Donations and maybe more game content?

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[Blow]

I've noticed in a few post that several comments were made about how small a company vstep is and as a result they don't have the man power to develop new game content at a faster rate. I don't know how true that is. Anyway, I choose quality over quantity and I am more than happy with the pace and the developments thus far, but what if we were able to make donations to help them either obtain more developers, software and all of the other ingredients it takes to make this sim that a lot of us are not aware of (including me) and just maybe we will see additional ports, ships and even some complicated aspects once considered not worth the trouble such as adding the effect of currents, wind, improved aids to navigation and ship handling characteristics to bring the realism full circle. Though I do understand that it is a very complex and lenghty task developing game content, and I am not one to expect results overnight, So my questions are; If we were able to make donations would that improve quality, quantity, or both? And would it even be possible for them to accept donations? I'm not sure about the legal ramifications from a company standpoint.

[Gloat]

Vstep, must get thousands of cash per week (from sold games and donations) to afford pro pogramms like 3D Studio Max, mate.

I don't think people know how much work a ship takes to get on action. Not only do they have to take weeks and weeks making the exteriors and interiros of the ship on 3ds max, but then put it into 3d environment, create AI paths for it, make walkabout mode, make sound, get the horn...

Anyway - I suppose your donation would help in a way I don't know, but as far as I know, Vstep doesn't need any new pogramms to develop new simulators

But sure! Vstep have a lot of sites! Rescue sim, Ship sim, Origional Vstep website and more...

[Ballast]

Dont we already support Vstep financial with just buying the game and ships from the Shipyard?  
ShipSim is the only game that i buy for the PC, just to show my appriciation to the devs. I didnt see much of SS2010 yet, but im gonna buy it anyway, for the same reason. Vstep's budget isnt that big as EA or Microsoft, but Vstep will pull it off eventually.

[Gloat]

I agree, and as I said, just buying the games makes all the difference.

Imagine how many people buy ship sim everyday (although I think some of that money goes to the shop we buy it in)

[Blow]

Thanks for your input gloat but we've all been lectured to death about the process of getting ships to work in the game. And I was thoughtful enough to make it clear that I was aware of that process. I was hoping to get some opinions concerning the questions I asked.

[Gloat]

and you have got it. How lovely.

[Blow]

I take it you don't believe any additional resources provided to vstep would have a domino effect on us?

[Ballast]

By the way, wasnt this the reason why the Vessel Design Group was set up? To create vessels (and envoirements?) so Vstep had the oppertunity to work on other things?

[Gloat]

... and none of the vessels in there are in ship sim. I don't blame NVDG though

[Minime]

Yes the pushboat and the engine room on the pushboat are in the game, those have been on the NVDG

[mvsmith]

I take it you don't believe any additional resources provided to vstep would have a domino effect on us?

On the Collector’s Edition DVD there is a video that shows their dilapidated garage where three guys have to share the same old computer.

[Blow]

On the Collector’s Edition DVD there is a video that shows their dilapidated garage where three guys have to share the same old computer.

Wow! I never would've imagined that. Well, That answers one of my questions. I think donations would have a very positive effect for the company which in turn we would all benefit from.

[IRI5HJ4CK]

I think your on the right lines with donations, but, I think "donations" could be as game content, rather than money. So, someone could create objects for the game, just out of good will, rather than looking for a cheque. But, it depends how business minded you are, I suppose.

Jack
p.s. Welcome to the forum!

[TerryRussell]

On the Collector’s Edition DVD there is a video that shows their dilapidated garage where three guys have to share the same old computer.

The developers have compuers now? WOW! Lucky people. Some of us don't have that level of pampered luxury.