Anybody want a Battlesphere Gold?

[Michael_]

That's basically it. The fact that there isn't even as much basic HUD functionality as Star Raiders -- a dinky liitle 8K game released almost 20 years before Battlesphere -- rendered the entire effort pretty laughable in my eyes. And that's not even getting into the whole "green=bad; red=good" radar stupidity.

 

I guess it´s up to the individual then. I have no problem with the HUDs whatsoever. Distance is easily taken care of with the different shades of lighting on the radar and the tracking pointer I can do without (never really use tracking anyway).

[else]

Skyhammer, although a fine game in its own right, is hardly a space shooter and is plagued by some nasty glitches.

 

The only glitch I've ever encountered is a very, very, very rare lockup. But as long as you save often it's no big deal, really. Sounds like you've experienced more serious problems?

[Bill Brasky]

 

Other, better games on the Jag had already demonstrated that point quite well.

 

Having already played Freespace 1 & 2 on the PC for several years prior to Battlesphere's release (and Star Raiders even more years before that), I found it to be excruciatingly underwhelming. While I appreciate all the technical wizardry required to get the networking functional, the actual game graphics and sound ended up cartoonishly simplistic, even by Jaguar standards. The whole package feels like something more intended for a demo scene party. Ray-traced balls! Whee! Mandelbrot generator! Whee! Page curl effect! Whee! Full-featured in-game HUD? Uhhh... sorry we couldn't get that going...

 

I suppose BS benefits from the Halo effect-- console-only gamers who don't know any better think it's great stuff.

 

AMEN! BS, the most over-rated game of all time? I can't believe that comments on here about the greatness that is BS, mostly from those who have never played it. Excruciatingly underwhelming sums it up perfectly. Iron Soldier 1 and 2 have better graphics and are way easier to obtain. BS is a yawnfest. Glad I was able to unload it onto some other sucker on Ebay. I wouldn't even put it in the Jag's top 10 games as far as gameplay. It has been amusing watching you guys fight over carts for years though.

[Michael_]

I can't believe that comments on here about the greatness that is BS, mostly from those who have never played it.

That´s really interesting because it´s usually the other way around. You know, people who haven´t been able to get a copy or play the game, bashing the game just for the hell of it.

And why is it so hard to grasp that a lot of people actually like the game? People do have different taste and opinions, you know.

 

Overrated? Where and how exactly?

[starlord]

Different taste of opinions?

 

Funny phylosophical answer from someone saying I have low standards because I like the space war 2000 prototype and skyhammer.

 

As far as low standards are concerned, don't worry: I have a collection of space combat games (some unreleased, yet retrieved) for several machines from the fm towns marty all the way back to the excelvision you couldn't even start to count, so please do me a favour and don't question my "low standards" again.

 

As for preservation, Perhaps you'll understand that the TOSEC serve a purpose other than mass piracy (at least to me): it's simply a backup system to all the software ever existing, and is expendable at will to accomodate unreleased prototypes such as calephar recently preserved for the amiga.

 

Should you have understood I wanted an immediate dump of battlesphere, I would have denied having said that, for this is not what I want. What I wish for is this: one day, in one or 20 years(or even later), when the jaguar comes to die (all systems die one day, unfortunately), when you will come to choose to dump the game or let it fade away, I simply hope you will go for the first choice.

 

Songbird (carl forhan) and telegames were quite receptive to this demand as, while they did not shower me with thousands of hacked roms, they did give me their word of honour that their games would be dumped when they deem it worthy, I just hope one day scatologic will react identically, since aside from B and C computervisions were things are still being discussed reguarding SW2K, battlesphere is the only question mark remaining in a long list...

 

I hope this might make you understand a bit more who I am (I sincerely hope you will have stopped having considered me as a pirate or equivalent right now) why I'm concerned with this, for indeed a jag cartridge is unbreakable, but without a jaguar in the future, is it of much use?

 

Also, remember that despite our differences, I'm willing to extend the hand of friendship with you, as friends are actually even more scarce and valuable than BSG today.

[Bill Brasky]

I can't believe that comments on here about the greatness that is BS, mostly from those who have never played it.

That´s really interesting because it´s usually the other way around. You know, people who haven´t been able to get a copy or play the game, bashing the game just for the hell of it.

And why is it so hard to grasp that a lot of people actually like the game? People do have different taste and opinions, you know.

 

Overrated? Where and how exactly?

 

No, people aren't bashing it for the hell of it. Any legit criticism of the game has been dismissed this way by zealous 4play fanboys. It's overrated here and in terms of fun gameplay and graphics. Compare it against almost any other 3d space shooter on any other system and it doesn't really compete. Why is it so hard for you to grasp that many people have played the game and realize it's boring, tedious and has underwhelming graphics, sound and gameplay? Some people like boring games that are trophy pieces in their collection. Some people only like games that are fun, you know.

[Michael_]

Also, remember that despite our differences, I'm willing to extend the hand of friendship with you, as friends are actually even more scarce and valuable than BSG today.

 

Here´s my hand then. And I wouldn´t worry about the preservation thing. I´m sure ScatoLOGIC themselves have that all covered.

 

Perhaps we should ask them to create two different collectible patches:

 

"BattleSphere Defender"

and

"BattleSphere Preservation Society"

and

"Zealous 4Play Fanboy"

 

EDIT: I see that we need a third collectible patch here. Hope you´re listening ScatoLOGIC!

Edited January 2, 2007 by Palmer Eldritch

[Michael_]

No, people aren't bashing it for the hell of it. Any legit criticism of the game has been dismissed this way by zealous 4play fanboys.

So, in your words, all those that actually like BattleSphere and see it as an amazing achivement can be categorized as Zealous 4Play fanboys?

 

BattleSphere is more likely being hit by the "plight of the top rated games". They´ll always receive their fair share of criticism, because really.."the game´s hardly all that".

 

 

It's overrated here and in terms of fun gameplay and graphics. Compare it against almost any other 3d space shooter on any other system and it doesn't really compete.

I´ve done that and in my book it´s way better than most other 3D Space Shooters. You probably shouldn´t present your personal views as facts here.

Of course the graphics may lose out to those of a Dreamcast or later-gen shooter, but that´s hardly the point. The game´s got so much more to offer than just visuals (which I also think are great btw), but those features hardly ever get any mention because it´s all drowned out in the love/hate fests that always arise whenever the game´s even brought up. The game´s got a mean deadly AI. How often do we talk about that?

[Bill Brasky]

 

So, in your words, all those that actually like BattleSphere and see it as an amazing achivement can be categorized as Zealous 4Play fanboys?

 

BattleSphere is more likely being hit by the "plight of the top rated games". They´ll always receive their fair share of criticism, because really.."the game´s hardly all that".

 

Those are my words? "All"? Where did I say that? I believe there's a group of VERY vocal Jag fans who are being extra-extra kind in their opinions of BS because of how long they waited to get their hands on it and they think Doug/T-bird is their buddy. These same people are the ones who try to shout down ANY criticism of the game. Anything less than fawning praise over BS is mischaracterized as jealousy or "bashing the game just for the hell of it". Again, where did I state my previous posts were facts, not my opinions? Quit posting what you want to read into my posts, just quote what I actually said.

 

Besides this forum, where is BS considered a top rated game?

 

 

 

Of course the graphics may lose out to those of a Dreamcast or later-gen shooter, but that´s hardly the point. The game´s got so much more to offer than just visuals (which I also think are great btw), but those features hardly ever get any mention because it´s all drowned out in the love/hate fests that always arise whenever the game´s even brought up. The game´s got a mean deadly AI. How often do we talk about that?

 

The graphics lose out to other Jaguar games and 32X games. Shadow Squadron and Star Wars on the 32X have MUCH better graphics, sound effects and music than BS. Iron Soldier, Iron Soldier 2, Zero 5 and Missile Command 3D(Virtual Mode) have much more impressive graphics than BS. Early-mid 90's PC space games have better graphics. Most of the game is spent staring at a black space starfield with an occasional tiny ship crossing the screen. None of this would be a problem if the game was fun to play. Oh I know, you can link up 16 copies of BS. It may be an amazing technical achievement but how does that add to the fun? How much does that feature ever get used? All adding that feature did was probably delay the games release another year or two. I don't believe all those copies that were quickly unloaded on Ebay shortly after it's release were because people were just out to make a quick profit. Jag owners bought it, played it, found it blah at best and were happy to sell it.

Edited January 2, 2007 by Bill Brasky

[Michael_]

Those are my words? "All"? Where did I say that?

 

I dont´know. It was a question from me to you.

 

Shadow Squadron and Star Wars on the 32X have MUCH better graphics, sound effects and music than BS.

 

Not even close. I own both of those games. Shadow Squadron´s successor, Stellar Assault SS, on the Sega Saturn comes close but still no cigar. The best looking 32X game, Darxide, is extremely impressive, but still not in the same league as BS.

 

Iron Soldier, Iron Soldier 2, Zero 5 and Missile Command 3D(Virtual Mode) have much more impressive graphics than BS.

 

I agree that those Jaguar games you mention are strong in the visuals department, but compared to BS they are hardly "much more impressive". Probably somewhere in the same region and they all excel in different parts of that particular visuals department.

 

Most of the game is spent staring at a black space starfield with an occasional tiny ship crossing the screen. None of this would be a problem if the game was fun to play.

 

See, this is where it feels like we haven´t even been playing the same game...

[Oppressor]

In no particular order:

 

ZB: Who killed your puppy? Seriously. I mean I love constructive criticism and if I had to do it again, we'd make the capital ships segmented like SS, and add a distance indicator, but man, you must have eaten some Death's Angel mushrooms in the year 2000 or so. Sorry to hear it. You used to be a fun guy.

 

SL: Never, ever. And our preservation plan is far beyond anything your tiny mind could conceive so just go to EBay and pay $500+ for it already, mmkay? You guys created the situation, not us, so go wallow in it with the rest of the, um, hobbyists.

 

BB: Thanks for the laughs. I was beginning to miss Sinflop and all that. Go Team Brasky Go!

 

And well, at this point, this long dormant account will probably get deleted for not properly goosestepping and all that so arrive derci if I'm not heard from again...

[Lastblade]

Screw the haters, I love my BS Gold and I hug it every night and a kiss to the back of the (oh so beautiful) clear cartridge case before I go to bed.

[Shawn]

 

 

And well, at this point, this long dormant account will probably get deleted for not properly goosestepping and all that so arrive derci if I'm not heard from again...

 

Umm, are you not banned from this site?

[Tempest]

 

 

And well, at this point, this long dormant account will probably get deleted for not properly goosestepping and all that so arrive derci if I'm not heard from again...

 

Umm, are you not banned from this site?

 

Not to my knowledge.

 

Tempest

[+LS650]

I believe that was Thunderbird.

[Oppressor]

 

 

And well, at this point, this long dormant account will probably get deleted for not properly goosestepping and all that so arrive derci if I'm not heard from again...

 

Umm, are you not banned from this site?

 

 

Yeah, it's a funny thing, but Doug wasn't the only author of BattleSphere. It's not like anyone bothers to keep track though.

 

But given how badly some of the 'tards on here have mangled the history of the project, I'm not at all surprised.

 

Hey Al, once again feel free to delete this account with my blessing. I'd do it myself if I knew how in fact. Anyone with mod powers watching this thing?

 

'Nuff said.

[Lost Monkey]

 

 

And well, at this point, this long dormant account will probably get deleted for not properly goosestepping and all that so arrive derci if I'm not heard from again...

 

Umm, are you not banned from this site?

 

 

Yeah, it's a funny thing, but Doug wasn't the only author of BattleSphere. It's not like anyone bothers to keep track though.

 

But given how badly some of the 'tards on here have mangled the history of the project, I'm not at all surprised.

 

Hey Al, once again feel free to delete this account with my blessing. I'd do it myself if I knew how in fact. Anyone with mod powers watching this thing?

 

'Nuff said.

 

...no-one has to delete your account for you to stop posting. You are free to leave on your own.

 

On the other hand, you are also free to stay and join any discussions if you like, however, you will probably only get flames if that is all you have to offer.

[ovalbugmann]

Screw the haters, I love my BS Gold and I hug it every night and a kiss to the back of the (oh so beautiful) clear cartridge case before I go to bed.

 

Hellyeah Dude!!! That's what I am sayin'

[ZylonBane]

Yeah, it's a funny thing, but Doug wasn't the only author of BattleSphere. It's not like anyone bothers to keep track though.

Nobody with a clue thinks Doug was the sole author of BS.

 

But damn, he does love to toot his own horn about it doesn't he?

[kevincal]

Maybe the best idea would be to close threads like this...

[Oppressor]

Yeah, it's a funny thing, but Doug wasn't the only author of BattleSphere. It's not like anyone bothers to keep track though.

Nobody with a clue thinks Doug was the sole author of BS.

 

Damn right! Ergo it seems like there are a lot of clueless souls hanging out here.

 

But damn, he does love to toot his own horn about it doesn't he?

 

Ya know Clay, I have no idea what happened to you. I do know we used to get along, hell you wrote the game's FAQ, but your OCD on some minor issues over the HUD and the menus of the game is ridiculous. I'll assume you've just decided to devote your life to getting Doug's goat, but having known the guy for almost 30 years, that is a fool's errand - something many on here could stand to learn. It's not like anyone who has developed anything complex for this platform is among the bashers. Quite the opposite actually: do something technical for this community and one will immediately become a target.

 

As for the game itself, I'll stick to what the major media has repeatedly said about it, which in some ways is a shame, as I am a big fan of constructive criticism. I can only guess that some form of latent fanboy autism has sprung up in your psyche and therefore any deviation from the original Star Raiders is unforgivable heresy. So um, why didn't you just jump the fence back in the 90s and save us all a lot of time?

[ZylonBane]

Ya know Clay, I have no idea what happened to you.

As it turned out, the game of "Looking Forward to Battlesphere" turned out to be more fun than the game itself. I respect the hell out of the technical achievements of BS, but there are just so many questionable design decisions -- from the democoder aesthetic to the largely-useless netplay -- that my enthusiasm for the game dropped to nil within a few hours of finally plugging in that first-run cartridge. Plus, in the years leading up to BS's release I got quite addicted to Freespace, which flattens BS in almost every conceivable way (an unfair comparison, I know, but nonetheless).

 

But come on, I've always been a cranky ass.

[smashalley]

I think more people spend time selling, or thinking about selling, Battlesphere than they do playing it. Maybe that's why the opinions are so varied on the game.

 

It is fair to ask a question to people who want Battlesphere (or Battlesphere Gold) and gripe about the price. Do you already own a Jaguar CD? The Songbird games? The B & C games? You could fill a lot of holes in your Jaguar collection with that same money. Better to see Songbird get a few bucks than just another Ebay seller.

Edited January 12, 2007 by smashalley

[Oppressor]

Ya know Clay, I have no idea what happened to you.

As it turned out, the game of "Looking Forward to Battlesphere" turned out to be more fun than the game itself. I respect the hell out of the technical achievements of BS, but there are just so many questionable design decisions -- from the democoder aesthetic to the largely-useless netplay -- that my enthusiasm for the game dropped to nil within a few hours of finally plugging in that first-run cartridge. Plus, in the years leading up to BS's release I got quite addicted to Freespace, which flattens BS in almost every conceivable way (an unfair comparison, I know, but nonetheless).

 

But come on, I've always been a cranky ass.

 

Well...

 

I get that, but I still don't get why you yammer on about it - nearly a decade later... Let go, move on, and put your hopes and expectations into Derek Smart's Freespace 3, mmkay? I promise he'll give you something with many many many more questionable design decisions! Why you could probably spend the rest of your mortal life on that one.

[ZylonBane]

I get that, but I still don't get why you yammer on about it - nearly a decade later...

Dude, we're on a forum where people still argue about 2600 Pac-Man.