Derek Smart
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Derek Smart is a software designer and internet personality living in Florida. He is best known as the eccentric creator of the Battlecruiser video game series.
Smart is arguably better known for his online presence and self-commentary than he is for the games that he makes, due in large part to participation in a number of high-profile public discussions on the internet and Usenet. Characterized by high levels of controversy, rhetoric and personal attack, these flame wars have been recorded and immortalized in numerous annals of internet and gaming culture.
Smart is devoted to and protective of his work, and is likely to find and participate in discussions of his games on the Internet. In the past, heated discussions have lead supporters and detractors of Smart's work to join online communities they were not previously involved in for the express purpose of engaging in combative argument. These sudden increases in population and posting can elicit anything from amusement to hostility, depending on the community involved.
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3000AD Games
Frequent criticism of Smart's games include claims that they are "over-hyped", or are the subject of unrealistic and hyperbolic publicity prior to their release, that they are often bug-ridden, and having frustratingly complicated interfaces which require very large basic operating manuals. A frequent counter to these criticisms is the assertion that the games are meant to be played by those who want a deep and complicated game.
During production of Smart's first game, BC3K, he made incredible claims as to its features. The game was released by publisher Take Two Interactive before it was finished. It contained many bugs that made it very difficult to play. It also had what many believed to be an exceedingly complex interface and gameplay. For these and other reasons, the game was publicly lambasted and Smart voiced his opinions on the premature release frequently and strongly. Eventually, a patch (v2.0) was released to fix most of the major bugs.
Smart's last game, Universal Combat, received average to mediocre reviews in online game magazine reviews. The game's premise was changed near the (again) premature release of the game. Initially, the game was to be titled "Battlecruiser Next Generation", however, the publisher had discussions with Smart that resulted in a decision to change the premise to be more action-based and less intricate than the Battlecruiser series, and the name was changed to Universal Combat. Derek Smart went to court with the publisher to stop the distribution, but failed. As of now, the game's support of patches from 3000ad will end sometime in May with the release of a new game/add-on to Universal Combat.
Other Issues
Another flashpoint among followers of Smart's work and online activities has been controversy over Smart's alleged doctoral-degree (all public messages by him are signed as "Derek Smart, PhD"). A number of individuals have published material and evidence that appears to show these claims to be highly dubious, and perhaps wholly untrue. Smart has been invited on numerous occasions to provide authoritative documentation or further information on the degree, but has thus far failed to do so to the satisfaction of his critics.
Published Products
- 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)
External links
- Derek Smart's website (http://www.dereksmart.com/)
- 3000AD's website (http://www.3000ad.com/)
- A collection of materials (largely critical) on Derek Smart (http://www.werewolves.org/~follies/)