Why is there no SMAC: 2?

[Cryopyre]

Seriously, I get sad everytime I think of this, is there a way we SMACers could get one going? Why has one not been created? SMAC was a hugely lauded game, so why no sequel?

 

[Fugitive Sisyphus]

Seriously, I get sad everytime I think of this, is there a way we SMACers could get one going? Why has one not been created? SMAC was a hugely lauded game, so why no sequel?

Because everyone knows it wouldn't be able to match up to the original.

 

[vyeh]

Alien Crossfire is a sequel to Alpha Centauri. Although the designers cast it as half expansion pack/half sequel, it was more than a new factions, new units, new technologies and new secret projects.

The addition of the progenitors would be a sequel in many franchises.

I suspect it won't make anyone feel better to think of Alien Crossfire as SMAC 2.

 

[Keroro]

If you have civ 4 then this Planetfall is worth a look. Like with colonisation, I think if Firaxis were going to do it it would be as a civ 4 mod.

 

[GenMarshall]

Might have to take a look at Planetfall when I get my laptop back from the repairshop.

 

[Cryopyre]

I already have planetfall, but I think that a well produced SMAC II is worth Firaxis's time.

If they followed most of their original form, with a few tweaks to the HUD's (is that the right term?) setup and a few other things they could make a lot of money.

 

[Perfection]

Lawyers, that's why.

 

[warpstorm]

Last I heard EA owns the rights to SMAC and Firaxis is owned by Take Two.

 

[ninebullets]

Like everyone else has said, there really is no need for a sequel. The only thing they could really improve upon would be the graphics, and they would probably just end up being cartoony and 3D like Civ4 and Warcraft 3 (I much prefer the graphics from the 98/99 era including SMAC, Civ2 and Starcraft).

The only thing I wish the Firaxis (or whatever they are now) team would do now (other than re-release SMAX) is continue customer support with this game, and supply updates and extra scenarios to keep fans interested.

 

[civictor]

Seriously, I get sad everytime I think of this, is there a way we SMACers could get one going? Why has one not been created? SMAC was a hugely lauded game, so why no sequel?

I still play SMAC/X and I like the game. But the reality is that it was a commercial failure. Sequels are only made from hits. It doesn't matter how much we like the game, there are not enough of us to finance development of a sequel.

On the other hand, who knows why there is no Master of Magic 2? That was a game that really deserves a sequel.

 

[Vishniac]

On the other hand, who knows why there is no Master of Magic 2? That was a game that really deserves a sequel.

On that, I can reply.

Stardock, the company owned by Brad Wardell who did Galactic Civilations and galactic Civilizations II (among many other things), tried to get the rights of Master of Magic two years ago to make MoM2. It wasn't successful (lawyer, money, I don't really know why...).
BUT then they decided to make their own game. Though it's now renamed Elemental: War of Magic, it should be the proud heir of Master of Magic.

These guys make good games, very good AIs and are very dedicated to the customers/players. You should check the official site and its forums, there are frequent updates about the schedule / artwork / mechanisms and they even ask for meaningful opinion. Everybody who will have pre-ordered the game will be included in the Beta starting in September.
Official site is: http://elementalgame.com/index.asp

I know Master of Magic is considered an all-time great but unfortunately I never could play it. I hope these news made your day.

 

[Pickly]

Like everyone else has said, there really is no need for a sequel. The only thing they could really improve upon would be the graphics, and they would probably just end up being cartoony and 3D like Civ4 and Warcraft 3 (I much prefer the graphics from the 98/99 era including SMAC, Civ2 and Starcraft).

I'd say there are a few more things they could do. (Iron out the terraforming/terrain system, make some changes to the combat system possibly, provide more options like numbers of factions, some secret projects could be rebalanced, etc.)

I don't agree with your graphics preferences (i like them both about the same, depending on the artwork), but do agree in general that newer graphics seem to be eating up a lot of resources that could be used for other parts of the games, or more games, and don't really provide that much improvement (or any at all.)

 

[vyeh]

If they merely remake SMAC, there is no need for SMAC 2. However, if they continue the story (planetmind encounters the progs on a far off world), then there is a lot of things they could do to make a SMAC 2 very interesting.

 

[Meatbuster]

Last I heard EA owns the rights to SMAC and Firaxis is owned by Take Two.

http://www.firaxis.com/community/asksid_archive.php?n_id=9

Even Sid said it... so here comes the obligatory...
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

On the other hand I'm GLAD Master of Magic has a spiritual successor!

 

[vyeh]

http://www.firaxis.com/community/asksid_archive.php?n_id=9

This is the pertinent quote from the Meatbuster's link:

Question: I'm a huge fan of Alpha Centauri and I still find myself playing the game 10 years now after it was first released. Is there any chance of a new Alpha Centauri game or a re-release of this addictive and masterful gem?

Sid: We’re all big Alpha Centauri fans as well. The series is owned by Electronic Arts (we were developing games for them back then), so the ball is in their court on whether or not to make a new version.

 

[candle]

I still play SMAC/X and I like the game. But the reality is that it was a commercial failure. Sequels are only made from hits. It doesn't matter how much we like the game, there are not enough of us to finance development of a sequel.

On the other hand, who knows why there is no Master of Magic 2? That was a game that really deserves a sequel.

they remade colonization, it wasn't excatly a huge success for microprose it just gained a massive following later

 

[Gelvan]

Firaxis made Alpha Centauri, so they should by any means have the right to produce whatever sequel they want to. Copyright shows where it lacks, when the developers who gave their hearts into something ain't able to reproduce it, due to a big old greedy sports game concern holding the "rights"...

Planetfall is really a great mod even at beta. But it is Civ4 and it will stay Civ4 which is another engine and "feels" differently than the original. I like Civ4, but it's not the same...

 

[candle86]

i agree with the just patch it to work on newer systems without random crash's higher res support and new voxel grahpics and where good. Biggest downside is the 800x600 grahpics and the random crash;s

 

[Elliot]

i agree with the just patch it to work on newer systems without random crash's higher res support and new voxel grahpics and where good. Biggest downside is the 800x600 grahpics and the random crash;s

You can put the line "DirectDraw=0" into your alpha centauri ini file and the game will use your current resolution.

 

[candle86]

thanks for that tip woot now hi res voxels are needed