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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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'''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 best known as the eccentric creator of the ] ] series.


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 is arguably better known for his online presence and self-commentary than he is for the games that he makes, due in large part to participation in a number of high-profile public discussions on the internet and ]. Characterized by high levels of controversy, rhetoric and personal attack, these ]s have been recorded and immortalized 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 is likely to find and participate in discussions of his games on the internet. In the past, heated discussions have lead supporters and detractors of Smart's work to join online communities they were not previously involved in for the express purpose of engaging in combative argument. 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>
Another flashpoint among followers of Smart's work and online activities has been controversy over Smart's alleged doctoral-degree (all public messages by him are signed as "Derek Smart, PhD"). A number of individuals have published material and evidence that appears to show these claims to be highly dubious, and perhaps wholly untrue. Smart has been invited on numerous occasions to provide authoritative documentation or further information on the degree, but has thus far failed to do so.


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>
Frequent criticism of Smart's games include claims that they are "over-hyped", or are the subject of unrealistic and hyperbolic publicity prior to their release, that they are often bug-ridden, and having frustratingly complicated interfaces which require very large basic operating manuals.


==Games designed==
During production of Smart's first game, ], he made incredible claims as to its features. The game was released by publisher ] before it was finished. It contained many bugs that made it very difficult to play. It also had what many believed to be an exceedingly complex interface and gameplay. Because of these factors, the game was publically lambasted. Smart voiced his opinions on the (supposed) premature release numerously and strongly. Eventually, a patch (v2.0) was released to fix most of the major bugs. This is a characteristic of almost all of his games, enormous amount of hype prior to release, and when the product is released and not found to contain the aformentioned features, naturally the game is lambasted in gaming reviews.
* ''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==
Smart's last game was Universal Combat, which received average to mediocre reviews in online game magazine reviews.
'']'' 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.
== Games ==


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>
* '''Universal Combat''' (2004)
* '''Battlecruiser Millennium: Gold Edition''' (2003)
* '''Battlecruiser Millennium''' (2001)
* '''Battlecruiser 3000AD (v2.0)''' (1998)
* '''Battlecruiser 3000AD''' (1996)


==References==
== External links ==
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
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*


{{Authority control}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Smart, Derek}}
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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

Categories: