Oh my... I think that my brain just melted from information overload.
Anyways, if :V: is interested in FS3, I would like to make a one, small, respectful and reasonable suggestion [possible subject in the talks with :V:]:
IIRC, :V: makes console games recently. While they do port those games to PC, they are plagued by a small and unavoidable problem - they are console games, and PC can do FAR better than consoles when used to their full potential. However, the console games sell, and :V: is in it for profit, just like any company. It's logical. It would be silly to just say "No! Don't do a console game! I beg you!" when it could generate profits and be helpful to the future of FS.
Therefore, I would like to propose one thing that would combine the best of the both worlds: do it in the same way as Valve is doing it, and make an awesome PC game, using cutting-edge technology and all of the PC capabilities. This will make PC users happy, and they will not be angry that they have to play a console game on their PCs when PCs can do so much more. [the keyboard alone makes sure of that in case of a space sim]
Then you port it to the consoles, optimising the controls and the graphics to them, along with the slight changes to the gameplay. [gamepad should do fine as a controller for a fighter]
So, in a review - what could be gained with this method:
-a real PC game, not a console port that will not be as good as a dedicated PC game. Firewarrior is a fine example of the fact that console games DO NOT port well to PC. This will make PC players happy, and you will have the advantage of large and loyal fanbase. [HLP, for example]
-a console game that is optimised for this market. Console players are happy, and not at the cost of PC players. Double profit!
In a result, you manage to satisfy both very important gaming groups, as both get a good game - PC players get a good PC game, and console players get a good console game, as opposed to "console players get a good console game and PC players get an average PC game". This, of course, depends on the assumption that the game is good, but I have high hopes about that.
Coop would be, obviously, present, just like the mission editor [possibly in both versions, the console one saving the missions on memory cards or something like that]. Another selling points, as coop is a big thing on the consoles, and FS series has a long tradition of coop missions. A mission editor would also be a unique thing.
Geomod for ships would kick much ass. It would be a good question to ask: "Can geomod be used in a space sim?"
I know that this is a bit premature and silly to suggest something as drastic to a serious game developer when I am just a fairly obscure forumite, but I hope that in the incredibly happy situation where something comes out of it this idea will be considered. [by that time we will also see if it works, because, as I said, Valve is doing it with HL2]
EDIT: to clear things up: I mention this because so far, AFAIK, only Valve has thought of this, and it is, IMO, an excellent idea to satisfy both PC and console gamers, and maintain good quality on both platforms. I am no developer, thought, and I am not sure how well would that float. I also mention this in this thread, because it would be a good thing to suggest before anything real is done, IOW, when it still could, in theory, matter, and let :V: think about it.
The possible presentation of the question:
"Would it be possible to make FS3 a PC game first and then port it to the consoles, and not in the reverse?"
Sorry for the grammar, English is not my first language.
It also depends on Volition's interest in making FS3 at all, but that can be "probed" earlier.
