Lighthouse Interactive (publisher) and VSTEP (Dutch developer) have officially announced the release of a demo version of Ship Simulator 2008, yesterday. The official press release informs that Ship Simulator 2008 is the much anticipated successor to the surprise hit title "Ship Simulator 2006".

Ship Simulator, as its name implies, is a revolutionary simulation game that puts players at the helm of some of the most varied and detailed ships to be found at sea. Players will need to perform a multitude of tasks, all set within a stunning 3D environment, taking control of a wide array of ship types - from massive cargo ships and ferries, to speedboats, yachts, water taxis and even the mighty Titanic. The waters you sail are as varied as the ships are, with newly added harbors such as Southampton, Marseille and San Francisco. Ship Simulator 2008 will amaze you with its progress and will rock your simulated world.

Here's what Pjotr van Schothorst, Technical Director at VSTEP and producer of the game has to say about the newly released demo: "The demo is based on a typical yacht rescue operation: bad weather, big waves, yacht in trouble, SOS call. The player experiences a number of new elements we added to the game, like weather changes, emergency flares, environment changes, ship motions on waves, big bow splashes. You play the captain of a KNRM rescue boat, a very nice ship to sail. Get out there captain, save those guys!"

"We said it before, and we will say it again: Ship Sim 2008 will rock your simulator world and by playing this demo you can easily find out for yourself!" added Raymond Snippe, Development and PR Manager of Lighthouse Interactive. "The weather effects, detailed graphics and ship dynamics are amazingly realistic. If you ever want to experience seasickness from behind your desk we highly recommend that you use the onboard camera mode. If you dare that is… Monstrous waves, several meters high will rock your ship in all directions making this naval simulation experience even more vivid. Vstep has truly redefined the genre yet again".

You can download the demo right here on Softpedia. Have fun!