I have to say that this is one of the most engrossing sims I have every used. there is really nothing else out there like it. Now that computing horsepower is spreading to the masses, Simulations like these are finding their way to the average home. It used to be that procedural sims used to only belong to govt. or large corporate entities. But this sim is incredible in it's duplication to reality.
As an educational tool, this software has no equal. Just from the 3 days I have "played" SSM2k7, I have learned more and now have a much deeper understanding, not to mention appreciation, of what is going on when the Space shuttle is on the launch pad all the way thru till orbit (i havent got anywhere near landing yet). I will never watch another launch again quite the same way. It's like the mystery of how exactly do the rendevous with the ISS, or grapple things with the arm, is gone, this in itself has been incredibly eye-opening and I can't imagine a better way to "learn" about the Space program and the Shuttle specifically, than by using this simulator.
Developers, you guys have stumbled onto to something here, and I hope you capitalize on it FAST! Accurate procedural simulations for consumers or enthusiasts is the the future of Sims. Ever notice how many "games" are looking more and more like a simulation of reality? That's what we want, recreation of reality (or fantasy) but a recreation none-the-less. The only thing that this sim falls a little short on, is the recreation of the visuals while in space. If you guys can up the images in orbit and of the craft themelves, Oh man, your going to corner the market! I know there is plenty of time in the future for that, but as a user, I'm playing around with modding some of the textures to "try" to get it more realistic visually. But there is only so much texture alterations can do. I have changed the smoke during lift off, and it does look better than stock.
The thing is, you guys have nailed the comms and procedures and panels of the interior of the shuttle, but you guys did such a good job, that now, it really contrasts the exterior visuals. Just one small example, the Earth's atmosphere glow. In the sim it is foggy white. The reality is it is a glowing blue. Also, the earth on the day side actually becomes a light source. Take a look at EVA pics, you'll notice the cargo bay or the planet itself very much lit up by the reflected light off the atmosphere. These are nit picks, and don't get me wrong, it is purely asthetic, but it really is the final hurdle to leap to stand out and be The company for a shuttle or space sim. Project Orion is in the next decade and so your source material will always be there, so please don't stop once the shuttles are retired.
In the end this software is a jewel. Especially considering that your "staff" is less than 15 people. You guys have a lottery ticket here, innovate, gives us a sim that not only blows our mind with the attention to detail to accuracy, but also that feeling that we aren't sitting at our PC's, that we are in orbit in command. It's 80% there, that last 20% is purely when we look out the window.....
I wish you all success and thank you for the experience.
