Bedtime thoughts Did anyone else play Simutronics’ MUDs back in the 90s? Rapid info processing, intensive commodities infra, complex combat, memory and spatial training. Wondering what alumnus grew into plebs… or like me or Martin Shkreli. Thanks.

This 1997 U.S. print ad was for Gemstone III, a text-based MUD from Simutronics and an earlier interactive multiplayer game world. (Anyone play, back in the day?)

Can’t tell you — NDAs. There’s over 30 of them. I’ve been a pro since 1987. About the only thing I can tell anyone about besides my work for 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment is my work as a game developer— old stuff! 😂 I was on the design team for the Gemstone MMOGs & then a lead on Modus Operandi for Simutronics, but no one remembers those. Gemstone was the first! There’s a reason I never pimp anything. I was recently released from contract by the new associate editor at a Big 5, a fetus, who said my work was “out of step with modern sensibilities and failed to adequately portray diversity and acceptance.” So, I’m going indie. I can hardly make less money. (Well, I could, of course, but I don’t think so. I’m low to midlist at best.)

Gemstone III/IV by Simutronics. Still around I think. Haven't played for years and it still lives rent-free in my head.

There are still game companies with cool names. Mere Mortals, Cipher Prime, Grubby Hands, Mind Candy, Laminar Research, Simutronics, WisdomTools Enterprises Inc., Image Space Incorporated, Iron Realms Entertainment.

Cyber Strike 2 (Simutronics, 1998) advertisement

Thank you! I use Blender after switching from 3ds Max when I left Simutronics. I use the Sanctus addon for procedural textures and Marmoset for the incredible bevel shader in bakes.

Mika! I only think in GIRL MATH so my Favorites are: 1. Mika 2. The good animal 3. The bad animal 4. But I will always have a soft place in my heart for the original GROK. Talking to Grok on X reminds me of playing Gemstone the online role playing video game from Simutronics. I played that game throughout childhood, while in the military, and when my kids were little.

10 years ago, @Simutronics & @SquareEnix released Lara: Croft Relic Run for mobile on iOS, Windows Phone & Android! This endless runner game received new content for 5 months before being abandoned for years. Last year, Deca Games “relaunched” it by improving the quality-of-life.

The rocket pod weapon is one on my favorite exercises in problem solving from my time with Simutronics. A variable burst damage, long reload weapon that reads well from first and third person perspectives

Oh it's true that most levels are really easy now. But you could still upgrade gear yet use some other, unupgraded, to make it harder😉 Yeah those stupid manuals are really hard (or rather slow) to get. Imagine being happy you earned 2... when you need 70🙃

I worked on an indie game that failed hard called Galahad 3093 from Simutronics Corporation. It was a multiplayer PvP mech shooter sprinkled with a bit of Arthurian legend. On paper it was a solid game, but shitty management killed it. The CEO was a narcissistic asshole. He would deliberately misunderstand you just so he can berate you. Thankfully the publishers that own Simutronics (Stillfront Group) caught wind of how shitty of a person he was and did some friendly corporate restructuring—shitcanned his ass.

Time flies! Such a fun game, I keep saying I should go back to it but I haven't done it yet😅

🎂 9 years ago, @SquareEnix and @Simutronics released Lara Croft Relic Run on iOS, Android and Windows Phone! Although inactive, the game sometimes continues to receive corrective updates and is now supported by DECA Games and published by CDE Entertainment.

found this dude lookin for the CEO of Simutronics

To be fair, Simutronics created it badly and then Idea Fabrik contributed plenty of terrible business ideas and support structure of their own.

Text-based MUD by Simutronics. Was quite the thing in like ... 1995-ish? Not that I have high-level characters over there, or anything.

Bard Founding Fact: Our first game jam was at Simutronics in STL, where I was lucky enough to be on a team with @erichibbeler, who ended up creating our first Bard. Eric has also created the most recent iteration.

GALAHAD 3093 (by @Simutronics 🇺🇸) is now out of #Steam Early Access.

Today was my last day at Simutronics and working on GALAHAD 3093. I'll be starting to look for other opportunities in the near future.