Predictions for 2015 UPDATED: Time for the results!

[Ruckdog]

I just posted a few predictions for 2015 over on the blog:

http://www.manbattlestations.com/blog/2015/01/03/2015-naval-gaming-predictions/

So, what do you think? Also, does anyone else have a prediction for the coming year?

[Landlubber]

Interesting topic. Thoughts on your predictions:

1. I think this is a solid bet. Not sure if I'll get into the game myself, but FFG has a solid system of game mechanics with X-Wing. My biggest concern is with scale--I think they're REALLY going to have to monkey around with ship sizes to make this work.

2. Hmmm, not sure on this one. Planetfall seems to be very popular (I have yet to get a full game in myself), so I could see Spartan focusing on fleshing that universe out. Plus, with some new sculpts still due for the alliance fleets in FA (like the RSN), I would almost prefer that they did not relase any new factions for that particular game--I'd rather they focus on getting the new sculpts done and maybe adding some different ships to each faction (I wouldn't mind seeing faction-specific specialist cruisers for the alliance fleets, for example). As for Dystopian...I can see them releasing a new minor faction. They have several to choose from. I wouldn't mind seeing the Egyptians or even some new, sub-Saharan Africa-based faction. I'm thinking a fast raiding faction based in Zanzibar...

3. Would be cool. I actually would have liked them to adopt the deck-building mechanic from Dystopian Legions 1.0 in DW 2.0, where you carry some cards specific to your faction's weapons systems.

4.  Haven't played the game, so no comment. 😀

5. I wasn't even aware of this! I assume it's similar to World of Tanks and World of Warplanes?

6. I think I could really get into BFG. I've never played it, but the minis look dang cool. I'll cross my fingers for this one, even though it is likely a long shot.

[Fracas]

2. Illosians would be cool, as would a fleshed out oshoran

[Ruckdog]

Interesting topic. Thoughts on your predictions:

1. I think this is a solid bet. Not sure if I'll get into the game myself, but FFG has a solid system of game mechanics with X-Wing. My biggest concern is with scale--I think they're REALLY going to have to monkey around with ship sizes to make this work.

Based on the recent interview the game's producer gave to the D6 Generation, they are going with a "tiered" approach for the game, where ships are going to be divided into size categories and all ships within that category will be in scale with each other. However, the size categories will be in different scales. That way, they can get away with out having to make a 10' long Super Star Destroyer (as cool as that would be!). So, it is going to be a bit like Star Trek Attack Wing, in that the ships will not all be in scale with each other.

2. Hmmm, not sure on this one. Planetfall seems to be very popular (I have yet to get a full game in myself), so I could see Spartan focusing on fleshing that universe out. Plus, with some new sculpts still due for the alliance fleets in FA (like the RSN), I would almost prefer that they did not relase any new factions for that particular game--I'd rather they focus on getting the new sculpts done and maybe adding some different ships to each faction (I wouldn't mind seeing faction-specific specialist cruisers for the alliance fleets, for example). As for Dystopian...I can see them releasing a new minor faction. They have several to choose from. I wouldn't mind seeing the Egyptians or even some new, sub-Saharan Africa-based faction. I'm thinking a fast raiding faction based in Zanzibar...

Yeah, my guess is that Planetfall will dominate Spartan's release schedule for at least the first quarter. I would expect more DW and FA goodies around the middle of the year.

3. Would be cool. I actually would have liked them to adopt the deck-building mechanic from Dystopian Legions 1.0 in DW 2.0, where you carry some cards specific to your faction's weapons systems.

My thoughts exactly! If you look at the TAC rules in DW 2.0, you can see that ability is built into them. Now we have to see if Spartan can capitalize on it.

5. I wasn't even aware of this! I assume it's similar to World of Tanks and World of Warplanes?

Well, it's made by the same company, so I would expect a similar philosophy to the gameplay (focused on arcade-style action vice historical simulation) and economy (freemium model).

2. Illosians would be cool, as would a fleshed out oshoran

That's what I was thinking...there are just so many cool directions Spartan could take with all the minor factions and races that have been mentioned in the Firestorm fluff!

[markymark1970]

So, what do you think? Also, does anyone else have a prediction for the coming year?

I predict that I will continue to be game-poor, similar to being house/car poor.

[markymark1970]

1) Star Wars Armada- I love big (capital) ship battles.  This kinda thing is right up my alley.  $$$
2) NO!!!  Can't... handle... any... more...  but I will.
3) Bring them on!
4) Have never played Fleet Captains.  Is it any good/fun?
5) Cheese & Rice!  That looks AWESOME!  Used to play a lot of computer naval games in the 90s, but this may balance out my slight EVE addiction.
6) See #2.

Is anyone else running outta storage space?  Any of my fellow CO gamers want to go in on a storage unit?  :O)

[Ruckdog]

4) Have never played Fleet Captains.  Is it any good/fun?

It's a blast! Does a great job of capturing the Star Trek theme; you really feel like you are "playing" an episode of the show. It is the best of the WizKids Star Trek offerings IMO.

5) Cheese & Rice!  That looks AWESOME!  Used to play a lot of computer naval games in the 90s, but this may balance out my slight EVE addiction.

Hee hee! Well, this will be a mostly tactical game, so it won't have the same kind of "world" built around it like EVE. However, I do plan on starting a Man Battlestations clan for WoW when it releases .

[Landlubber]

An MBS clan in World of Warships, eh? Could be interesting. I looked all over their website--do you know if I could play the game on a Mac? Just got a new MacBook Pro...

[Ruckdog]

Not sure...I know it took a couple of years for WoT to make it to OS X, so you might have to look at a dual-boot solution in the short term.

[Ruckdog]

BUMP!

Okay, now that 2015 is almost over, its time to see how we did with our predictions! I've posted my results on the blog:

http://www.manbattlestations.com/blog/2015/12/31/2015-predictions-outcome/

[Andrewchristlieb]

Not too bad given how fickle wargaming is. While I'd love to throw out some hints for 2016 that would probably be cheating.. and likely breaking a nondisclosure agreement or two Let's just leave it as I think everyone will be pretty happy with some new things coming... From somewhere.... There we go, proper teaser that gives nothing away, but will drive people nuts for the rest of the year trying to figure out what's going on.   

[Ruckdog]

Not too bad given how fickle wargaming is. While I'd love to throw out some hints for 2016 that would probably be cheating.. and likely breaking a nondisclosure agreement or two Let's just leave it as I think everyone will be pretty happy with some new things coming... From somewhere.... There we go, proper teaser that gives nothing away, but will drive people nuts for the rest of the year trying to figure out what's going on.   

I'll say!