Grey Dog to release Golf sim

[AgustusM]

looks cool

http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13501

[DaddyTorgo]

whoa! that's an untapped market for text-sims! not really my cup of tea generally, but if done right and if i had spare cash i might take a run at it

[DaddyTorgo]

dola...this is a Gary Gorski game?!?!

my interest just went up 5 notches on a scale of 1-10...from 2 to 7.

[chinaski]

nice, i loved our Sim Golf tournies.

[RPI-Fan]

I am very, very interested.

[Gary Gorski]

dola...this is a Gary Gorski game?!?!

my interest just went up 5 notches on a scale of 1-10...from 2 to 7.

Thanks DT - I think its going to be alot of fun. I'm really excited to see what people will do with the course designer and best of all its going to be different. It's not going to be TW or Links and its not going to be Sim Golf but kind of a mixture of everything. Accurate game play (I don't know how TW and Links do on that but I know scores would be really, really low in SG), super easy to use course designer, and a career/rpg element to it.

We don't have our TPG forums live yet but if anyone here wants to chime in with things they would like to see in the game by all means go for it. The course designer is pretty near completion but plenty can be done to the game design still.

[MJ4H]

Oh NICE! TCB has made me a fan of yours Mr. Gorski. I am currently highly interested in this project and would love to participate in the development via giving suggestions or whatever. Good luck on it.

[RPI-Fan]

Just to clarify, is this is the basic setup?:

You can create players, manage tour(s), etc.
You can, separately, create courses. These may be used for the "main" part of the game, but otherwise creating courses is totally seperate from the golfer management.
You cannot play out (via 3 click method or TruSwing) rounds with your golfer -- you only watch him.

If my interpretation is correct, I think there is a lot of potential as there aren't many things that would cause bog downs in coding.

[Young Drachma]

This is a good idea. I hope it works on my computer. :) Great stuff!

[DaddyTorgo]

Thanks DT - I think its going to be alot of fun. I'm really excited to see what people will do with the course designer and best of all its going to be different. It's not going to be TW or Links and its not going to be Sim Golf but kind of a mixture of everything. Accurate game play (I don't know how TW and Links do on that but I know scores would be really, really low in SG), super easy to use course designer, and a career/rpg element to it.

We don't have our TPG forums live yet but if anyone here wants to chime in with things they would like to see in the game by all means go for it. The course designer is pretty near completion but plenty can be done to the game design still.

the career/rpg aspect of it is what has me interested at all to be honest. I've never been a "golf person." You wouldn't really catch me dead watching the Masters or any other golf tournament on TV, but if the career mode and the rpg aspect of it is strong and there is realistic (and affectable) career development, say starting off as a young golfer playing in Opens and just barely qualifying and working your way up to being able to actually just qualify easily for minor tournaments, that would just be awesome.

i don't have anything to add about what I'd like to see in the game specifically as far as the game of golf is involved as it's not really "my game." Although, maybe that is something...don't make the game inaccessable to people who don't know golf. Ideally maybe the game should "teach" golf to these players (maybe with caddies acting as coaches during tournaments and non-tournament "practice rounds" that can be used in a limited fashion to build skills to a point (ie dont make the practice sessions all-powerful ways of cheating your skills up, but have them able to increase you a fixed amount or % in a certain skill in a given time, after that they can just be used for that...as practice, to increase a player's understanding of their golfer).

does any of that make sense? is it feasible? I don't even really know what you're thinking re: gameplay so those are just random things.

[wade moore]

Golf is always a game that I've though I had little interest in a graphical game for but a text sim would intrigue me... I'll be watching this one.

[bbor]

Will it be sorta like the Sid Meier golf?

I will be very interested in this game.I love designing courses.

[jeff061]

Interesting. Don't watch golf, don't pay golf. But this still piques my interest.

[Arles]

We just opened the forums on our site. Feel free to post away with your thoughts and ideas:

http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=102

[RPI-Fan]

We just opened the forums on our site. Feel free to post away with your thoughts and ideas:

http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=102

You too. ;)


Seriously, I would like some more detailed info (a narrative, perhaps) on just how this game is layed out.

[Schmidty]

So it's Tiger Woods PGA Golf without being able to actually play?

If it's not well done, it will suck monumentally. If it is very in-depth and well done, it could be great.

[Gary Gorski]

Just to clarify, is this is the basic setup?:

You can create players, manage tour(s), etc.
You can, separately, create courses. These may be used for the "main" part of the game, but otherwise creating courses is totally seperate from the golfer management.
You cannot play out (via 3 click method or TruSwing) rounds with your golfer -- you only watch him.

If my interpretation is correct, I think there is a lot of potential as there aren't many things that would cause bog downs in coding.

Yes the course creation thing is totally separate and has nothing to do with the game (unlike something like SimGolf where the object was to build the course and make money etc). The only reason to build a course is if you want more courses to play on in the game and if you don't want to build courses I have no doubt there will be more than enough to download from the community.

You will be able to play out rounds but correct, there's not going to be a swing meter or anything like that. More like an aim and then click one button and watch the result. The results will be based on the strategy chosen and your golfer's skills - not your ability to hold a mouse straight or click at the right time.

The premise of the game itself is to create a golfer and take him along his career. You'll have to deal with expenses for your golfer, trying to get sponsorship deals and of course trying to win enough tournaments to get on the tour or keep your tour card.

[RPI-Fan]

Yes the course creation thing is totally separate and has nothing to do with the game (unlike something like SimGolf where the object was to build the course and make money etc). The only reason to build a course is if you want more courses to play on in the game and if you don't want to build courses I have no doubt there will be more than enough to download from the community.

You will be able to play out rounds but correct, there's not going to be a swing meter or anything like that. More like an aim and then click one button and watch the result. The results will be based on the strategy chosen and your golfer's skills - not your ability to hold a mouse straight or click at the right time.

The premise of the game itself is to create a golfer and take him along his career. You'll have to deal with expenses for your golfer, trying to get sponsorship deals and of course trying to win enough tournaments to get on the tour or keep your tour card.

Interesting. That's basically the ideal set-up IMO. I think the quality will depend on just how long it takes to set up the "base" engine, and how much time you have to code in all the peripheral stuff. This is a game, unlike some sims, where if it doesn't have bells and whistles it could suck.

Thanks for the response!
~rpi-fan

[Gary Gorski]

So it's Tiger Woods PGA Golf without being able to actually play?

If it's not well done, it will suck monumentally. If it is very in-depth and well done, it could be great.

No, its really not. TW is a beautiful game to look at and has some fun stuff to do like play the historical mode and stuff but I don't really think its a very good simulation of golf and I don't think it's idea of a career mode is much like what I have planned plus the course architect is only useful if you're willing and able to devote weeks to months of your time to make one course.

I said this to someone I talked about the other day but if you're the kind of guy who needs to see the waves crash into the cliffs at the 18th of Pebble Beach to enjoy computer golf then this won't be your thing. If you're more interested in a rpg/career progression type aspect with the ability to share lots of courses with friends then this will be fun.

[BigDPW]

I imagine a top-down look at playing a round of golf... Certainly not 3D like TW or Links... Maybe a 2D view similar to Sim Golf??? What are your thoughts on what the play engine will be like Gary?

[Schmidty]

No, its really not. TW is a beautiful game to look at and has some fun stuff to do like play the historical mode and stuff but I don't really think its a very good simulation of golf and I don't think it's idea of a career mode is much like what I have planned plus the course architect is only useful if you're willing and able to devote weeks to months of your time to make one course.

I said this to someone I talked about the other day but if you're the kind of guy who needs to see the waves crash into the cliffs at the 18th of Pebble Beach to enjoy computer golf then this won't be your thing. If you're more interested in a rpg/career progression type aspect with the ability to share lots of courses with friends then this will be fun.

After reading that, I have more hope that it will be a very good game. I love career/rpg sim games, so if it does what it's supposed to do well, I'll be ecstatic.

I just love TW Golf so much, and still play it a few times a week, that I was skeptical that even a sim could top it.

I'll be watching your game closely.

[Buccaneer]

I played TW a couple of years ago solely for the career mode (I have been a Jack Nicklaus game player since 1990). However, the career mode sucked because it was too easy but I did enjoy the variety of skills competitions and the various courses where you had to do different things. I would also have liked to get into a real PGA-type career, going on the same course sequence. Perhaps the bells and whistles could be to add in the variety of skills competitions and to give some sense of the difference in playing in Florida vs Arizona vs New York.

[FrogMan]

this has me very much intrigued. Very interesting concept... I'll be following closely...

FM

[Schmidty]

I would also have liked to get into a real PGA-type career, going on the same course sequence.

Last season introduced a PGA career model (from Q school up), and it's unbelievably fun.

[Eaglesfan27]

Last season introduced a PGA career model (from Q school up), and it's unbelievably fun.

I completely agree.

[Gary Gorski]

I imagine a top-down look at playing a round of golf... Certainly not 3D like TW or Links... Maybe a 2D view similar to Sim Golf??? What are your thoughts on what the play engine will be like Gary?

It will be a top down look at the entire hole at once - it wont really be the view Sim Golf has because Sim Golf doesn't get the entire hole in the picture at once so things are a little larger.

[Dutch]

Definately looking forward to this one. Something I've always wanted to see since I played a golf management game back on the Commordore 64.

[Gary Gorski]

After reading that, I have more hope that it will be a very good game. I love career/rpg sim games, so if it does what it's supposed to do well, I'll be ecstatic.

I just love TW Golf so much, and still play it a few times a week, that I was skeptical that even a sim could top it.

I'll be watching your game closely.

Trust me, this is not a replacement for TW Golf. If you have an hour or so to spend playing a round on a beautifully rendered course (assuming you have the computer firepower to run TW) then TW is a nice game and the commentary is funny for a while and if its a rainy day and you wish you could be out on the course there's probably nothing that gets you closer to that feel than TW. But I think TPG will find a place on people's computers like a game like Sim Golf does.

The goal of TPG is to do other things better. I think the variety of courses you will be able to play will be far superior simply because of the ease of creating a 2D rendition of a hole. I want you to be able to play an entire tournament in an hour or so - not one round of it because you have to wait for the AI players to waggle before and celebrate after a shot. I want you to be able to easily customize tours to your liking - want to make it a European tour instead of American? No problem. Want to be able to create a tour full of legendary players in their prime? No problem. You'll be able to customize so much - sponsors, manufacturers, tour schedules and have yearly challenge events like the Ryder and Presidents Cup matches.

Personally, I'm really excited about the project. Graphics wise take a look at TPB and TCB and you know what to expect from the look of the game. I really think this is going to be a fun game.

[KWhit]

Outstanding!

I've been requesting a game like this for years. I will be following this closely and will provide some input along the way. I am a huge golf fan and very passionate about the sport.

Looking forward to this one!

[A-Husker-4-Life]

This project is now on my "Must Buy List"... WOW Just WOW...

[Gary Gorski]

Outstanding!

I've been requesting a game like this for years. I will be following this closely and will provide some input along the way. I am a huge golf fan and very passionate about the sport.

Looking forward to this one!

I look forward to the input but don't wait too long to put your .02 in.

Also for anyone interested, beta testing is going to begin in 2 weeks or so and there will be room for a couple guys along with the usual guys who beta with me so be sure to fill out an app on our site ASAP. If TPG isnt an option yet (which it might not be b/c we announced it today) then just see if you can put it in the notes or something that you want to test TPG.

And you guys haven't even mentioned one of the best parts of the announcement IMO - $24.95 on this one! :)

[KWhit]

Also for anyone interested, beta testing is going to begin in 2 weeks or so and there will be room for a couple guys along with the usual guys who beta with me so be sure to fill out an app on our site ASAP.

Sent.

:)

[SirFozzie]

damnit. You beat me to it, KWhit,.. I am very interested in beta testing it, TW Golf is fun, but any game where you can shoot sub 60 in 25% of the rounds plus, and they have to make cheese courses to be a challenge.. it's not a true golf SIM

[TazFTW]

Will I be able to create a 14 year old girl and get heckled on internet messageboards when I do not make the cut at a men's event?

[Gary Gorski]

Will I be able to create a 14 year old girl and get heckled on internet messageboards when I do not make the cut at a men's event?

I said there would be a lot of customization, not maximum customization ;)

[astrosfan64]

I said there would be a lot of customization, not maximum customization ;)

Classic ...

[Schmidty]

damnit. You beat me to it, KWhit,.. I am very interested in beta testing it, TW Golf is fun, but any game where you can shoot sub 60 in 25% of the rounds plus, and they have to make cheese courses to be a challenge.. it's not a true golf SIM

That's your own fault.

I gaurantee that you aren't playing in the top 2 difficulty levels. Yes, it's easy to win on Novice and Amateur, but that's the way it should be. If you choose to not be challenged by the game, then yes, it'll get boring; however, if you practice on the higher levels, you'll be challenged.

By the way, my comments have to do with the Tru-Swing system on PC. If you are playing on a console, then yes, it sucks. But that's mostly because consoles suck. Hard.

[SirFozzie]

Console (XBox), sadly.

[Dutch]

Classic ...

Agreed.

[Schmidty]

Console (XBox), sadly.

Ah, my bad then.

The PC game is amazing.

[Galaril]

Will I be able to create a 14 year old girl and get heckled on internet messageboards when I do not make the cut at a men's event?


"Paging WrongWay.... please pick the white courtesy phone. " Sorry couldn't resist.:)

[SirFozzie]

Here was my suggestions:
This is only what I'd like to see

Playable: PGA Tour, Champions Tour, LPGA, PGA Europe, PGA Asia, mini-tours.

Levels of Aggressiveness.. Bomb that 3 wood to try to get on in 2, or lay up short..

Changeable pin positions and conditions.. Trust me, a course like St Andrews can change from a sunny thursday to a windy rainy sunday finish.

a Pressure rating. Someone like Tiger Woods should play a lot better on the back 9 of the final round of a major then David Duval.

Different styles of golf.. again, a rock hard Florida course in the spring, and a traditional links style European course should feel differently.

Q-School

[BrianD]

I've eagerly jumped on the beta application as well. I love playing golf, and I love RPG-type games, so this sounds like a lot of fun.

I would love to see the game make it hard to work your way to the Tour. Years of amateur play, Q-school and minor tours before making the PGA Tour would be great fun. Golf sims seem to let you become ultra-competitive way too quickly.

[kingfc22]

This would be an awesome game for a dynasty.

[Arles]

This would be an awesome game for a dynasty.
Agreed. This was my first thought when Gary started talking about this idea. I bet dynasties will be a blast.

[Ragone]

oooh maximum customizability! can my pro golfer play from the women's tee?

seriously though.. this idea should pan out quite well i think.. i'll defintely take a look come demo time

[AlexB]

...

a Pressure rating. Someone like Tiger Woods should play a lot better on the back 9 of the final round of a major then David Duval...



The scale would have to be massive in order to cope with both Tiger and Jean van der Velde :D

[NoSkillz]

Here was my suggestions:
This is only what I'd like to see

Playable: PGA Tour, Champions Tour, LPGA, PGA Europe, PGA Asia, mini-tours.

Levels of Aggressiveness.. Bomb that 3 wood to try to get on in 2, or lay up short..

Changeable pin positions and conditions.. Trust me, a course like St Andrews can change from a sunny thursday to a windy rainy sunday finish.

a Pressure rating. Someone like Tiger Woods should play a lot better on the back 9 of the final round of a major then David Duval.

Different styles of golf.. again, a rock hard Florida course in the spring, and a traditional links style European course should feel differently.

Q-School

I agree with all of this but would LOVE to have the ability to start as an amateur.

- NCAA golf
- Amateur Tournaments (US Amateur, Pub. Links Championship, Walker Cup, etc)

Gosh, if you think about it, you can eventually have the game start off with you as a junior golfer, playing junior events, getting recruited by NCAA schools, etc.

The potential for this genre is off the charts and I always thought about designing a game like this myself just because one wasn't available.

I'll definitely head over to the Grey Dog boards and make some suggestions that I had written down before.

Best of luck Gary. This is on my absolute must buy list as well. :)

[Flame Eater]

This is great. All the other sims we have (football, basketball, soccer, baseball) are super, but they're all just variations on a theme.

TPG sounds really different. I'm excited.

[MrKordell]

Its funny you announced this today, because while watching the Masters this morning I was thinking, "I wonder what a golf sim would be like?"

Can't wait to see some screens.

[Darkiller]

This has to be the text sim I am anticipating the most in years. Maybe even more than another FOF game since there has never been a Golf text-sim before (and I looked for that several times..)

I'm a Golf player in real life, and I love text-sims (FOF is my all-time favourite game) so I have always wondered how a Golf text-sim would look like and there is no questions that I'll buy it as soon as it is released.

I am very excited.

[corbes]

This has to be the text sim I am anticipating the most in years. Maybe even more than another FOF game since there has never been a Golf text-sim before (and I looked for that several times..)

I'm a Golf player in real life, and I love text-sims (FOF is my all-time favourite game) so I have always wondered how a Golf text-sim would look like and there is no questions that I'll buy it as soon as it is released.

I am very excited.

Ditto. I used to do this with yard golf and paper and pencil when I was a kid. Then it moved on to PGA Tour Golf (pre-TW) and keeping paper-and-pencil records. Some tinkering with JNSE as well---but this sounds like what I was wanting all that time.

[Huckleberry]

a Pressure rating. Someone like Tiger Woods should play a lot better on the back 9 of the final round of a major then David Duval.

Bah. Tiger Woods plays better than everyone else on the back 9 of final majors rounds because he always plays better than everyone else. David Duval sucks then because he always sucks nowadays.

Case in point - Tiger blew it yesterday and Duval didn't even make the cut.

[Mac Howard]

I've always felt that there's a golf text sim as team manager/player in one of the teams in the USA v Europe Ryder Cup.