Star Control sequel

This page is a very rough draft. We encourage you to edit and improve it (without interfering with the original author's work).

NOTE: This page is meant to contain all things revealed in chats as having been/being considered about the sequel, as well as an introduction, data about the petitions, SCNot3/TimeWarp (short info), stuff like that.

From the 2003 IRC chat with Toys for Bob (fwiffo is Paul Reiche III, wimbli is Fred Ford):

22:32 < fwiffo> Top of my 'would be nice' list would be playing AVI's or other video files at key points in the story (including the end!) [note: refers to Star Control II, not the sequel; however, it is likely that it will be considered for the sequel too]

From the 2007 IRC chat with Toys for Bob (robot is Fred Ford, PR3 is Paul Reiche III):

23:05 <@Meep-Eep> And I think we should start with the question which most people here will be most interested in to hear: what are you working on atm?

23:06 <+robot> We're working on a sequel to a game we made before that's not StarControl. Sorry.

23:06 <+PR3> I have also been working on a plot flow for a new SC game, though it is mostly in disorganized paper notes.

23:06 <@Meep-Eep> So what are the prospects for a new SC game?

23:07 <@Meep-Eep> Is it still useful to sign the petition?

23:08 <+PR3> We keep pushing on Activision and Atart (former=employer, latter=trademark holder) to let us do a product. So far we have interest but nothing concrete -- which is pretty much the same for the last few years!

23:08 <+tfb-chris> Like the robot said, thanks so much, everyone, for keeping the Star Control flame alive!

23:08 <+robot> Believe it or not, Activision has expressed an interest. But not having all the rights is still a problem.

23:08 <+Kwanger> I think the petition site might be dead but send me an email in support, if you haven't already: alexness at toysforbob.com

23:08 <@Meep-Eep> Isn't the only right missing the trademark?

23:09 <+PR3> One of the more likely prospects is a download-only product for XBox Arcade.

23:11 <@Meep-Eep> Is there anything else can you tell us about your new game?

23:12 <+PR3> I'd rather not say too much about the plot, except that Fwiffo's general paranoia, greed and lust for fame triggers the initial 'bad event' getting the player moving.

23:16 <+PR3> It is also hard to assimilate into any sensible plot the trajectory of computer technology, so my story ideas keep trying to circumvent that.

23:18 <@Meep-Eep> < guesst> PR3, what do you mean? You mean your stories are limited by the technology. Say it ain't so

23:19 <+PR3> Technology is cool and I love it. The problem is projecting the capabilities of computation and communication technology out a century -- I keep arriving at telepathy!

23:15 <@Meep-Eep> < guesst> Are you still up on your Sci Fi? What do you think will infuence Star Control's sequel?

23:15 <+PR3> Still reading Jack Vance.

23:19 <@fOSSiL> <Katana`7> Someone tell PR3 to read Charles Stross

23:21 <@Meep-Eep> < PONAF_Rider> I'll restructure my previous question (it was a bit vague): Have you thought of how you are going to implement certain gameplay aspects for a future SC2 sequal yet? With this I'm reffering to things like... 2D or 3D gameplay, keep 1 on 1 battles or choose multiple ships as well... and other such things

23:22 <+PR3> We have thought about multiship battles a little (in fact Fred and Chris both implemented versions). The tricky part was targetting as I remember.

23:22 <+PR3> I would love to fly in a large armada against a huge enemy fleet!

23:27 <+tfb-chris> It's certainly compelling to allow epic space battles between large fleets. I expect we'd investigate that option, and see how that gameplay might work.

23:31 <+tfb-chris> PONAF_Rider: Regarding moving 2d melee into the third dimension, I expect we'd only do that if we could keep the gameplay feeling like star control. Maybe there's a good way, or maybe it's best to use 3d models for the ships, but keep them in a 2d plane.

23:26 <@Meep-Eep> < Elerium> Speaking of which, does the guy in the back of the ZFP have any future plans? We all know he doesn't say anything, but I like to think of him as some super genius who sadly doesn't have the ability to speak.

23:28 <+PR3> He got fed up with the other two and has temporarily 'broken up the band'. You will need to get them back together, because as solo artists they suck.

23:28 <+PR3> (I mean the guy in back of the ZFP).

23:28 <+robot> I think we would like to make planetside much more engaging as well.

23:30 <@Meep-Eep> < Valaggar> Was there ever a planned "final form" for the Chmmr? I mean, you interrupted the process by speeding it up, and the end result was not what they had planned.

23:30 <@Meep-Eep> In other words: what does "The process has been interrupted" mean. Is there a final stage, or does it just mean only part of the population has merged

23:30 <+PR3> Good idea about the Chmmr. I will ponder upon this and steal your good idea.

23:37 <+robot> I think you will see an SC3 someday. Paul and I have every intention of continuing our almost 19 year collaboration and we're still excited about SC.

00:18 <+PulsarX> ever considered to make the view follow the ship, when you are flying in the interplanetary space, instead of going from picture to picture?

00:18 <+PR3> Yes. I would like to see that, so long as finding a planet was not a big deal (some kind of radar?)