Derek Smart

For the rugby league footballer of the 1950s, and 1960s, see Derek Smart (rugby league).

Derek K. Smart is the president and lead developer of 3000AD, Inc., an independent game development company based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. In addition he is the president of and investor in the development company Quest Online.[1] Smart is an independent video game designer and software developer, and the creator of several video game series.

Work

Through his 3000AD company, Smart has developed a total of sixteen games to date,[2] across his various franchise properties; most of which are derivative works. Through his Quest Online company, he also worked on the completion of the MMO Alganon as well as that game's expansion pack, Rise of the Ourobani.[3] In 2008, 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]

Derek Smart is a board member of the Miami chapter of the International Game Developers Association.[6] He has worked with various publishers over the years, including industry powerhouse Take 2 Interactive, which released his first game Battlecruiser 3000AD in 1996 and which was listed in their SEC filing when they went public in 1997.[7] Prior to the release Smart and Take 2 were involved in a dispute over the premature release of the game. The matter was later settled out of court.[8] Smart also signed a deal with DC Comics in which several comics have been created for his Line of Defense games.[9][10][11] A comic for Alganon was also released.[12]

Smart was reported to be seeking to license the FreeSpace game Intellectual Property (IP) to develop a game based on the popular space-sim previously published by Interplay.[13] 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."[13] In 2007, Smart stated why he decided to stop pursuing the license and instead start a new Galactic Command franchise.[14] In a 2015 interview, he again explained what had happened and why he chose to stop pursuing the license.[15]

Designed games

Online activities

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."[16] A 2012 in-depth article regarding the disconnect between his real-life and online alter-ego was authored by media veteran Russ Pitts and published by The Verge.[17]

References

External links

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