Naval combat

**Alexander the Pretty Good** · 09-15-2005, 22:49

So it's like RTW, with this "Thunder at Sea" program for the strategy map, but "Fighting Steel" for graphical tactical battles?

And has Fighting Steel been improved since Gamespot gave it a 5.6?

**Puzz3D** · 09-16-2005, 03:53

Well Thunder at Sea is continuous play with a pause option, and yes Fighting Steel has been greatly enhanced over the past 5 years. SSI gave the source code to the people working on the Fighting Steel Project with the stipulation that any improvements to the game would be made available free of charge.

**GoreBag** · 09-16-2005, 04:49

I had Jane's Naval Command, but I never really took well to it. Beyond that, I used to play Silent Service for the NES with my father as a child, so I recently picked that up for nostalgic value. You can only be a sub, but it's pretty intense.

**Degtyarev14.5** · 09-20-2005, 01:51

I've been eyeing this little bugger off since someone posted this link here a couple of years ago:

The Russo-Japanese War 1904-1905 (Development Title)

Still waiting...

A.

Edit: Alternatively, click here .

Aaaaaargh!

**Kraxis** · 09-21-2005, 00:48

Actually you can get some pretty nice surface battles out of SH3. The downside is just that you have to create them and that they are resolved without your intervention. But they are indeed very nice to look at (I still play my Bismarck-Tirpitz-Prinz Eugen vs Rodney-Nelson-Dido-Fiji).

**Puzz3D** · 09-21-2005, 16:07

Originally Posted by Gelatinous Cube

Russo-Japanese war? Doesn't sound so fun. It was awfully one-sided. Even if you deviate from history, the disparity between forces is pretty pathetic.

The game is developed by Norm Koger. He's legendary in wargame development. According to a post on usenet, Norm responded to a recent email that the game is finished and ready for release, and he's working on the legal contracts to get it released. In the past, he's been prevented from patching his games by publishers, and it would be nice if he could find a way around that problem even if it meant self-publishing and charging more for the game. This is where Fighting Steel Project excels because it has gotten 10 major revisions and many minor revisions over the last 4 years because SSI relinquished some of their legal control and allowed the source code to be modified.

Kraxis,

The Bismark breakout scenario in Fighting Steel Project with the Thunder at Sea wrapper is very good. I've played it over 50 times, and haven't tired of it. Navies at War due for release Q2 2006 will replace Fighting Steel Project, and will have land masses included in the tactical engine.

**Kraxis** · 09-21-2005, 17:47

Hmm... Ehm, what am I supposed to order? The Fighting Steel game or the Fighting Steel Project CD? Can't find the first, but the second costs 10$. I'm a little confused.

**Puzz3D** · 09-21-2005, 21:16

You have to own the Fighting Steel game or purchase it for $10. Fighting Steel Project is a free download and patches the Fighting Steel game. The current version of Fighting Steel Project is apparently the last major revision which will be released. You can also buy their Thunder at Sea operational campaign simulator which costs $25, and includes the Fighting Steel Project patch. There are air and submarine elements included in Thunder at Sea, and it calls Fighting Steel to resolve the ship-to-ship battles. It's not necessary to keep any CD's in the drive.

**Degtyarev14.5** · 10-07-2005, 17:41

Originally Posted by Puzz3D

The game is developed by Norm Koger. He's legendary in wargame development. According to a post on usenet, Norm responded to a recent email that the game is finished and ready for release, and he's working on the legal contracts to get it released. In the past, he's been prevented from patching his games by publishers, and it would be nice if he could find a way around that problem even if it meant self-publishing and charging more for the game. This is where Fighting Steel Project excels because it has gotten 10 major revisions and many minor revisions over the last 4 years because SSI relinquished some of their legal control and allowed the source code to be modified.

I am sooooo pleased to read these words!

A.

**Puzz3D** · 10-07-2005, 20:01

I figured this would happen. The first two times out in Fighting Steel I lost to CBR, and then the 3rd time out his Japanese fleet looked like what was left after the battle of Surigao Strait. Since then he hasn't wanted to play again.

**phred** · 10-22-2005, 15:35

Originally Posted by Puzz3D

The game is developed by Norm Koger. He's legendary in wargame development. According to a post on usenet, Norm responded to a recent email that the game is finished and ready for release, and he's working on the legal contracts to get it released. In the past, he's been prevented from patching his games by publishers, and it would be nice if he could find a way around that problem even if it meant self-publishing and charging more for the game.

Here's some news and screenshots from the wargamer.
The game is called Distant Guns due late Fall 2005
http://www.wargamer.com/news/news.asp?nid=2730#

here's the game's website

http://www.stormeaglestudios.com/public/home.html

and here's a quote from a press release

"The Distant Guns 3D render engine is the key to the next generation of leading edge gaming. We have laid out a path of development that will deliver gaming experiences that are beyond your wildest dreams. Some have managed to deliver hot looking historical games, with only surface historical accuracy. Others have served up extremely historically accurate games, but only average graphics.
The Storm Eagle is committed to delivering both!"

the screenshots look nice