Starport: Galactic Empires
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| Starport: Galactic Empires | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | PlayTechTonics |
| Publisher(s) | PlayTechTonics |
| Designer(s) | Aaron Hunter |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
| Release date | February 3, 2004 |
| Genre(s) | MMORPG Space Simulation |
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
| System requirements | Minimum Requirements:
|
| Input methods | Keyboard, Mouse, Gamepad |
Starport: Galactic Empires is a free space-oriented, massively multiplayer online role-playing game, and uses a third-person 2D overhead view similar to that used in Asteroids. The game uses semi-realistic physics for both space and atmospheric travel, affecting both the movement of ships and player-fired weaponry. Starport has a simple backstory which automatically leads to a number of systems being combat protected but other than this every server has a different starmap, with sometimes over one thousand stars being placed in accordance with a number of templates. Characters can conquer and colonize planets with a variety of different terrains depending on the type of planet. The player can build and harvest resources with their colony. Starport shares most of the core concepts and many names (such as ship names) with Tradewars 2002.
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[edit] Overview
Starport: Galactic Empires features a responsive trade system, colonisation, invasion, multiple-person Corporations and Player versus Player or Player versus NPC combat. Server shards conform to either Rebang (the game will end after two weeks) or Permanent (the game will not end) modes, with a wide variety of other parameters individually set for each universe.[1] The overall goal in Starport: Galactic Empires is the acquisition of colonies and experience, through a number of means, in order to earn medals (in Rebang universes) or a long-term empire (in Permanent universes).[2]
In order to prevent active players from gaining a large advantage over players who are less active, Warp Fuel was implemented.[3] Every player starts with an equal amount of fuel. Travelling between systems and other activities (such as landing on planets) uses a certain amount of Warp Fuel. When a player's Warp Fuel runs out, the player will have to gain more, either by waiting for it to automatically regenerate or by buying it. A player can increase Warp Fuel through the use of in-game items, to a maximum of 500 units per day.
Although Starport is free-to-play, players can donate in order to gain Admiral's Tokens. These tokens can then be used to purchase special items (including Warp Fuel). This system was praised as introducing a "bit of a leg up for the player, but not an “I win” button" to the game."[4]
[edit] Critical reaction
Starport has been criticised for having poor graphics.[5][6] On October 5, 2006 a new patch (Patch 1.317) updated the GUI and subsequent patches reduced the brightness of ships. Subsequent updates also changed planetary graphics. On November 7, 2006 music was added to the game in patch 1.327.[7] The game has also been criticised for failing to find a solution for non-consensual PvP, with specific emphasis being placed upon the persistent nature of characters and the hourly fee (ingame credits, not real money) charged to remain in safety.[8] Further updates to the game brought about the existence of "Pax Universes." In these universes, only NPC's would attack, Player owned colonies that are not on Paradise Planets were protected, and there was no hourly fee to stay in "Federation Space" [9]
When reviewed and listed on December 5, 2005 by Tucows, Starport: Galactic Empires was awarded a rating of five cows, out of a maximum of five.[10]
[edit] Notes
- ^ [1] Starport has many different universes to play in or "shards"..., www.gamersinfo.net, Norin, November 28, 2006
- ^ [2] Once you start the game, everyone starts off with the same pathetic little ship..., www.killerbetties.com, thankeeka, October 26, 2006
- ^ [3] To keep the game fair to players who don’t have all day every day..., www.gamersinfo.net, Norin, November 28, 2006
- ^ [4]., So how does the company support themselves..., www.gamersinfo.net, Norin, November 28, 2006
- ^ [5] In space, apparently music doesn't exist..., www.killerbetties.com, thankeeka, October 26, 2006
- ^ [6] Here is where the game starts to suffer...,, thankeeka, October 26, 2006
- ^ [7] Starport forum posting detailing patch changes
- ^ [8] Non-consensual player vs. player combat is a problem for..., www.frictionlessinsight.com, Kyle Ackermanm February 18, 2004
- ^ [9] Gamersinfo website with mention of Pax universes, or shards
- ^ [10], www.tucows.com, Listing for Starport showing rating awarded by Tucows
