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{{For|the rugby league footballer of the 1950s and 1960s|Derek Smart (rugby league)}}
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{{short description|Video game developer and businessperson}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
'''Derek K. Smart''' is an American video game designer. He is the president and lead developer of 3000AD, Inc., an indie game development company based in ]. In addition he is the president of and investor in the video game development company Quest Online.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qol.com/live/about/|title=Quest Online Corporate information|access-date=7 July 2011}}</ref> Smart is an ] video ] and ], and the creator of several video game series.


==Work==
'''Derek Smart''' is a ]er and ] personality living in ]. He is the creator of the '']'' ] series, now '']''.


In 1996, ] released his first game, '']''. Prior to the release Smart and Take 2 were involved in a dispute over the premature release of the game. The matter was later settled out of court.<ref name=Take23000AD>{{cite web|url= http://www.gamespot.com/news/smart-take-two-settle-differences-2465926 |title=1997 3000AD and Take 2 settle differences|date=23 December 1998}}</ref>
Smart has participated in a number of public discussions on ] and the web. Characterized by controversy, rhetoric, and ]-laced personal attacks, these ]s have been recorded in numerous annals of internet and ] culture.


Through his 3000AD company, Smart has developed a total of nineteen games to date,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://3000ad.com/games/|title=Games|date=14 March 2009|website=3000ad.com|accessdate=20 January 2023}}</ref> across his various franchise properties; most of which are derivative works. Through his Quest Online company, he also worked on the completion of the MMO ''Alganon'' as well as that game's expansion pack, ''Rise of the Ourobani''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.alganon.com/index/expansion-pack |title=Alganon – Rise of the Ourobani |access-date=22 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141117001836/http://www.alganon.com/index/expansion-pack |archive-date=17 November 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Smart is devoted to and protective of his work, and has been known to find and participate in discussions of his games on the Internet. In the past, heated discussions have led supporters and detractors of Smart and his work to visit online communities in which they were not previously involved and join arguments there. These sudden increases in population and posting can elicit anything from amusement to hostility, depending on the community involved.


Smart also signed a deal with ] in which several comics have been created for his ''Line of Defense'' games.<ref name="LOD">, Lodmmo.com</ref> A comic for ''Alganon'' was also released.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://myalganon.com/comic/ |title=Alganon – Fall of the Ourobani comic |access-date=22 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129035456/http://myalganon.com/comic/ |archive-date=29 November 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==3000AD Games==


Smart is a lifetime ] (IGDA) member, and was also a board member of the ] chapter of IGDA.<ref name="idga200206">{{cite web|url=http://www.igda.org/miami/meetings/2002-06.php |title=IGDA Miami – Chapter Meeting: June 2002 |access-date=28 November 2006 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060427084503/http://www.igda.org/miami/meetings/2002-06.php |archive-date=27 April 2006 }}</ref>
During production of Smart's first game, '']'' released by ] in 1996, he made bold claims as to its features, including references to a neural net used by the AI. A ] review of the released game, concluded from gameplay that this neural net was most likely non-existent, but noted that it was impossible to prove one way or the other without access to the source code. In contrast there are several other of this early game which were perfectly happy with the AI used in his games.


==Games designed==
In 1996 the game was released by publisher ] unfinished, and contained many bugs that made it very difficult to play. For its time, it was also criticised for what many believed to be an exceedingly complex interface and gameplay. The manual that shipped with the game was also criticized as inadequate, outdated and poorly written. For these and other reasons, the game was publicly lambasted and Smart voiced his opinions on the premature release frequently and strongly.
* ''Line of Defense'' (2014)
* ''Line of Defense Tactics'' (2014)
* ''All Aspect Warfare'' (2009)
* ''Angle of Attack'' (2009)
* ''Galactic Command Echo Squad SE'' (2008)
* ''] Echo Squad'' (2007)
* ''Universal Combat CE 2.0'' (2009)
* ''Universal Combat CE'' (2007)
* ''Universal Combat SE'' (2006)
* ''Universal Combat A World Apart'' (2005)
* ''Universal Combat Gold'' (2005)
* '']'' (2004)
* ''Battlecruiser Millennium: Gold Edition'' (2003)
* ''Battlecruiser Millennium'' (2001)
* ''Battlecruiser 3000AD (v2.0)'' (1998)
* '']'' (1996)


==Online activities==
Shortly before ] was to go public, Smart took legal action against the publisher for their release of the game in its unfinished form. In a lauding Smart's work and efforts, ] president Ryan Brant announced that the matter had been resolved. Smart was reportedly paid an unspecified amount of damages by ] and regained the publishing rights to his game. ] later went public and in its listed Smart's first game as one of its best sellers for that period.
'']'' wrote that "over time, his reputation as an online defender of his games and unabashed pistol-whipper of his enemies overshadows the games themselves".<ref>Julian Murdoch, '']'', , Issue 196.</ref> A 2012 in-depth article regarding the disconnect between his real life and his online alter-ego was written by media veteran Russ Pitts and published by ].<ref name="MessageBoardDerek">{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2012/11/14/3553620/the-redemption-of-derek-smart|title=The Redemption of Derek Smart|website=] |date=20 March 2012 |access-date=21 March 2012}}</ref>


In 2015, during the height of the ], Smart appeared on a ] live broadcast panel<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dereksmart.org/2015/08/spjairplay-gamergate-debate/ |title=SPJAirPlay GamerGate Debate |last=dsmart |date=16 August 2015 |website=Smart Speak |language=en-US |access-date=9 January 2018}}</ref> alongside ], then-editor of ], ] of ], Lynn Walsh of the Society of Professional Journalists, Asche Schow of the ''Washington Examiner'', and others. In that panel, he decried the actions of media who were branding Gamergate members as a hate group.
A constant stream of patches and upgrades were later released for the product over the next few months and, eventually, a final patch was released to fix most of the major bugs. Smart then later the game for free on the Internet and hosted on the sites.


Since July 2015, Smart has been embroiled in heated controversy surrounding the '']'' crowd-funded game which he claimed<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dereksmart.com/2015/07/interstellar-citizens/ |title=Star Citizen – Interstellar Citizens |last=dsmart |date=6 July 2015 |website=Smart Speak |language=en-US |access-date=9 January 2018}}</ref> in July 2015 could never be developed due to its scope and promises.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.pcinvasion.com/star-citizen-will-never-get-made |title=Star Citizen will "never get made" as it's been pitched says Derek Smart |last=Younger |first=Paul |date=5 July 2015 |website=PC Invasion |language=en-US |access-date=9 January 2018}}</ref> With widespread media coverage surrounding the project,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.kotaku.co.uk/tag/inside-star-citizen/ |title=inside-star-citizen |website=Kotaku UK |language=en |access-date=9 January 2018}}</ref> he has since gone on to write various blogs about the project.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dereksmart.org/2015/07/star-citizen-blogs/ |title=All Star Citizen Blogs |last=dsmart |date=6 July 2015 |website=Smart Speak |language=en-US |access-date=9 January 2018}}</ref>
Over the new few years, Smart continued to work on improving his game as he originally visioned. In ] the popularity of the freeware downloads of the original BC3K game later convinced Interplay to an improved and finished version in ] as ''Battlecruiser 3000 AD 2.0''. In ] Smart released this game for free on the Internet, where to this day continues to post large downloads at some of the popular download . For such an old product, to this day it remains in the list for the space-sim genre.


==References==
Smart continued to work on improving his franchise and advancing the technologies in his game. The sales of the Interplay release of the game gained him an with ] for his next game, ] which his company 3000AD, Inc self-published and released in ].
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
In ] Smart signed a two product with ] for ] and Battlecruiser Generations. The latter being a brand new addition to this franchise with over its predecessors.
*
*
*


{{Authority control}}
A few months later, the publisher had discussions with Smart that resulted in a decision to change the premise to be more action-based than the ''Battlecruiser'' series had been known for. The to '']''.


{{DEFAULTSORT:Smart, Derek}}
The game was not ready in time for the ] holidays and was shipped in early ] at half of the originally announced price. In an attempt to prevent history from repeating itself, Smart took legal action against the publisher to stop shipment of the game which was still in and which he felt required more testing. He failed to obtain a temporary restraining order which would have prevented the publisher from releasing the game.
]

]
Despite an earlier ] by ] to publish Smart's next sequel, Smart later his publishing deal with the publisher and severed all ties with ]
]

]
The game received average to mediocre reviews in several game magazine reviews.
]

Smart's ] game, '']'' is a full sequel to the original '']'' with a especially to the graphics engine.

Smart also released '']'' in 2005. This is an updated version of the original ''Universal Combat'' with new scenarios and graphics enhancements.

Also new to ] is the fact that both of the 2005 games can currently only be purchased via online resellers.

==Published Products==

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==Other Issues==

Another flashpoint among followers of Smart's work and online activities has been controversy over Smart's claimed doctoral degree.

At one time, Smart typically signed his posts on Usenet and elsewhere as "Derek Smart, PhD." A number of people have claimed that the degree either does not exist or is the product of a ], and have challenged Smart to provide authoritative documentation or further information on the degree. Smart has thus far not done so to the satisfaction of these critics.

A search of the ] dissertation archives with keywords Smart D(AU) and Smart(AU) on the 15th of November, 2005 failed to yield a dissertation title, an almost absolute requirement to be granted a Ph.D. Smart has at times maintained that his dissertation is based on his AI work used in his games and thus his dissertation was not published in order to protect his trade secrets. Several Ph.D. holders in numerous Usenet debates confirmed that this is in fact possible and that several have in fact done it, lending credence to the fact that a failed UMI search for a dissertation does not mean that one does not exist.

It is also rumoured that Smart obtained part of his education in the UK. He posted on Usenet that he did in fact accomplish part of his Ph.D. studies via distance learning. Nevertheless, a search of the UK's CRISP and the ERASMUS databases failed to yield any results. Another counterargument to the above is that although trade secrets and national security are valid reasons for censoring a dissertation, acknowledgement of a completed work is made in the archives. Furthermore, a trade secrets dissertation may only be censored for a period of three years or until the ] or another patent granting body issues the patent or trademark.

Derek Smart, a frequent poster to ] forums, has stated there that he unwittingly received his Ph.D. from a non-accredited institution in the UK.

Smart also releases his games for free on the Internet when their shelf life expires. He has said that he does this in order to give something back to his industry. So far he has released ''Battlecruiser 3000AD v2.09'' and ''Battlecruiser Millennium''.

Smart is also on of his local ] chapter in South Florida.

===Derek Smart and The Coke Machine===

Claims have been made to the effect that back in ], Smart attacked a Coca-Cola vending machine in the offices of publisher Take Two during talks with them over the premature release of his first game. Smart vehemently denied this report and the original report of this event has since been by the same publication (Computer Gaming World issue #201) that ran the original story in ]. This is now considered an urban legend.

===Derek Smart vs Bill Huffman. The Great Internet Flame Wars===

Bill Huffman is responsible for single handedly starting the Great Flame Wars of the early nineties back in ]. At the time, he worked for NCR and Smart has just released his first (much maligned) game. There are also several reports of others contacting his employers in an attempt to put a stop to Huffman's (some would say libelous) activities.

According to reports, Huffman has been banned from several forums (such a GoneGold, Adrenaline Vault, Quarter-To-Three etc) where Smart hangs out. The reason being that he would show up, engage (attack?) Smart. The resulting flamewar would end up disrupting the forum. This is the same behavior which caused Smart to stop posting on Usenet several years ago. He hasn't returned since.

Smart's attorneys were able to successfully have some of Huffman's websites removed, citing libel. He simply hosted his page elsewhere. This continued until Smart apparently gave up. The site now resides on the Werewolves domain, where it has been for several years.

There is a reported incident of one of Huffman's followers (a kid named LouisJM who lived near Smart) stalking Smart in real life. He was arrested and turned out to be a juvenille and even posted that Huffman put him up to it. He has since disappeared. Smart reportedly had to move from his residence after that incident.

There was another incident where Huffman and his followers were attempting to locate the name of Smart's newborn baby. A police report was also filed by Smart for that incident.

Though there are thousands of posts on ] and websites cataloging the antics of Huffman vs Smart, the Great Flame War itselt died down many years ago. The ] groups (<i>alt.games.bc3000ad</i> and <i>comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.space-sim</i>) ruined by it, are but ghost towns. Huffman and his friends still post there occasionally but with Smart MIA since 1999, the excitement has all but faded.

==External Links==

===Media===
*
*
*

===Smart's game AI references===
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*
*

===Smart vs Huffman===
*] on the great Smart flame war
*
*

]
]

Latest revision as of 07:53, 17 December 2024

For the rugby league footballer of the 1950s and 1960s, see Derek Smart (rugby league). Video game developer and businessperson

Derek K. Smart is an American video game designer. He is the president and lead developer of 3000AD, Inc., an indie game development company based in Aventura, Florida. In addition he is the president of and investor in the video game development company Quest Online. Smart is an independent video game designer and software developer, and the creator of several video game series.

Work

In 1996, Take 2 Interactive released his first game, Battlecruiser 3000AD. Prior to the release Smart and Take 2 were involved in a dispute over the premature release of the game. The matter was later settled out of court.

Through his 3000AD company, Smart has developed a total of nineteen games to date, across his various franchise properties; most of which are derivative works. Through his Quest Online company, he also worked on the completion of the MMO Alganon as well as that game's expansion pack, Rise of the Ourobani.

Smart also signed a deal with DC Comics in which several comics have been created for his Line of Defense games. A comic for Alganon was also released.

Smart is a lifetime International Game Developers Association (IGDA) member, and was also a board member of the Miami chapter of IGDA.

Games designed

  • Line of Defense (2014)
  • Line of Defense Tactics (2014)
  • All Aspect Warfare (2009)
  • Angle of Attack (2009)
  • Galactic Command Echo Squad SE (2008)
  • Galactic Command Echo Squad (2007)
  • Universal Combat CE 2.0 (2009)
  • Universal Combat CE (2007)
  • Universal Combat SE (2006)
  • Universal Combat A World Apart (2005)
  • Universal Combat Gold (2005)
  • Universal Combat (2004)
  • Battlecruiser Millennium: Gold Edition (2003)
  • Battlecruiser Millennium (2001)
  • Battlecruiser 3000AD (v2.0) (1998)
  • Battlecruiser 3000AD (1996)

Online activities

Computer Games Magazine wrote that "over time, his reputation as an online defender of his games and unabashed pistol-whipper of his enemies overshadows the games themselves". A 2012 in-depth article regarding the disconnect between his real life and his online alter-ego was written by media veteran Russ Pitts and published by Polygon.

In 2015, during the height of the Gamergate harassment campaign, Smart appeared on a Society of Professional Journalists live broadcast panel alongside Milo Yiannopoulos, then-editor of Breitbart News, Christina Hoff Sommers of American Enterprise Institute, Lynn Walsh of the Society of Professional Journalists, Asche Schow of the Washington Examiner, and others. In that panel, he decried the actions of media who were branding Gamergate members as a hate group.

Since July 2015, Smart has been embroiled in heated controversy surrounding the Star Citizen crowd-funded game which he claimed in July 2015 could never be developed due to its scope and promises. With widespread media coverage surrounding the project, he has since gone on to write various blogs about the project.

References

  1. "Quest Online Corporate information". Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  2. "1997 3000AD and Take 2 settle differences". 23 December 1998.
  3. "Games". 3000ad.com. 14 March 2009. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
  4. "Alganon – Rise of the Ourobani". Archived from the original on 17 November 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
  5. Line Of Defense Comic Issues 1–3, Lodmmo.com
  6. "Alganon – Fall of the Ourobani comic". Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
  7. "IGDA Miami – Chapter Meeting: June 2002". Archived from the original on 27 April 2006. Retrieved 28 November 2006.
  8. Julian Murdoch, Computer Games Magazine, The People vs. Derek Smart, Issue 196.
  9. "The Redemption of Derek Smart". Polygon. 20 March 2012. Retrieved 21 March 2012.
  10. dsmart (16 August 2015). "SPJAirPlay GamerGate Debate". Smart Speak. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  11. dsmart (6 July 2015). "Star Citizen – Interstellar Citizens". Smart Speak. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  12. Younger, Paul (5 July 2015). "Star Citizen will "never get made" as it's been pitched says Derek Smart". PC Invasion. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  13. "inside-star-citizen". Kotaku UK. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  14. dsmart (6 July 2015). "All Star Citizen Blogs". Smart Speak. Retrieved 9 January 2018.

External links

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