🚀 go-pugleaf

Darryl K Barnes <dkba...@acsu.buffalo.edu> spoke thusly:

>    Note, the real crap will hit the fan when Sierra releases the 
>Babyon 5 sim.  If the flight model of that game is not exactly bang on 
>to that shown in the series the game will not sell.  Given the quality 
>associated with the products (not a hell of a lot) already released 
>from the series JMS would not want his story logo placed on a product 
>that did not pass inspection (Just take a look at the REVELL/MONOGRAM 
>model of the Starfury MK I).  Given this fact, you folks out there 
>discussing flight models will get a lot to talk about this winter.

There's an inherent problem when discussing the flight-models of
space-sims: (or lack thereof). Make it a little realistic, and you
have a game that's tougher to learn-playability sometimes suffers.
With a simpler model, the game is easier to pick up and learn, and
playability isn't jepordized.

Problem with the latter, we are presented with flight models that are
derivative of previous titles, nothing new or innovative. Last year's
Starfleet Academy had the ingridients of a complex sim, paired with a
flight model similar to a WC Banshee. Descent Freespace's demo has
generated some positive response, but some mixed feelings regarding
the WC-inspired engine. And I-War is still receiving acclaim (six
months after Euro-release) purely because of its departure from
traditional and often-imitated WC-model.

Which brings us to Babylon 5.

Although still several months from release (Holidays 1998) Sierra has
set up a webboard for this much-anticipated space-sim. Already there
has been enough correspondence between developers and gamers/fans to
justify a FAQ:

The Unnofficial Staryfury Simulation FAQ:
http://www.webgate.net/~arbad/b5/faq.htm

It's not "Falcon Designer Notes", in fact a lot of it is a gamer's
wishlist for the perfect B5 sim. But the Sierra design team has
confirmed what WILL be in the game, as well as their issues of
balancing playability vs. realism. It's a worthwhile read. (and has
alleviated some of my predispositions against Sierra)

This month, the B5 sim will finally see the light of day, with
previews at E3 at Atlanta and at a Babylon 5 convention in Burbank,
CA. No doubt the gaming press will jump on it (it'll be refreshing to
see something other than Star Wars or Star Trek on the gaming mag
covers)--so we'll finally see if this "last best hope" will amount to
be a sim of dreams, or just another copycat.

>JMS would not want his story logo placed on a product 
>that did not pass inspection (Just take a look at the REVELL/MONOGRAM 
>model of the Starfury MK I)

Hey, I liked the Starfury Model! I actually built two! :) If you wanna
see a bunch of Furies' with *ORIGINAL* wing art---set your browser to
this jump point:

Starship Modeler's Starfury Contest
http://www.starshipmodeler.com/contest/entry.htm


*****Saturn S. Padua | typ...@pacbell.net ****