge having that degree implies. It just means there is nothing really damning about the fact because it's very common. On the flip side, his consistent defense of is rather pathetic. If you want to complain about his games being sub-standard, whichout having built a commercial level game by yourslef, then I suggest you paint all of your shirts with the word "Hypocrite" so we know just what you are.
Also, everyone who critizes his game should just shoot themselves and get it over with. To the best of my knowledge Derek is an independent developer who has recieved some minor help off and on with his projects. Making a game is extremely difficult, time consuming, and generally impossible to do. How many open source games do you see that get completed, or even near a level of polish that the Battlecruiser games have? Essentially the only difference is when developing his games, Derek has a chance in hell of getting it sold, where as open source games are pretty much off-market material.
On that same subject, the Battlecruiser games are impressive. Whiney idiots complain about the interface, but they don't take into consideration that the Battlecruiser games are meant to be a simulation style game, not an arcade style. I don't personally know how you judge Wing Commander (as I don't regularly review the board, and I hadn't used the internet much when I was still playing the Wing Commander games) but no matter what your opinion, it's an arcade style game. While the Battlecruiser games does have some arcade elements (such as fake physics in space (non-newtonian)) the actually command elements put it more in the simulation enviroment. Which is another issue, despite the first person mode in BCM and UC, and the ability to control and individual fighter, the game is meant to be played as a capital ship commander. The engine revolves around that, and not around the standard FPS or Flight Sim fare. Trying to judge the game based on those factors is equivalent to judging the Matrix as a romance flick.
Another interesting item to note was that the Battlecruiser games we're the first of their kind! Not the first flight simulator, but the first to try and simulate a direct command enviroment. Not an easy thing to jump into, especially as an independent developer.
On the subject of BC3k, BCM, and UC at release. It is well known (in Derek's case and in other completely unrelated cases) that many developer push releases, even back in the early 90s. This means problems with games. Sometimes, especially in the case of BC3k, the problems are serious. However, the fact that Derek actively supported the product and fixed the problems proves he was serious about releasing a quality game. Again, it's your opinion whether you like it or not, but that doesn't change the fact that the BC games are a quality product line for their field. Try and seperate your personal bias from real facts.
As a person you might not like Derek Smart. However, as a game developer try and give him the credit he's due, because whether you like it or not Derek has succeeded in releasing his product as an independent developer (not a group either, just a single person). The number of people who can admit to the same level of success is painfully small, and I seriously doubt anyone here is amoung that group.
Edit:
Forgot to address one last issue, the flames. First of all, just as you are free to flame people, so is Derek. Granted the fact that he is insulting a potential customer means it's a bit more shocking for him to do it, that isn't a major issue. Anyone bringing this up should question exactly why they comment on his flaming of other people? There isn't a reason for you to be involved unless you're insulted by his remarks (which it's obvious some of you who mentioned it had no interest in his statements). So you need to really question why the issue was brought up at all, although many of you probably won't like the real answers.
Anyways, I wanted to set a few things straight. To start off with, I'm not a big supporter of Derek Smart. Mainly due to the issue with his continued support of his degree when it's documented that it's not accredited.. So keep that in mind when you're reading this, I don't personally like the guy, but I can at least open my eyes to reality.
Since I already mentioned it, I do want to make a comment about his education. A LOT of people get degress from offshore (hell, probably some onshore as well) mills. I recently read an article about a Smith & Weston BoD member was canned because he had a degree from a mill. I'm not saying that means the degree is worth something, or that it means Derek has any real credibility for the knowledge having that degree implies. It just means there is nothing really damning about the fact because it's very common. On the flip side, his consistent defense of is rather pathetic. If you want to complain about his games being sub-standard, whichout having built a commercial level game by yourslef, then I suggest you paint all of your shirts with the word "Hypocrite" so we know just what you are.
Also, everyone who critizes his game should just shoot themselves and get it over with. To the best of my knowledge Derek is an independent developer who has recieved some minor help off and on with his projects. Making a game is extremely difficult, time consuming, and generally impossible to do. How many open source games do you see that get completed, or even near a level of polish that the Battlecruiser games have? Essentially the only difference is when developing his games, Derek has a chance in hell of getting it sold, where as open source games are pretty much off-market material.
On that same subject, the Battlecruiser games are impressive. Whiney idiots complain about the interface, but they don't take into consideration that the Battlecruiser games are meant to be a simulation style game, not an arcade style. I don't personally know how you judge Wing Commander (as I don't regularly review the board, and I hadn't used the internet much when I was still playing the Wing Commander games) but no matter what your opinion, it's an arcade style game. While the Battlecruiser games does have some arcade elements (such as fake physics in space (non-newtonian)) the actually command elements put it more in the simulation enviroment. Which is another issue, despite the first person mode in BCM and UC, and the ability to control and individual fighter, the game is meant to be played as a capital ship commander. The engine revolves around that, and not around the standard FPS or Flight Sim fare. Trying to judge the game based on those factors is equivalent to judging the Matrix as a romance flick.
Another interesting item to note was that the Battlecruiser games we're the first of their kind! Not the first flight simulator, but the first to try and simulate a direct command enviroment. Not an easy thing to jump into, especially as an independent developer.
On the subject of BC3k, BCM, and UC at release. It is well known (in Derek's case and in other completely unrelated cases) that many developer push releases, even back in the early 90s. This means problems with games. Sometimes, especially in the case of BC3k, the problems are serious. However, the fact that Derek actively supported the product and fixed the problems proves he was serious about releasing a quality game. Again, it's your opinion whether you like it or not, but that doesn't change the fact that the BC games are a quality product line for their field. Try and seperate your personal bias from real facts.
As a person you might not like Derek Smart. However, as a game developer try and give him the credit he's due, because whether you like it or not Derek has succeeded in releasing his product as an independent developer (not a group either, just a single person). The number of people who can admit to the same level of success is painfully small, and I seriously doubt anyone here is amoung that group.
Edit:
Forgot to address one last issue, the flames. First of all, just as you are free to flame people, so is Derek. Granted the fact that he is insulting a potential customer means it's a bit more shocking for him to do it, that isn't a major issue. Anyone bringing this up should question exactly why they comment on his flaming of other people? There isn't a reason for you to be involved unless you're insulted by his remarks (which it's obvious some of you who mentioned it had no interest in his statements). So you need to really question why the issue was brought up at all, although many of you probably won't like the real answers.
).
Oh and DON'T get me started on those POS excuses for fighters... Where's my T-bolt, or Dragon, or Excal???
