GizmoGamer.com writes "GSB is the next game from UK developer 'Positech Games'. It's a strategy / management / simulation game that does away with all the base building and delays and gets straight to the meat and potatoes of science-fiction games : The big space battles fought by huge spaceships with tons of laser beams and things going 'zap!', 'ka-boom!' and 'ka-pow!'. In GSB you put your ships together from modular components, arrange them into fleets, give your ships orders of engagement and then hope they emerge victorious from battle (or at least blow to bits in aesthetically pleasing ways)."
Positech Games and Vale are offering Gratuitous Space Battles for 75% off this weekend as part of the weekend deal on Steam. The three pieces of DLC are also available at a discounted rate as well.
The games industry air is turning blue once again as Cliff Harris of Positech Games (Gratuitous Space Battles and Democracy 2) relates a rather unpleasant encounter with Epic's Mark Rein.
In response to Rein's apparently derisive attitude at a Develop Conference panel at which Harris was speaking, the developer says: "If Mark [Morris] from introversion suggests I'm doing it wrong, that's cool ... But Triple-A studio bosses trying to lecture me on how to communicate better with gamers? Fuck off."
Interesting. I don't know how to feel about this. Mark Rein is the head of a very large company so obviously he doesn't have one on one conversations with customers and he has the right to think it's pointless but he was just being a dick at that press conference. At the same time, if Microstudios wish to find greater success they need to expand their horizons. If they're going to listen to the wishes of a single customer, then what's the difference between that customer and the design leader for the game. Might as well hire the customer, eh?
These' too many examples of big publishers either churning out crap, or stealing then ruining IP from small dev houses. Just so they can sell to more people.
A game doesn't have to make enough profit to buy stockholders a yacht.
Well fucking said Positech's Cliff Harris. Mark Rein wanted to be a jerkoff and you called him out on it. I'd clap but I'm typing and that would seem weird. You sir deserve an Old Spice scent named after you.
i cant stand arrogant people in general. the industry's "greats"should nuture and help indie developers and who knows they could gain a massive new ip one day from creative minds of those who trully have passion for the industry.
mark rein- FUCK YOU
Gratuitous Space Battles is a solid and interesting strategy title. The game offers some relatively unique gameplay elements which come together to create an enjoyable package. However it would have been nice to see direct multiplayer, and possibly a few more challenges. Also the price, for some, may be above that 'impulse buy' region which many indie games fall into. That said the value for money really comes down to what kind of player you are. If you enjoy the ship customisation/perfection style of gameplay then you'll have a great time with Gratuitous Space Battles.