As for the 3D:  I do not know how you would do the battles, let alone the star map!  It would highly complicated.  But I suppose, given it is a game released in this age and time.

I am somewhat unsure about first person, because battles would become far too complicated.  But whereas other things such travelling around my be easy enough - perhaps a back mirror in the spaceship?

Youre right. A 3d star map would be a headache.
Still, imagine a compass with waypoints.. punching an X,Y,Z coordinate into your ship and being pointed in the right direction. Quest logs, etc..  could work..

lol @ the mirrior in the spaceship.
I imagine a run down Shofixti Scout with the rear view mirror of a 73 pinto.

What we need is a friendly programmer to automate the voice recording process!

If we could get a recording interface that works straight of the game database, prompting lines and recording OGG's, modifying the database however nessisary and archiving to UQMs, this would make it simple enough for anybody to take a stab at it. With this, we could easily pool the entire fan populous for the best vocal interpritations, and end up with a kickass product.

So how do we get a programmer hyped on writing this out?

And as for you playing the Oblivion card, last I checked.   It said there were 1,362 players playing on a saturday around 9:30 pm.

  That must be a tally of those playing Oblivion while connected to Xbox Live, as there is no other tally to take. And why be connected to Xbox Live when playing a single player game?

Oblivion has been the top selling PC game for a month. It has been the fastest selling Xbox360 game ever. 15 days ago, they sold over 1.7 million copies.. lord knows what that stat is now. (For a point of reference, the #9 highest selling PC game of all time, Half-Life 2, has sold 3 million copies).

http://www.gamewatchers.net/node/43

[Should the game be 2d or 3d? If 3d, should it be 1st or 3rd person? How should they handle resource gathering, both interface-wise and the in game logistics?And if it were released only to console, would you purchase that console?]

First off, we all should have already raised our voices for how much we'd love to see Toys for Bob make another Star Control.

I would like to see it stick to the format of starting off isolated in an unjust universe, gathering resources, making allies and enemys, working its way into full blown alien war. And, of course, full of interesting and funny characters along the way.

I think this sums up much of the spirit of SC2, and what most of the purist fans would love to see in SC4. (Tell me if I am wrong)

But times have indeed changed. So much more is possible now, and so much more is expected by gamers.

But what, exactly, should be updated? Heres what I'm asking you:

Should the game be 2d or 3d? If 3d, should it be 1st or 3rd person?
How should they handle resource gathering, both interface-wise and the in game logistics?
And if it were released only to console, would you purchase that console?

Now we're all dreaming here, but hey, lets dream away!

Heres my thoughts -
I dont like to play games.. I like to experience them. This means 3d, first person, all the way. While this will change dogfighting significantly, I would hope they can do this while keeping the spirit alive.

For resource gathering, I'd also like a first person experience. Intense dropping in and out of orbit would be a blast (though perhaps could get old quick if not fast). As for the logistics of harvesting, I havnt a clue. Should we have to sit for a couple seconds to harvest?

As for platform, I hope its dual platform game including Windows Vista.  But, if faced with no choice, I would buy a console for the sole purpose of playing another Toys for Bob Star Control game.

Long live the Spathi!

Hey, *I* was going to play the Oblivion card! UNFAIR!

You could pointd out that it doesnt even have multiplayer, as I failed to.

Chapter 5 Multiplayer experience deemed as essential for all games to be succesful.

So throw in a melee mode. But if you think that means it has to be MMORPG, I have two names for you

Half-Life 2
The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion

Huge commercial successes. Stelar games. And both have a story content that MMORPGs never could. Well.. Half-Life 2 does at least.

Looks like you're on your own, Eos.

Besides, SC4 should NOT score a large giant force of fans.  What I love about SC2 is that its fan base is limited, and hopefully only smart and thoughtful people would enjoy it and come back (which you have proven me wrong in).

Elitism. Look, we all like to feel good about getting something the average guy would not. But videogames have to make money.

To elaborate on what Tilt said:

 If SC4 has a cult following, it will be a commercial flop, and we will never see SC5. If Activision doesnt absolutely believe that SC4 will rake in some dough, it will never be made.

Profit (projected or otherwise) has a direct correlation to production value. More money means better graphics, bigger universe, and more time Toys for Boy will be able to invest into making it everything we wish it could be.

For the sake of having the best Star Control experience possible, it needs to be as big a success as possible. Period.

IMO, it takes Toys for Bob to make these witty characters. Not you, and not the countless 14 year olds shouting "pwned!" and "roflcopter!" over the chat lines.

Now I dont think a Star Control MMORPG would be a bad thing, if done right. But as far as SC4 goes, I want classic Toys for Bob.

I've been watching this project for a while, and its good to see theres finally a solid, playable version of this classic.

So far, the UQMasters team have done an amazing job. Not only has SC2 been revived, its actually better then ever! The new music and resource gathering interface are absolutly excellent.

Still, there are two things that I feel severly need to be updated. Yet these are both massive undertakings.

First off, the game could use a facelift. Now, I dont want redesigns or 'artists' interpretations, but very litteral translations of the sprites into high rez high color versions really would not hurt.

Second, the voices. UGH. I played the PC version as a kid, never seeing or hearing the 3dO version.. and I have got to say,. much of the voice acting is just terrible. It simply does not do the brilliant dialog justice! Now I know there are thousands of lines, but there has to be some way to undertake this. I even happily donate my own voice for a character or two as I am sure I could do a much better job then the 3dO team did.

It should be massive, could be multiplayer, but definitly not an MMORPG.

Witty alien character, and epic adventure are what made SC2 so great.
Niether of these things can be found in MMORPGs:

Character, because in MMORPGs you're interacting with other people, who will assuredly not provide brillantly and comedically scripted alien dialog.

Adventure, because in an MMORPG, you can not save the universe. It just doesnt work in a persistant world.

I would like to see it stick to the format of starting off isolated in an unjust universe, gathering resources, and working its way into full blown alien war. And, of course, full of interesting and funny characters along the way.

Yes, it does need to be 3d. I'd say First Person and DX10 as well.