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