Derek Smart: Difference between revisions

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{{For|the rugby league footballer of the 1950s and 1960s|Derek Smart (rugby league)}}

'''Derek K. Smart''' is the president and lead developer of 3000AD, Inc., a [[video game developer]] based in [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida]]. He is an [[List of indie game developers|independent]] video game [[game designer|designer]] and [[software design|software developer]], and the creator of the ''[[Battlecruiser 3000AD]]'' and ''[[Universal Combat]]'' [[video game]] series. A self-described "eccentric and vocal personality",<ref>[http://www.dereksmart.org/DEREK_SMART_BIO.PDF Official biography] from DerekSmart.org. Retrieved on [[March 10]], [[2007]].</ref> Smart is renowned for lengthy and aggressive online responses to his critics.<ref name="victim">{{cite web

{{short description|Video game developer and businessperson}}

|url=http://archive.gamespy.com/dailyvictim/index.asp?id=232

{{pp-semi-blp|small=yes}}

| title= GameSpy.com - Daily Victim: A tribute to online gaming dementia.

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}

| accessdate = 2006-12-05}}</ref>

'''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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.qol.com/live/about/|title=Quest Online Corporate information|access-date=7 July 2011}}</ref> Smart is an [[List of indie game developers|independent]] video [[game designer]] and [[software design|software developer]], and the creator of several video game series.

== Game development ==

=== Battlecruiser 3000AD ===

Smart began his game development career in the late 1980s, with a vision of creating an all-encompassing space simulation game, featuring strategy elements along with space, planetary, air and ground combat.<ref name=Loonygames>{{cite web|url=http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.27/guest/index5.php|title=loonygames' Guest Editorial: Derek Smart|accessdate=2006-12-05}}</ref> <!-- Smart became a notable personality in the videogame world during the early 1990s, even before releasing his software debut. Smart became known to the then-nascent online gaming world through discussions taking place on [[Usenet]] about the game, his development efforts, and many other topics. --> His first game, ''Battlecruiser 3000AD'', was covered extensively in gaming magazines during the development process, including a 1992 cover story in ''Computer Games Strategy Plus''. The game was marketed as "The last thing you'll ever desire" in pre-release ads that ran in computer gaming magazines.<ref name=Gamespy25Dumbest>{{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> As the game's development continued, it went through multiple publishers, with [[Take-Two Interactive]] eventually acquiring the rights. Take-Two ultimately released<ref name=Take2SECFiling>{{cite web|url=http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/946581/0000891554-98-000123.txt|title=Take2 SEC 1998 10KSB Filing|accessdate=1998-02-06}}</ref> the game in October 1996.<ref name=Loonygames/> Upon its release, the game<ref name=Getingame>{{cite web|url=http://www.ati.com/gitg/gaming/gamemaker/bcm/index.html|title=Get in the Game: Battlecruiser Millennium|accessdate=2006-12-05}}</ref> contained many bugs that made it [[software quality|unstable]].<ref name=GamesotBC3KReview>{{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><ref name=Loonygames/><ref name=Gamespy25Dumbest>{{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>

==Work==

Smart and Take-Two advertised the game as using a [[neural network]] to perform artificial intelligence tasks in the game. However, this claim has been criticised as highly improbable by other games designers. In one article in a computer games magazine, Keith Zabalaoui, former NASA programmer and one of the designers of the [[Close Combat series|Close Combat]] series of strategy games, was quoted as saying, "I have a hard time believing it's in there... the concept of training <nowiki>[neural nets]</nowiki> to do the complex tasks required in a game is inconceivable. It's mumbo jumbo. I guarantee you that if there's a neural net that does ''anything'' in <nowiki>[BC3K]</nowiki> this man would be in the Computer Science Hall of fame."<ref>{{cite journal|title="The Neural Net that Wasn't|pages=27|month=March|year=1997|journal=[[Boot (magazine)|Boot Magazine]]|author=T Liam Mcdonald}}</ref>

TheIn initial1996, release[[Take of2 theInteractive]] gamereleased washis afirst "bug-infested mess"game, according''[[Battlecruiser to a GameSpy3000AD]]''.com reviewer,Prior whoto assertedthe thatrelease "Smart consistently overrates his own products and hisTake own2 abilities."<refwere name=Gamespy25Dumbest/>involved Forin hisa part,dispute Derek Smart claimed thatover the buggypremature release wasof the responsibility of Take-Two; he eventually filed a lawsuit against Take-Two alleging breach of contractgame.<ref name=Loonygames/> The lawsuitmatter was later settled out of court, and both parties released statements of resolution in late 1998.<ref name="GamespotLawsuitFinalTake23000AD>{{cite web|url= http://www.gamespot.com/news/1998/12/23/news_2465926.htmlsmart-take-two-settle-differences-2465926 |title=Smart,1997 Take-Two3000AD Settleand differencesTake -2 Newssettle at GameSpotdifferences|accessdatedate=2006-10-2123 December 1998}}</ref>

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>

Take-Two later became a [[public company|publicly traded company]]; in its SEC filings on [[February 10]], [[1997]], the company stated that ''Battlecruiser 3000AD'' accounted for 14.2% of revenue for the fiscal year ending [[October 31]], [[1996]].<ref name=Take2SECFiling /> The filing also stated that Take-Two "made advances in the aggregate amount of approximately $618,000" for the title.<ref name=Take2SECFiling />

Smart also signed a deal with [[DC Comics]] in which several comics have been created for his ''Line of Defense'' games.<ref name="LOD">[http://lodmmo.com/comic Line Of Defense Comic Issues 1–3], 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 issued several patches and upgrades for the product over the next few months, and eventually a final patch was released to fix some of the major bugs. In February 1998, after obtaining publishing rights from Take-Two, Smart released the game on the Internet for download free of charge.<ref name=GamespotFreeBC3K>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/2462678.html?q=battlecruiser|title=Battlecruiser 3000 A.D. Set Free - News at GameSpot|accessdate=2006-12-05}}</ref>

Smart is a lifetime [[International Game Developers Association]] (IGDA) member, and was also a board member of the [[Miami]] 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>

Development of version 2.0 of the game continued throughout 1998, and [[Interplay Entertainment|Interplay]] announced that it would publish an improved version (dubbed ''Battlecruiser 3000AD 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 released that product on the Internet for free.<ref name=battlecruiserseries>{{cite web|url=http://www.fileplanet.com/50393/0/section/Battlecruiser-Series|title=Battlecruiser series|accessdate=2006-10-21}}</ref>

==Games designed==

=== Battlecruiser Millennium ===

* ''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==

From 1998 to 2001, Smart developed his next game in the Battlecruiser franchise, ''[[Battlecruiser Millennium]]''. The game was to be exclusively distributed at [[Electronics Boutique]] locations and was self-published by his company 3000AD, Inc.<ref name=IGNEBDistro>{{cite web|url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/092/092821p1.html|title=IGN: EB Signs Pact with Derek Smart|accessdate=2006-12-06}}</ref> The deal made with EB was a first of its kind merchant exclusivity deal for a game's release, with an independent developer paying for all materials to publish the game for distribution through the retailer. When asked by the gaming 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=2006-12-06}}</ref>

''[[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".<ref>Julian Murdoch, ''[[Computer Games Magazine]]'', [http://www.cgonline.com/computer-games-magazine/article/the_people_vs_derek_smart/ The People vs. Derek Smart], 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 [[Polygon (website)|Polygon]].<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=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |date=20 March 2012 |access-date=21 March 2012}}</ref>

In 2015, during the height of the [[Gamergate (harassment campaign)|Gamergate harassment campaign]], Smart appeared on a [[Society of Professional Journalists]] 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 [[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.

The game was released on November 19 of 2001 and received 65% and 68% at aggregate review sites [[Game Rankings]] and [[Metacritic]] respectively.<ref name=GameRankingsAgg>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/468719.asp|title=Battlecruiser Millennium Reviews|accessdate=2006-12-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/battlecruisermillennium?q=battlecruiser|title=Battlecruiser Millennium (pc: 2001): Reviews|accessdate=2006-12-05}}</ref> According to some reviews<ref name=IGNBCMReview>{{cite web|url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/167/167087p1.html|title=Battlecruiser Millennium - It's much improved over the previous release but it still asks for too much from the player|accessdate=2006-12-05}}</ref> of the game, it was as encompassing and strategically pleasing as the developer had set out to make, but lacked in user interface design friendliness and atmosphere.

Since July 2015, Smart has been embroiled in heated controversy surrounding the ''[[Star Citizen]]'' 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>

After its retail run Smart released ''Battlecruiser Millennium'' on the Internet for free as he had done with his previous titles.<ref name=battlecruiserseries/> He has mentioned that he intends to keep up this practice of releasing his products for free once their "shelf life" has expired.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ausgamers.com/?news=2299928|title=AusGamers.com - Australia's Games Community: Battlecruiser Millenium Now Freeware|accessdate=2006-10-21}}</ref>

==References==

Like ''Battlecruiser 3000AD'', ''Battlecruiser Millennium'' was followed by an updated release titled ''[[Battlecruiser Millennium Gold]]''.

{{Reflist}}

=== Universal Combat ===

Development started in 2002 on the new game in the Battlecruiser franchise under the name ''Battlecruiser Generations''. As part of its design, the upcoming game was intended to make use of newer technology.<ref name=3000ADUCDesignDoc>{{cite web|url=http://www.3000ad.com/downloads/uc/ucdev_vcf.html|title=UC Version Control|accessdate=2006-12-05}}</ref> With a new publisher, Dreamcatcher Games, on board and offering more oversight, the direction of the game changed towards more action-based gameplay than the Battlecruiser series had previously been known for. The changes warranted a new title, and the name was changed to ''[[Universal Combat]]''.<ref name=GamespotGenerationsToUC>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6075591.html?q=universal%20combat|title=Battlecruiser Generations rechristened - PC News at GameSpot|accessdate=2006-12-05}}</ref>

''Universal Combat'' was not ready in time for the 2003 holidays, despite expectations. It was shipped in early 2004 by the publisher, Dreamcatcher Games, at half of the originally announced price. Smart pursued legal action against his publisher. A cease and desist letter was issued on behalf of 3000AD<ref name=3000ADToDG020204>{{cite web|url=http://www.3000ad.com/press/3000AD-ISSUED_Notice_of_Action_Feb2-04.pdf|title=3000AD Issues Cease & Desist Letter to Dreamcatcher|accessdate=2004-02-04}}</ref> to Dreamcatcher alleging, among other things,<ref name=3000ADToDGFinalFactum>{{cite web|url=http://www.3000ad.com/press/3000AD-FINAL_Factum_Feb3-04.pdf|title=3000AD Final Factum Filed Against Dreamcatcher|accessdate=2004}}</ref> that the price reduction was "clearly calculated to inflict economic harm on 3000AD". In the hearing, Dreamcatcher Games claimed that the game's quality did not justify a midrange price, citing the graphics as an example of the overall quality of the game. A hearing was held to determine if Dreamcatcher would be prevented from shipping the title at the reduced price. The presiding judge denied<ref name=3000ADDenied>{{cite web|url=http://www.3000ad.com/press/3000AD-Judge_Decision_On_Injunction.TIF|title=Canadian Judge Rules On 3000AD Injunction Against Dreamcatcher|accessdate=2004}}</ref> the injunction stating that 3000AD "made bold but unsupported assertions regarding the irreparable harm to it", allowing Dreamcatcher Games to ship the game<ref name=GamespotUCShips>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6087551.html|title=Universal Combat ships despite lawsuit|accessdate=2004-02-05}}</ref> and 3000AD to proceed with their lawsuit. The matter was later settled out of court<ref name=DGSettles>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6116407.html?q=dreamcatcher|title=DreamCatcher to publish another 3000AD title|accessdate=2005-01-13}}</ref> under undisclosed terms.

The game was reviewed and rated in several print and online game magazines.<ref name=GameRankingsUC>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/561677.asp?q=universal%20combat|title=Universal Combat Reviews|accessdate = 2006-10-20}}</ref> [[Metacritic]] gave it an aggregate review score of 54%.<ref>http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/universalcombat?q=universal%20combat</ref> ''Gamespot'' scored it 59% and said ''"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'' scored it 75% and said ''"... 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>

After terminating a publishing deal with [[Dreamcatcher Games]],<ref name=DreamcatcherTermination>{{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 = 2006-12-06}}</ref> Smart released an updated release titled ''[[Universal Combat Gold]]''. Starting with this release, Smart has made a policy of releasing games through online resellers.<ref name=3000ADSalesPage>{{cite web | url =http://www.3000ad.com/sales/ucawa.shtml |title = BATTLECRUISER Online - Sales and Order Information| accessdate = 2006-10-20}}</ref>

In 2005 Turner Broadcasting licensed both [[Battlecruiser Millennium]] and [[Universal Combat Gold]] for their games on demand system, [[GameTap]].<ref name = Turner>{{cite web | url=http://www.3000ad.com/gnn/ |title = Turner licenses 3000AD titles for GameTap|accessdate = 2005-08-05}}</ref> In 2005, Smart also released ''[[Universal Combat A World Apart|Universal Combat: A World Apart]]'', a full sequel to the original ''[[Universal Combat]]'' with a variety of revisions and enhancements.<ref name=UCAWA>{{cite web | url = http://www.3000ad.com/downloads/ucawa/ucAWAdev_vcf.html | title = UCAWA Dev Version Control | accessdate = 2006-12-06}}</ref> [[Game Rankings]] scored it 54% and Metacritic scored it 48%.<ref name=MCAggUCAWA>{{cite web | url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/universalcombataworldapart | title = Universal Combat: A World Apart (pc: 2005): Reviews | accessdate = 2006-12-06}}</ref><ref name=GRAggUCAWA>[http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/924075.asp GameRankings.com aggregate review of Universal Combat: A World Apart]</ref>

In October 2006 Smart released ''[[Universal Combat Special Edition|Universal Combat: Special Edition]]''[http://www.3000ad.com/products/ucse.shtml].

=== Current projects ===

{{Future game}}

On [[25 January]], [[2006]], 3000AD announced two upcoming projects for the [[Xbox 360]], ''[[Hostile Intent - Planetfall]]'' and ''[[KnightBlade - Line Of Defense]]''.<ref name="TeamXbox_HIP_KBLOD">{{cite web | url=http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/10107/3000-AD-Completely-Sells-Out-to-Xbox-360/| title=3000 A.D. Completely Sells Out to Xbox 360|accessdate=2006-12-01|date=2006-01-25|publisher=TeamXbox}}</ref> Both titles have a projected release in Q1 of [[2008]].<ref name="GameSpy_HIP">{{cite web | url=http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/hostile-intent-planetfall/|title=Hostile Intent - Planetfall (X360)|accessdate=2006-12-01|publisher=GameSpy}}</ref><ref name="GameSpy_KBLOD">{{cite web | url=http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/knightblade-line-of-defense/|title=KnightBlade -- Line Of Defense (X360)|accessdate=2006-12-01|publisher=GameSpy}}</ref>

In December 2006, Smart announced a collectors edition consisting of his ''Battlecruiser'' and ''Universal Combat'' games.<ref name=GALCOM>{{cite web | url=http://www.firingsquad.com/news/newsarticle.asp?searchid=13419|title=Galactic Command (PC/XB360)|accessdate=2006-12-04}}</ref> In the same month, Smart also announced [[Galactic Command]], a new franchise title.<ref name=GALCOM1>{{cite web | url=http://www.firingsquad.com/news/newsarticle.asp?searchid=13419|title=Galactic Command (PC/XB360)|accessdate=2006-12-04}}</ref> In response to the announcement of [[Galactic Command]], Ben Kuchera at [[Ars Technica]] commented, "Derek Smart has a long reputation of releasing buggy, unfinished games and then screaming at anyone who calls them things like 'buggy' and 'unfinished'."<ref>http://arstechnica.com/journals/thumbs.ars/2006/12/5/6177</ref>

On [[26 January]], [[2007]], 3000AD announced the three titles in the new [[Galactic Command]] IP: ''Galactic Command &mdash; Echo Squad''; ''Galactic Command &mdash; Bravo Team''; and ''Galactic Command &mdash; Excalibur''.<ref name=GALCOM2>{{cite web | url=http://www.3000ad.com/gnn/index.php|title=Galactic Command titles for PC and XB360|accessdate=2007-01-26}}</ref>

On February 6, 2007, [[Turner Broadcasting]], the owner of [[Gametap]] who licenses several of Smart's back catalog of titles, announced at the [[D.I.C.E]] summit that it had signed an exclusive agreement with Smart to bring [[Galactic Command - Echo Squad]] exclusively to its Gametap subscription service in the Spring as an original episodic series.<ref>http://www.3000ad.com/products/galcom-ES.shtml</ref><ref name=GALCOM3>{{cite web | url=http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3156994|title=GALCOM - Echo Squad Preview|accessdate=2007-02-06}}</ref><ref name=GALCOM4>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=12677|title=GameTap Signs Smart For Galactic Command Series|accessdate=2007-02-07}}</ref><ref name=GALCOM5>{{cite web | url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=22654|title=PRESS RELEASE: GameTap Broadens Episodic Gaming Library with Galactic Command – Echo Squad|accessdate=2007-02-07}}</ref>

==Recognition==

Smart is a board member of the Miami chapter of the [[International Game Developers Association]].<ref name="idga200206">{{cite web|url=http://www.igda.org/miami/meetings/2002-06.php|title=IGDA Miami - Chapter Meeting: June 2002|accessdate=2006-11-28}}</ref>

==Online controversy==

Derek Smart has become known in the gaming community for making aggressive &mdash; and lengthy &mdash; online replies to critics of his work, leading to heated and protracted discussions on [[Usenet]]<!-- citation removed per [[WP:RS]] As Usenet posts are not "a reliable source". Will be replaced upon approval of [[WP:ATT]], Wikipedia's upcoming attribution policy. <ref name=GoogleGroupsDSmart> {{cite web

|url=http://groups.google.com/groups/profile?enc_user=i-7deRAAAAByuQj3AXgI0KAleoz6B2nH |title=Google Group archive of Derek Smart's Usenet Posts

|accessdate = 2006-12-06}}</ref> --> and game forums.<!-- citation removed per [[WP:RS]] As Usenet posts are not "a reliable source". Will be replaced upon approval of [[WP:ATT]], Wikipedia's upcoming attribution policy.<ref name=GoogleGroupsDSmartWritingSamples>{{cite web|url=http://groups.google.com/group/comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.space-sim/msg/be1faf0600b9e5a8|title=Google Group archive of a post summarizing Derek Smart comments | accessdate = 2006-12-06}}</ref>--><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 which was featured on the cover page of [[Computer Gaming World]], 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."<ref name=Troublemaker>{{cite web

|url=http://www.3000ad.com/press/ds_interview_cgw0401.jpg

|title=Computer Gaming World Interview

|accessdate = 2006-12-06}}</ref>

==== Freespace licensing ====

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 Entertainment|Interplay]].<ref name=GSFreespaceRumor>{{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 = 2006-12-06}}</ref>

This sparked a controversy between Smart and his critics. 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.''<ref name=GSFreespaceRumor /> The rumors of Smart's involvement started when he posed the question, ''"Would you buy Freespace 3 if I made it?"'' on the Adrenaline Vault forums. In the next paragraph, though, Smart clarified his supposition stating that he was only "seriously considering" licensing the Freespace engine. However, the very possibility of Smart taking over the series generated a strong reaction, prompting a heated exchange between Smart and his critics. The controversy was further discussed in a [[Slashdot]] article.<ref name=SlashdotFreespaceIP>{{cite web |url=http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/07/17/0533221 | title=Slashdot - Derek Smart Lusting Rights to Freespace? | accessdate = 2006-12-06}}</ref>

<!-- This section hidden because as of right now there is debate about whether these can be included. Please see [[WP:RS]], and the proposed (but not yet) wiki policy of [[WP:ATT]]

====Ph.D controversy====

In official communiques including Usenet posts, Smart's [[signature block|signature]] included a "Ph.D." after his name [http://ati.amd.com/gitg/gaming/gamemaker/bcm/index.html] [http://www.loonygames.com/content/1.27/guest/index5.php], which would indicate that he held a Doctorate degree. This assertion caused a challenge to come from his critics, alleging that his Ph.D. was fraudulent. In a post to the Usenet group comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.space-sim, Smart confirmed his degree did not come from an accredited institution, despite claiming it had many times on Usenet.<ref name=GoogleGroupsPhDNotAccredited>{{cite web | url=http://groups.google.com/group/comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.space-sim/msg/5e1ed92bbe5f3d69? | title=GoogleGroups - My email from Derek Smart (9/3/99) | accessdate = 2006-12-06}}</ref>

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==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;"| [[Battlecruiser 3000AD]] (U.S.)

| bgcolor=#ddffdd | [[1996]]

| bgcolor=#ddffdd | [[Take Two|Take-Two Software]]

|-

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

| bgcolor=#ddffdd | [[1997]]

| bgcolor=#ddffdd | [[GameTek]]

|-

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

| bgcolor=#ddffdd | [[1999]]

| bgcolor=#ddffdd | [[Interplay Entertainment|Interplay]]

|-

!style="background: #ececec;"| [[Battlecruiser Millennium]]

| bgcolor=#ddffdd | [[2001]]

| bgcolor=#ddffdd | [[3000AD]]

|-

!style="background: #ececec;"| [[Battlecruiser Millennium Gold]]

| bgcolor=#ddffdd | [[2003]]

| bgcolor=#ddffdd | [[Dreamcatcher Games]]

|-

!style="background: #ececec;"| [[Universal Combat]]

| bgcolor=#ddffdd | [[2004]]

| bgcolor=#ddffdd | Dreamcatcher Games

|-

!style="background: #ececec;"| [[Universal Combat Gold]]

| bgcolor=#ddffdd | [[2005]]

| bgcolor=#ddffdd | 3000AD

|-

!style="background: #ececec;"| [[Universal Combat A World Apart|Universal Combat: A World Apart]]

| bgcolor=#ddffdd | 2005

| bgcolor=#ddffdd | 3000AD

|-

!style="background: #ececec;"| [[Universal Combat Special Edition|Universal Combat: Special Edition]]

| bgcolor=#ddffdd | [[2006]]

| bgcolor=#ddffdd | 3000AD

|}

== References==

<div class="references-2column"><references/></div>

==External links==

* [http://www.3000addereksmart.com/org 3000ADDerek Inc.Smart website]

* [http://www.dereksmart3000ad.org/com Derek3000AD Smart'sInc. website]

* [http://www.mobygames.com/developer/sheet/view/developerId,37244/ Moby Games' entry on Derek Smart]

{{Authority control}}

<!-- This section hidden because as of right now there is debate about whether these can be included. Please see [[WP:RS]], and the proposed (but not yet) wiki policy of [[WP:ATT]]

* [http://groups.google.com/groups/profile?enc_user=i-7deRAAAAByuQj3AXgI0KAleoz6B2nH Derek Smart Usenet posts as archived by Google Groups]

* [http://groups.google.com/group/comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.space-sim/msg/be1faf0600b9e5a8 A Google Groups archive of comments attributed to Derek Smart]

* [http://groups.google.com/group/comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.space-sim/tree/browse_frm/thread/77ff1bab9d00a5bf/5e1ed92bbe5f3d69?rnum=11&q=No+more+%22plausible+denial%22%2C+Derek.&_done=%2Fgroup%2Fcomp.sys.ibm.pc.games.space-sim%2Fbrowse_frm%2Fthread%2F77ff1bab9d00a5bf%2F61eecd6c5ea07c7b%3Ftvc%3D1%26q%3DNo+more+%22plausible+denial%22%2C+Derek.%26#doc_5e1ed92bbe5f3d69 A Google Groups archive of a Derek Smart post detailing his degree]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Smart, Derek}}

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[[Category:American video game designers]]

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