Startopia
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| Startopia | |
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| Developer(s) | Mucky Foot Productions |
| Publisher(s) | Eidos Interactive |
| Release date(s) | 2001 |
| Genre(s) | Strategy |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| Media | CD (1) |
| System requirements | P350 MHz CPU, 64MB RAM, 350MB HD |
| Input | Keyboard, mouse |
Startopia is a computer game from Mucky Foot Productions (formed by ex-Bullfrog employees) and published by Eidos in 2001, in which the player takes the role of the administrator of various derelict space stations with the task of rebuilding them to their former states.
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[edit] Overview
Set onboard a series of abandoned Ringworld-like space stations, the single-player aspect of Startopia revolves around the player being tasked with repairing these space stations, and transforming them according to his/her employer's wishes. The game is set after an apocalyptic galactic war, and many of the stations are in a state of considerable disrepair. It is hinted that these space stations are essentially the last few space-based environments available to the denizens of Startopia, as most of them had been destroyed during the war.
Outside of the janitor-like robots called "Scuzzers", the player has no direct control over the characters that wander about. It is the player's job to influence resident and visiting aliens to improve their personal desires.
The hardware requirements are low by current standards (350 MHz processor, 64 MB RAM, 8 MB 3D graphics card), and the game is now in the budget range. There is a demo version available. For many people, the demo version is the closest they can get to playing the game, as the game was promoted and sold very poorly.
In true Bullfrog fashion, Startopia is laced with a subtle humor that references similar themes in mainstream society. Most notable is the name of your assistant AI, VAL. Speaking similar in tone to HAL 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey, Val even comments that he's "very enthusiastic about the mission", and lets it slip that he thinks he had an owner by the name of Dave once.
2001 is also used as a basis for the intro video. A monkey discovers an iconic black monolith, in what appears to be ancient Africa. Examining the monolith, a small door opens to reveal a doughnut. Taking a mere bite of the doughnut before throwing it into the sky, the scene immediately changes to the torus-shaped Startopia station.
The game also makes jokes from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Val comments how the player, an organic, most likely doesn't understand the significance of the number 42. VAL also tells you that a space guide once told him to remember the words "don't panic". This is enhanced by the fact that the actor dubbing VAL's lines is William Franklyn, the same man behind The Book on The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy for the new radio episodes (Quandary and Quintessential phases), replacing the late Peter Jones. Funnily enough, he did this years after the game's dubbing was finished!
[edit] Gameplay
The game revolves around buying and placing facilities in a space station, and hiring various aliens to operate those facilities. Some rooms are basic necessities, such as Dine-o-mats (food) and Lavatrons (sanitation), while others provide entertainment (Disco) or other services (Love Nest).
Guests will be attracted by the jobs that are made available and also by recreational facilities. The player can hire some of these guests as employees.
Each space station consists of a number of segments. These segments are initially isolated by bulkheads, which can be opened under certain circumstances.
In most game scenarios there are several players (in single player mode all but one controlled by an AI) each controlling different segments. These players expand towards each other through the intervening segments, until they meet at which point combat can ensue.
[edit] Decks
In addition to the multiple segments, the stations are horizontally divided into three "decks".
[edit] Technology Deck
Arguably the most "technical" looking of the decks, the lowest deck is where the majority of station-functioning facilities are placed. Recyclers, sleeping pods, research facilities, and sick bays are built here. In early game scenarios, this is the only deck accessible. As such, a few "basic" facilities can be placed here or on the pleasure deck.
[edit] Pleasure deck
The second deck, looking most like a futuristic space station, is the deck in which the bulk of visitor-pleasing facilities exist. Shops, discos, bars, and other facilities are placed here. Whereas visitors can only rest in sleep pods on the engineering deck, the entertainment deck can hold massive hotels for the more discriminating guest. It is assumed that the entertainment deck is a much more quiet and pleasing level than the traffic noise of the engineering deck.
[edit] Bio-deck
The biodeck is a deck unlike the previous two. Instead of a deck where one can place facilities, the biodeck is covered in "nanosoil". This soil can be changed in terms of moisture and heat, allowing the station designer to turn barren desert to rich grasslands quickly. Not only does this benefit the visitors to a station (an alien used to a hot, dry environment will prefer a hot, dry biodeck), this deck can be farmed on. These trees and shrubs can be processed into a variety of consumable goods. The biodeck is also where Zedem Monks build their temple. Unfortunately, because the biodeck is separated from space by a glass-like material, it is an extremely dangerous place to be during a meteor shower.
[edit] Alien Races
Amusingly, every alien race in Startopia serves an in-game function, as well as a "theme".
[edit] Groulien Salt Hogs
Short but proud, Salt Hogs are considered the working class race of the game. They are the simplest to appease, needing basic facilities to be kept happy. Living on a planet-ship created by a long-dead race, these aliens are mechanically inclined (too many things need to be fixed). As such, they are the only alien race able to produce and recycle materials in your station. Their speech is similar to that of a pig, consisting of grunts and groans. Also they are uninterested in the higher model hotels and luxury shops. They are among the four warrior races that can be hired for combat along with Grekka Targs, Greys, and Kasvagorians.
[edit] Thygorian Grekka Targ
Insectoid, the Targ function as your communication experts on your station. While equally simple to please as Salt Hogs, other alien races seem to find them extremely dull. They are arguably the least iconic alien in Startopia, as they do nothing extremely remarkable.
[edit] Grey
The iconic grey-skinned, black-eyed aliens are medically strong, and are hired to fill out sick bays. Merely talking to a Grey causes other aliens to feel slightly more healthy. They are middle-of-the-road aliens, who like essentially every sort of facility you can provide. This is surprising, as both Targ and Salt Hogs typically avoid "rich" establishments like the plague.
[edit] Dahanese Sirens
The only alien race with a visible male/female distinction, Sirens appear to be the typical Baywatch characters, however the gender appearances are reversed as revealed by one of the developers to a deeply shocked community. Unlike Baywatch lifeguards, however, they have blue wings. When hired, they run the station's "Love Nests", which shower lonely aliens in heart-shaped streams to make them feel loved.
It is interesting to note that the in-game designs for the Sirens were not put into the final game. Originally, females were planned to wear far more revealing clothes, similar to the white outfit that Milla Jovovich wears in The Fifth Element. It is assumed that, in order to appease the more conservative US market, the sirens were slightly toned down in appearance.
[edit] Kasvagorians
The Kasvagorians, or Gor, make fun of every "warrior race" in science fiction. Tall, spiky, and strong, these aliens prefer crude bars, deserts to walk in, and eating. They are considered disciplined, however, and are suited to security jobs on your station. They take less "mental damage" from being shot at or injured. Amusingly, Kasvagorians suffer physical damage when in a holographic entertainment system. Like Klingons from Star Trek, it seems Kasvagorians disable security measures when they are "playing". The Kasvagorians look similar to the Imps in the computer game Doom and its sequel Doom 2.
[edit] Karmaramans
An odd blend of Hippie, Nali, and Lemming, Karmaramans prefer lounging in a station's biodeck to spending time doing other things. While offending warrior races, they soothe all aliens they talk to, slightly reducing their need to sleep. It is assumed that they are so happy because of the plants they smoke, often selling these "black market goods" to you when trading. If happy, Karmaramans release a Karmagasm. This wave of energy makes all within range happier.
[edit] Turrakken
Two-headed, the Turrakken are scientists at heart. When employed by your station, they begin researching additional technologies for your station to use. True to their nerd theme, they spend a great deal of time at Love-enhancing facilities, implying that they can't otherwise feel sexual pleasure. They offend those that find their strict rationality discomforting.
[edit] Zedem Monks
Faithful to their religion, these tall pale aliens are biologically prone to faith: their hands are evolutionarily bent to form prayer. When hired by your station, they summon a temple and a personal plinth on the biodeck. They then counsel visitors and residents, when they feel down. They are a fiscal positive as well, often converting aliens to their religion as "penitents". While the substantial energy you receive is good, often they will convert hardworking, loyal workers.
[edit] Polvakian Gem Slugs
Unlike other races, Gem Slugs cannot be hired for any job. Very lazy (Indeed an infamous bug in the game made it appear that the Gem Slugs were so lazy they that they could not be bothered to fulfill their needs when using certain luxurious facilities, that they would starve to death!) and also proud, Gem Slugs have large anti-grav devices to avoid even touching the ground. Their only value to your station is their digestive system: If they are pleased enough, they secrete a substance known as "Turdite". This glowing jell can be recycled for a great deal of energy. Some facilities are specifically for use only by the Gem Slugs. They offend Salt Hogs, whom they see as common rabble. They prefer only the richest accommodations, using poorer/cheaper facilities only if there is no other option. Gem slugs look a little like Jabba the Hutt.
[edit] Minor Races
Saboteurs
Saboteurs do not visit your station unless someone, usually a competitor, hired them to blow something up. They either enter the base as guests (i.e. through the Port) or beam in using some sort of teleporter. If detected, they will put up a good fight before going down, often killing a few innocent bystanders in the process. Should they manage to fulfill their task, an alarm will go off, and you will have a limited amount of time to find the explosive device before it goes off. The device can be teleported (the explosive timer will freeze while in pattern buffer) to an empty location or a Recycler for a little extra energy.
Arona Daal
While most traders that arrive to your station are from one of the major races, Arona Daal is not one of them. His true appearance is not revealed until the end of the single-player campaign. It should be noted that Arona's prices tend to be higher than those of some other traders. He also does not specialize in goods, having "a little bit of everything".
Scuzzers
These robots come in four different types At the first level they walk around with mechanical legs. As the they are upgraded they move faster, but require more and more refills. On the second level Scuzzers use treads and finally rockets on the third. The basic Scuzzers are essential to keep the station clean and put away goods acquired through trade. There is also a second type of Scuzzer available, the Security Scuzzer. Security Scuzzers are used to incarcerate criminals, fight wars, and lock or unlock doors.
Space Rats
These creatures appear if there is a large amount of garbage on the station. Even just one of them will be enough to cause a Gem Slug to leave.
Memau
These cat-like creatures will sometimes enter and wander around the station. While they will act as cute pets for the station's inhabitants and eat the station's garbage, when they reach a sufficient size, they will seek out a host and infect it with a deadly parasite to advance their life cycle.
Skrasher
After a Memau has infected it's victim, this creature will erupt from the body of the host, instantly killing it. The Skrasher looks like a large black insectoid creature, with two large claws that it uses as it's weapon, and support while walking. Skrashers are violent, tough, and require lots of security personnel to take down. If a Skrasher remains alive for a long period of time, it will reproduce asexually into a number of Memau to repeat the cycle.
[edit] Goofs
- When placed in their special mud baths, Gem Slugs will often get "stuck" and die from starvation, bladder wrack or other deprivation.
- When a female Siren goes to the lavatron, grunting and straining noises in a male voice can sometimes be heard coming from it.
- Saboteurs may occasionally run up and down the same elevator in an endless loop, leading all the security forces on a wild goose chase which is practically unstoppable.
[edit] Online Fan Community
At many points, StarTopia had a small but extremely vibrant online community, mostly centred around the official Eidos forums. Due to the ease of editing and making scripts for the game many fan modificatons (Mods for short) were made. From changing attributes of the characters and equipment, custom 'skins' and even whole new missions. Former community member Slink's Startopia Collection and the StarTopia Post contain a wide range of such mods.
The community itself, much like the game, were great fans of humour, especially absurd humour. Nothing can illustrate this more effectively than a thread entitled "Under what name shall we worship the Sky-Goat?" in which the community's recently invented deity, The Sky-Goat, was attemptedly named.
[edit] Sales and Sequels
With Mucky Foot given painfully little to promote the game, it is believed that Startopia sold approximately 15,000 copies. Finding a copy is increasingly difficult, although a great many online stores still have some. Eidos no longer has support for the game, nor any mention of the game on its website.
There were plans for both an Xbox version of Startopia, as well as a sequel. Both of these plans were scrapped by the publishers.
