Derek Smart
Encyclopedia
Derek K. Smart is the president and lead developer of 3000AD, Inc., a video game developer
based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
. In addition he is president of Quest Online involved in the MMO Alganon
. He is an independent video game designer and software developer
, and the creator of the Battlecruiser 3000AD
and Universal Combat
video game series. A self-described "eccentric and vocal personality", Smart is renowned for lengthy and aggressive online responses to perceived criticism and is as well known for his online presence as he is for the games that he makes.
On February 20, 2008 it was announced that Smart's 3000AD company has entered a partnership with GamersGate, covering the digital distribution of the Universal Combat series as well as upcoming releases planned by 3000AD, Inc.
.
, Smart said of his online persona: "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." 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."
Smart was reported to be seeking to license the FreeSpace IP
to develop a game based on the popular space-sim previously published by Interplay
. This sparked a controversy between Smart and FreeSpace fans. Gamespot reported that "Following Bethesda Softworks' acquisition of the Fallout license earlier this week, word spread that cash-strapped publisher Interplay is having a franchise fire sale. In a 2007 All Games Radio interview, Smart stated why he decided to stop pursuing the license and instead start a new (Galactic Command
) franchise.
Video game developer
A video game developer is a software developer that creates video games. A developer may specialize in a certain video game console, such as Nintendo's Wii, Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's PlayStation 3, or may develop for a variety of systems, including personal computers.Most developers also...
based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Fort Lauderdale is a city in the U.S. state of Florida, on the Atlantic coast. It is the county seat of Broward County. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 165,521. It is a principal city of the South Florida metropolitan area, which was home to 5,564,635 people at the 2010...
. In addition he is president of Quest Online involved in the MMO Alganon
Alganon
Alganon is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game designed by David Allen, developed by Arizona-based Quest Online. Alganon was previously called "Crusade". Alganon is subscriber-based, requiring an active Internet connection...
. He is an independent video game designer and software developer
Software design
Software design is a process of problem solving and planning for a software solution. After the purpose and specifications of software are determined, software developers will design or employ designers to develop a plan for a solution...
, and the creator of the Battlecruiser 3000AD
Battlecruiser 3000AD
Battlecruiser 3000AD is a science fiction computer game, noted for its long, troubled development history.-Story:...
and Universal Combat
Universal Combat
Universal Combat is the second video game series by 3000AD Inc., the successor of Battlecruiser series of games....
video game series. A self-described "eccentric and vocal personality", Smart is renowned for lengthy and aggressive online responses to perceived criticism and is as well known for his online presence as he is for the games that he makes.
Developed games
- Battlecruiser 3000ADBattlecruiser 3000ADBattlecruiser 3000AD is a science fiction computer game, noted for its long, troubled development history.-Story:...
- Battlecruiser Millennium
- Universal CombatUniversal CombatUniversal Combat is the second video game series by 3000AD Inc., the successor of Battlecruiser series of games....
- Galactic CommandGalactic CommandGalactic Command is the third series of space exploration video games developed by 3000AD, Inc.Unlike the previous series, this game is targeted specifically for the casual/action fan, with advertised 'very low learning curve'...
- All Aspect Warfare
- Angle of Attack
On February 20, 2008 it was announced that Smart's 3000AD company has entered a partnership with GamersGate, covering the digital distribution of the Universal Combat series as well as upcoming releases planned by 3000AD, Inc.
Recognition
Smart is a board member of the Miami chapter of the International Game Developers AssociationInternational Game Developers Association
International Game Developers Association is the professional society for over 10,000 video and computer game developers worldwide.It is incorporated in the United States as a non-profit organization....
.
Online activities
In an interview which was featured on the cover page of Computer Gaming WorldComputer Gaming World
Computer Gaming World was a computer game magazine founded in 1981 by Russell Sipe as a bimonthly publication. Early issues were typically 40-50 pages in length, written in a newsletter style, including submissions by game designers such as Joel Billings , Dan Bunten , and Chris Crawford...
, Smart said of his online persona: "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." Computer Games Magazine
Computer Games Magazine
Computer Games Magazine was a computer gaming print magazine. It was formerly Computer Games Strategy Plus, and before that, Strategy Plus, which had been founded as Games International in the UK in 1988. While its initial focus was on strategy games, it covered a wide range of game genres...
wrote that "Over time, his reputation as an online defender of his games and unabashed pistol-whipper of his enemies overshadows the games themselves."
Smart was reported to be seeking to license the FreeSpace IP
Intellectual property
Intellectual property is a term referring to a number of distinct types of creations of the mind for which a set of exclusive rights are recognized—and the corresponding fields of law...
to develop a game based on the popular space-sim previously published by Interplay
Interplay Entertainment
Interplay Entertainment Corporation is an American video game developer and publisher, founded in 1983 as Interplay Productions by Brian Fargo. The company had been a quality developer until they started publishing their own games in 1988, like Neuromancer and Battle Chess. The company was renamed...
. This sparked a controversy between Smart and FreeSpace fans. Gamespot reported that "Following Bethesda Softworks' acquisition of the Fallout license earlier this week, word spread that cash-strapped publisher Interplay is having a franchise fire sale. In a 2007 All Games Radio interview, Smart stated why he decided to stop pursuing the license and instead start a new (Galactic Command
Galactic Command
Galactic Command is the third series of space exploration video games developed by 3000AD, Inc.Unlike the previous series, this game is targeted specifically for the casual/action fan, with advertised 'very low learning curve'...
) franchise.