Derek Smart: Difference between revisions

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Revision as of 13:41, 20 October 2006 view sourceKerr avon (talk \| contribs)1,186 edits removed redundant beta mentioning - it is mentioned twice, added slashdot link, removed the unsubstantiated "non scientific aggregate" pending resolution, see talk,, warhawk - please stop wars← Previous edit		Revision as of 18:23, 20 October 2006 view source Supreme Cmdr (talk \| contribs)583 editsm rv Removed Slashdot games link. Does not comply with WP:RS. Wording of unfinished game was fine before and has been there through several edits.Next edit →
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	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 '']''.

	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 , but failed to obtain a temporary restraining order to prevent the publisher from releasing the unfinished 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 , but failed to obtain a temporary restraining order to prevent the publisher from releasing the unfinished game which was still in Beta.

	The game was reviewed and rated in several print and online game magazines. <ref></ref> ''Gamespot'', in its 59% review score, summarized its 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'', in its 75% review of its 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 recently rebranded series (with new publisher Dreamcatcher), and though the game remains an acquired taste, it's better than ever.''"<ref name="PC-Gamer-uc-review"></ref>		The game was reviewed and rated in several print and online game magazines. <ref></ref> ''Gamespot'', in its 59% review score, summarized its 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'', in its 75% review of its 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 recently rebranded series (with new publisher Dreamcatcher), and though the game remains an acquired taste, it's better than ever.''"<ref name="PC-Gamer-uc-review"></ref>

	====2005 - 2006====		====2005 - 2006====
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	In an about his online persona featured on the cover page of ], Smart said: "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." This tendency to create controversy led web site ''Something Awful'', in its satirical "Completely Libelous review of Universal Combat" to opine: "Dr. Smart is a man so entrenched in controversy that he is unable to accomplish virtually any task without volunteering to submerge it in tomes of ridiculous lawsuits, Internet threats, and a general cesspit of idiocy."<ref name="awful">, March 3, 2004</ref>		In an about his online persona featured on the cover page of ], Smart said: "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." This tendency to create controversy led web site ''Something Awful'', in its satirical "Completely Libelous review of Universal Combat" to opine: "Dr. Smart is a man so entrenched in controversy that he is unable to accomplish virtually any task without volunteering to submerge it in tomes of ridiculous lawsuits, Internet threats, and a general cesspit of idiocy."<ref name="awful">, March 3, 2004</ref>

	Smart was to be seeking to license the ] IP to develop a game based on the popular space-sim previously published by the ailing ]. This sparked a controversy between both Smart's supporters and detractors in which the rumor was : ''"Following Bethesda Softworks' acquisition of the Fallout license earlier this week, word spread that cash-strapped publisher Interplay is having a franchise fire sale. So the rumors started a-flyin' when Smart posed the question, "Would you buy Freespace 3 if I made it?" However, those who took the effort to look at the next paragraph would have seen that Smart is still only "seriously considering" licensing the space sim. However, the very possibility of Smart taking over the series has generated a strong reaction, prompting him to post a typically verbose response to his critics."'' ~~The controversy was highlighted on the prominent technology related website ] .~~		Smart was to be seeking to license the ] IP to develop a game based on the popular space-sim previously published by the ailing ]. This sparked a controversy between both Smart's supporters and detractors in which the rumor was : ''"Following Bethesda Softworks' acquisition of the Fallout license earlier this week, word spread that cash-strapped publisher Interplay is having a franchise fire sale. So the rumors started a-flyin' when Smart posed the question, "Would you buy Freespace 3 if I made it?" However, those who took the effort to look at the next paragraph would have seen that Smart is still only "seriously considering" licensing the space sim. However, the very possibility of Smart taking over the series has generated a strong reaction, prompting him to post a typically verbose response to his critics."''

	==Published games==		==Published games==

Revision as of 18:23, 20 October 2006

Derek Smart is an independent software designer who created the Battlecruiser 3000AD and Universal Combat video game series. He is the President/Lead Developer of 3000AD, Inc., a Florida corporation.

Game industry history

Pre-1996

Smart envisioned a space craft (Battlecruiser) simulation which would encompass various game types with features ranging from space and planetary air combat to ground combat and strategy elements. His game development efforts center on realizing this vision.

1996 - 1997

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 product release contained many bugs that made it almost entirely unplayable. The initial release of the game was "a train wreck", according to a reviewer who later commented that "Smart consistently overrates his own products and his own abilities."

In early 1997, Smart sued Take Two in relation to its release of the game in its then unfinished form. The lawsuit was later settled out of court. In late 1998 in a statement released by both parties, the then Take Two president Ryan Brant lauded Smart's work and efforts and further 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.

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.

1998

In 1998 Smart, who had continued to develop the game, announced a deal with Interplay. Interplay would distribute an improved version of the original game (dubbed BC3K v2.0) through its Value Product Division. After its retail run, Smart also released that product on the Internet for free.

2001

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 later that year.

Asked by the media about his thoughts on 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.".

The game was reviewed and rated in several print and online game magazines.

After its retail run, Smart also released that product on the Internet for free. He has mentioned that he intends to keep up this practice of releasing his products for free once their shell life expires.

2003 - 2004

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, but failed to obtain a temporary restraining order to prevent the publisher from releasing the unfinished game which was still in Beta.

The game was reviewed and rated in several print and online game magazines. Gamespot, in its 59% review score, summarized its 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, in its 75% review of its 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 recently rebranded series (with new publisher Dreamcatcher), and though the game remains an acquired taste, it's better than ever."

2005 - 2006

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.

The game was also reviewed and rated in several print and online game magazines.

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.

In late 2006 Smart released Universal Combat: Special Edition for online purchase only through retailers.

Online controversy

Derek Smart has engaged in various controversial discussions on Usenet and game forums. His notoriety for this was such that Gamespy lampooned him for it in its Daily Victim column.

In an interview about his online persona featured on the cover page of Computer Gaming World, Smart said: "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." This tendency to create controversy led web site Something Awful, in its satirical "Completely Libelous review of Universal Combat" to opine: "Dr. Smart is a man so entrenched in controversy that he is unable to accomplish virtually any task without volunteering to submerge it in tomes of ridiculous lawsuits, Internet threats, and a general cesspit of idiocy."

Smart was reported to be seeking to license the Freespace IP to develop a game based on the popular space-sim previously published by the ailing Interplay. This sparked a controversy between both Smart's supporters and detractors in which the rumor was further debunked by Yahoo video game news: "Following Bethesda Softworks' acquisition of the Fallout license earlier this week, word spread that cash-strapped publisher Interplay is having a franchise fire sale. So the rumors started a-flyin' when Smart posed the question, "Would you buy Freespace 3 if I made it?" However, those who took the effort to look at the next paragraph would have seen that Smart is still only "seriously considering" licensing the space sim. However, the very possibility of Smart taking over the series has generated a strong reaction, prompting him to post a typically verbose response to his critics."

Published games

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

External links

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