Stellar Frontier

Infobox VG
title = Stellar Frontier


developer = Drengin.net
publisher = Stardock
designer = Doug Hendrix, Neil Hillis, Brad Wardell
engine = 2D
released = 1997 (North America/Worldwide)
genre = Space simulation
modes = Single player, multiplayer
ratings = N/A
platforms = Microsoft Windows, OS/2 (Unsupported)
media = Download
requirements = Internet connection
input = Keyboard, mouse
version = 1.2 RC 5, 6, 7

Stellar Frontier is a multiplayer space strategy/shooter game made by Doug Hendrix in 1997 and later licensed by Stardock. The game is a limited free-to-play game, but players can purchase activation codes to unlock the Stellar Ace bonuses that gives better ships to the player. It was one of the first games on the TotalGaming.net subscription package. There have been no official updates since 2003. Efforts were made to open source the game but these have not been successful as of July 2006.Fact|date=October 2007 The main nexus (see below), run by Stardock, has been shutdown as of August 4, 2006.

Gameplay

"Stellar Frontier" is a 2D top-down space shooter game where you are in command of your own starship. The player chooses a race to fight with (the four standard races are: Arcean, Drengin, Terran, and Pirate) and the objective is to "conquer the system" by taking control of the key planets. However, many players enjoy playing the game just to fight other players, these players usually do not bother to "conquer the system". "Stellar Frontier" can be played offline (against the computer), on a local intranet, or on the Internet.

The "warp drive" in this game is called Q-drive. Q-drive stands for Quantum Drive. Speed is calculated by c (EX: 0.65c, Q-drive speed ranges around 1.00 to 3.00, 3 being the max in the stock game).

Lag can be a big factor on "Player VS Player" fights. Lag is factored on ms (EX: 062ms, usual server lag level). Extensive Lag coverage is on GAIN.

There can be as many as 100 AI on the server. When the game was released, many said that the AI was the most advanced of the genre (Sci-Fi RTS).

The current revision is 1.2RC (5,6 or 7). Any 1.2RC# will work to be able to play online. Older versions will tend to process errors since those versions are heavily outdated.

Internet play

Players play in servers that are hosted on the "Nexus". The main online nexus is served by Stardock. The nexus's address is sf.stardock.net. Anybody can join in the online game at any time.

If the nexus happens to be off-line, there are 2 choices: Stardock's Backup nexus (sf-x.stardock.net), or the 3rd party SFDC (Stellar Frontier Development Center) nexus (nexus.game-server.cc). Players can switch nexus if there are no servers on that particular nexus they are on. Another way to play is keep one's stats on one nexus, and then change the nexus address, then select server, then change nexus address again without pressing Refresh, then press OK.

On August 4, 2006, Stardock Systems turned off the NEXUS at sf.stardock.net permanently.

On July 31, 2007, The game became "Freeware", the codes are now provided free for the locked parts of the game. Instructions for getting a code is provided on the main site. [ [http://www.stardock.com/products/sf/admiral.html Stellar Aces on Stellar Frontier : Drengin Network ] ]

Main races

As of Stellar Frontier version 1.2, the standard races of the game are as follows:

* Arcean
* Drengin
* Terran
* Pirate

Old races from before the Stardock purchase include Demoians, Venusians, and Martians.Fact|date=October 2007

NPC races

* Torian

Free playable ships

The following ships are available in the game. The player must meet a rank requirement to use each ship, with a higher requirement for more powerful ships.

* Freighter
* Scout
* Destroyer
* Cruiser
* Battleship
* Dreadnought

"Stellar Aces" ships

* BattleCruiser
* Marauder
* Starbase

Ranks

All ranks are universal for all the races; there are no race-specific ranks for each race. The online ranking is listed from lowest to highest as follows: [The list of "Stellar Frontier" ranks is available for viewing at any time during the online setup menu.]

* Cadet
* Ensign
* 2nd Lieutenant
* 1st Lieutenant
* Senior Lieutenant
* Lieutenant Commander
* Commander
* Captain
* Senior Captain
* Fleet Captain
* Commodore
* Rear Admiral
* Vice Admiral
* Admiral
* Fleet Admiral
* Emperor
* Deity

References

External links

;Official
* [http://www.stardock.com/products/sf/ Official website]

;Other
* [http://www.stellarfrontier.com/ Stellar Frontier Central] - Player-maintained website with "Stellar Frontier" news, information, downloads, etc.