Star Wars Combine

Last updated
Star Wars Combine
Star Wars Combine homepage.png
Homepage
Developer(s) SWC Programming Team
Publisher(s) SWC Programming Team
Platform(s) Web browser
ReleaseDecember 3, 1998
Genre(s) MMORPG
Mode(s) Multiplayer

Star Wars Combine (SWC) is a real-time massively multiplayer online browser game, set in the Star Wars universe as a persistent world. It was released in December 1998 as a sort of continuation of a game that existed between the mid-90s and summer 1998 known as Star Wars Simulation. When the Sim Master[ clarification needed ] disappeared suddenly - and the servers were shut down soon after - some players of that stranded community decided to create their own version of the game that evolved a lot through the years and took its own path. [1] Combine is not licensed by LucasArts, but is permitted to use the setting. [2]

Contents

Star Wars Combine was ranked 88th in the Top 100 games of All-Time by PC Gamer in its March 2012 issue. [3] The graphic interface of the game is a means to facilitate the meeting of the international community on the forums and IRC channels. [2] Due to the nature of such role-playing based games, it is a commonly shared feeling to be lost after one's own character is created; as a result of this, help, suggestions, and tips from others are often required to perform some of the basic actions available to a player.

Gameplay

Gameplay in Star Wars Combine. Here the player navigates their hyperspace route. Star Wars Combine screenshot.png
Gameplay in Star Wars Combine. Here the player navigates their hyperspace route.

According to François Deliège: "SWC is not only a MMORPG, it also offers the best Star Wars universe simulation fans may ever dream of." [4] Star Wars Combine has its own various game mechanisms related to the physics, economy, politics and engineering in the universe. It requires both logic and socialization skills from the players. All those mechanisms are defined by game rules that are debated between players, written by the game administrator and made available to the whole Star Wars Combine community. [4] Whilst performing rather common tasks (many of which could take hours, days or even weeks depending on complexity and type) players interact in their forums and chat rooms, planning the next operation, role-playing their character, trading in the open market or in the black market and organizing events. As Josh Augustine states in his article, "The amount of free spontaneous creativity within this game is mind-numbing, dwarfing even the machinations behind EVE Online." [2] The game dynamics allow players to be what they want it to be. Players can roleplay, be in character all the time or not at all. Some players are heavily into roleplay and hardly do any in-game participation, while others focus on in-game actions only. [1]

In-game actions take time, and the character's creation is more complex than in other, similar simulations, and many veterans have been playing since the game's creation. The purpose of this slower, real-time pace (in comparison to other simulations) is also devised in order to allow players – who are spread all over the world and covering all time zones — to have the time to respond to events happening around them while being offline. The player's character is present in the game regardless of the player being online or offline. Therefore, results such as being killed are always possible, and unlike many other simulations a character's death is often permanent. [5] However, players can create a new character after a short waiting period and begin again, minus all prior possessions and positions. In an interview by Joystiq's Massively in 2008, a number of in-game features[ vague ] were discussed, along with any possible issues[ vague ] the administration had encountered. [1]

Development

Since its creation in 1998, the simulation has seen a number of upgrades and differing rates of development by volunteers. Moving from a standalone program with web-based community space to a full browser-based online game over the years, there has also been difficulty due to inexperience with other coding languages, lack of funds or any number of other reasons. [1] [ vague ] In recent years, features such as the ability to produce ships, vehicles and gear in factories, basic Player vs Creature (P.v.C) Combat and a canonized Galactic Map have been implemented, leading to better overall gameplay. Reportedly it was one of the first MMORPGs which implemented a web service solution to its architecture in 2005. [4]

Academic use

The simulation has been the subject of several academic studies, ranging from English literacy and related improvements in a role-playing environment to psychological studies on Internet communities.[ clarification needed ] [6] Two academic theses were also based on this game. [4] [7] These were also presented at the Second International Conference on Web Information Systems and Technologies. [8] Star Wars Combine has also been cited in two papers from the International Game Developers Association for its programming choices and security measures. [9] [10]

Related Research Articles

A multi-user dungeon, also known as a multi-user dimension or multi-user domain, is a multiplayer real-time virtual world, usually text-based or storyboarded. MUDs combine elements of role-playing games, hack and slash, player versus player, interactive fiction, and online chat. Players can read or view descriptions of rooms, objects, other players, and non-player characters, and perform actions in the virtual world that are typically also described. Players typically interact with each other and the world by typing commands that resemble a natural language, as well as using a character typically called an avatar.

A massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) is a video game that combines aspects of a role-playing video game and a massively multiplayer online game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Role-playing game</span> Game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting

A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting or through a process of structured decision-making regarding character development. Actions taken within many games succeed or fail according to a formal system of rules and guidelines.

<i>Ultima Online</i> 1997 video game

Ultima Online (UO) is a fantasy massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) released on September 24, 1997 by Origin Systems.

<i>Neverwinter Nights</i> (2002 video game) Dungeons & Dragons video game

Neverwinter Nights is a role-playing video game developed by BioWare. Interplay Entertainment was originally set to publish the game, but financial difficulties led to it being taken over by Infogrames, who released the game under their Atari range of titles. It is the first installment in the Neverwinter Nights series and was released for Microsoft Windows on June 18, 2002. BioWare later released a Linux client in June 2003, requiring a purchased copy of the game to play. MacSoft released a Mac OS X port in August 2003.

<i>Star Wars Galaxies</i> 2003 video game

Star Wars Galaxies (Galaxies) was a Star Wars- themed massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) for Microsoft Windows, developed by Sony Online Entertainment (SOE) and published by LucasArts.

A massively multiplayer online game is an online video game with a large number of players to interact in the same online game world. MMOs usually feature a huge, persistent open world, although there are games that differ. These games can be found for most network-capable platforms, including the personal computer, video game console, or smartphones and other mobile devices.

In video games, a clan, community, guild, or faction is an organized group of video game players that regularly play together in one or more multiplayer games. Many clans take part in gaming competitions, but some clans are just small gaming squads consisting of friends.

<i>Furcadia</i> 1996 video game

Furcadia is a free-to-play MMOSG/MMORPG or graphical MUD, set in a fantasy world inhabited by magical creatures. The game is based on user-created content with emphasis on world building tools, exploring, socializing, and free-form roleplaying. Furcadia hosts a large volunteer program called the Beekin Helpers, allowing players to help with community moderation, welcoming new players, handling in-game technical support, running in game events, creating art for the game itself, accessing and updating the game's website, and bug hunting. Furcadia holds the Guinness World Records title for the longest continuously running social MMORPG and, in addition to being one of the first games to heavily encourage modding and let users build virtual worlds for themselves, it was also one of the first freemium online games. In 2008, Furcadia was reported as having over 60,000 players.

<i>Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning</i> 2008 video game

Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning was a massively multiplayer online role-playing game based on Games Workshop's Warhammer Fantasy setting, developed by Mythic Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts in 2008. The game revolved around the continual worldwide conflict that the Warhammer Fantasy setting is known for, and the game is geared toward ongoing, constant war laced with dark humour. Age of Reckoning ended up selling over a million copies and peaking at 800,000 subscribers, but dropped to 300,000 subscribers several months later. The game received generally positive reviews from critics but shut down in 2013. Since at least 2014, an active private server called Return of Reckoning has been run by fans, and it remains active as of November 2024.

A persistent world or persistent state world (PSW) is a virtual world which, by the definition given by Richard Bartle, "continues to exist and develop internally even when there are no people interacting with it". The first virtual worlds were text-based and often called MUDs, but the term is frequently used in relation to massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) and pervasive games. Examples of persistent worlds that exist in video games include Battle Dawn, EVE Online, and Realms of Trinity.

<i>The Realm Online</i> 1996 video game

The Realm Online, originally known as The Realm, is a long-running massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG) initially launched by Sierra On-Line in December 1996 for Windows PC. It was designed in the tradition of graphical MUDs, before the usage of the terms "massively multiplayer" and "MMORPG". Since launch, The Realm has been online through the game server Despothes' Grove (1996) followed by three fresh start servers: Finvarra's Fortress (2018), Elphame's Arena (2021), and Mabon's Gamble (2023).

<i>Dungeons & Dragons Online</i> 2006 video game

Dungeons & Dragons Online is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed by Turbine for Microsoft Windows and OS X. The game was originally marketed as Dungeons & Dragons Online: Stormreach. Upon switching to a hybrid free-to-play model it was renamed Dungeons & Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited. The game was rebranded Dungeons & Dragons Online, with the introduction of Forgotten Realms-related content. Turbine developed Dungeons & Dragons Online as an online adaptation of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), originally based loosely on the D&D 3.5 rule set. The game is set on the unexplored continent of Xen'drik within the Eberron campaign setting, and in the Kingdom of Cormyr within the Forgotten Realms campaign setting.

<i>StarQuest Online</i> 2007 video game

StarQuest Online was a massively multiplayer online role playing game taking place in a large universe. It was created by Castle Thorn Software. In 2009 NeXeon Technologies partnered with Castle Thorn to support development of the game, but in mid-2014 the game had been shut down. The game created a tight-knit gaming community of around 50 people aged between 12 and 60 which continues today.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gordon Walton</span>

(Conrad) Gordon Walton, Jr. is an American video game developer and executive producer who has worked with many North American online game companies, from Maxis to Electronic Arts to Sony Online to BioWare. Since 1977 he has personally developed over thirty games, and overseen development of hundreds more, working as a producer, vice-president or executive producer. He is currently Executive Producer of the Kickstarter-backed MMORPG Crowfall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce Woodcock (computer games analyst)</span> American computer and video game industry analyst

Bruce Sterling Woodcock is an American computer and video games industry analyst, best known for his work on subscription tracking of massively multiplayer online games via his website MMOGCHART.COM.

<i>Achaea, Dreams of Divine Lands</i> 1997 video game

Achaea, Dreams of Divine Lands is a roleplay-focused, text-based multi-user dungeon (MUD) released on September 9, 1997. It was published by Achaea LLC, now known as Iron Realms Entertainment. Achaea is operated by collecting the revenue through a microtransaction system, which allows payment for the acquisition of in-game benefits.

The history of massively multiplayer online games spans over thirty years and hundreds of massively multiplayer online games (MMOG) titles. The origin and influence on MMO games stems from MUDs, Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) and earlier social games.

<i>Dark Sun Online: Crimson Sands</i> 1996 video game

Dark Sun Online: Crimson Sands was an early massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that was developed and published by Strategic Simulations, Inc. in 1996 for Windows 95. Dark Sun Online was based on the licensed Dark Sun campaign setting for the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons tabletop role-playing game. It was one of the first fully graphical MMORPGs.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Talamasca, Aleka (September 19, 2008). "Indievelopment: Star Wars Combine". Massively. Archived from the original on August 8, 2011. Retrieved February 14, 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 Augustine, Josh. "Massive Attack". PC Gamer US (Holiday 2009): p. 28.
  3. ↑ The Top 100 Panel. "100 Games of all Time". PC Gamer US. No. March 2012. p. 49.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. 1 2 3 4 Deliège, François; Zimányi, Esteban. "Web services for the management of persistent online game factions". Université Libre de Bruxelles - Faculté des Sciences Appliquées (Academic Year 2004-2005): p.10.
  5. ↑ Augustine, Josh. "Massive Attack". PC Gamer US (Holiday 2009): p. 29.
  6. ↑ Bond-Upson, Alexandra Dorothy (2004). "The Introverts' Online Community". Reed College (May 2004).
  7. ↑ Snyers d'Attenhoven, Jehan; Zimányi, Esteban. "Management of Networked Virtual Environments". Université Libre de Bruxelles - Faculté des Sciences Appliquées (Academic Year 2001-2002).
  8. ↑ Deliège, François; Zimányi, Esteban. "Web Services for the Management of Persistent Online Game Factions.". The blue social bookmark and publication sharing system. (Academic Year 2005-2006).
  9. ↑ The IGDA Online Games SIG Steering Committee. "IGDA Casual Game Whitepaper" (PDF). IGDA (2005): 82.
  10. ↑ The IGDA Online Games SIG Steering Committee. "Web and Downloadable Games White Paper" (PDF). IGDA (2004): 73. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-03-06. Retrieved 2013-01-21.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.