View Full Version : Other maritime/naval games in development
While we wait for the latest "flash traffic" from Storm Eagle, here are some of the other maritime games in development/recently released, it's actually surprising just how many are underway.
Age of Sail
Age of Pirates Caribbean Tales
Similar structure to that laid down in the classic Sid Meier's Pirates but in full 3d. From Akella, the creators of Sea Dogs! and Pirates of the Caribbean. The game is due out around the end of this month in Europe.
http://www.playlogicgames.com/aopct/
Pirates of the Burning Sea
MMORPG developed by Flying Lab Software in conjunction with Akella, currently in beta, hopefully for a late summer/fall release.
http://www.burningsea.com/
WW1
1914 - Shells of Fury
The first ever ww1 submarine simulation, looking similar in style to Silent Hunter 3 the game is being published by German Rondomedia around Q3/Q4
More info at Subsim.com (http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=94508)
WW2
Battlestations Midway
Massive action/strategy game due for a fall release- watch that awesome video!
http://www.battlestations.net
Pacific Storm
A huge naval strategy game from the Russian developer Lesta Studios Strategic, tactical and action layer gameplay. Already a success in it's native Russia the is due to make it's EU/US debut "soon" game. An additional addon "Pacific Storm:Allies" has also been announced for an xmas 2006 release to add German and British forces into the mix.
www.pacificstorm.net (http://www.pacificstorm.net)
PT Boats Knights of the Sea
A strategy/simulation to rival Silent Hunter III in terms of graphics and realism, looks like a q3/q4 release (hopefully that's after Distant Guns!).
http://www.pt-boats.net
Silent Hunter IV
Back to the Pacific, stomping grounds of the original game in the series.
Based upon the fantastic multi award winning Silent Hunter III engine, how can it fail? No details or pics as yet, hopefully the game will dock in Santa's sack for Xmas 2007
Modern Warfare
Harpoon Classic
An update of the original Harpoon game from the 1980s
http://www.advancedgaming.biz/index.php?cevent=page.view&id=43
Harpoon III
Basically harpoon 2 rewritten for XP with added bugfixes, scenarios and a multiplayer component, in beta -available now as a download or very soon as a boxed edition.
Matrix Games (http://www.matrixgames.com/news.asp?nid=318www.matrixgames.com)
Dangerous Waters
A deep and detailed simulation developed by Sonalysts, a defence contractor to the US Navy. Playable platforms include submarines an OHP class frigate, the Lamps helicopter and the P3 Orion.-Out Now
blackbeangames.com (www.dw.blackbeangames.com)
Merchant Shipping
Ports Of Call XXL
A modern remake of the classic shipping tycoon style game from the Amiga days, this incarnation also features an addon 3d simulator for docking ships, manoeuvering through icebergs etc. Developed by the original development team the game is ever expanding and being heavily shaped by user suggestions.-Out now (available online only)
http://www.portsofcall.de
Ship Simulator 2006
A maritime manoeuvering sim including the Titanic , a container ship, harbour patrol vessel, water taxi, barge and tugboat, due out in Europe next week (23rd June 2006). A demo has just been released.
www.shipsim.com
Out of that lot I think Battlestations Midway is the one I am most looking forward to. For just plain piratical fun and some lightweight gameplay I will probably get Age of Pirates, but not until I have heard how it plays out of the box as the Russians already have it and it sounds majorly bugged.
Yes, I think our "comrades" have been stuck with the unofficial beta test job, thankfully we are now about seven months on from the initial Russian release and Akella have issued about four patches for the game so hopefully by the time we get it it will be "picture perfect".
timetraveller
14 Jun 06, 19:48
Guys, be sure to check out Pacific Storm. It was nominated for best strategy game at E3 this year. It will be multiplayer also. Has great 3D tactical play on a massive scale. Ships, planes are all drivable. It is an RTS, but doesn't necessarily have to be played that way if you just want to get into the action.
Scheduled out August/September. It's already out in Russia. An addon has already been written and will be available for the English version too.
I've already headed over there. It will be moddable too, as we've already been modding the demo. Get the demo and try it. I'm starting to write missions for the demo. Just finished a big mission Leyte Gulf: Surgaio Strait. 25 ships, as many aircraft as you can handle. An extremely moddable game.
Demo at Gamershell:
http://www.gamershell.com/pc/pacific_storm/
Dev's site:
http://pacificstorm.net/en/index.php
Publisher:
http://www.gamespress.com/cdv/product.asp?s=4
Dev forums:
http://www.pacificstorm.net/forum/index.ph...6645695797bf0d2
TT
I read that demo includes star force ... do you have any problems with it ?
I read that demo includes star force ... do you have any problems with it ?
I haven't had any problems with it, but I believe some others have. Unfortunately, it's on quite a few games that I play Enigma, SH3, Virtual Skipper so I don't have much choice.
I read recently regarding Pacific Storm that GMX the UK publisher probably will not be using Starforce in the release version of Pacific Storm and also CDV the publisher for the US is apparently dropping Starforce as a protection method as well!
timetraveller
15 Jun 06, 05:50
I read that demo includes star force ... do you have any problems with it ?
No problems here. What sonarman said is correct. I doubt if the retail game will have Starforce. I'm not even sure if the demo itself has it. I have other games too that I like to play (that have Starforce), I don't have much choice.
Honestly, I was excited for Distant Guns to come out, but when Norm announced he wanted to play more with rivits and delayed it another few months I decided to set my interests on something else.
Pacific Storm is a great game and has just what I want, as I am a modder at heart.
TT
Honestly, I was excited for Distant Guns to come out, but when Norm announced he wanted to play more with rivits and delayed it another few months I decided to set my interests on something else.
TT
I'm still going to get Distant Guns as well as any others I can afford (or I can smuggle past my wife!). I think each game on the list has some different to offer, some are more action/tactical based whilst some are more hardcore/strategic.
It's good to see that PC games are once again refusing to be pidgeon holed into one particular genre. Distant Guns for example will not only appeal to traditional wargamers but also those in the simulation community.(It would be nice if Jim or Norm would visit them at Sim Hq or Subsim.com and post a message or two as there is quite a bit of interest there).
It's also great to see titles springing up from indie developers such as Ports of Call, Distant Guns, Virtual Sailor and Ship Simulation 2006, direct distribution is making these "niche in an niche" games commercially viable and they should have our support. The direct communication between developer and community leading to a much more evolving and organic "living" product than much of the output from the traditional publishing model.
Bloodstar
15 Jun 06, 07:59
I'm still going to get Distant Guns as well as any others I can afford (or I can smuggle past my wife!). I think each game on the list has some different to offer, some are more action/tactical based whilst some are more hardcore/strategic.
It's good to see that PC games are once again refusing to be pidgeon holed into one particular genre. Distant Guns for example will not only appeal to traditional wargamers but also those in the simulation community.(It would be nice if Jim or Norm would visit them at Sim Hq or Subsim.com and post a message or two as there is quite a bit of interest there).
It's also great to see titles springing up from indie developers such as Ports of Call, Distant Guns, Virtual Sailor and Ship Simulation 2006, direct distribution is making these "niche in an niche" games commercially viable and they should have our support. The direct communication between developer and community leading to a much more evolving and organic "living" product than much of the output from the traditional publishing model.
Have you played maybe PTO IV from Koei on PS2?
It's nice game. I bought PS2 mostly because KOEI great strategy games (ROTK series etc...)...
PTO IV have bugged path movement model but it is OK game... strategy title with lot's of sea battles. It's simplified but you can also research some new ships according to your designs... I hope that they will make PTO V.
Mario
Hi Mario
Strangely I have PTO IV and Warship Gunner, but no PS2! so I have not yet played them, I bought them in case they disappear and have been thinking about picking up a PS2 but have seen so few other games that I would want to play on the console that I haven't bothered buying one yet.
I noticed a while back on the PTOIV Japanese site that the game was actually released on the PC there. Unfortunately however an international PC version was never released and the Japanese version apparently cannot run on English language versions of Windows. You would think it would make more sense sales wise to have released the PC and not the PS2 version to the international market.
Let's hope PTOV is a PC release! should it ever come to fruition.
Bloodstar
15 Jun 06, 12:30
Hi Mario
Strangely I have PTO IV and Warship Gunner, but no PS2! so I have not yet played them, I bought them in case they disappear and have been thinking about picking up a PS2 but have seen so few other games that I would want to play on the console that I haven't bothered buying one yet.
I noticed a while back on the PTOIV Japanese site that the game was actually released on the PC there. Unfortunately however an international PC version was never released and the Japanese version apparently cannot run on English language versions of Windows. You would think it would make more sense sales wise to have released the PC and not the PS2 version to the international market.
Let's hope PTOV is a PC release! should it ever come to fruition.
Hi Sonarman,
You are absolutely right. Glad to see someone that like Koei games as well.
Koei have a strange logic, like they don't want to release games for PC International market because of piracy... I doubt that that is only cause because they withdrew from this market so many years ago... But as I see some games that were done for PC (some Dynasty Warriors saw international release) maybe there is a hope that they will change their mind. ROTK is such a relaxing game for example. They have genius designer there and many games from the past were masterpieces...
Maybe Emperor will order them to make games for PC(not just chinese etc) as well :clown:. Hirohito hear us... :laugh:
Mario
Yes I think the old Koei games were great, it will be interesting to see how the forthcoming "Uncharted Waters" does alongside "Pirates of the burning Sea" in the online MMORPG stakes
Here's a Gamespot preview from last year...
Preview of Uncharted Waters Online (http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/unchartedwatersonline/news.html?sid=6124944&mode=previews)
And a Wikipedia entry on the series here:
Link to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncharted_Waters)
Bloodstar
15 Jun 06, 14:49
Yes I think the old Koei games were great, it will be interesting to see how the forthcoming "Uncharted Waters" does alongside "Pirates of the burning Sea" in the online MMORPG stakes
Here's a Gamespot preview from last year...
Preview of Uncharted Waters Online (http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/unchartedwatersonline/news.html?sid=6124944&mode=previews)
And a Wikipedia entry on the series here:
Link to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncharted_Waters)
Ummm, that looks nice ! :)
My favorite Koei games include also old L'empereur or Napoleon (I played it on Amiga), never played Operation Europe or Balor of Evil Eye but heard that were also great...
Hm, I did preview of one Pirates theme MMORPG game in 2002. it was being developed by Austrian team NEO. They were bought by Take 2 and did lot's of Xbox conversion (Max Payne etc...).
It was really interesting concept... ooops just found out that Rockstar Vienna was closed :mad: too bad, they were good...
I did this preview I think first in the world hehe even CGO Online contacted me to get information and screens...
I still have a contact with Mr. Amos Ip from KOEI USA...
Mario
I was "brought up on" simulations and have only recently turned to a spot of wargaming, I'll be sure to give some of those a try.
I started on the old C64 with old Microprose classic sims such as Silent Service, Red storm Rising, Pirates, Gunship, F19 then on to the Amiga and ultimately the PC, my first game there being another MPS title Task Force 1942. A fine fusion of 3d sim and tactical level gameplay, in many ways a precursor to Distant Guns.
Bloodstar
15 Jun 06, 17:28
I was "brought up on" simulations and have only recently turned to a spot of wargaming, I'll be sure to give some of those a try.
I started on the old C64 with old Microprose classic sims such as Silent Service, Red storm Rising, Pirates, Gunship, F19 then on to the Amiga and ultimately the PC, my first game there being another MPS title Task Force 1942. A fine fusion of 3d sim and tactical level gameplay, in many ways a precursor to Distant Guns.
MicroProse was also my favorite company... I wrote an article on MicroProse long time ago...ah...
I also met Sid Meier at E3 etc... well, he is sort of programming/designer genius...shame that this company went under they had a heart,
Mario
I also met Sid Meier at E3
That must have been a great experience, he always seems very down to earth and a nice guy in interviews etc.
I note that Sid now has acquired the rights to all his old games from Atari. With Pirates complete and a new sequel to Railroad Tycoon on the way, it will be interesting to see if he considers remaking any of the classic sims Silent Service, F19, F15 or Gunship! Although it would take a lot of hard work for Silent Service to better Silent Hunter 3.
Meanwhile, his ex-compatriot "Wild Bill" Stealey seems to be making a new B-17 sim, hopefully it will be better than the ambitious but flawed tank sims that his former company Interactive Magic produced in the mid ninties.
You can actually vote for which game you'd like to see Firaxis develop next, the results so far are quite interesting... (especially as the chose the 3% scoring Railroad Tycoon as the next remake)
http://firaxis.com/community/polls.php
Bloodstar
16 Jun 06, 03:38
That must have been a great experience, he always seems very down to earth and a nice guy in interviews etc.
I note that Sid now has acquired the rights to all his old games from Atari. With Pirates complete and a new sequel to Railroad Tycoon on the way, it will be interesting to see if he considers remaking any of the classic sims Silent Service, F19, F15 or Gunship! Although it would take a lot of hard work for Silent Service to better Silent Hunter 3.
Meanwhile, his ex-compatriot "Wild Bill" Stealey seems to be making a new B-17 sim, hopefully it will be better than the ambitious but flawed tank sims that his former company Interactive Magic produced in the mid ninties.
You can actually vote for which game you'd like to see Firaxis develop next, the results so far are quite interesting... (especially as the chose the 3% scoring Railroad Tycoon as the next remake)
http://firaxis.com/community/polls.php
Yes, he is nice and kind man. And good. Good idol for teenage kids.
MicroProse simulations were excellent, sadly I was never very good in playing them but I liked many of them M1 Tank Platoon, Red Storm Rising (ah, firing of torpedo on Amiga or Sea Lance was great experience on Amiga and then trying to hit something or avoiding enemys torpedoes MK 48 ).... I was trying to get my vote to Red Storm Rising but it went to Silent Service, well that's also a good vote.
"Wild" Billy Stealey, the guy was dressed in uniform of US Air Force at E3 when I met him hehe.
Mario
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