StarWraith 3D Games Forum

15 years ago today, the original Star Wraith 3D space combat game was released, effectively starting my venture into 3D powered PC space games under the SW3DG name. The launch of the original Star Wraith came about 15 years after I started developing first person perspective space games in 1985 back when I was working with 4 color CGA graphics and had to render most details in either wireframe or raw pixels. My programming efforts started in the early 80's on a Tandy TRS-80 III, but it wasn't until I later switched to an XT (8088) PC that I began developing first person perspective space games. So today is kind of a dual anniversary date, one marking about 30 years of PC space game development, the other marking the launch of the original Star Wraith as SW3DG.

What may be next...

I'm hopeful I'll be able to complete at least one more first person indie 3D space-sim project, one that I've been working on since 2011 and has been in alpha testing for a few months now. This latest project (technically a sequel to Evochron Mercenary, although significantly different in a lot of ways) has overall been the most difficult project I've taken on to date. It has been in development alongside EM for about the last 4 years. In fact, EM has received several new options and features in recent years that have been back ported from the new project to the existing game so that both games would benefit from some of the new things I've been working on. The free expansion back in 2012 for players who bought the original EM was a big part of that.

The new project has been a monumental task and includes some new technological minimums, writing and rewriting lots of new code, creating new graphics/UI elements and options, as well as developing a new/different set of base gameplay conditions and rules. I'm still striving to finish it in a reasonable time, but I can't say exactly when it will be 'done' for release. I'll also want to support it for some time to come, as long as it remains financially feasible for me to do so as a way to provide for my family. So when/if the new game is released, I hope to be able to continue working on it based on player feedback in a similar manner as I've been working on EM since it began development back in 2008.

I'm not sure I'll want to venture on a project of this scale alone again in the future. I'm just one person trying to do my best on an 'indie' project that spans three programming languages throughout a pretty sizeable overall codebase. I have hired help for things like modeling, shader coding, and music. There is also an amazing team of testers who have been helping me pin down bugs, change options/features, implement new features, and evaluate compatibility. I'm annoyed it's taken me these 4 years to get this far (the time and financial costs have been heavy), but I won't release it until it meets my expectations for where I want it to be for an initial launch. If it doesn't get there, it'll never be released. But I am working extremely hard to achieve the goal of getting it to the point of meeting the release goals/objectives.

There is an enormous amount of work left for me to do. There are two remaining technical obstacles that must be solved (both of which are show-stoppers that will prevent release if not completed), months of potential testing left, lots of coding, finalizing media, multiplayer testing, and documentation/wesbite work. For a preview of some of the early prototype systems I've been working on (new shadow effects, new navigation console, new radar, revised HUD, and more), follow the YouTube link at the top of this forum for several videos that have been posted over the last year or so.

Stay tuned for the latest, when/if there is something to announce about a likely release, I'll post it here in the forum.

I'll buy it when it comes out. When I do, can I have that Klingon battle cruiser
that keep asking for?

Happy Anniversary!

I hope you are ultimately able to release this project. Personally, I'm stuck between "Take all the time you need." and "I can't wait! Gimme now!!"
Seriously though, take all the time you need. My purchase - and I am sure MANY others - is guaranteed.


~Salute~

Happy Anniversary and will be another instant pre-purchase for me!

happy anniversary and good luck with this new project, im sure it'll be an excellent game like the others

[Edited on 7-2-2015 by whipdiddywhip]

Hello,

Congratulations, I hope you keep going for many years.

You know we all want a Capital Ship version.

Steve

Happy anniversary!

If there is any Python coding you need done, I may be able to squeeze some time in for you. Otherwise, will wait mostly patiently for the next thing, and gladly pick it up when it's ready.

Congratulations' and lot's of luck on the new game. My first computer was a Timex Sinclair, then a Ti-99. I followed bc3000 for a long time and was never quite happy with it and besides the publisher lived up to his name. I have enjoyed EM and it is a good game and I've always had good support. Never enjoyed a game as much since the original game of Elite on the C-64. Cheers and good luck on the new game, will be looking for more.

Happy Anniversary, Vice. A lot has happened in 15 years. Really amazing, terrific work! I still remember those first StarWraith games (I still have them). I sometimes spool them up for a bit of nostalgia.

Happy Anniversary Vice! Still love your work as always!

You give an old man a reason to get up in the morning (and to stay up late at night).

Congratulations. Excellent work all the way.

No game in history had me hooked like your games do. That I'm still here and active is a proof of that.

Keep up the good work and if there is anything we can do to get some load of your shoulders, don't hesitate to ask.

(I also second Marvins comment, even if I'm young compared to him LOL!) Sorry Marv!:D

Happy anniversary! However the time will take ill wait patently your new project.

It has been / still my prefer game game and I will not hesitate one second helping you as many way I could.

Keep up the good work and courage.

I may be out of line here, but why not set up a fund raising site on the home page? You probably prefer to work alone, but some of the money could be used to hire a couple of people to take some of the load off. Space sim players tend to be more dedicated than casual players and would be glad to help you out in this way (i.e. Star Citizen).

Happy anniversary SW3DG! Thanks for the fun!!!

Happy Anniversary Vice. Please consider letting us pre-purchase to help with your funding and help that you require. I don't think there's anyone out there that plays your games that wouldn't support you and your project. Make it all it can be, with all the help you need. Don't forget we are all here willing to test things....lol.

Happy anniversary !
Count me in for supporting/buying a new release, your games are awesome !

Let me continue the congratulations! Happy Anniversary! Exciting news, and an exciting time.

Thank you for your investment of time, money, energy and creativity! As long as you want to continue to crystallize your dreams in game form, I'll continue to buy them. EM and EMII is what in my wildest dreams I thought the original Elite could be if mainframe processing power and specialised molecular modelling graphics computers could be brought together. It took a while for the computers to appear and then my dream came true.

This is the only game I play. The only game that could replace it is the game you are working on. So, take as long as it takes . . . whenever it appears I'll have it . . . and rejoice

Happy Anniversary Vice,your games are the very best out there,your support for your titles are 2nd to none,Day 1 purchase on your new project (fingers,toes and legs crossed) that you can beat the 2 obstacles .....good luck Vice

Happy Anniversary and I'm sure you know were all rooting for you Sir.
Good luck and Godspeed.

Day one buy for me, I'll always support the evochron games!:)

Happy Anniversary! and... Congratulations!

Not many independent developers can hold a candle to the reputation you've established. And, the substance and superior quality of your creations - which you continue to support unfailingly.....Stellar Kudos, with Laurels!

Looking forward to many happy years, flying the Evo-verse, in all of its manifestations. Very well done, Sir!

15 years leading to the best spaceflight games ever created. 'Thank you' isn't enough for all your hard work and outstanding dedication. Take your time, build the universe you want to build, and we'll be here waiting to fly when it's ready. I have a list of mods to finish that will keep me busy until then. Hope they'll be forward compatible...

Congratulations on 15 years of sw3dg!, Vice! You and your simulators were a gateway experience for me into the world of Indie games. The fun I have had from Renegades, Legends, and Mercenary far outstrip the enjoyment I've taken from any other game series, and I cannot thank you enough. I look forward with hot anticipation to this next (and final?) chapter in sw3dg game development.

[Edited on 7-4-2015 by Wasp89]