I've used SoftImage3D (v.3.6 to 3.8). Just to clarify a few things. SoftImage3D and SoftImageXSI are two different packages. SI3D is old (about 15 years or so), and XSI (a couple of years old) is the next generation of SI3D. Basically, SI3D written from the ground up, with totally new design, interface and functionality. I don't know for how long they will keep updating SI3D, they had some big customers using SI3D (like ILM), but most of these have now moved on to XSI.
Back to SI3D. It's was a great package, at least for film work, but I don't know how good it is for games. The interface is old and takes a while to get you head around, but works fine once you do. The hardware requierments are kind of specific (often requiering high-end graphics cards and specific resolutions). And, as far as I know, there is still no scripting in it (besides plug-ins). The Softimage renderer is not very good, so you would want to use mentalray (which bump the price to $2500 for the SI3D extreme version), and then you also get particles and soft bodies. At that price, maybe you're better of with other tools. Maya Complete costs less.
I hear Lightwave is good (and there was a .b3d exporter for it...right?).
Ragnar
Back to SI3D. It's was a great package, at least for film work, but I don't know how good it is for games. The interface is old and takes a while to get you head around, but works fine once you do. The hardware requierments are kind of specific (often requiering high-end graphics cards and specific resolutions). And, as far as I know, there is still no scripting in it (besides plug-ins). The Softimage renderer is not very good, so you would want to use mentalray (which bump the price to $2500 for the SI3D extreme version), and then you also get particles and soft bodies. At that price, maybe you're better of with other tools. Maya Complete costs less.
I hear Lightwave is good (and there was a .b3d exporter for it...right?).
Ragnar