Space Sims/Strategy Games Catch-All

Thanks for catching that, Scratched. Yeah, the installer sadly hasn't worked for ages, but manually installing the thing is mostly straightforward.

Ok. Anyone know where I could get a decent (read inexpensive) USB joystick?

Grenn wrote:

Ok. Anyone know where I could get a decent (read inexpensive) USB joystick?

I use a Saitek Cyborg Graphite. Will run you about $20. Very much lacking in bells and whistles.

Grenn wrote:

Ok. Anyone know where I could get a decent (read inexpensive) USB joystick?

Would the Logitech Extreme 3D Pro Joystick fit those requirements? It's ~ $30 on Amazon.
I've had one for years; though admittedly it doesn't get much use.

Grenn wrote:

Ok. Anyone know where I could get a decent (read inexpensive) USB joystick?

I read these two are pretty good:

Logitech Extreme 3D Pro Joystick

Thrustmaster T-Flight Stick X Flight Stick

I've had no experience with either though. Saitek used to make great ones, but they got bought up by Mad Catz so I've no idea anymore...

For a bit more money, the Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS is decent.

Good suggestions, all. One thing, though. Liquid, the word "joystick" is already pushing it. "Thrustmaster joystick?" I couldn't use it just for giggling the whole time.

This is the one I use.. and my only complaint is that there's no way to lock the twist rotation for games that don't support that extra axis. (edit or even for games that do. Maybe it's my frantic flying style but it seems to activate much too easily in the heat of battle.)

The Cyborg Graphite lacks twist altogether. Something to keep in mind if you think you'll want twist.

There is a Freespace 2 thread guys.

And yeah there was some issue with the installer back in summer 2011 that was supposedly fixed. But that's the last time I messed with installing it or playing the game really.

I actually hate rudder twist, which is why I've held onto my Saitek X-45 setup for so long.

And I dunno if the installer actually was fixed, as last time I looked last year, its page was still suggesting a manual installation.

FWIW, I tried the FSO installer last night, and it couldn't find the files to download. So whatever was fixed has had time to break again.

Also, I've been using a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro for a while now and find it good enough, especially for the price.

misplacedbravado wrote:

FWIW, I tried the FSO installer last night, and it couldn't find the files to download. So whatever was fixed has had time to break again.

HAH! That's what you get for liking the X games!

Pandora: First Contact is a new 4X from Slitherine and Matrix. Looks Civ-like (ok Alpha Centauri) and not exactly a space game, but if it's going to get traction on this site then this is the place to post it.

garion333 wrote:

Pandora: First Contact is a new 4X from Slitherine and Matrix. Looks Civ-like (ok Alpha Centauri) and not exactly a space game, but if it's going to get traction on this site then this is the place to post it.

Signed up for the beta today.

garion333 wrote:

Pandora: First Contact is a new 4X from Slitherine and Matrix. Looks Civ-like (ok Alpha Centauri) and not exactly a space game, but if it's going to get traction on this site then this is the place to post it.

Too bad its Matrix. It will be $50 mostly forever.

tboon wrote:
garion333 wrote:

Pandora: First Contact is a new 4X from Slitherine and Matrix. Looks Civ-like (ok Alpha Centauri) and not exactly a space game, but if it's going to get traction on this site then this is the place to post it.

Too bad its Matrix. It will be $50 mostly forever.

So when's it coming to steam. *ducks* Kidding, all that aside looks fun.

I doubt I'd ever buy from Matrix again. There are too many companies that give a sh*t about their user base to waste time and money on one that treats me with contempt.

Well, let's not get hyperbolic. They have something to sell and since they are publisher and store they set the price. They sell to a very niche audience and feel like that they can charge what they do. I don't think it's contempt at all. And they do support the folks who buy from them, rather well actually (I say this from experience). I think that they could make more money selling stuff at lower price-points, especially for older games, but it's not my call to make. I'd certainly buy from them again. Just not my first choice due to price, if I have a choice.

Space games. I used to play those. *sobs* I miss the pewpew.

tboon wrote:

Well, let's not get hyperbolic. They have something to sell and since they are publisher and store they set the price. They sell to a very niche audience and feel like that they can charge what they do. I don't think it's contempt at all. And they do support the folks who buy from them, rather well actually (I say this from experience). I think that they could make more money selling stuff at lower price-points, especially for older games, but it's not my call to make. I'd certainly buy from them again. Just not my first choice due to price, if I have a choice.

It isn't that they set a price that's too high alone -- although the price is too high! It's the attitude: no, we won't release a demo. No, we won't put it on Steam. No, we won't make the buy-in price reasonable, or pay any attention to the market. If you ask about any of this, you will be berated.

Sorry -- this is a derail and ground that's been covered.

That company is going to die sooner or later. You can't make an elitist clubhouse and run a profitable business at the same time.

Tamren wrote:

That company is going to die sooner or later. You can't make an elitist clubhouse and run a profitable business at the same time.

Oh, I don't know...They've been running this way since '99, so they must be doing something right. I'm with tboon--I don't feel like it's contempt at all, it's just the price point they set for their niche market.

As for the actual game that was brought up, it definitely looks like Alpha Centauri, which puts it on my radar at least. I'd be interested to see how the different factions play out and what all is involved in the unit customization. Hopefully it tries something new, otherwise I'm perfectly happy with my GoG version of Alpha Centauri

The Matrix conversation is a weird one. I've tried to have discussions about the pricing on Distant Worlds on their forums, and the sheer...negativity I've seen toward myself and others at going lower than boutique pricing is just confusing as hell. It's a shame, as Spiderweb software proved lower prices usually equates to more sales.

Anyway, I have a new review y'all, this time of the indie space combat/trading/exploration game Dangerous (no, not Elite Dangerous, that's another animal):

http://www.spacegamejunkie.com/revie...

Enjoy!

Oh, also, I'm gonna be doing my first ever live Q&A tonight, which will be streamed via Google Hangout to my site, so I invite y'all to check it out. Would love to see y'all there.

Oh I don't think there is any contempt involved but my point about the clubhouse still stands. The barrier to entry is just waaay too high. And I really don't like how they structure the expansions with things like interface improvements locked behind a paywall.

I agree, the price point is a huge hurdle for most folks, which makes me so depressed when I try to share how awesome Distant Worlds is. That coupled with the lack of a demo is REALLY hurting them. I mean, it's fine to wanna be niche, but so much so it hurts overall, long-term sales and sale prospects? I don't get it.

Veloxi wrote:

I agree, the price point is a huge hurdle for most folks, which makes me so depressed when I try to share how awesome Distant Worlds is. That coupled with the lack of a demo is REALLY hurting them. I mean, it's fine to wanna be niche, but so much so it hurts overall, long-term sales and sale prospects? I don't get it.

I apologize for derailing this so badly, Veloxi.

For me: I bought and own Distant Worlds. All of it. I can afford it, so I'm not feeling any pinch from having invested in the game.

I just dislike it. Had there been a demo, I'd have known that. That's not an unreasonable request, but the response to that request -- like the response to the request for a Steam version, or a sale -- is "you're STUPID."

Yeah, whatever.

Hah, we're talking about space games, it's all good. Sorry you didn't like the game. Did you try the one-spaceship method I used? It really helped me click with the game.

Veloxi wrote:

Anyway, I have a new review y'all, this time of the indie space combat/trading/exploration game Dangerous (no, not Elite Dangerous, that's another animal):

http://www.spacegamejunkie.com/revie...

I checked out the Dangerous Lite app for my Android device, and it seems pretty cool, but it's a bit too awesome for my phone to handle. Even with graphics turned down.

Hahaha, it's also on PC and Mac.