DarkSpace

Did You Know?

• The login and chat system for DarkSpace uses a back-end system called GameCQ, which was similar to Blue Byte's Game Channel software because Richard Lyle had written much of the latter.
• When a player connects to a server, details are passed between the MetaServer and the selected game node to authenticate the user.
• DarkSpace has two game modes: Scenario, a single process with one solar system that rotates based on win conditions, and the MetaVerse.

Plot

DarkSpace establishes a fictional future history of humanity's progress into space. Colonies on Luna and Mars rebel and claim sovereignty, leading to the formation of the United Galactics Trade Organization (UGTO), which surveys and colonizes the Sol system. In 2049, the UGTO sends three ships to explore the Centauri system, establishing a small outpost. Over years, humans visit 11 solar systems and colonize 10. Colonies far from Sol become known as the Farstars. During the First Stellar Conflict, Farstar colonies fight for control but are stopped by a UGTO police force. The UGTO attempts to shut down independent shipyards, causing planets to rebel in the Second Stellar Conflict. After twenty years of war, Sol loyal systems prevail due to superior firepower, followed by three decades of uneasy peace. In 2125, the Free Trade League declares the Farstar systems an independent sovereign government called the Interstellar Cultural Confederation (ICC), and revolution begins with surprise attacks driving UGTO forces from ICC space. The UGTO and ICC continue warring for years. In 2266, a UGTO explorer ship disappears in the Sirius system; a joint force investigates and is attacked by an unknown assailant. The UGTO captures an enemy ship piloted by the alien K'luth, who reveal themselves. The game begins amid a human civil war intensified by reports of an alien species aggressively spreading its domain.

Development history

DarkSpace was created by Palestar, an independent development company founded by Richard 'Faustus' Lyle. Lyle conceived the idea in 1995, wanting to make a massively multiplayer game with real-time elements based in the Master of Orion universe, citing Netrek, Starfleet Command, and Masters of Orion as principal influences. After reaching a playable alpha state in 2000, Palestar teamed with Blue Byte to publish the game. Blue Byte rechristened it Battle Isle V: DarkSpace to leverage their Battle Isle brand. Prior to the publishing agreement, Palestar offered closed beta signups on their website; Blue Byte later handled testing. In early 2001, Blue Byte announced a closed beta test beginning in February, with previous signups given first consideration. The initial tester group was small but worked closely with developers. Soon after testing began, Ubisoft announced they were buying Blue Byte and canceled the publishing contract, deeming DarkSpace unfit for the Battle Isle series. Palestar became independent again, launched a new website in May 2001, and after writing a new back-end infrastructure called GameCQ, began a new public beta test. The public beta ran through summer and fall 2001, reaching 10,000 registered players in September and 20,000 in November. As funding from the canceled contract ran out, DarkSpace needed a revenue model. In December 2001, Palestar teamed with Playnet.com to host the game, moving to a pay-to-play model at $9.99 per month, with a free tutorial and demo mode.

Reception

DarkSpace received several positive reviews after release. Michael Lafferty of GameZone called it 'a game that looks good, sounds great and plays well', while Brett Todd of GameSpot thought nearly every scene could have been clipped from a big-budget movie. Gamers Hell's Andreas Berntsen said it was the closest to a perfect online space-strategy game he had seen. Respawn UK named DarkSpace 'Best Space Game of 2002'. However, several reviewers noted a steep learning curve: Lafferty found the tutorial daunting, Berntsen said mastering gameplay takes practice, and Aaron Daigle from Game Chronicles stated reading the manual and completing the tutorial are critical. A common complaint was a lack of players. Tim McConnaughy of GameSpy wrote there were too few players for such a massive strategy element, Berntsen agreed there were not enough players to show what the game could do, and Todd also noted the low player count. The game aimed to encourage teamwork; lead developer Richard Lyle stated they carefully designed ship abilities to make players work together. Todd noted players are intended to work together in factions and complement each other. Misund felt teamplay is absolutely essential, and McConnaughy commented that players must work together to field a rounded force. Despite issues, several reviews saw potential: Todd thought the groundwork was being laid for something special, Lafferty said given time it could be a sleeper hit, and Game Chronicles found the small player community to be a cool group. In March 2007, DarkSpace announced its 140,000th registered player.