DarkSpace
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For the Black Metal band see Darkspace (band)
| DarkSpace ( A Free Massively Multi-Player Online Game ) | |
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| Developer(s) | Palestar |
| Publisher(s) | Palestar, Got Game Entertainment |
| Designer(s) | Richard "Faustus" Lyle |
| Engine | Medusa (game engine) |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| Release date(s) | December 21, 2001 |
| Genre(s) | MMORST |
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
| System requirements | 300 MHz Intel/AMD, Windows 95/98/Me/2000, 3d Card, 64 MB of RAM, 300 MB of hard drive space, Internet connection of 128kbits or faster, Direct Input compatible Mouse |
DarkSpace is a massively multiplayer online real-time strategy computer game.
DarkSpace involves multiplayer spaceship combat between three player-controlled factions. There are other non-player races that are seen on special occasions. The game takes place within a persistent universe, though there are also timed instanced servers with a single solar system to fight over.
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[edit] Gameplay
Players start out in the midst of a human civil war intensified by reports of an alien species aggressively spreading its domain throughout the known universe. Beginning with small crafts, you work your way up the ranks toward the ultimate goal of Chief Marshal , capable of commanding capital ships and planning the core strategics of your faction.
In this online universe, hundreds of players come together to forge alliances in a pulse-pounding struggle for mankind’s destiny. Mission goals will vary from pilot to pilot and completed objectives will bring favor to that faction's existence in the galaxy. The fate of the galaxy relies on your coordination with your team. In such an unpredictable universe, objectives will be obtained and rival borders will be pushed back only with teamwork on a massive scale.
Players will need to choose their ships wisely, as each ship type fulfills its own versatile and vital role within the faction. A scout will reveal enemy positions as it lifts the fog of war, while combat-equipped heavy cruisers tear into the enemy forces with relentless speed and force. Planetary invasions are carried out with high-capacity infantry transports, and subsequent security is insured by engineering ships that rebuild and stabilize the planet's buildings.
With all of its influential forces acting as one, the universe of DarkSpace continues to evolve. In the opening moments of gameplay, the dominant factions are human with a mysterious and advanced alien species silently closing in from the galactic rim. In the meantime, neutral and radical bodies with agendas of their own will force players to deal with the circumstances they create within their own borders.
The game takes place in a persistent universe (known as the 5 part MetaVerse") in which every player belongs to one of the three playable factions and controls a starship. Although the game takes place in space and uses a 3D graphics engine, game play is restricted to a 2D dimensional plane. The goal is to use the starships to gain control of as many planets as possible in the name of the factions. Players can choose from different types of starships with different specializations, such as smaller or larger battleships, troop transports, supply vessels or bombers. A special role is played by the engineer ships which are capable of building structures on planets. These structures can repair allied ships, be used as spawn points or protect the planet from attack. The high grade of specialization of most ships forces the players of each faction to work together as a team.
Every new player starts in the rank of a midshipman and is restricted to the smallest ships of his/her faction. To control larger ships the player has to be promoted to higher ranks by gaining "Prestige Points". Prestige can be awarded by doing various tasks like damaging the ships of enemy players, bombing and capturing enemy planets, building structures on planets or repairing the ships of teammates. When a player reaches a specific number of prestige points he is promoted to a higher rank. Most ships do not only require a minimum rank but also one or more specific "badges". To fly a larger combatant ship, for example, a player has to achieve the "Bronze Combat" badge by inflicting 50 points of damage to enemy ships. This gives players the incentive to learn all aspects of the game.
The scenario servers are similar to that of a massive capture-the-flag based first-person shooter.
[edit] Factions
[edit] United Galactic Trade Organization (UGTO)
Called "Uggies" or "Uglies" by their enemies, the UGTO fields some of the sleekest and most well-rounded ships. Energy weapons, Proton technology and thick armor result in ships with good protection, and efficient use of their energy pool for weapons.
[edit] Interstellar Cultural Confederation (ICC)
The ICC, "Ickies" to their foes, are masters of energy shields and Fusion technology. Slate-grey, angular ships blend in with the blackness of space, and their weapons have the longest range of all the factions. As such, ICC ships excel at holding defensive positions and pounding enemies at range.
[edit] K'Luth
The organic ships of the alien K'Luth and the insectoid naming conventions used by humans to describe their ships have earned the K'Luth the nickname "Lobsters" or "Bugs". They reside somewhere in the Sirius A system. Psionic and Antimatter technology give the K'Luth significant damage-dealing capacity at short range, and their Antimatter engines and jump drives make them the fastest ships in known space. K'Luth armor is much lighter than that found on comparable ICC ships, but a cloaking device compensates for this deficiency, making K'Luth masters of hit and run tactics.
Pros: Most powerful weapons in terms of raw damage, fast ships, and the ability to move invisibly. Cons: Shorter weapon range than human weapons, weak armor, weapons and cloaking device have high energy drain.
[edit] NPC
[edit] MIR/MI
A non-player character faction in Darkspace.
- -Mechanical, no logical design by organic intelligence standards. Typically composed of elongated and bent spines connected to a central body.
- -Dreads (are all Superdreads) are roughly 1/3'rd the size of a station or nearly a 1/3rd again larger than any other races dreads.
- -No small combat ships. The have a single Transport and Supply ship, and then Cruisers and Dreads only.
- -No destroyers (there is one model, and its their version of a scout)
- -No stations, as the over sized dreads act as dread/station
- -no standard sensors (no ECM or ECCM either) as they use a special type not yet completed
- -No fighters, shuttles, etc
- -Primary texture color is Green
- -No engineers, Mir don't build planets, they capture them and subvert them.
[edit] Pirates
Pirates are another non-player faction. they are usually found picking up the scraps after battles, attacking transports, and generally flying around picking fights whenever possible. They have even been known to raid a planet or two on occasion.
Pirates make do with whatever ships and weapons they can steal, capture, or salvage, which often results in their ships being weaker than their ICC or UGTO counterparts- a weakness countered by unpredictable combat performance and weaponry.
[edit] Unknown
The metaverse of DarkSpace is not entirely populated by player-controlled ships. Sometimes a planet will revolt, and will become controlled by a neutral force. Such a force may occasionally include ships to defend the planet. These ships are a rare sight, but may become more common as shipyard planets fall into disarray and revolt. In addition to rebel forces, the Metaverse is home to Gaifens, Crystalline Entities, and Energy Entities.
[edit] Gaifens
The most common space monster is the humble gaifen. This creature is peaceful unless provoked. However, if it is angered, a gaifen can easily destroy a smaller ship. It is rumored that the K'Luth ships might be based on a genetically engineered gaifen species.
[edit] Crystalline Entities
The most terrifying space entity is the crystalline entity. One of these creatures can lay waste to a planet. If these creatures are spotted near inhabited space, it is only a matter of time before lifeless planets are all that remain. Its crystal ray destroys population and structures alike. Reports have stated that the crystalline entity is capable of moving at over 200gu per second, although most physicists believe this to be impossible.
[edit] Energy Entities
Energy entities are a rare and irritating sight. An energy entity feeds off of power emissions, and drains the energy reserves of every ship close to it. Battles near an energy entity tend to get rather quiet, as no one can fire any weapons after a short time in the draining field.
[edit] Ships
Depending on your rank and experience, your faction's central command will allow you a choice of warships and support craft. As flexibility is vital for any fleet, you are not limited to a single ship that you "own". At any time, you can return to a shipyard or home gate and select a new ship.
While the central commanders have attempted to provide effective ships for the fleet, they also realize that individual commanders may prefer alternate loadouts. While the shipyards cannot yet construct ships to individual specifications, you may store your ships in a personal storage "garage". These garage ships may be spawned at the shipyard they were docked at, or at your home gate. Each ship class has a unique role, which will be detailed in the next subsections.
[edit] Scout
The scout is designed to move quickly. Its jump drive is highly fuel-efficient, and recharges rapidly. Scouts can place beacons on enemy ships, allowing retreating ships to be tracked and destroyed. Scouts are also excellent decoys. A fast-moving scout near an enemy planet can draw away enemy defense base fire, allowing the rest of the fleet to safely get into position for a troop landing. While the scout has very little firepower, it is still a vital component of a balanced fleet.
[edit] Frigate
The frigate is the largest warship that can be obtained from the Home Gate. Frigates are especially useful in scenario play, as they can be used to harass enemy engineers, and prevent the enemy from building the all-important shipyard.
[edit] Destroyer
The destroyer attempts to balance speed and firepower. It is an excellent escort ship for cruisers and dreadnoughts, able to strike opponents quickly and allow the larger ship to focus on its primary mission. Destroyers are capable ships in the right hands, and a skilled pilot can make a destroyer into a formidable weapon.
[edit] Cruiser
The cruiser is the first true stand-alone vessel of the line. While not as powerful as the mighty dreadnought, the cruiser still mounts a wide array of weapons. Cruisers can easily stand alone as battleships, but perform even better when integrated into a fleet.
[edit] Dreadnought
The dreadnought is the embodiment of power in DarkSpace. The massive racks of weapons on these ships strike fear into the enemy. The powerful generators on the dreadnought class ships allow for far more powerful beam weapons to be mounted than on lesser ships. Most dreadnoughts have at least one fighter bay, allowing a small measure of long-range power. While the dreadnought is powerful, a group of smaller ships working together can remain out of its effective range and emerge victorious.
[edit] Station
Slow, heavily equipped and armored, and the biggest bulls-eyes around. If you had to pick a ship that is easy to hit with even the slowest weapons, it would be the station. However, if you flew too close to one, you would learn that it is not the easiest target in space. Boasting incredible short-range weaponry, the station can destroy anything that gets close enough. However, the station itself is extremely slow. The primary function of a station is fleet support. They are able to reload and repair friendly ships, as well as to shield them from damage. Stations are the core of a long-range assault fleet as well. Their wormhole device allows the creation of a temporary portal between systems. This wormhole can be used by all ships, making its use somewhat risky.
[edit] Supply Ship
No serious invasion fleet travels without a supply ship, or a fleet of them. While these ships have little offensive power, they are often considered priority targets on the battlefield. These ships have the ability to repair hull and armor, and fix damaged systems. As if that wasn't enough to turn the tide of battle, they can also rearm depleted ammunition stores and refuel jump drives. With a few supply ships around, your fleet will last a lot longer.
[edit] Engineering Ship
The engineer ship is the single most important ship class in DarkSpace. Without the engineers, a faction would be limited to defenseless planets orbited by mere frigates. The engineer in required to build every planetary structure. A newly captured system is worthless until an engineer arrives to build up the infrastructure and defenses.
[edit] Transport
The transport serves one function, and serves it well. If you need troops or cargo moved from place to place, the transport is the best choice. With ten cargo bays, or space for ten troops, the transport can move a planetary invasion battalion into place quickly and efficiently. As a result of the massive space devoted to cargo, these ships are light on armor and armament, and require the protection of warships to stand a chance at making it to orbit around an enemy world.
[edit] Extractor
The extractor is basically a modified transport that sacrifices cargo space for mining equipment. The extractor can mine resources from planets and asteroids. These ships are crucial to obtaining resources for engineers to quickly construct a system.
[edit] Development history
DarkSpace was created by Palestar, an independent development company created by Richard Lyle. In the late 1990s, Lyle and a few other developers were working on the framework for an internet space game that would later evolve into DarkSpace, originally called DeepSpace. After getting the game to a playable alpha state in 2000, Palestar teamed up with Blue Byte to publish the game. Blue Byte, attempting to leverage the power of the name of their Battle Isle series of games, rechristenend the game Battle Isle V: DarkSpace.
Palestar had offered closed beta test signups on their website prior to the publishing agreement; after Blue Byte became involved, they handled the testing arrangements. In early 2001, Blue Byte published announcements of signups for a closed beta test of Battle Isle: DarkSpace. The testing was to begin on March 1, and those who had signed up beforehand on the Palestar website were to get first consideration; otherwise, it was random selection. The initial group chosen was small, but they worked closely with one another and the developers, who went by Faustus and nimby.
Soon after the testing began, Ubisoft announced that they were buying Blue Byte and making it a wholly owned subsidiary. As such, they evaluated the current projects Blue Byte was funding and decided that DarkSpace did not, in fact, fit into the Battle Isle series. Consequently, they cancelled their publishing contract with Palestar, forcing the small outfit back into independence. Palestar launched a new website for DarkSpace on May 29, 2001 at [1]. After the new backend infrastructure for the game was written and released (called GameCQ, and similar to Blue Byte's portal software, the Blue Byte Game Channel or BBGC due to Richard Lyle having written much of the latter), a new open, public beta test began.
During the summer and fall of 2001, DarkSpace underwent a public beta test, enjoying relative popularity and respectable player counts. Since the game was free and reasonably fun, a large number of people drifted through, many of them sticking around throughout the test. Development proceeded at a decent pace, as features were added, bugs fixed, and changes made. Eventually, however, the money provided by Ubisoft to cancel the publishing contract was going to run out, so the game needed to develop a revenue model. On December 21, 2001, therefore, DarkSpace moved to pay to play (P2P), charging $9.99 per calendar month for unlimited access. Those who do not pay still have limited, "demo" status within the game, usually without the ability to use more than basic ships or advance one's profile; the exact details of demo status have changed over time.
Since release and the transition to P2P, the game has received a number of patches and undergone many changes, some of which have caused (and still cause) controversy. While the game has always been "under development," the pace of the updates has varied. At times, the patches and changes will be fairly frequent; at others, long delays have been known. With the small size of Palestar (only a single part-time programmer, since 2002), speedy changes are not always possible. Plus, the head developer cannot survive on only the income provided by DarkSpace, necessitating his holding a second job. This necessarily slows down progress on DarkSpace.
Despite these problems, development does proceed on DarkSpace. Due to the historic limitations on the developer (Richard "Faustus" Lyle), volunteer assistance has generally been welcomed in many forms. All of the moderators of the game, forums, and chat rooms are unpaid volunteers; the Administrators and Developers are also volunteers, though they usually are granted free play as compensation for their assistance. Player input is also welcomed via a suggestion forum, as well as official developer chats and casual feedback given in the chat rooms. The volunteer developers, numbering historically anywhere from four to nearly a dozen, frequent the chat rooms as regular players, and the lead designer/programmer, Faustus, is also known to make occasional appearances and be open to all kinds of feedback and suggestions.
