There is so many skilled guys out there that writes great software, a lot of this is free (under a GPL) for the end user as nobody own's the software-code, but most important is that everybody can help in the development. Would it be un-thinkable that we got a ShipSim based on GPL and the same content as SS08, but maybe splitt into 2 directions, one for the Arcade guys and one for the serious simmers that want as much reality as possible..
This way all the skilled and talented guys that have fun modelling vessels could produce a large number of vessels and the guys that offer servers could then decide which environments and vessels they would have on their server.
VSTEP is doing a great job, but it seems like there is limited resourses and then development takes a long time and cost a lot. Please don't misunderstand me, I do and will continue to support VSTEP and the development of SS08, but there is so much potential in the MP part that this should be developed much faster and much more detailed and realistic. I simply cannot wait for cranes to start working, mooring points to be established, barges with transferable cargo, working winches, working nav. equipment, dredgers, current, tides, proper wind effect, real weather updates, real shipping line colors, vessels with different names, VHF comm. integrated, working docks - both floating and dry - and what other way to make all this happen but to choose from a sim built by the users or one developed by Microsoft...?
Just an idea...
"MS Magnus"