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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}}
{{pp-semi-blp|small=yes}}
{{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 an independent ]er who created the '']'' and '']'' ] series. He is the President/Lead Developer of 3000AD, Inc., a ] corporation.


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>
==Game industry history==


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>
====Pre-1996====


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>
Smart 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.


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>
====1996 - 1997====


==Games designed==
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 product release<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ati.com/gitg/gaming/gamemaker/bcm/index.html|title=Get in the Game: Battlecruiser Millennium|accessdate=2006-10-20}}</ref> contained many bugs that made it almost entirely unplayable.
* ''Line of Defense'' (2014)
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/battlecruiser3000ad/review.html|title=Battlecruiser 3000 A.D. for PC Review - PC Battlecruiser 3000 A.D. Review|accessdate=2006-10-20}}</ref>
* ''Line of Defense Tactics'' (2014)
<ref name=Loonygames>{{cite web|url=http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.27/guest/index5.php|title=loonygames' Guest Editorial: Derek Smart|accessdate=2006-10-20}}</ref>
* ''All Aspect Warfare'' (2009)
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archive.gamespy.com/articles/june03/dumbestmoments/readers/index2.shtml|title=GameSpy.com - Article: The 25 Dumbest Moments in Gaming|accessdate=2006-10-20}}</ref>
* ''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==
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."<ref name="Gamespy">{{cite web|url=http://archive.gamespy.com/articles/september03/25overrated/index8.shtml|title = GameSpy.com - Gaming's Homepage. "The 25 Most Overrated Games Of All Time"|accessdate=2006-10-20}}</ref>
'']'' 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.
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.<ref name=Loonygames/> In late 1998 in a 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 listed Smart's first game as accounting for 14.2% of its yearly earnings.


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>
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.


====1998==== ==References==
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
In 1998 Smart, who had continued to develop the game, announced a deal with ]. Interplay would distribute an improved version of the original game (dubbed BC3K v2.0) through its Value Product Division<ref name="Interplay">{{cite news
*
|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20000818014813/interplay.com/press/bc3000ad.html
*
|publisher=Interplay
*
|title=Press Release: Interplay Value Products Division to distribute Battlecruiser 3000AD v2.0
|date=August 5, 1998
}}</ref>. After its retail run, Smart also .


{{Authority control}}
====2001====

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 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."<ref name="gamespin2">{{cite web|url=http://archive.gamespy.com/gamespin/march01/gamespin2/|title=GameSpy.com - GameSpin: Volume 2 -- Battlecruiser Millennium, Tropico and Anarchy Online|accessdate=2006-10-20}}</ref>

The game was reviewed and rated in several print and online game magazines. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/468719.asp|title=Battlecruiser Millennium Reviews|accessdate=2006-10-20}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/battlecruisermillennium?q=battlecruiser|title=Battlecruiser Millennium (pc: 2001): Reviews|accessdate=2006-10-20}}</ref>

After its retail run, Smart also . 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 ] 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 final Beta stages, <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.3000ad.com/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=32;t=000164|title=Battlecruiser Online: UC Dev Status - Ship it or give it another month?|accessdate=2006-10-20}}</ref>but failed to obtain a temporary restraining order to prevent the publisher from releasing the unfinished game.

The game was reviewed and rated in several print and online game magazines. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/561677.asp?q=universal%20combat|title=Universal Combat Reviews|accessdate = 2006-10-20}}</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">{{cite web | url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/sim/universalcombat/review.html| title=Universal Combat for PC Review - PC Universal Combat Review|accessdate=2006-10-20}}</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">{{cite web | url=http://www.3000ad.com/reviews/UC_Review-PCG.pdf | title = PC Gamer review of ''Universal Combat'' | accessdate = 2006-10-20}}</ref>

====2005 - 2006====

Despite an earlier ] announcement by ] to publish Smart's next sequel, <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6116407.html?q=universal%20combat|title=DreamCatcher to publish another 3000AD title - PC News at GameSpot|accessdate=2006-10-20}}</ref> Smart later terminated his publishing deal with the publisher and severed all ties with ]. <ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.gamespot.com/news/6125600.html?q=universal%20combat | title = 3000AD announces trio of new titles, breaks ties with publisher - PC News at GameSpot | accessdate = 2006-10-20}}</ref>
Smart's ] game, '']'' is a full sequel to the original '']'' with a variety of revisions and enhancements, especially to the graphics engine. <ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.3000ad.com/downloads/ucawa/ucAWAdev_vcf.html | title = UCAWA Dev Version Control | accessdate = 2006-10-20}}</ref>

The game was also reviewed and rated in several print and online game magazines. <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/universalcombataworldapart | title = Universal Combat: A World Apart (pc: 2005): Reviews | accessdate = 2006-10-20}}</ref> <ref></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 online resellers.<ref name = retailers>{{cite web | url =http://www.3000ad.com/sales/ucawa.shtml |title = BATTLECRUISER Online - Sales and Order Information| accessdate = 2006-10-20}}</ref>

In late ] Smart released '']'' for online purchase only through retailers. <ref name = retailers/>

==Online controversy==

Derek Smart has engaged in various controversial discussions on ] and game forums. His notoriety for this was such that ] lampooned him for it in its ''Daily Victim'' column.<ref name="victim">{{cite web | url=http://archive.gamespy.com/dailyvictim/index.asp?id=232 | title= GameSpy.com - Daily Victim: A tribute to online gaming dementia. | accessdate = 2006-10-16}}</ref>

In an interview 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." <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.3000ad.com/press/ds_interview_cgw0401.jpg | title=Computer Gaming World Interview | accessdate = 2006-10-20}}</ref> 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">{{cite web| url=http://www.somethingawful.com/articles.php?a=2010 | title=Completely Libelous Review of Universal Combat| accessdate = 2006-03-03}}</ref>

Smart was reported to be seeking to license the ] IP to develop a game based on the popular space-sim previously published by the ailing ]. <ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/sim/freespace2/news_6102932.html |title=Rumor Control: $179 DS in November and $29.99 GameCube games - PC News at GameSpot |accessdate = 2006-10-20}}</ref> 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. <ref>{{cite web | url=http://videogames.yahoo.com/newsarticle?eid=356937&page=0 | title=Rumor Control: $179 DS in November and $29.99 GameCube games - Video Game News - Yahoo! Video Games|accessdate = 2006-10-20}}</ref> 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 ] <ref>{{cite web |url=http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/07/17/0533221 | title=Slashdot - Derek Smart Lusting Rights to Freespace? | accessdate = 2006-10-20}}</ref>

==Published games==

{| border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 85%; border: gray solid 1px; border-collapse: collapse; text-align: center; width: 70%;"
!style="background: #ececec;"|Title
| bgcolor=#ececec |Released
| bgcolor=#ececec |Publisher

|-
!style="background: #ececec;"| ] (U.S.)
| bgcolor=#ddffdd | ]
| bgcolor=#ddffdd | ]

|-
!style="background: #ececec;"| Battlecruiser 3000AD (UK)
| bgcolor=#ddffdd | ]
| bgcolor=#ddffdd | ]

|-
!style="background: #ececec;"| Battlecruiser 3000AD v2.0
| bgcolor=#ddffdd | ]
| bgcolor=#ddffdd | ]

|-
!style="background: #ececec;"| ]
| bgcolor=#ddffdd | ]
| bgcolor=#ddffdd | ]

|-
!style="background: #ececec;"| ]
| bgcolor=#ddffdd | ]
| bgcolor=#ddffdd | ]

|-
!style="background: #ececec;"| ]
| bgcolor=#ddffdd | ]
| bgcolor=#ddffdd | Dreamcatcher Games

|-
!style="background: #ececec;"| ]
| bgcolor=#ddffdd | ]
| bgcolor=#ddffdd | 3000AD

|-
!style="background: #ececec;"| ]
| bgcolor=#ddffdd | 2005
| bgcolor=#ddffdd | 3000AD
|

|-
!style="background: #ececec;"| ]
| bgcolor=#ddffdd | ]
| bgcolor=#ddffdd | 3000AD
|}

== References==
<references/>

==External links==
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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

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