Ships

Here’s another one of those deceptively simple looking games. Docking Simulator by Michael Trigoboff, Ph.D lets you try your hand at, well, docking!

Be warned - have a couple of hours spare before you click on the link!

Now this is really making me feel old. As the Astrogen web site points out, the original Ports of Call was released no less than 20 years ago. I remember playing it at the time - it was pretty advanced for its day.

Well, it’s back again in the guise of Ports of Call Deluxe 2008.

20 years ago a computer game captured the hearts of strategy and simulation fans. Finally there is the classic »Ports of Call« as high end game completely in 3D. All 100 harbours, as there is New York for example, have been converted three dimensional for PoC Deluxe 2008 and it allows realistic manoeuvers into and out of harbours. 15 detailed container vessels offer lots of alternation in this extensive maritime economy simulation. All elements of the former successful version have been integrated in this deluxe version. You’re starting as an owner of a tiny cargo-ship and have to stand the test of the hard navy transport business and build step by step a huge ocean carrier with lots of ships.

You can read more about Ports of Call on the official web site.

Lighthouse Interactive has announced their upcoming New Horizons expansion for Ship Simulator 2008:

Challenge your friends online with New Horizons. Try your hand at sailing a luxury cruise liner & a classic yacht or feel the impact of the waves as you guide your fishing vessel home through a storm! New Horizons offers new highly realistic environments and adds eight exciting new vessels for your sailing pleasure. Includes 20 all new missions and free roaming multiplayer mode too! The add-on will require the original game to run and will automatically upgrade any version of Ship Simulator 2008 with all previous updates and patches.

This press release is accompanied by the official boxshot and 6 screenshots from the game. To download this assets visit: ftp://ftp.lighthouse-interactive.com.

KEY FEATURES ‘Ship Simulator 2008 Add-on: New Horizons’

• Eight new vessels for Ship Simulator 2008, including a modern harbour tug with advanced azimuth thrusters and a push boat with 4 different cargo barges.
• Online multiplayer free-roaming action, including towing.
• Brand new sailing area Cornwall (Padstow), England, built with advanced visuals and bump mapping technology.
• 20 new missions, involving the new vessels and the new environment.
• Unlimited gameplay: in-game downloading of new missions.
• Option to connect and disconnect barges to the push boat in-game.
• New walkthrough options: explore the push boat’s highly detailed engine room.

To find out more about Ship Simulator 2008 Add-on: New Horizons, visit: www.shipsim.com.

There’s a new trailer for Ship Simulator 2008 available from Gamers Hell. They report that “Lighthouse Interactive has released a new trailer from Ship Simulator 2008, showcasing the latest installement in the ship sim series which is now available in North America. The game features a new multiplayer mode (LAN and online), a highly customizable mission editor, 16 new ships and three new environments (San Francisco, Marseille and Southampton/ Cowes/ Solent). A playable demo of the game can be found here.”

You can download the video from here.