Marine Aquarium 3 Rumors and Speculation - Page 49

cjmaddy · 12-21-2007, 11:49 AM

That is music to my ears, Jim. - It's what Alan has said is doable on two monitors for a future version of DA. - It may be a grossly overused phrase, but, ..... I just can't wait to try this!!!

johnblommers · 12-21-2007, 12:31 PM

Originally posted by cjmaddy:

I just can't wait to try this!!![/i]

The same goes for me. Dream Aquarium is of no interest to me because its developer does not offer a version for my platform, the Macintosh. Jim S. on the other hand already ships MA2 for Macintosh and is committed to an MA3 Mac port, so I'm behind Jim 100%.

Jim Sachs · 12-21-2007, 01:42 PM

Yay...we're guaranteed one Mac sale!

johnblommers · 12-21-2007, 03:24 PM

Originally posted by Jim Sachs:

Yay...we're guaranteed one Mac sale!

The power of positive thinking

Hmmm have you considered making a deal with Apple to show off MA2 at the Apple stores as the default screen saver on its demo systems, Jim? Or is Apple even harder to work with than Microsoft

Jav400 · 12-21-2007, 03:26 PM

I have no idea on the answer to that question, but after the fiasco the last time with M$ I would be highly supprised if Jim wasn't adverse to making a deal with anyone else ever again.

johnblommers · 12-21-2007, 03:38 PM

Originally posted by Jav400:

...after the fiasco the last time with M$ I would be highly supprised if Jim wasn't adverse to making a deal with anyone else ever again.

This is in reference to the special MA2 screen saver with the pretty blue gravel that was bundled with Windows XP Media Edition? The blue gravel never made it into the Mac version.

cjmaddy · 12-21-2007, 05:02 PM

"... special MA2 screen saver with the pretty blue gravel" ?

... Don't you mean Goldfish!

johnblommers · 12-21-2007, 06:37 PM

Originally posted by cjmaddy:

"... special MA2 screen saver with the pretty blue gravel" ?

... Don't you mean Goldfish!

Thanks, I misspoke. It is Goldfish Aquarium Windows Media Edition that has blue gravel.

Jim Sachs · 12-21-2007, 06:52 PM

The blue gravel was Goldfish. MA was part of the last two Microsoft Plus packs (though I only agreed to the first one). It was a limited 3-fish demo which was supposed to bring customers to our site to buy the full version. MS did some market studies and found that people would buy the Plus Pack just for the Aquarium, and would pay a lot more than they had planned on charging. At the last minute, they doubled the price to $40. We got customers all right - a lynch mob. People were understandably angry to find that they just spent $40 to get a limited version, and would still have to pay the full $19.95 for the full version. MS asked me to reduce the price for customers who came through the Plus Pack, but never offered a dime of those millions of dollars they made from it. I refused. I had also been promised help from the DirectX team. Never happened. Also, testing by MS on a variety of machines and operating systems. Never happened. Also, a link to SereneScreen on the MSN site. Never happened.

We had some talks with Apple a few years ago about making the Aquarium the default screensaver in OS X, but they didn't want to pay anything. Been there.

Marian Nichols · 12-22-2007, 04:19 AM

How sad, and I can understand any frustration you feel.

Highlander · 12-22-2007, 10:57 AM

Originally posted by Jim Sachs:

Yay...we're guaranteed one Mac sale!

2 !!! count me in

LeeC22 · 12-22-2007, 09:46 PM

Wowsers, been following this thread for quite a while but have only just registered on the site... just a bit curious as this project seems to have been running for a very long time.

Is this a hobby project Jim or is this a full time project? I seem to remember seeing a "12 hours a day" mentioned somewhere but wasn't sure if that was on this or a full time job with this running alongside.

I do the same job, artist/coder/designer (for probably about the same length of time too) and I was just wondering if you have the same problem I do, where half of your brain wants to write code and the other half wants to draw the artwork. All that seems to happen is that they end up distracting each other and things drag as a result. And that's without the designer mentality chipping in... It drives me (and my bosses) mad sometimes.

Jim Sachs · 12-23-2007, 02:14 AM

Yes, it's full-time. For about a quarter-century, I've been doing my favorite thing, with no boss, no time limits, no schedule. Especially during the Amiga days, I couldn't wait to get up every day, knowing I was going to create things on a computer screen that no human eyes had ever seen before.

When I was teaching graphics seminars, I called this the chocolate cake sydrome. My favorite food is chocolate cake, but when I have it every meal, I get sick of it (for a while, anyway). Well, when you get tired of your favorite thing, where do you go from there?

The answer, of course, is variety - the spice of life. So last week I was in Belize swimming through caves and climbing Mayan ruins. Now I'm back in my computer room, energized and eager to create some more effects.

Highlander · 12-23-2007, 02:20 AM

Originally posted by Jim Sachs:

Yes, it's full-time. For about a quarter-century, I've been doing my favorite thing, with no boss, no time limits, no schedule. Especially during the Amiga days, I couldn't wait to get up every day, knowing I was going to create things on a computer screen that no human eyes had ever seen before.

When I was teaching graphics seminars, I called this the chocolate cake sydrome. My favorite food is chocolate cake, but when I have it every meal, I get sick of it (for a while, anyway). Well, when you get tired of your favorite thing, where do you go from there?

The answer, of course, is variety - the spice of life. So last week I was in Belize swimming through caves and climbing Mayan ruins. Now I'm back in my computer room, energized and eager to create some more effects.

I know what you mean , but im a designer in construction and cant run away from time to time

Andrew Jenkins · 12-23-2007, 09:23 AM

Atlast! Finally managed to contribute to an interesting forum... my firewall has been blocking my final confirmation link hence I have registered numerous times without being able to post.

Was hopeful for something to buy this side of Xmas, but having read the archives I soon realised that SSMA 3.0 really has been a labour of love... and not something that would be rushed!!
Having spent all my youth diving on the Great Bahama Bank it is somewhat sad that I have spent the last 15yrs living in a city, looking for virtual environments to take me back there (too many children, too little time springs to mind). Jim, I take my hat off to you. SereneScreen was certainly an eye opener when I first came across it 18 months ago. I spent many hours searching the web for superior products as I was aware that when I stumbled upon SSMA 2, it wasn't new & I was convinced that someone would have taken the concept beyond the screensaver.
I was prepared to pay very considerably more for a high quality virtual marine world and am frankly amazed that there is so little on the market. Perhaps I am somewhat alone in my views. It seems that so much development time within the industry has been directed toward the gaming market that an opportunity has been overlooked. My thoughts turn to Nintendo who have, at least in the UK have recently been positioning there DS product at more mature market and have had considerable success... different I know but nevertheless the over 30's market for software (and I hope I am doing no-one a dis-service here, you all look about my age) is very substantial.
I am very much looking forward to your latest masterpiece, frustrated by the wait, but solaced in the knowledge that good things are usually worth waitng for.
Promise me that you will have a relaxing Xmas, re-charge those batteries, and then attack the project with a renewed vigour, so that I can get my cheque book out sooner rather than later!

Andrew Jenkins · 12-23-2007, 09:34 AM

whoops, posted twice. Didn't read the caption concerning the post moderator

Jav400 · 12-23-2007, 10:20 AM

The second one I took care of for you.

Welcome to the forums.

LeeC22 · 12-23-2007, 11:25 AM

Originally posted by Jim Sachs:

When I was teaching graphics seminars, I called this the chocolate cake sydrome. My favorite food is chocolate cake, but when I have it every meal, I get sick of it (for a while, anyway). Well, when you get tired of your favorite thing, where do you go from there?

I can so relate to that, which is why quite early on, I decided that art wasn't a sufficient outlet for my creativity. So I taught myself to programme, bought a synth and started throwing game designs together. So when one outlet runs dry, there are always 3 others just ready to be switched on.

I find it amazing how each one can refuel the other and how writing 20 or 30 lines of code can suddenly inspire a piece of artwork, a piece of music or a game mechanic and visa versa.

Mayan ruins and caves eh... didn't find any crystal skulls that took you to see giant aliens there did you?

Unfortunately, over here in the UK, caves and ruins translates to holes in the roads and half demolished buildings. I have to rely on Google Earth and a vivid imagination

ESHIREY · 12-23-2007, 11:35 AM

cjmaddy · 12-23-2007, 11:44 AM

Originally posted by LeeC22:

... over here in the UK, caves and ruins translates to holes in the roads and half demolished buildings. I have to rely on Google Earth and a vivid imagination

You must live in Ancoats! ...

12-21-2007, 12:31 PM	#962
johnblommers The Architect Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 756	Originally posted by cjmaddy: I just can't wait to try this!!![/i] The same goes for me. Dream Aquarium is of no interest to me because its developer does not offer a version for my platform, the Macintosh. Jim S. on the other hand already ships MA2 for Macintosh and is committed to an MA3 Mac port, so I'm behind Jim 100%. Reasons people don't watch Star Trek: 60% - It’s for nerds. 39% - The show’s stupid. 01% - My parents were killed by Klingons and it's still too painful.

12-21-2007, 01:42 PM	#963
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,791	Yay...we're guaranteed one Mac sale! Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

12-21-2007, 03:24 PM	#964
johnblommers The Architect Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 756	Originally posted by Jim Sachs: Yay...we're guaranteed one Mac sale! The power of positive thinking Hmmm have you considered making a deal with Apple to show off MA2 at the Apple stores as the default screen saver on its demo systems, Jim? Or is Apple even harder to work with than Microsoft Reasons people don't watch Star Trek: 60% - It’s for nerds. 39% - The show’s stupid. 01% - My parents were killed by Klingons and it's still too painful.

12-21-2007, 03:26 PM	#965
Jav400 Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Tennessee Posts: 9,725	I have no idea on the answer to that question, but after the fiasco the last time with M$ I would be highly supprised if Jim wasn't adverse to making a deal with anyone else ever again. Michael Administrator of Inside:SereneScreen Aquarium Forum, Chatroom, Fan Site & *Gallery* DVD Collection

12-21-2007, 03:38 PM	#966
johnblommers The Architect Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 756	Originally posted by Jav400: ...after the fiasco the last time with M$ I would be highly supprised if Jim wasn't adverse to making a deal with anyone else ever again. This is in reference to the special MA2 screen saver with the pretty blue gravel that was bundled with Windows XP Media Edition? The blue gravel never made it into the Mac version. Reasons people don't watch Star Trek: 60% - It’s for nerds. 39% - The show’s stupid. 01% - My parents were killed by Klingons and it's still too painful.

12-21-2007, 11:49 AM	#961
cjmaddy Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Lancashire, UK Posts: 7,854	That is music to my ears, Jim. - It's what Alan has said is doable on two monitors for a future version of DA. - It may be a grossly overused phrase, but, ..... I just can't wait to try this!!!

12-21-2007, 05:02 PM	#967
cjmaddy Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Lancashire, UK Posts: 7,854	"... special MA2 screen saver with the pretty blue gravel" ? ... Don't you mean Goldfish!

12-21-2007, 06:37 PM	#968
johnblommers The Architect Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 756	Originally posted by cjmaddy: "... special MA2 screen saver with the pretty blue gravel" ? ... Don't you mean Goldfish! Thanks, I misspoke. It is Goldfish Aquarium Windows Media Edition that has blue gravel. Reasons people don't watch Star Trek: 60% - It’s for nerds. 39% - The show’s stupid. 01% - My parents were killed by Klingons and it's still too painful.

12-21-2007, 06:52 PM	#969
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,791	The blue gravel was Goldfish. MA was part of the last two Microsoft Plus packs (though I only agreed to the first one). It was a limited 3-fish demo which was supposed to bring customers to our site to buy the full version. MS did some market studies and found that people would buy the Plus Pack just for the Aquarium, and would pay a lot more than they had planned on charging. At the last minute, they doubled the price to $40. We got customers all right - a lynch mob. People were understandably angry to find that they just spent $40 to get a limited version, and would still have to pay the full $19.95 for the full version. MS asked me to reduce the price for customers who came through the Plus Pack, but never offered a dime of those millions of dollars they made from it. I refused. I had also been promised help from the DirectX team. Never happened. Also, testing by MS on a variety of machines and operating systems. Never happened. Also, a link to SereneScreen on the MSN site. Never happened. We had some talks with Apple a few years ago about making the Aquarium the default screensaver in OS X, but they didn't want to pay anything. Been there. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

12-22-2007, 04:19 AM	#970
Marian Nichols ~Author~ Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Rocky Mount, NC Posts: 7,429	How sad, and I can understand any frustration you feel. Write paranormal mysteries. Six books so far.

12-22-2007, 10:57 AM	#971
Highlander Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Antwerp - Belgium Posts: 87	Originally posted by Jim Sachs: Yay...we're guaranteed one Mac sale! 2 !!! count me in Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups !

12-22-2007, 09:46 PM	#972
LeeC22 Registered Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 10	Wowsers, been following this thread for quite a while but have only just registered on the site... just a bit curious as this project seems to have been running for a very long time. Is this a hobby project Jim or is this a full time project? I seem to remember seeing a "12 hours a day" mentioned somewhere but wasn't sure if that was on this or a full time job with this running alongside. I do the same job, artist/coder/designer (for probably about the same length of time too) and I was just wondering if you have the same problem I do, where half of your brain wants to write code and the other half wants to draw the artwork. All that seems to happen is that they end up distracting each other and things drag as a result. And that's without the designer mentality chipping in... It drives me (and my bosses) mad sometimes.

12-23-2007, 02:14 AM	#973
Jim Sachs Developer Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 9,791	Yes, it's full-time. For about a quarter-century, I've been doing my favorite thing, with no boss, no time limits, no schedule. Especially during the Amiga days, I couldn't wait to get up every day, knowing I was going to create things on a computer screen that no human eyes had ever seen before. When I was teaching graphics seminars, I called this the chocolate cake sydrome. My favorite food is chocolate cake, but when I have it every meal, I get sick of it (for a while, anyway). Well, when you get tired of your favorite thing, where do you go from there? The answer, of course, is variety - the spice of life. So last week I was in Belize swimming through caves and climbing Mayan ruins. Now I'm back in my computer room, energized and eager to create some more effects. Jim Sachs Creator of SereneScreen Aquarium

12-23-2007, 02:20 AM	#974
Highlander Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Antwerp - Belgium Posts: 87	Originally posted by Jim Sachs: Yes, it's full-time. For about a quarter-century, I've been doing my favorite thing, with no boss, no time limits, no schedule. Especially during the Amiga days, I couldn't wait to get up every day, knowing I was going to create things on a computer screen that no human eyes had ever seen before. When I was teaching graphics seminars, I called this the chocolate cake sydrome. My favorite food is chocolate cake, but when I have it every meal, I get sick of it (for a while, anyway). Well, when you get tired of your favorite thing, where do you go from there? The answer, of course, is variety - the spice of life. So last week I was in Belize swimming through caves and climbing Mayan ruins. Now I'm back in my computer room, energized and eager to create some more effects. I know what you mean , but im a designer in construction and cant run away from time to time Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups !

12-23-2007, 09:23 AM	#975
Andrew Jenkins Registered Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: London Posts: 18	Atlast! Finally managed to contribute to an interesting forum... my firewall has been blocking my final confirmation link hence I have registered numerous times without being able to post. Was hopeful for something to buy this side of Xmas, but having read the archives I soon realised that SSMA 3.0 really has been a labour of love... and not something that would be rushed!! Having spent all my youth diving on the Great Bahama Bank it is somewhat sad that I have spent the last 15yrs living in a city, looking for virtual environments to take me back there (too many children, too little time springs to mind). Jim, I take my hat off to you. SereneScreen was certainly an eye opener when I first came across it 18 months ago. I spent many hours searching the web for superior products as I was aware that when I stumbled upon SSMA 2, it wasn't new & I was convinced that someone would have taken the concept beyond the screensaver. I was prepared to pay very considerably more for a high quality virtual marine world and am frankly amazed that there is so little on the market. Perhaps I am somewhat alone in my views. It seems that so much development time within the industry has been directed toward the gaming market that an opportunity has been overlooked. My thoughts turn to Nintendo who have, at least in the UK have recently been positioning there DS product at more mature market and have had considerable success... different I know but nevertheless the over 30's market for software (and I hope I am doing no-one a dis-service here, you all look about my age) is very substantial. I am very much looking forward to your latest masterpiece, frustrated by the wait, but solaced in the knowledge that good things are usually worth waitng for. Promise me that you will have a relaxing Xmas, re-charge those batteries, and then attack the project with a renewed vigour, so that I can get my cheque book out sooner rather than later!

12-23-2007, 09:34 AM	#976
Andrew Jenkins Registered Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: London Posts: 18	whoops, posted twice. Didn't read the caption concerning the post moderator

12-23-2007, 10:20 AM	#977
Jav400 Administrator Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Tennessee Posts: 9,725	The second one I took care of for you. Welcome to the forums. Michael Administrator of Inside:SereneScreen Aquarium Forum, Chatroom, Fan Site & *Gallery* DVD Collection

12-23-2007, 11:25 AM	#978
LeeC22 Registered Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Manchester, UK Posts: 10	Originally posted by Jim Sachs: When I was teaching graphics seminars, I called this the chocolate cake sydrome. My favorite food is chocolate cake, but when I have it every meal, I get sick of it (for a while, anyway). Well, when you get tired of your favorite thing, where do you go from there? I can so relate to that, which is why quite early on, I decided that art wasn't a sufficient outlet for my creativity. So I taught myself to programme, bought a synth and started throwing game designs together. So when one outlet runs dry, there are always 3 others just ready to be switched on. I find it amazing how each one can refuel the other and how writing 20 or 30 lines of code can suddenly inspire a piece of artwork, a piece of music or a game mechanic and visa versa. Mayan ruins and caves eh... didn't find any crystal skulls that took you to see giant aliens there did you? Unfortunately, over here in the UK, caves and ruins translates to holes in the roads and half demolished buildings. I have to rely on Google Earth and a vivid imagination

12-23-2007, 11:35 AM	#979
ESHIREY Smilie Dragon Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Lebanon, PA Posts: 4,725	Thank you for taking the time to read this.

12-23-2007, 11:44 AM	#980
cjmaddy Registered Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Lancashire, UK Posts: 7,854	Originally posted by LeeC22: ... over here in the UK, caves and ruins translates to holes in the roads and half demolished buildings. I have to rely on Google Earth and a vivid imagination You must live in Ancoats! ...