I raced home this evening from work to download and install this game, a game I've been watching and waiting for with anticipation.
Both the download and the installation were very smooth (10 Internet points awarded) and with some minor tweaks to my Video card settings this game looks very pretty (10 more internet points awarded)
SS2008 has sucked up weeks of my life, and I never thought that one of my favorite features would be gone in this newest version. I use a CH Products joystick for all my Ship Sim stuff and have enjoyed good response and fantastic customization of controls.
I'm not sure why you did it, but the ability to fine tuned either movements or engine is gone, even using precision controls (F12, awesome feature by the way: 10 internet points awarded) It's either all or nothing, or with precision controls on, i can no longer put in just a little thrust or rudder movement, as they must be overdone to get any movement at all.
I loaded up SS2008 to confirm that my hardware is working and indeed, the relative locations of my two engine controls is in line.
let me give you an example: in SS2008, if i set my throttle's to half, the throttle on the ship went to half, I could add or remove small changes to really get the feel of "being there"
With this version, with precision controls off, the axis don't act like axis, but instead like buttons with the only options being on/off
With precision control on, I have more control, but I can't just set my throttle to half and leave it there, i have to "dial in" what throttle or rudder I want then return the axis to neutral. This change has made the game unplayable for me, thus I will be shelving this version and going back to my beloved SS2008 where I will stay until maybe a patch is brought out.
so here's the score
Concept design and execution (+1000 internet points)
Installation / activation and support (+30 internet points)
The missions look awesome (+50 internet points)
changing the wonderful control structure (-700 internet points)
Overall you come out ahead and I wish I could enjoy this game. Bravo! to the developer's for execution of an amazing game that I am sure will bring joy and entertainment to many... however I won't be one of them.