As if often goes when you develop something, the first results is not perfect. Then you make improvements and extensions to the first project. But since the structure was not optimal to begin with, you run into limitations. That's why the development of the third iteration has started from scratch. This was in march 2020.
The ambitions were high and it soon became an enormous project. I have worked on it full time and more when possible. But it is more than worth it. The new simulator looks and feels wonderful and it has truly become a sailing simulator.
Upgrading to Sailaway III will not be mandatory. Sailaway II will continue to exist for sailors who are nostalgic or whose computer isn't up for the requirements of Sailaway III.
As of october 2023 a series of public alpha versions will be released. They will be available for download for everyone with a Sailaway II Pro license. Each time a different section of the game will be opened up.
The alpha versions are meant for testing and for content creation. Because a virtual sailing world is more than a nice application, it requires boats, ports, clubs, tutorials, translations, events and much more.
When sufficient content is available, the development is finished and when the testing is done, the game will be released. This is targeted for August 2024. But in the meantime, don't forget that you can still enjoy Sailaway II.
Details about the current alpha version can be found here
You can follow the development progress on this Trello board
Do you have a Steam account? Please go to the Steam Store and put Sailaway III on your wishlist.
Subscribe to the Sailaway video channel
Introduction video of Sailaway III alpha 4
Introduction video of Sailaway III alpha 3
22. Clouds, website
21. Cape Wrath
20. First meters
19. Forces
18. Sailing UI
17. A typical day
16. Controls
15. Tracing the hull shape
14. Boat specs and struggles
13. Materials and textures
12. Adding hardware in the boat designer
11. Trim lines work!
10. Trim lines starting to work
9. 2D Trim line behaviour
8. Deck hardware logic 2
7. Deck hardware logic
6. Deck hardware
5. Sail aerodynamics
4. Visualizing airflow
3. Intelligent sails
2. About Sailaway III
1. About me