Developer Chat: Why485 (Tiny Combat Arena)

[@GunnerHEATPC]

Earlier this year we sat down with Why485 to talk about sim gaming and had a great time. Hoping to turn this into a semi-regular thing with some other devs as well. Be sure to check out *Tiny Combat Arena* on Steam if you like his ideas and find yourself intrigued! store.steampowered.com/app/1347550/Tiny_Combat_Arena/

[@TROPtastic]

Didn't expect this interview. Why485 seems like his dev approach is more accepting of user feedback (compared to Josh's abrasive "never compare us to War Thunder" shtick), so hopefully GHPC's team can evolve towards that even while the devs keep a clear vision of the game. The vision is why I backed GHPC and promoted it, after all.

[@harryr2283]

Josh doesn't really say that. We all together just say that war thunder is a different game for different players. We don't need to compete with them - we are doing our own thing.

[@TROPtastic]

@@harryr2283 I may have misinterpreted a comment he made to me on a feedback post a while ago. I had noticed some strange fire effects on turrets, but since I didn't want to diss the team's work by calling it a bug, I used War Thunder as an example of what the effects could look like. Unfortunately I chose the wrong game, since Josh deleted the post and said something along the lines of "we don't need graphics advice from fucking War Thunder." Totally valid to not want to take any inspiration from WT (there are many reasons players dislike it), but some of us just want to use it as a reference. GHPC's approach is solid and will pick up a lot of players who want a more in-depth and player-friendly experience while still keeping things approachable.

[@stevenw7904]

This the influencer that ruined ghpc?

[@Average183Enjoyer]

Would love to see a Dev Chat with the Nuclear Option dev(s)!

[@derpcade]

Nuclear Option mentioned!!!

[@Why485]

That game's development history is insane. I'd love to hear an expanded story on it. From what I've heard Nuclear Option was only in development for 2 years (the first year being a prototype game) and to go from that to the early access release is just unbelievable. The dev(s?) behind NO are incredibly talented and motivated.

[@reginaldmctinface]

@@Why485 yeah the lead (only?) dev is b25mitch, who from what i know was a modder for beamng and then got hired as part of the beamng dev team and then going and making his own game

[@ronin47-ThorstenFrank]

GHPC, TCA, Helicopter Gunship DEX and Nuclear Option are the games that make me want to play sim-like military games again. I was completely out of playing such games thanks to .... DCS and ARMA.

[@vincentvoncarnap]

I get you, 2024 is gonna be great with the development of those games

[@pgm316]

I've played those apart from DEX (not sure what that stands for). VTOL VR is another great game of this type, like a simplified DCS.

[@LuisCaneSec]

I used to play High Fi sims like DCS and Falcon BMS, and playing these sim-lite games coming out into early access has rekindled that fire. I got my HOTAS back out of the closet.

[@marksalvio5644]

I can understand the feeling that Why485 is trying to make the player feel when influencing ground fights as a fast mover, akin to Ace Combat 04s radio chatter in missions such as Bunker Shot and the Siege of Farbanti, as ground troops say something along the lines of "I don't care if it's a lie, tell em Mobius 1 is flying air cover"

[@MyFavoriteDisease]

Love Why's development philosophy. Many devs let themselves get distracted with adding more and more content when they should be completing basic gameplay mechanics instead. Yes, looking at you, P3 Games.

[@Hiuuz]

Around 39:00. What GHPC makes really well is the voiceovers! Radio communications helps a lot to understand what is going on the battlefield! This may be an aspect what TCA should consider, if WHY would increase immersion or he tries to tell the player something what hard to tell by visually.

[@Joejoe-vd2do]

Just bought and yes, getting some a-10 cuba vibes. Two thumbs up!

[@flyguy1237]

I enjoyed this. Why485 was a good person to feature. I liked the discussion about how the approach to sim games have moved away from traditional game design.

[@MrFusselig]

A-10 Cuba was one of my favorite childhood games. So when I saw Tiny Combat Arena I was thrilled! The homage is wonderful. Unfortunately, the gameplay was so far away from A-10 Cuba, that I could not get immersed into Tiny Combat Arena much. But I still appreciate it a lot.

[@Arcterran]

Re Helicopter gunship DEX Guy, He's fairly active on the Steam forums for his game, that might be the best way to grab him. I need to replay it now that I got my sticks in because I had some issues with default M+K. Though admittedly Nuclear Option is the sim that's given me brainrot at the moment so I gotta clear my headspace from that to really get back into it but I liked the ideas behind DEX!

[@Bonkikavo]

Dex guy is cool, game too.

[@jmurkz]

Helicopter Gunship DEX, great shout out by Why485

[@mjetsimace7229]

I fully support what Why485 mentioned regarding sims of the 90's being firstly games and secondly sims. The first "sim" game I remember was Silent Service by Sid Meier in 1985 followed by Gunship for the C64. All of those had pilot and campaign screens and detailed mission maps as well as loadout screens before jumping in any kind of cockpit. That's why I often I got hooked into the story and was able to identify myself with the game character. In my opinion modern type of sims often are focusing too much on detailed systems modelling while neglecting the games aspects.

[@katamarankatamaranovich9986]

As someone who missed the age of simulators you talked about I see a lot of value in your work. I already bought GHPC and pationatelly wait for Tine Combat Arena, Helicopter Gunship DEX, Sea Power : Naval Combat in the Missile Age, Tank Squad, Trident: Naval Doctrine, Aggressor... The list goes on and I appreciate the variety and dedication of the simcade comunity

[@goodraptor505]

This is awesome, two projects I've been following in the same video haha Also I love this idea of sorta "interviewing" devs you guys align with or respect, gives a lot of insight in to the world of deving for all of us players

[@nottactical6988]

Oh man this rules! Please keep doing more of these!

[@ytdlder]

One can see/hear that through his odd and small tests & demos he did over the years, he has a very clear understanding of what he's trying to accomplish and putting an emphasis on the game, instead of the features (planes, avionics, etc.). And the sound of making a "training campaign" to convey some inner mechanics is obviously a great choice: that's one of the biggest failings of DCS, as they have all the cool stuff and avionics and planes and weapons and graphics, but they do NOTHING with it. Most things aren't explained "ingame"... Everything nowadays seems to be either a sandbox or a online multiplayer, but there isn't really a game behind it. So excited for you guys to keep the dream up. Sim-Light with an interesting gameplay loop is the way (and I AM a DCS aficionado^^).

[@supermonkeywtf09]

Been following Why485 since he released the demo in an early gamejam/itch, glad to hear form him directly but also to see a bunch of fantastic developers talking shop!

[@michaelhartley2925]

I just wanted to say I really enjoyed this interview. I learned a lot about the context for both games, and I have a better appreciation for both. I am a lot more excited for the future of the sim-lite genre and gaming in general. I can’t wait for the next interview!

[@goodraptor505]

Hey! I just finished the video and I just want to say, remarking on your comments on trying to reach out to the next generation and such, I come from more recent generations and I want to say I love these games lol. I might be biased given that I grew up around 'older' games for my age but I'm sure a chunk of us will love these games and carry on the legacy of this genre. Keep on keeping on guys

[@TROPtastic]

I think marketing the games once they're deemed ready by the devs will help a lot. War Thunder is popular because of its simcade mechanics, graphics, and variety of vehicles, not because anyone actually likes the BS grind, garbage matchmaking tiers, and exploitative nature. So, both GHPC and Tiny Combat Area could be big successes when they have more content and their devs are ready to advertise on KZbin, Tik Tok, etc.

[@goodraptor505]

@@TROPtastic for sure, and I'm happy I could catch the trains early and watch their progress in changing the simcade space

[@TROPtastic]

@@goodraptor505 Absolutely, it's great to be able to look forward to games like GHPC and TCA. Also, I'd like to make it clear for other readers that I don't think GHPC and TCA need to copy WT's graphics and number of vehicles to be successful. Fun gameplay loops and good UIs are what's important, and the rest is just gravy.

[@Doppler-hh5nt]

Really appreciated this, loved getting to hear why's perspective. Hope to see this project continue

[@CYON4D]

Great chat, always a pleasure to hear like-minded people. I also hope games will go back to its roots from the golden age and be more fun and engaging. If nothing, we will always have those classics :D

[@Icedrake201]

Awesome idea to chat with other developers. Thank you for all your effort.

[@randompanda876]

would love to see Bahamuto of VtolVR

[@jlight7346]

I second this! Much more approachable than something like DCS but still has enough depth for true sim players to have fun.

[@harryr2283]

Love vtol vr. To my knowledge, we don't know anyone on that team.

[@TROPtastic]

@@harryr2283 His name is Paolo Encarnación if you need help tracking him down, but I agree with your suggestion (in another comment) that it would be better for players to contact the dev and put him in contact with you guys.

[@TROPtastic]

@@harryr2283 Paolo Encarnación is the dev's name if you need help tracking him down, although I agree with your suggestion (in another comment) for players to connect devs to you. VTOL VR fans are best placed to advocate for a chat like this.

[@michaelhartley2925]

VTOL VR is absolutely my favorite VR game, and I would love to listen to an interview like this with Bahamuto.

[@diprosla592]

its great that smaller Devs like You and Tiny combat arena are together 😎👍

[@Grabacr]

Great interview and chat! Please continue doing this format

[@dimostychalas9716]

This was such a great podcast to listen to... And I don't even listen to podcasts! Seriously, we want more!

[@Spacegamejunkie]

This is a great chat, thank you!

[@Panchoproductions2069]

omg i've could never seen this colab coming

[@joncoughlin_dev]

Great chat! Looking forward to more of these conversations. Constantly thinking about the same topics as I develop flight games myself.

[@pgm316]

The direction of the game as described by the developer makes a lot of sense, you do feel part of a larger battle and to have future strategic input into the ground forces will add a new dimension, as tbe ground battle feels like slow attrition at the moment and I'm not always sure how to best suppot them.

[@sgwigglysquid230]

You guys should interview the developer for the game Easy Red 2. Marco made a WW2 sandbox battle sim game where you can play as many factions and fight on multiple fronts. It also comes with a mission editor and you can either play in the battle or watch it all unfold.

[@Hiuuz]

Around 14:00. I think that caused the end of Strike Fighters 2. Adding more planes has no purpose beyond a point, when the game itself not evolving further.

[@konradha]

Two of my favourite sim like games, this is fantastic!

[@jmurkz]

excellent, going to enjoy this, can I ask you interview Helicopter Gunship DEX by Jimmys arcade next.

[@harryr2283]

get them to contact us - we don't have contact with anyone from that team.

[@jmurkz]

I have requested and linked here for Jimmy, fingers crossed :) @@harryr2283

[@jimmyarcadelimited]

@@harryr2283 What's the best way of contacting you? 😀

[@knightds2186]

why485 you are funny and creative. thx. good job

[@MBkufel]

Didn't expect that here. Nice

[@wheelwrightpl9429]

Bring the graphics up to modern standard (for example use Unreal 5) and it is a winner, because the gameplay looks spot on !

[@charles_wipman]

I like the look of the game, reminds me to the A-10 Cuba and the Gunship 2000; as seems based on CAS planes... i would love to see a YAK-130, an A1 Skyrider, an OV-10G Bronco or a T-26A Super Tucano, more low speed CAS planes, the game it's on my Steam's wishlist.

[@isaacshultz8128]

My sim expwri3nce went blazing angels to war thunder to simleplanes to warplanes 1 2 and 3 vr to tiny combat

[@scarlett_j]

This game is super fun!

[@araynortassadore3056]

We want tiny combat arena where we fly strategic bombers.

[@isaacshultz8128]

Onlytheharrier is a cheat code to fly the migs

[@artemisfowl7191]

43:00 Related story I actually saw Valve mods take action on a Steam forum over someone complaining about this too much, (they necro'd like 30+ threads).

[@horrido666]

The game dosn't look like Air Warrior. He was just name dropping. I actually played that game, and it was only good because it was the first online.

[@tmoshamo]

Omg you guys say like, like every 15 seconds😮

[@nigelmorris4769]

I'll vote for a Falklands map or campaign

[@BobobVanBlob]

I'm going to be that guy to drive engagement up: Next dev chat when? :D

[@jdabab]

sky on fire - anybody

[@titusgroen]

Interview Nebulous Fleet Command dev!

[@slayergt3104]

I want WarThunder without ftp 🖐️😅 as a console player it's all we have though besides AC7, AC5, and Project Wingman.

[@titusgroen]

Anyone have the link to the Halo mod guy? Sounded interesting!

[@bilaldemir5252]

any new updates mate ?

[@jonesy66691]

My dream game is a sim-lite bms

[@titusgroen]

BMS?

[@LawatheMEid]

So as i figured out that the CAS in GHPC! is an AI from tiny combat arena!!..?

[@BobobVanBlob]

No, the CAS AI and flight model in GHPC is made by Vazgriz who is also making a lite sim flight combat game.

[@LawatheMEid]

@@BobobVanBlob thanks .

[@NZobservatory]

Cool.

[@Dave-PL]

When Microprose Gunship from 1986 remaster?

[@parkpunk2]

I wish this could be on Xbox.

[@lucasart328]

Sea power des next

[@isaacshultz8128]

Its like in warband 23:09

[@isaacshultz8128]

Omfg 23:18