rec.autos.simulators

> Okay, so GT Interactive has canned EAI as the developer for the Trans
> Am Racing '68 - '72 sim.  GT Interactive has the rights to the title,
> though, and they have stated that they plan to start with a new
> developer and do a clean-slate approach (I've heard that EAI's work on
> TAR looks more like a sim technology demonstator than a workable
> sim/game).  So, what's GT Interactive going to do -- who are they
> going to use as a game developer, and how are they going to get
> something to market in a reasonable amount of time?  Trans Am Racing
> was due out NOW, and GT Interactive now has a void in their product
> line-up in the racing sim category that could affect their profits --
> and stock prices -- for the next couple of quarters.

> Here's what I'm seeing:

> Word has it that the folks at MGI (the people who brought us Viper
> Racing) may be working on something for an undisclosed game company.
> Could this be an 11th-hour deal with GT Interactive to use their Viper
> Racing-based sim expertise to develop a replacement for the
> now-dormant Trans Am Racing title?  The Dodge Viper is a front-engine,
> rear-drive, high-performance GT car with great suspension; the 1968 -
> 72 Trans Am vehicles were front-engine, rear-drive, high-performance
> GT cars with horrible suspensions (by today's standards) and hard,
> bias-ply *** -- how much of a leap is that in the programming
> arena?

> Also, consider this:  If you've checked out the Advanced Options
> Editor for SCGT, what do you make of the "'60s Sports Car" option?  An
> oddity that's included for no good reason other than "because they
> could," or was this an "audition" of sorts by the "Friends of ISI" for
> another *** company?  After playing around in SCGT with the "'60s
> Sports Car" option enabled, it struck me that the experience is
> probably what Trans Am Racing would feel like if it had been developed
> by the Image Space people in lieu of the SCGT title.

> Keep in mind that MGI and ISI are not subsidiaries of Sierra Sports or
> Electronic Arts -- they're INDEPENDENT game developers who work for
> these publishers to develop titles that they are contracted to
> develop.  Now that Viper Racing and SCGT are on the market, it stands
> to reason that the MGI and ISI development teams are looking for their
> next project to keep putting food on their tables -- and GT
> Interactive is now looking for a developer for Trans Am Racing. Seems
> like there's plenty of room here for a match made in heaven, methinks.

>> Okay, so GT Interactive has canned EAI as the developer for the Trans
>> Am Racing '68 - '72 sim.  GT Interactive has the rights to the title,
>> though, and they have stated that they plan to start with a new
>> developer and do a clean-slate approach (I've heard that EAI's work on
>> TAR looks more like a sim technology demonstator than a workable
>> sim/game).  So, what's GT Interactive going to do -- who are they
>> going to use as a game developer, and how are they going to get
>> something to market in a reasonable amount of time?  Trans Am Racing
>> was due out NOW, and GT Interactive now has a void in their product
>> line-up in the racing sim category that could affect their profits --
>> and stock prices -- for the next couple of quarters.

>> Here's what I'm seeing:

>> Word has it that the folks at MGI (the people who brought us Viper
>> Racing) may be working on something for an undisclosed game company.
>> Could this be an 11th-hour deal with GT Interactive to use their Viper
>> Racing-based sim expertise to develop a replacement for the
>> now-dormant Trans Am Racing title?  The Dodge Viper is a front-engine,
>> rear-drive, high-performance GT car with great suspension; the 1968 -
>> 72 Trans Am vehicles were front-engine, rear-drive, high-performance
>> GT cars with horrible suspensions (by today's standards) and hard,
>> bias-ply *** -- how much of a leap is that in the programming
>> arena?

>> Also, consider this:  If you've checked out the Advanced Options
>> Editor for SCGT, what do you make of the "'60s Sports Car" option?  An
>> oddity that's included for no good reason other than "because they
>> could," or was this an "audition" of sorts by the "Friends of ISI" for
>> another *** company?  After playing around in SCGT with the "'60s
>> Sports Car" option enabled, it struck me that the experience is
>> probably what Trans Am Racing would feel like if it had been developed
>> by the Image Space people in lieu of the SCGT title.

>> Keep in mind that MGI and ISI are not subsidiaries of Sierra Sports or
>> Electronic Arts -- they're INDEPENDENT game developers who work for
>> these publishers to develop titles that they are contracted to
>> develop.  Now that Viper Racing and SCGT are on the market, it stands
>> to reason that the MGI and ISI development teams are looking for their
>> next project to keep putting food on their tables -- and GT
>> Interactive is now looking for a developer for Trans Am Racing. Seems
>> like there's plenty of room here for a match made in heaven, methinks.

>Very good analysis John. It could be a possibility. I had a lot of fun
>with Viper racing. If MGI does indeed make a Trans-Am game, I pretty
>sure I would buy it. Very interesting points you make. Now, can you
>confirm some of the speculation (like you did with Indy racing Legends)?

>Philster

>Okay, so GT Interactive has canned EAI as the developer for the Trans
>Am Racing '68 - '72 sim.  GT Interactive has the rights to the title,
>though, and they have stated that they plan to start with a new
>developer and do a clean-slate approach (I've heard that EAI's work on
>TAR looks more like a sim technology demonstator than a workable
>sim/game).  So, what's GT Interactive going to do -- who are they
>going to use as a game developer, and how are they going to get
>something to market in a reasonable amount of time?  Trans Am Racing
>was due out NOW, and GT Interactive now has a void in their product
>line-up in the racing sim category that could affect their profits --
>and stock prices -- for the next couple of quarters.  

>Here's what I'm seeing:

>Word has it that the folks at MGI (the people who brought us Viper
>Racing) may be working on something for an undisclosed game company.
>Could this be an 11th-hour deal with GT Interactive to use their Viper
>Racing-based sim expertise to develop a replacement for the
>now-dormant Trans Am Racing title?  The Dodge Viper is a front-engine,
>rear-drive, high-performance GT car with great suspension; the 1968 -
>72 Trans Am vehicles were front-engine, rear-drive, high-performance
>GT cars with horrible suspensions (by today's standards) and hard,
>bias-ply *** -- how much of a leap is that in the programming
>arena?

>Also, consider this:  If you've checked out the Advanced Options
>Editor for SCGT, what do you make of the "'60s Sports Car" option?  An
>oddity that's included for no good reason other than "because they
>could," or was this an "audition" of sorts by the "Friends of ISI" for
>another *** company?  After playing around in SCGT with the "'60s
>Sports Car" option enabled, it struck me that the experience is
>probably what Trans Am Racing would feel like if it had been developed
>by the Image Space people in lieu of the SCGT title.

>Keep in mind that MGI and ISI are not subsidiaries of Sierra Sports or
>Electronic Arts -- they're INDEPENDENT game developers who work for
>these publishers to develop titles that they are contracted to
>develop.  Now that Viper Racing and SCGT are on the market, it stands
>to reason that the MGI and ISI development teams are looking for their
>next project to keep putting food on their tables -- and GT
>Interactive is now looking for a developer for Trans Am Racing. Seems
>like there's plenty of room here for a match made in heaven, methinks.

>Just my $0.02.

>-- JB