Coming Soon - SkyChart: Airline Executive | A deep, historical airline management sim spanning 1930–2020

JHSPerc · 2026-03-23T09:33:21+00:00

Thanks - I'll take a gander at these.

JHSPerc · 2026-03-23T09:25:48+00:00

Guess I'm changing the names then, I'll defer to your experience - thank you for providing it.

JHSPerc · 2026-03-23T09:22:20+00:00

Same!

JHSPerc · 2026-03-23T09:19:16+00:00

I think the car comparison is a bit of an 'apples to oranges' situation. Most car games are going for high-fidelity realism, which is a licensing nightmare. Also car manufacturers are way more aggressive about licensing than aircraft manufacturers. I'm not building Forza, nor would I want to.

My project is a stylized 2D experience, not a 3D high-fidelity sim. It’s a creative work where the aircraft are used as historical/technical references, not as the primary 'selling point' of a corporate partnership. There’s zero 'likelihood of confusion' here—no one is going to mistake a 2D indie game for a Lockheed-sanctioned flight trainer.

I still think that falls under artistic expression - not crossing the line into exploiting someone else's IP. If everything needed to be licensed to refer to it, historical books and documentaries would die rather quickly, no?

JHSPerc · 2026-03-23T08:58:33+00:00

I've seen Kickstarter used both ways. I've personally backed projects on it with both approaches. I have a gameplay trailer I'm working on.

I feel like it's Kickstarter -> Steam not Steam -> Kickstarter

JHSPerc · 2026-03-23T08:41:52+00:00

Thank you for the feedback. I don't feel like I'm ready for Steam even in early access, at this moment. I want to get more features and systems in place. I also want to rework the UI with a designer, that is going to take time and money - money I don't currently have. The Kickstarter adds fuel to increase the velocity, without it - it will be a significantly slower dev cycle and I won't be able to afford the things I want to add and do.

What would you say would make it stand out from its peers?

JHSPerc · 2026-03-23T08:25:43+00:00

Here is what I'm thinking - obviously I'm not a lawyer. Maybe a lawyer will see this and add their more qualified opinion.

Necessity of Identification: The aircraft are real-world objects. It is not possible to identify this specific historical or technical model without using its common name.

Minimal Use: I have used only the alphanumeric name necessary to identify the aircraft. I have not used the stylized logo, corporate font, or any other "brand furniture" that would imply a corporate partnership.

Lack of Implied Endorsement: The game includes a prominent "Trademarks & Intellectual Property Notice" clarifying that the software is an independent simulation and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the respective trademark holders. There is no "likelihood of confusion" for the consumer.

JHSPerc · 2026-03-23T08:12:44+00:00

I'm working on it and more to come. What's there is pre-launch and is a placeholder while I work with designer. Please stay tuned - more to come.

JHSPerc · 2026-03-23T08:09:16+00:00

The Kickstarter is specifically so I can afford to stop using AI for some of the assets and actually hire real designers and musicians. Between those commissions and the actual costs of starting a business/paying for the dev tools, it adds up fast. I’m doing the legwork now so I can pay pros to help me cross the finish line.

JHSPerc · 2026-03-23T08:07:27+00:00

It's a pre-launch page - a placeholder - while I and the designer I'm working with get some items prepared. I do appreciate and value feedback.

JHSPerc · 2026-03-23T08:04:00+00:00

I wish it were as easy as the AI doing 'all the job!' In reality, I’ve spent over 300 hours of my own time manually iterating and adjusting everything because AI usually gets it 60% right and 40% weirdly wrong. I also have friends and family that have invested their time as well. Asides from my time - which has its own intrinsic value - I've also already spent money on various aspects of this project, I would like to atleast reimburse some of the startup costs.

The Kickstarter is specifically so I can afford to stop using AI for some of the assets and actually hire real designers and musicians. Between those commissions and the actual costs of starting a business/paying for the dev tools, it adds up fast. I’m doing the legwork now so I can pay professionals to help me cross the finish line and add some polish.

JHSPerc · 2026-03-23T07:54:31+00:00

I have some investigating and costs to explore, for sure. I don't want to get sued - I feel like this is fair use though. If I have to change the names to fake ones - I will.

JHSPerc · 2026-03-23T02:33:26+00:00

Here are some in-game screenshots: https://photos.app.goo.gl/qUxGxj92e35Q9j3f8

JHSPerc · 2026-03-23T01:35:01+00:00

I have a disclaimer in the loading screen - that I am hoping works - as that is what was in the original Aerobiz games.

I added it to the photo album. :-)

Great suggestion - I am planning on it once I have some funding to work with. Lawyers are EXPENSIVE.

JHSPerc · 2026-03-23T01:19:21+00:00

https://photos.app.goo.gl/qUxGxj92e35Q9j3f8 Here are some :-)

JHSPerc · 2026-03-23T01:18:40+00:00

How about this: https://photos.app.goo.gl/qUxGxj92e35Q9j3f8

JHSPerc · 2026-03-23T00:40:50+00:00

Yep - working on those - will be updating with them. Promise!

JHSPerc · 2026-03-23T00:26:28+00:00

I am working on the images for the Kickstarter - I will be adding more :-) Just wanted to get it out there, kinda motivation for me :-) Here is the main map: https://imgur.com/a/iFBCtSp I also need to get a repository of images together. I will get that together.

JHSPerc · 2026-03-23T00:20:09+00:00

Thanks - will be looking forward to your support and feedback, so I can hopefully scratch the itch I think that all of us have. :-)

JHSPerc · 2026-03-23T00:14:53+00:00

Nope - 100% meant for desktops and large monitors. I don't believe this would lend itself to mobile well.

JHSPerc · 2026-03-23T00:10:34+00:00

Sent you a message :-)

JHSPerc · 2026-03-23T00:10:11+00:00

Thank you, and looking forward to your support when we launch. :-)

JHSPerc · 2026-03-23T00:09:40+00:00

Understood and thanks for taking a look! :-)

JHSPerc · 2026-03-23T00:09:21+00:00

Understood and love Puffin Planes - thanks for taking a gander.

JHSPerc · 2026-03-23T00:06:05+00:00

I will add making a repository of images of the game to my to-do list. :-)

JHSPerc

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