Galactic Command

Galactic Command (GALCOM for short) is the third series of space exploration video games developed by 3000AD, Inc.

Unlike the previous series, this game is targeted specifically for the casual/action fan, with advertised 'very low learning curve'. Elements such as trading, diplomacy, pointless exploration from the previous series were stripped away for the AIP (Acquire, Identify, Prosecute) compliant gameplay experience.

Missions include recon, search & destroy, combat air patrol, escort, tactical support and other variants.

Galactic Command - Echo Squad

Infobox VG
width=
title=Galactic Command - Echo Squad


caption=
collapsible=yes
developer=3000AD
publisher=GameTap
distributor=
designer=Derek Smart
series=Galactic Command
engine=
version=
released=March 7, 2008
genre=Space combat simulator
modes=Single player, Multiplayer (max 16)
ratings=
platforms= Windows XP SP2
media= CD-ROM
requirements=DirectX 9.0c or higher, Pentium 4 3.0 Ghz or equivalent CPU, 256MiB system RAM, 128MiB PCI Expres graphics card (GeForce FX, Radeon 9500 supported), DirectX 9.0c compatible sound card
Multiplayer: Broadband (cable/DSL) connection
input= Keyboard and Mouse

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 the first Galactic Command title, Echo Squad, exclusively to its Gametap subscription service in the Spring as an original episodic series. [ [http://www.3000ad.com/site/gces/ 3000AD - Galactic Command Echo Squad] ] cite web | url=http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3156994|title=GALCOM — Echo Squad Preview|accessdate=2007-02-06] 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] 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] Gametap did not release the game to their subscribers as originally planned and, according to Gamasutra, cancelled their publishing deal. In discussing the deal's cancellation Rick Sanchez, GameTap VP of Content said "I think it’s one of the strongest games [Derek] ever made" but that "We could put a lot of promos behind it, but it wouldn't resonate too strongly with our audience" [ [http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=17391 Gamasutra - GameTap Cancels Galactic Command Publishing Deal] ]

The published game would sold as 4 separate episodes, with 16 missions for each episode.

Game map includes galaxy with 8 star systems, approximately 50 planets and moons with several containing populated areas. There are over 50 space crafts.

Galactic Command - Echo Squad Second Edition

Infobox VG
width=
title=Galactic Command - Echo Squad Second Edition


caption=
collapsible=yes
developer=3000AD
publisher=3000AD
distributor=
designer=Derek Smart
series=Galactic Command
engine=
version=2.11.02 [ [http://www.3000ad.com/downloads/gc/gces_vcf.html Galactic Command - Echo Squad Second Edition VCF] ]
released=2008-03-07
2008-03-11 (demo)
genre=Space combat simulator
modes=Single player, Multiplayer (max 32)
ratings=
platforms=Windows XP SP2
media= CD-ROM
requirements=DirectX 9.0c or higher, Pentium 4 3.0 Ghz or equivalent CPU, 1GiB system RAM, 256MiB PCI Expres graphics card with Shader Model 2.0, DirectX 9.0c compatible sound card
Multiplayer: Broadband (cable/DSL) connection
input= Keyboard, Mouse, joystick/game pad

Following the cancellation of the original Echo Squad, the cancelled game was released commercially in Second Edition. Although episodic had originally be planned from the first edition, the distribution only began in this edition.

The game includes voice narrated in-game tutorial. It also advertised support of wide screen resolutions.

Episodes

*Episode 1: Rise Of The Insurgents
*Episode 2: The Excalibur Gambit
*Episode 3: Lost Echo
*Episode 4: The War WithinThe full game includes Episode 1, with additional games sold separately. Upon completing a campaign, freeform gameplay mode is unlocked.

Galactic Command - Talon Elite

Infobox VG
width=
title=Galactic Command - Talon Elite


caption=
collapsible=yes
developer=3000AD
publisher=
distributor=
designer=Derek Smart
series=Galactic Command
engine=Planetary Terrain Engine (PTE Spec V)
version=
released=
genre=Space combat simulator
modes=
ratings=
platforms=Xbox 360
media=
requirements=
input=

It is the company's first game for consoles, based on the Echo Squad Second Edition, with unique features and scenarios.

Galactic Command - KnightBlade

Infobox VG
width=
title=Galactic Command - KnightBlade


caption=
collapsible=yes
developer=3000AD
publisher=
distributor=
designer=Derek Smart
series=Galactic Command
engine=
version=
released=
genre=Space combat simulator
modes=
ratings=
platforms=PC, Xbox 360
media=
requirements=
input=

It is an announced title for the series. It also followed the episodic formula in Echo Squad.

Episodes

*Episode 1: First Strike

Development

The game was originally called "KnightBlade – Final Flight" [ [http://web.archive.org/web/20040814130124/http://www.3000ad.com/press/3000ad_pr_030904.doc Universal Combat – Edge To Edge/KnightBlade – Final Flight press release] ] (also called "KnightBlade - Line Of Defense", "Galactic Command - Excalibur"), an title originally announced in 2004. This game was originally started as a project for the Xbox, but was eventually put into production for the more powerful Xbox 360 game system. [ [http://xbox.ign.com/objects/680/680431.html KnightBlade - Final Flight] ] The original game had a release date of 2005 Q3 when it was pushed back.

On 2006-01-25, 3000AD announced "KnightBlade - Line Of Defense" for Xbox 360cite 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/knightblade-line-of-defense/|title=KnightBlade -- Line Of Defense (X360)|accessdate=2006-12-01|publisher=GameSpy]

Galactic Command - Bravo Team

Infobox VG
width=
title=Galactic Command - Bravo Team


caption=
collapsible=yes
developer=3000AD
publisher=
distributor=
designer=Derek Smart
series=Galactic Command
engine=SpeedTree RT (vegetation)
version=
released=
genre=first person shooter
modes=
ratings=
platforms=
media=
requirements=
input=

It is an announced first person shooter title based on the adventures of a team of elite marines assigned to a planetary starbase. It is also sold in episodic format.

Player can choose between Mobile Infantry Marine or Elite Force Marine career.

Galactic Command Online

Originally titled "Universal Combat Online", it is a massive multiplayer online game. The new name was used when the developer decided it had sufficiently large update over Universal Combat. [ [http://www.3000ad.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=50011728 Dev Status Update (GCO), Whats cooking in the MMO land] ]

The game remains combat focused and trading is restricted to the Trader caste only. However, with access to a starbase or starstation, player's ship is repaired and rearmed for free.

When driving space craft, player cannot move around within the ship. However, full first person perspective is available for all characters. First person HUD has been re-designed with a less cluttered and minimalist approach, which could be seen in the Bravo Team game.

Player can choose all the careers paths in the previous Battlecruiser and Universal Combat series, which include Commander, Elite Force Pilot, Planetary Support Pilot, Elite Force Marine, Mobile Infantry Marine, Assault Force Marine, Recon Force Marine, Space Force Marine, Engineering Corps Marine, Medical Corps Marine. However, player is restricted to 1 career per profile. To be a Commander, Player starts career as Elite Force Pilot, and earns Experience Points by competing against rival player or NPC units. Commander's assigned task is based on player's caste, which also affects Commander's starting space craft. Career types also affects the type of space craft available to player. [ [http://www.3000ad.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=50011728 Dev Status Update (GCO), Whats cooking in the MMO land] ]

Development

The game was originally announced in 2000 as one of the final games in the Battlecruiser series, along with Battlecruiser Millennium. GCO had the original release date of Q3 2001. [ [http://gamenews.pcvsconsole.com/view.php?news=123 Serious Sam engine game to be on Xbox] ]

Reception

Reviews were mixed, praising the game for its ambition and scope but critical of the complex nonstandard user interface which is not customisable, elements of the design, and the steep learning curve. [cite web | url=http://www.avault.com/?p=2172 | title = Adrenaline Vault review] [cite web | url=http://cheatcc.com/pc/rev/galacticcommandechosquadreview.html | title = Cheat Code Central review] GameRankings listed an aggregate review score of 56%. [cite web | url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/937177.asp | title = GameRankings.com review]

Smart has commented that he’d refund gamers who purchased "Galactic Command" ahead of its release and weren’t satisfied with his product [http://multiplayerblog.mtv.com/2008/03/10/pc-game-maker-offering-money-back-guarantee-for-any-haters/] [http://bluesnews.com/cgi-bin/board.pl?action=viewthread&threadid=85844] .

References

External links

* [http://www.3000ad.com/site/gces/ 3000AD page]