WCP Platinum Edition

Death's Head

Spaceman
No there isn't any rumor going around about a new version on the way.

I did some poking around and found that the designers of Prophecy might have made the game to support multiplayer play over the net. It seems when they released the game, they dropped several features. We didn't get a few weapon systems like the point defense system, the leech missile, the null-g bomblet, a gatling grenade gun, a cloaking device, and so on.

My point is this, if OSI knew there was a market for a release including all these things and perhaps more, like improved AI, power and target presets, a customizable simulator, and maybe even a mission developer, they would probably set to work on it. say they set a price of 50 dollars and 200 of us commited to buying it and we each got say 10 people to get it too, and they each get 5 others, and they each got a couple and so on, OSI would gross and easy million, thanks to us. The prospect of online play would add appeal to people who ordinarily wouldn't have bought the game.

Dollar signs would sroll vertically on the eyes of the folks back at OSI and we would likely have a product enthusiastically awaited for by loyal fans and potential new ones.

Then again, perhaps not.
frown.gif


------------------
A wingmen is essential; they give the enemy something else to shoot at.
A turret is essential; it gives you something else to shoot with.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
As with any other game, several things (like missile types, etc) were left out when the game was almost finished. The reason multiplayer was dropped was probably because they had to finish the game in time for Christmas, and they wouldn't have had the time to decently implement it. It's probably for the best, look at Freespace
smile.gif


But they know people like multiplayer... so that's why they're doing POL. Your one time revenue of $1,000,000 is extremely optimistic. POL could easily bring that kind of money in every month, just like UO is doing now. And MMP has a lot more to offer than just another SP space sim with a stupid arena to blow the crap out of eachother.
 
Last edited:
Makes you wonder why they don't want to develop another single player WC game. All that cash and all. I'm sure they know we want another one ...

------------------
Mess with the best, die like the rest.
 
I believe that ChrisReid just pointed out the reason.

Online Game = $1,500,000 per month, for at least two years. Therefore, it's at least $36,000,000. Actually, if you count 150,000 x $50 (the purchase cost), then the grand total is $43,500,000.

Single Player Game = Dunno, but probably no more than $20,000,000 altogether... if not less.

So, I think that answers your question, Steampunk.


[This message has been edited by Quarto (edited March 10, 2000).]
 
Many of the better games support multiplayer, but don't require it. Net play almost needs a second line if you don't have one already.

The way I see it few will want a game that only supports play over the net, which may require a fee just for the privilege.

By single player game, do you mean one that normally is single player like worms but easily supports additional players for matchplay or an equivalent?

As long as they feel there is more money in an online game they will make just that. If they had made prophecy so you could compete over LAN or internet, there is no doubt they would have made a hell of a lot more by attaching online to the title.

An armada-type turn based program setting bug against confed would have generated huge amounts of money as the market for action/strategy increases. Sure the cost would have been higher but you would have the armada aspect and the original proph for people not connected.
 
A single player game with multiplayer options could appeal to those who want an online experience... but it wouldn't bring in $10 per player every month. It's obvious that a regular game (with or without MP options) could never come even close to what an online only game could bring in. MMP's hot nowadays, WC has to go down that road to stay alive. Massive profits from an online only game will ensure the series' future, and pay for future games (SP, MMP, whatever the market demands in X years). The 1.5 million dollars UO brings in every month proves that people do want that kind of immersive, persistent online universe.

And frankly, I'm getting tired of all the bitching and moaning from the (rather vocal) minority that doesn't like the idea for whatever reason (high phone rates, living in the middle of nowhere,etc). There have been umpteen singleplayer games so far, it's time for something new. Something new that will come and go, because MMP is hot now, but in a few years there'll be more profit to be made from a traditional game than yet another MMP, in a market that's already satuated with them. And that online game will pay the bill for that next mainstream game.
 
Haven't they ever made it so MP mode would charge. Seems to me a game you load immediatemly demanding a connection is kinda a fad, even if it makes a billion a year.
 
But POL would be completly different than any kind of MP in games today. You can have your team vs team like in FS2, you can have something like playing through the game with some people like in SL, which sounds interesting, but POL will offer much more than that. You can do practicly anything you want to. After I'd get enough money I'd like to get a good ship, and either explore new systems or became a Bounty Hunter. I can't do that in any other game, even in the original Privateer. One aspect of POL would probably be that you don't have to fight. When it comes down to it, all space sims are kill, kill and kill some more. Privateer1 and 2 offered trading, but it was still mainly about fighting. In POL though you will have to kill sometimes, it won't always be necisary. Maybe you could buy a bar and suply other players with information (for a proper fee of course), you would have to hire people to transport your cargo, or transport it yourself and protect it if you decided to fly escort. Sure, you can play FS2 or similar games and have some fun against your friends, but POL will have something completly new that's never been seen before.

[This message has been edited by Earthworm (edited March 10, 2000).]
 
Wow, it's amazing how much you know about a game that nobody said anything about, Earthworm
smile.gif
.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Taking the ten WC games we already have, including the two Privateer games and an add-on we can prety much predict what will be in the game. And I did say *maybe* next to most of those posibilities. The fact is that when I hear the names Privateer and Online I can already imagine what the game will be like
smile.gif
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Hmm, well don't be too sure of that. Like I said before, the WC gameplay needs some changes to work properly online.
 
KrisV said:
A single player game with multiplayer options could appeal to those who want an online experience... but it wouldn't bring in $10 per player every month. It's obvious that a regular game (with or without MP options) could never come even close to what an online only game could bring in. MMP's hot nowadays, WC has to go down that road to stay alive. Massive profits from an online only game will ensure the series' future, and pay for future games (SP, MMP, whatever the market demands in X years). The 1.5 million dollars UO brings in every month proves that people do want that kind of immersive, persistent online universe.

And frankly, I'm getting tired of all the bitching and moaning from the (rather vocal) minority that doesn't like the idea for whatever reason (high phone rates, living in the middle of nowhere,etc). There have been umpteen singleplayer games so far, it's time for something new. Something new that will come and go, because MMP is hot now, but in a few years there'll be more profit to be made from a traditional game than yet another MMP, in a market that's already satuated with them. And that online game will pay the bill for that next mainstream game.

Kris, I agree with you whole-heartedly that its time for something new. But I agree with Death's Head. A single player anything (mission pack, game, anything at all) to go along with the MP game would be nice to see. I mean, come on, we all can't have second phone lines, DSL, Cable, or even T1-T3 lines for our internet. I'd be willing to invest in the baddest system out there to be able to play the next Wing Commander, but for $18 bucks more a month, plus 20 bucks a month for internet access alone, with the closest DSL requiring a long distance number, second phone line, and 55 bucks a month, I think I have a right to be one of those that bitches
smile.gif
My internet cannot always be "on", unlike other people. I'm not saying that to have WCMP, you'd have to always be on, but certainly having the ability to tie up a line for hours at a time, and not be bitched at is a nice thing to be able to do, and something that is lacking in my area. I may be in a minority here, and I'm not proud to be in it, but alas, I am in it, along with a good amount of others. We (not speaking for anyone, less myself, and the ones that want this said for them), have a right to voice our opinions of the next game, just as everyone else. If you do not like our opinions, fine, ignore them then. If we get repetive, so what? Its no skin off your back, so what difference does it make? I'm not trying to be a smartass about this, but don't think that a minority of those with bad connections/locations are not allowed to speak their minds. If we'd stop thinking in terms of "A single player game with Multi-player opions", and start thinking in terms of "A multi-player game with single player missions," it would be better for everyone. I'm not saying I'm right and your wrong, I'm just stating how I feel. Like I said, if you don't like it, fine, its my opinion, you don't have to like it, just as I do not have to like yours. But I do agree with you, in the sense that we need something new, which I feel that OSI could do alot with the "bug story", but like Quarto said, it will take some story/game/etc mods to get WC switched to, should we say, "internet ready mode."

------------------
Member of the LMG, and hating it. (Disgruntled Man)

Proud member: Wing Commander Space Command; Union of Border Worlds 5th Fleet; Black Lance Command
 
Last edited by a moderator:
He he, but DSL, or similar things aren't required for MP, neither are 2 phonelines. Though I got a second phone line so now I can sit on the net practicly the whole day, I could spend at least 3 hours on weekdays on the net before I got the second line.

I tried FS2, on a 56K modem at my friends house and it played quite nicely. OSI will also try to get POL to run at an aceptable speeds on 56K modems since that's the thing that most people have. I realy doubt that you will need DSL, or T-x to play on line.
 
Earthworm said:
He he, but DSL, or similar things aren't required for MP, neither are 2 phonelines. Though I got a second phone line so now I can sit on the net practicly the whole day, I could spend at least 3 hours on weekdays on the net before I got the second line.

I tried FS2, on a 56K modem at my friends house and it played quite nicely. OSI will also try to get POL to run at an aceptable speeds on 56K modems since that's the thing that most people have. I realy doubt that you will need DSL, or T-x to play on line.

I never said you would, but my internet averages .5 hours when I get home from school to check my email, and the 4 UBBs I post at, and then about 3 hours on weeknights after 8 o'clock, and probably 5-6 hours on weekends, after 6-7 o'clock. Those are averages, and some weekends, I don't make it on the web at all. The only reason i'm restricted is my parents won't get a second phone line and won't let me tie this one up all the time. And I know that won't change just because I buy a video game (they aren't a huge fan of computers in general
smile.gif
). Oh well. Maybe one day God will grace me with the knowledge of how to make a stable, user-friendly OS and I can take BG's spot as the richest man in the world, and you will all bow down before me! Just kidding, like it'll ever happen
smile.gif


------------------
Member of the LMG, and hating it. (Disgruntled Man)

Proud member: Wing Commander Space Command; Union of Border Worlds 5th Fleet; Black Lance Command
 
Last edited by a moderator:
The more people are on for hours or days, the slower our connections are going to get.

When the internet first started, the download of information was in many cases, far superior in speed to the avg. modem performance despite being far faster than they were at that time and sometimes having better cable lines, DSL, and internet speed boosters to add to a "better connection".

Besides that, if we spend hours and hours mastering every new game on the shelf, that's less time for school, work, and family.

I think we can wait around a year or two for the next game, biet POL, Apes on Steroids Online, Prophecy 2, or Confed vs Simpsons on Spede Online. The more time they work on it, the better the product we buy will be.
 
Back
Top