Derek Smart

Derek K. Smart is the president and lead developer of 3000AD, Inc., a video game developer based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In addition he is president of Quest Online involved in the MMO Alganon.^[1] He is an independent video game designer and software developer, and the creator of the Battlecruiser 3000AD and Universal Combat video game series. A self-described "eccentric and vocal personality",^[2] Smart is renowned for lengthy and aggressive online responses to perceived criticism and is as well known for his online presence as he is for the games that he makes.^[3]

Developed games

• Battlecruiser 3000AD
• Battlecruiser Millennium
• Universal Combat
• Galactic Command
• All Aspect Warfare
• Angle of Attack

On February 20, 2008 it was announced that Smart's 3000AD company has entered a partnership with GamersGate, covering the digital distribution of the Universal Combat series as well as upcoming releases planned by 3000AD, Inc.^[4][5]

Recognition

Smart is a board member of the Miami chapter of the International Game Developers Association.^[6]

Online activities

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."^[3] 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."^[7]

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.^[8] This sparked a controversy between Smart and FreeSpace fans. 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.^[8] In a 2007 All Games Radio interview, Smart stated why he decided to stop pursuing the license and instead start a new (Galactic Command) franchise.^[9]

References

1. ^ "Quest Online Corporate information". http://www.qol.com/live/about/. Retrieved 2011-07-07. 
2. ^ "Official biography from DerekSmart.org.". http://www.dereksmart.org/DEREK_SMART_BIO.PDF. Retrieved 2008-04-16. 
3. ^ ^{a b} "Computer Gaming World Interview". http://www.3000ad.com/press/ds_interview_cgw0401.jpg. Retrieved 2006-12-06. 
4. ^ Chalk, Andy (20 February 2008). "3000AD Does Distribution Deal With GamersGate". The Escapist. http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/81603-3000AD-Does-Distribution-Deal-With-GamersGate. Retrieved 2008-11-27. 
5. ^ "3000AD, Inc. Partners with GamersGate". IGN. http://uk.pc.ign.com/articles/853/853392p1.html. Retrieved 2008-11-27. 
6. ^ "IGDA Miami — Chapter Meeting: June 2002". http://www.igda.org/miami/meetings/2002-06.php. Retrieved 2006-11-28. ^{[dead link]}
7. ^ Julian Murdoch, Computer Games Magazine, The People vs. Derek Smart, Issue 196
8. ^ ^{a b} "Rumor Control: $179 DS in November and $29.99 GameCube games — PC News at GameSpot". http://www.gamespot.com/pc/sim/freespace2/news_6102932.html. Retrieved 2006-12-06. 
9. ^ "All Games Radio — Derek Smart interview". http://www.allgames.com/radio.asp?show=agi&ep=405. Retrieved 2007-10-30. ^{[dead link]}

External links

• 3000AD Inc. website
• Derek Smart's website
• Moby Games' entry on Derek Smart

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Name	Smart, Derek
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