The creator of space games like the Wing Commander series, Starlancer or Freelancer is back to game development after a long period of absence. Chris Roberts says, in his recently launched website Roberts Space Industries, that he stopped making games because of technology limits. “I took a break. Not because I stopped loving or playing games but because I had become frustrated with the limits of the technology at the time to realize my vision.” ~Chris Roberts.
Details on the new game will be revealed in October 10, 2012. Most likely it will be presented on GDC Online. But, everything leads to believe that it will be a “space sim” of some sort, that is to say a space trade or space combat simulation game like Freelancer or Wing Commander.
Why will it probably be a space sim? Because of Chris’ background but also because of a hint Chris gives on a followup email you receive after registering for the RSI website. “The site will be posting a variety of content of interest to Wing Commander and Freelancer fans as we count down to an announcement in October. I encourage you to introduce yourself at the forums and help us build a great community of serious space sim enthusiasts! I’ll see you there.”.
Chris said to have been working on this new game for one year now and gives out further proof that it will be a space sim game. “I’m here to tell you that I have been working on something for just under a year, something that embraces everything that my past games stood for but takes it to the next level.”.
After the October 10th 2012 announcement it’s expected that development will take 2 additional years. “Upon purchase of the Roberts Industry Spaceship I do invite you to a private showing of my next creation and the opportunity to participate in its development over the next 24 months. Once completed, you will receive a very special equipment package that only the golden ticket holders are entitled to”.
For more information check and subscribe the RSI website. There’s a forum already running and some more bits of background information.
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Ok, i am curious what he is up to. Hopefully a new Wing Commander :) If nothing really cool will be released in the last 3 months of this year, i think the fan-made Wing Commander Saga: The Darkest Dawn will be my favorite game for this year :) And to be honest i think i played more joystick based games in the last year than mouse based ;)
This is promising news, In my opinion Starlancer was the only game for me that came close to the Freespace experience. It was not on the same scale, but it was still rather compelling to play. More like frigate and fighter squirmishes than full blown capital ships duking it out while fighters and bombers whizzed through in insane dogfights. I suggest he get onto Kickstarter while halfway into the project. It will definitely get crowd support. Games like these are few and far between. Especially when a veteran of the calibre of Chris Roberts is on board. I can hardly wait! Now if only they could get the clever creators of Freespace 1 and 2 to make Freespace 3 I would die happy!
Hopefully not some bloody MMO or free to play BS.
I wouldn’t discount that possibility.
“With the power of today’s computers and the reach of the internet I finally feel I have the tools to build the connected experience that I always dreamed of. A world that would be more satisfying and richer than any film I could work on.” ~Chris Roberts
I’ve not played a Wing Commander game since the original was ported to SNES back in 1992. It looks like that was probably the least graphically appealing version of the game. At the time, I really appreciated the storytelling and the character interactions. It’s been so long I had to look at some screenshots to remind myself. I recall liking the feeling of competition as I tried to climb the pilot kills board. Earning new medals was a great feeling as well.
Played the original series, but frankly am over space combat shooters now – prefer more strategy than action flying.. still if there is a little of both maybe I will cast my eye over it ….Don’t have the agility with my hands I once had.
If they don’t screw this up it will be a dream come true. But after ‘Freelancer’ the mouse-game and the WC movie I’m not considering this a home run until we actually see the game.
Oh not MMO, that would be criminal from a guy who made such seminal contributions to the whole space sim genre. If I am to believe this guy was in hiding for 10-15 years just so cloud computing and steam could mature enough to fill his pockets with lucra…. then this is sorely not the development many of us neglected space sim fans have been waiting for. I too am now alittle skeptical but cautiously optimistic.
Trying hard to manage my expectations here…
On a sidenote I am fairly certain this will have a multiplayer component. What form exactly? Who knows. Allthough looking at his past titels I have high hopes for a strong solo campaign in addition to MP/MMO. Think Freelancer online, atleast that was my initial thought
“connected experience” sounds to me like an always on, persistent universe where the player can connect from multiple devices (home computer & portable device)