Universal Combat

"Universal Combat" (sometimes abbreviated to UC) is the 2nd video game series by 3000AD Inc., the successor of "Battlecruiser" series of games.

Compared to the Battlecruiser games, the game placed more foucs on action, designed for a wider audience of action and space sim fans alike.

Universal Combat

Infobox VG
title = Universal Combat


engine=Game Builder System III
version=2.00.30 (last patch) [ [http://www.3000ad.com/downloads/uc/ucvcf.html Universal Combat VCF] ]
2.00.31 (freeware)
developer = Derek Smart (Lead Developer, Executive Producer)
publisher = DreamCatcher Interactive Inc.
3000AD (freeware)
released = 2004-02-05
2008-01-02 (freeware) [cite web
url = http://www.gamershell.com/news/44363.html
title = Universal Combat | accessdate = 2008-01-02
publisher = gamershell.com]
genre = Space Combat Simulation
modes = Singleplayer, Multiplayer
platforms = Windows 98 SE
media = CD-ROM, Digital Distribution
requirements = DirectX 9, Pentium III 1GHz or equivalent AMD CPU, 64MiB graphics card with vertex shader 1.1 support, 128MiB system RAM, DirectX 8 compatible sound card, 8x CD-ROM/DVD-ROM, 1GB uncompressed hard drive disk space
Multiplayer Requirements: Client requires 56K or broadband modem, Server requires LAN or broadband (cable/DSL) connection
Input = Keyboard, Mouse

Codenamed "ABC", it is a computer game developed by Derek Smart.

Game play

"Universal Combat" offers the player a very large game world to play in using varying forms of transport and combat. The player can pilot spaceships of varying sizes, land on and explore planets where they can then drive varying land craft, where more than 21,000 areas of interest are available to explore. The size of the playing area is seen as one of the game's main points, where travelling from place to place can take considerable quantities of time, as there is no time compression. The game has a high learning curve that is daunting for newer players.

The game is most notable for its high level of detail. For instance, every single crew member on the ship is tracked in location, hunger, AI level, and fatigue. Every system onboard the players starship can be monitored and controlled. In order for the player to fly a shuttle, they must first take time to walk though the ship to the shuttle bay, forcing the player to plan ahead for tactical encounters. This often leads to a great many instances of emergent gameplay. For example, enemy boarding parties can be trapped on the ship by disabling Launch Control, which will not allow the intruders to escape via a shuttle craft or fighters.

New items include:
*22 first weapon weapons plus other items
*28 character models with over 1500 animation frames
*4 new careers for a total of 9 playable careers
*22 driveable vehicles
*12 controllable threat (e.g. SAM) units
*10 controllable naval units (ships, subs, LCACs etc)
*5 flyable planetary gunships
*54 flyable space crafts (fighters, carriers, cruisers etc)
*64 player multiplay support

The game contains 1 Advanced Campaign scenario (A Fragile Hope), 15 Instant Action scenarios.

The freeware version has fewer music tracks (the game FAQ shows how players can add their own MP3 tracks) and no multiplayer.

Development

The project began as early as 2000 when Derek Smart announced he had licensed Croteam's Serious Sam game engine for "Project ABC," for "After Battlecruiser," as replacement for the Battlecruiser Tactical Engagement add-on module intended for Battlecruiser Millennium. The game had scheduled released date in late 2001, developed for PC and Xbox. [ [http://www.gamespot.com/news/2612706.html Battlecruiser Team Takes on Serious Sam Engine] ]

Development started in late 2001 as "Battlecruiser Generations", the 5th game in the Battlecruiser series. [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20041204203915/http://www.3000ad.com/press/DC_UC_press_release.pdf BCG rebranded as Universal Combat] ] As part of its design, the upcoming game was intended to make use of newer technology.cite web|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20071107104107/http://www.3000ad.com/downloads/uc/ucdev_vcf.html |title=UC Version Control|accessdate=2006-12-05] 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".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]

"Universal Combat" was not ready in time for the 2003 holidays, despite expectations. It was shipped in early 2004 by the publisher, DreamCatcher Interactive, at half of the originally announced price. Smart pursued legal action against his publisher. A cease and desist letter was issued on behalf of 3000ADcite 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] to Dreamcatcher alleging, among other things,cite web|url=http://www.3000ad.com/press/3000AD-FINAL_Factum_Feb3-04.pdf|title=3000AD Final Factum Filed Against Dreamcatcher|accessdate=2004] that the price reduction was "clearly calculated to inflict economic harm on 3000AD". In the hearing, DreamCatcher Interactive 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 deniedcite web|url=http://www.3000ad.com/press/3000AD-Judge_Decision_On_Injunction.TIF|title=Canadian Judge Rules On 3000AD Injunction Against Dreamcatcher|accessdate=2004] the injunction stating that 3000AD "made bold but unsupported assertions regarding the irreparable harm to it", allowing DreamCatcher Interactive to ship the gamecite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6087551.html|title=Universal Combat ships despite lawsuit|accessdate=2004-02-05] and 3000AD to proceed with their lawsuit. The matter was later settled out of courtcite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6116407.html?q=dreamcatcher|title=DreamCatcher to publish another 3000AD title|accessdate=2005-01-13] under undisclosed terms.

In 2005, 3000AD Inc also announced termination of Dreamcatcher's publishing right for Universal Combat [ [http://www.bluesnews.com/cgi-bin/board.pl?action=viewthread&threadid=57059 UC: A World Apart Gold - 3000AD vs. DC, Round II] ] , but the deal only expired at 2007-12-18.

When 3000AD announced to release the game as freeware, the company reported it had told DreamCatcher to initiate a DIF (Destroy In Field) order to its various retailers so that the remaining copies can no longer be sold, and any unsold copies would be filed as losses in Q4 2007. [ [http://news.filefront.com/universal-combat-goes-freeware/ Universal Combat Goes Freeware] ]

Universal Combat Gold

Infobox VG
title = Universal Combat Gold


collapsible = yes
developer = Derek Smart
publisher = 3000AD
engine=Game Builder System III?
version=1.00.03 (last patch) [ [http://www.3000ad.com/downloads/ucg/ucgvcf.html Universal Combat Gold VCF] ]
released = 2005-10-3?
genre = Space Combat Simulation
modes = Singleplayer, Multiplayer
platforms = Windows 98 SE
media = CD-ROM
requirements = DirectX 9.0c, Pentium III 1GHz or equivalent AMD CPU, 64MiB graphics card with vertex shader 1.1 support, 256MiB system RAM, DirectSound compatible sound card
Multiplayer Requirements: Client requires 56K or broadband modem, Server requires LAN or broadband (cable/DSL) connection
Input = Keyboard, Mouse

It is a version with updated patches and enhancements.

Graphics engine was updated to DirectX 9. Multiplayer engine was switched to ReplicaNet. Improved planetary terrain engine. All new (sixteen) first person character models from "Universal Combat - A World Apart" are included, except these are low-polygon versions.

New scenarios include:
*1 campaign scenario (Way Of The Titans) played from the perspective of the Commander or Elite Force Pilot career
*16 new Instant Action scenarios
*1 32-player multiplayer deathmatch/roam scenario.

Full localization supports Russian, French, Italian, German and Spanish languages. Additional custom language interfaces are possible.

Development

After terminating a publishing deal with DreamCatcher Interactive,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] Smart released an updated release titled "Universal Combat Gold". Starting with this release, Smart has made a policy of releasing games through online resellers.cite web | url =http://www.3000ad.com/site/sales_ucg/ |title = BATTLECRUISER Online — Sales and Order Information| accessdate = 2006-10-20]

In 2005 Turner Broadcasting licensed both Battlecruiser Millennium and Universal Combat Gold for their games on demand system, GameTap.cite web | url=http://www.3000ad.com/site/news/ |title = Turner licenses 3000AD titles for GameTap|accessdate = 2005-08-05]

Universal Combat - A World Apart

Infobox VG
title = Universal Combat - A World Apart


collapsible = yes
developer = Derek Smart
publisher = 3000AD
engine=Game Builder System IV
version=1.00.22 [ [http://www.3000ad.com/downloads/ucawa/ucAWAvcf.html Universal Combat - A World Apart VCF] ] cite web | url = http://www.3000ad.com/downloads/ucawa/ucAWAdev_vcf.html | title = UCAWA Dev Version Control | accessdate = 2006-12-06]
released = 2005-08-03
2005-10-31 (demo)
2007-05-01 (price reduction)
genre = Space Combat Simulation
modes = Singleplayer, Multiplayer
platforms = Windows 98
media = CD-ROM
requirements = DirectX 9.0c, Pentium 4 2.0GHz or equivalent AMD CPU, 64MiB graphics card with pixel & vertex shader 1.1 support, 256MiB system RAM, DirectSound compatible sound card
Multiplayer Requirements: Client requires 56K or broadband modem, Server requires LAN or broadband (cable/DSL) connection
Input = Keyboard, Mouse

It is a sequel to the original Universal Combat games.

Although the game had switched to DirectX 9, graphics improvements only began in this edition. Audio engine now based on FMOD ex starting in v1.00.11 patch.

Gameplay changes include:
*New high definition first person character models (16 total)
*New first person weapons (24 total, excluding the 4 grenade types and the all new Anti-Personnel Mine)
*Revised planetary bases
*1 new 16-mission Advanced Campaign Mode scenario, entitled 'A World Apart', which can be played from the perspective of Terran/Insurgent Commander career, or Elite Force Pilot career
*16 new Instant Action scenarios featuring various careers
*2 co-op specific multiplayer space based scenarios with support for up to 32 players. Also included is the default deathmatch scenario.

Development

The game was originally announced in 2004-11-18 as an expansion pack for Universal Combat, which would feature newer and more advanced technologies found in the then-upcoming "Universal Combat - Hostile Intent" and "Galactic Command Online". [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20041204203915/http://www.3000ad.com/press/3000ad_pr_111804.pdf Universal Combat Add On Announced] ]

DreamCatcher Interactive originally announced the publication of "Universal Combat: A World Apart" in May 2005 [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20071216051343/http://www.dreamcatchergames.com/dci/press/releases/pdf/DreamCatcher_Games_Publish_Universal_CombatAWorldApart.pdf DreamCatcher Games to Publish Universal Combat: A World Apart] ] , but several issues with the publisher (DreamCatcher) held up the boxed retail release of that title, and led to the termination of the publish agreement. As a result, the publish right returned to 3000AD Inc. [ [http://www.bluesnews.com/cgi-bin/board.pl?action=viewthread&threadid=57059 UC: A World Apart Gold - 3000AD vs. DC, Round II] ]

As a result of the termination, boxed version of the game was not released, and the developer also removed DreamCatcher-created content from the retail game.

Universal Combat Special Edition

Infobox VG
title = Universal Combat Special Edition


collapsible = yes
developer = Derek Smart
publisher = 3000AD
engine=Game Builder System IV
version=1.00.05 [ [http://www.3000ad.com/downloads/ucse/ucvcf.html Universal Combat Special Edition VCF] ]
released = 2006-07-18
2007-05-01 (price reduction)
genre = Space Combat Simulation
modes = Singleplayer, Multiplayer
platforms = Windows 98
media = CD-ROM
requirements = DirectX 9.0c (apr 2006), Pentium 4 2.0GHz or equivalent AMD CPU, 128MiB graphics card with pixel & vertex shader 1.1 support, 512MiB system RAM, DirectSound compatible sound card
Multiplayer Requirements: LAN or broadband (cable/DSL) connection
Input = Keyboard, Mouse

It is a compilation release that includes all previous Universal Combat games, plus all outstanding updates and fixes.

Terrain rendering engine now uses improved texturing technologies such ashigh resolution textures support, reflections, volumetric clouds. Multiplayer and audio engine are also improved.

New scenarios include:
*1 new 16-mission Advanced Campaign Mode scenario (A World Apart Episode 2) playable from the perspective of the Commander and Elite Force Pilot careers. The scenario storylines are a continuation of the Episode 1 storyline from the original UCAWA game.
*8 new Instant Action scenarios featuring several career modes.

Total scenarios now 58 Instant Action scenarios, 5 Campaign Mode scenarios ('A Fragile Hope', playable from the perspective of the Commander career; 'Way Of The Titans', playable from the perspective of the Commander and Elite Force Pilot careers; 'A World Apart : Episode 1', playable from the perspective of the Commander and Elite Force Pilot careers); 'A World Apart Episode 2', playable from the perspective of the Commander and Elite Force Pilot careers).

In addition to the standalone title, a version exists as expansion pack to the "Universal Combat - A World Apart" game, which only works with Direct2Drive version of the game.

Universal Combat Collectors' Edition

Infobox VG
title = Universal Combat Collectors' Edition


collapsible=yes
developer =Derek Smart
engine=Game Builder System IV
version=1.00.08 [ [http://www.3000ad.com/downloads/ucce/ucvcf.html Universal Combat Collectors' Edition VCF] ]
publisher = 3000AD
released = 2007-10-03 [ [http://www.3000ad.com/press/pr07-10-03.html Universal Combat Collectors' Edition Now Shipping!] ]
genre = Space Combat Simulation
modes = Singleplayer, Multiplayer
platforms = Windows XP
media = DVD-ROM
requirements = DirectX 9.0c (apr 2006), Pentium 4 2.0GHz or equivalent AMD CPU, 128MiB graphics card with pixel & vertex shader 1.1 support, 512MiB system RAM, DirectSound compatible sound card
Multiplayer Requirements: LAN or broadband (cable/DSL) connection
Input = Keyboard, Mouse

It is a compilation release that includes all previously published Universal Combat and Battlecruiser games, running on improved versions of the Universal Combat Special Edition game engine. Unlike previous releases, it is distributed via DVD, and Windows 98 and 2000 are no longer supported.

The game include native support for 16:9 and 16:10 aspect ratio resolutions, withbuilt-in support for 1280x720 (720p), 1680x1050 and 1920x1080 (1080i) resolutions.

The game now includes total 11 Advanced Campaign Mode (ACM) scenarios, and 111 Instant Action scenarios.

The game DVD also includes complete and patched versions of standalone Battlecruiser games (except Battlecruiser Millennium Gold), Game Builder System (GBS) which allows user created scenarios, source to all scenarios included in the game. The Battlecruiser 3000AD games are supported via the included DOSBOX emulator.

The scenario created by this version Game Builder System IV is not compatible with previous games. [ [http://www.3000ad.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=50005813 Using GBS-IV Included in Universal Combat CE] ]

Cancelled releases

*Universal Combat - Hostile Intent [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20041205000904/www.3000ad.com/products/uchi.shtml UCHI page] ] : Also called "Hostile Intent - Planetfall", it is a combat focused action game based on improved version of Universal Combat game engines. It represents the company's intent to split off the Universal Combat brand as an action focused franchise which takes place in the established game world. On 2006-01-25, 3000AD announced Hostile Intent - Planetfall to be available on Xbox 360, 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] , with projected release in Q1 of 2008. cite web | url=http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/hostile-intent-planetfall/|title=Hostile Intent - Planetfall (X360)|accessdate=2006-12-01|publisher=GameSpy] However, during the game's development, it was evolved to become part of the Galactic Command series. [cite web|url=http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/hostile-intent-planetfall|title=Hostile Intent — Planetfall | accessdate= 2007-11-06|publisher=GameSpy|]
*Universal Combat - Hold The Line [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20040811192851/www.3000ad.com/products/uchtl.shtml UCHTI page] ] : It would be the second Universal Combat game focused on action, but much larger and advanced than Universal Combat - Hostile Intent. [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20041205000904/http://www.3000ad.com/press/3000ad_pr_100504.pdf Universal Combat - Hostile Intent press release] ] It would be sold as expansion to Universal Combat or boxed title (which would also include the original game).
*Universal Combat - Edge to Edge [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20040814080938/http://www.3000ad.com/products/uce2e.shtml UCE2E page] ] : It is an announced standalone space and planetary squad based multiplayer tactical combat game. The game would feature a much smaller world (2 space regions and 4 planets), with graphics update. Single player mode features a single campaign between the Terran military player and insurgent counterparts. [ [http://www.3000ad.com/press/3000ad_pr_030904.doc Universal Combat – Edge To Edge press release] ]

Reception

The game was reviewed and rated in several print and online game magazines.cite web|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/561677.asp?q=universal%20combat|title=Universal Combat Reviews|accessdate = 2006-10-20] Metacritic gave it an aggregate review score of 54%. [ [http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/universalcombat?q=universal%20combat Universal Combat (pc: 2004): Reviews ] ] "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."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] "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."cite web | url=http://www.3000ad.com/reviews/UC_Review-PCG.pdf | title = PC Gamer review of "Universal Combat" | accessdate = 2006-10-20]

Universal Combat was criticized for an unfamiliar interface and voluminous documentation (a manual of over 100 pages, 200-page downloadable appendix, and 80-page downloadable tutorial). [cite web
url = http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_zdcgw/is_200410/ai_n7180559
title = Universal Combat
accessdate = 2007-01-07
last = Wolpaw
first = Erik
year = 2004
month = October
publisher = Computer Gaming World]

Universal Combat - A World Apart was rated 54% by Game Rankings and 48% by Metacritic.cite web | url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/universalcombataworldapart | title = Universal Combat: A World Apart (PC: 2005): Reviews | accessdate = 2006-12-06] [http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/924075.asp GameRankings.com aggregate review of Universal Combat: A World Apart] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.3000ad.com/site/uc/ 300AD Product Page]
* [http://web.archive.org/web/20071116191525/http://www.dreamcatchergames.com/dci/battlecruiser_generations/index.html Dreamcatcher UC page]
* [http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/561677.asp?q=universal%20combat Reviews] for "Universal Combat" on GameRankings
* [http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/universalcombat/ Reviews] for "Universal Combat" on Metacritic
* [http://www.gamespot.com/pc/sim/universalcombat/review.html Reviews] for "Universal Combat" on GameSpot
*

Games in the series