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| '''Derek Smart''' is a Independent ]er and ] personality living in ]. He is the creator of the '']'' ] series, now '']''. | '''Derek Smart''' is a Independent ]er and ] personality living in ]. He is the creator of the '']'' ] series, now '']''. | ||
| Smart has participated in a number of controversial public discussions on ] and the web. | |||
| ==3000AD Games== | ==3000AD Games== | ||
| Smart |
Smart envisioned the ingenious premise of a space craft (Battlecruiser) simulation which would encompass various game types with features ranging from space and planatary air combat to ground combat and strategy elements. | ||
| Smart's first game, '']'' which was marketed as " |
Smart's first game, '']'' which was marketed by then publisher ] as "The last thing you will ever desire." was released unfinished by ] in 1996, after a seven year developement. The prematurely released product was found to contain many bugs that made it unplayable for the most part. <ref></ref> <ref></ref> <ref></ref> | ||
| <ref> </ref> | <ref> </ref> | ||
| In early 1997, Smart sued Take Two for reasons related to their release of the game. The lawsuit was settled out of court.<ref></ref> In late 1998, in a Smart and Take Two president Ryan Brant announced that the matter had been resolved. Take Two later went public and in its listed Smart's first game as accounting for 14.2% of its yearly earnings. | In early 1997, Smart sued Take Two for reasons related to their release of the game in its then unfinished form. The lawsuit was later settled out of court.<ref></ref> In late 1998, in a Smart and Take Two president Ryan Brant in a statement lauding Smart's work and efforts announced that the matter had been resolved. Take Two later went public and in its listed Smart's first game as accounting for 14.2% of its yearly earnings. | ||
| 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 some of the major bugs. Smart then later the game for free on the Internet and hosted on the sites. | |||
| Over the next few years, Smart continued to work on |
Over the next few years, Smart continued to work on improving his game as he originally envisioned. In ], a deal was announced with Interplay where it would distribute BC3K v2.0 through its Value Product Division<ref name="Interplay">{{cite news | ||
| <ref name="Interplay">{{cite news | |||
| |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20000818014813/interplay.com/press/bc3000ad.html | |url=http://web.archive.org/web/20000818014813/interplay.com/press/bc3000ad.html | ||
| |publisher=Interplay | |publisher=Interplay | ||
| |title=Press Release: Interplay Value Products Division to distribute Battlecruiser 3000AD v2.0 | |title=Press Release: Interplay Value Products Division to distribute Battlecruiser 3000AD v2.0 | ||
| |date=August 5, 1998 | |date=August 5, 1998 | ||
| }}</ref>. | |||
| }}</ref>. In ] Smart released the game for free on the Internet, where it is . | |||
| Smart continued to work on selling his product |
Over the next few years, Smart continued to work on improving his game as he originally envisioned. In ], a deal was announced with Interplay where it would distribute BC3K v2.0 through its Value Product Division | ||
| Smart continued to work on selling his product and later entered into an with ] for his next game, ] which his company 3000AD, Inc self-published and released in ]. Asked by the media how he landed the deal, Smart stated "I'm paying for everything. I bear all the risk. I pay for the cost of goods, including the boxes and manuals."<ref name="gamespin2"></ref> | |||
| In ] Smart signed a two product with ] for ] and Battlecruiser Generations. The latter being a brand new addition to the series, with than its predecessors. 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 '']''. | In ] Smart signed a two product with ] for ] and Battlecruiser Generations. The latter being a brand new addition to the series, with than its predecessors. 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 '']''. | ||
| Line 31: | Line 29: | ||
| The game was not ready in time for the ] holidays and was shipped in early ] at half of the originally announced price. Smart took legal action against the publisher to stop shipment of the game which was still in as he felt that the budget price of $19.95 would be unprofitable for his company.{{citeneeded}} He failed to obtain a temporary restraining order which would have prevented the publisher from releasing the game. | The game was not ready in time for the ] holidays and was shipped in early ] at half of the originally announced price. Smart took legal action against the publisher to stop shipment of the game which was still in as he felt that the budget price of $19.95 would be unprofitable for his company.{{citeneeded}} He failed to obtain a temporary restraining order which would have prevented the publisher from releasing the game. | ||
| The game received |
The game received mediocre to average reviews in several game magazine reviews. <ref></ref> Gamespot, in their 59% review score, summarized their experience with the game by saying "This wildly ambitious simulation is torpedoed by an almost incomprehensible interface, the absence of a tutorial, numerous bugs, and many fit and finish issues, including dated production values."<ref name="Gamespot-uc-review"></ref> PC Gamer, the largest gaming magazine in the world, in their 75% review of their experience with the game said "...for the latter niche of hardcore space-simmers, Derek Smart's Battlecruiser series has been going strong for eight solid years. Over that time, the idiosyncratic space-combat franchise has transformed itself from a bug-ridden lemon to a respected genre contender. Universal Combat is the latest chapter in this reecently rebranded series (with new publisher Dreamcatcher), and though the game remains an acquired taste, its better than ever."<ref name="PC-Gamer-uc-review"></ref> | ||
| Despite an earlier ] by ] to publish Smart's next sequel, Smart later his publishing deal with the publisher and severed all ties with ]. | Despite an earlier ] by ] to publish Smart's next sequel, Smart later his publishing deal with the publisher and severed all ties with ]. | ||
| Line 38: | Line 36: | ||
| Smart also released '']'' in 2005. This is an updated version of the original ''Universal Combat'' with new scenarios and graphics enhancements. Both of the 2005 games can currently only be purchased via </ref> | Smart also released '']'' in 2005. This is an updated version of the original ''Universal Combat'' with new scenarios and graphics enhancements. Both of the 2005 games can currently only be purchased via </ref> | ||
| ==Online |
==Online Controversy== | ||
| ⚫ | 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.{{fact}} Smart explained: "Sometimes when I get online, and it's quiet, and I see something that attracts my attention, I'll post just to piss these guys off. That's why I do it. Because I'm in a good mood that day, I go in there and I start trouble." <ref></ref> |
||
| Completely Libelous Review of Universal Combat], March 3, 2004</ref> | |||
| ===Ph.D. Controversy=== | |||
| Smart has consistently and publically claimed the title of Ph.D.. The question of whether Smart's Ph.D. was legitimate was argued in various fora{{citeneeded}}. Smart's perceived pretention became the object of sufficient ridicule that it was eventually lampooned by Gamespy's "Daily Victim". | |||
| ===Freespace License=== | |||
| In 2004 Derek Smart expressed his interest in developing the sequel to the ] franchise. According to Slashdot, discussions about his interest on the main Freespace 2 fan site became heated . | |||
| ⚫ | 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.{{fact}} Smart explained: "Sometimes when I get online, and it's quiet, and I see something that attracts my attention, I'll post just to piss these guys off. That's why I do it. Because I'm in a good mood that day, I go in there and I start trouble." <ref></ref> | ||
| ==Published Products== | ==Published Products== | ||
| Line 103: | Line 93: | ||
| | bgcolor=#ddffdd | 3000AD | | bgcolor=#ddffdd | 3000AD | ||
| |} | |} | ||
| ===Controversy and Criticism=== | |||
| * | |||
| * (likely to be critical of Derek Smart) | |||
| == References== | == References== | ||
Revision as of 13:01, 13 October 2006
Derek Smart is a Independent software designer and Internet personality living in Florida. He is the creator of the Battlecruiser 3000AD video game series, now Universal Combat.
3000AD Games
Smart envisioned the ingenious premise of a space craft (Battlecruiser) simulation which would encompass various game types with features ranging from space and planatary air combat to ground combat and strategy elements.
Smart's first game, Battlecruiser 3000AD which was marketed by then publisher Take Two Interactive as "The last thing you will ever desire." was released unfinished by Take Two Interactive in 1996, after a seven year developement. The prematurely released product was found to contain many bugs that made it unplayable for the most part.
In early 1997, Smart sued Take Two for reasons related to their release of the game in its then unfinished form. The lawsuit was later settled out of court. In late 1998, in a statement Smart and Take Two president Ryan Brant in a statement lauding Smart's work and efforts announced that the matter had been resolved. Take Two later went public and in its SEC filings listed Smart's first game as accounting for 14.2% of its yearly earnings.
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 some of the major bugs. Smart then later released the game for free on the Internet and hosted on the popular download sites.
Over the next few years, Smart continued to work on improving his game as he originally envisioned. In 1998, a deal was announced with Interplay where it would distribute BC3K v2.0 through its Value Product Division.
Over the next few years, Smart continued to work on improving his game as he originally envisioned. In 1998, a deal was announced with Interplay where it would distribute BC3K v2.0 through its Value Product Division
Smart continued to work on selling his product and later entered into an exclusive distribution deal with Electronics Boutique for his next game, Battlecruiser Millennium which his company 3000AD, Inc self-published and released in 2001. Asked by the media how he landed the deal, Smart stated "I'm paying for everything. I bear all the risk. I pay for the cost of goods, including the boxes and manuals."
In 2003 Smart signed a two product deal with Dreamcatcher Games for Battlecruiser Millennium Gold and Battlecruiser Generations. The latter being a brand new addition to the series, with newer technologies than its predecessors. 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 name was changed to Universal Combat.
The game was not ready in time for the 2003 holidays and was shipped in early 2004 at half of the originally announced price. Smart took legal action against the publisher to stop shipment of the game which was still in final Beta stages as he felt that the budget price of $19.95 would be unprofitable for his company. He failed to obtain a temporary restraining order which would have prevented the publisher from releasing the game.
The game received mediocre to average reviews in several game magazine reviews. Gamespot, in their 59% review score, summarized their experience with the game by saying "This wildly ambitious simulation is torpedoed by an almost incomprehensible interface, the absence of a tutorial, numerous bugs, and many fit and finish issues, including dated production values." PC Gamer, the largest gaming magazine in the world, in their 75% review of their experience with the game said "...for the latter niche of hardcore space-simmers, Derek Smart's Battlecruiser series has been going strong for eight solid years. Over that time, the idiosyncratic space-combat franchise has transformed itself from a bug-ridden lemon to a respected genre contender. Universal Combat is the latest chapter in this reecently rebranded series (with new publisher Dreamcatcher), and though the game remains an acquired taste, its better than ever."
Despite an earlier 2005 announcement by Dreamcatcher Games to publish Smart's next sequel, Smart later terminated his publishing deal with the publisher and severed all ties with Dreamcatcher Games. Smart's 2005 game, Universal Combat: A World Apart is a full sequel to the original Universal Combat with a variety of revisions and enhancements especially to the graphics engine. Despite the enhancements, it received average to mediocre reviews.
Smart also released Universal Combat Gold in 2005. This is an updated version of the original Universal Combat with new scenarios and graphics enhancements. Both of the 2005 games can currently only be purchased via [online resellers.
Online Controversy
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. Smart explained: "Sometimes when I get online, and it's quiet, and I see something that attracts my attention, I'll post just to piss these guys off. That's why I do it. Because I'm in a good mood that day, I go in there and I start trouble."
Published Products
| Title | Released | Publisher | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battlecruiser 3000AD (U.S.) | 1996 | Take Two Software | |
| Battlecruiser 3000AD (UK) | 1997 | GameTek | |
| Battlecruiser 3000AD v2.0 | 1999 | Interplay | |
| Battlecruiser Millennium | 2001 | 3000AD | |
| Battlecruiser Millennium Gold | 2003 | Dreamcatcher Games | |
| Universal Combat | 2004 | Dreamcatcher Games | |
| Universal Combat Gold | 2005 | 3000AD | |
| Universal Combat: A World Apart | 2005 | 3000AD | |
| Universal Combat: Special Edition | 2006 | 3000AD |
References
- Gamespot online review of Battlecruiser 3000AD
- History of BC3K self-editorial at Loonygames.com
- "The 25 Dumbest Moments in Gaming" Gamespy article
- Battlecruiser 3000AD marketed as "The last thing you will ever desire"
- History of BC3K self-editorial at Loonygames.com, page 5
- "Press Release: Interplay Value Products Division to distribute Battlecruiser 3000AD v2.0". Interplay. August 5, 1998.
- GameSpin: Volume 2
- GameRankings.com non-scientific aggregate review scores of Universal Combat
- Gamespot review of Universal Combat
- PC Gamer review of Universal Combat
- Metacritic.com aggregate review of Universal Combat: A World Apart
- GameRankings.com aggregate review of Universal Combat: A World Apart
- Links to online resellers at official Battlecruiser 3000AD website
- Scanned images of Computer Gaming World print interview
