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Galactic Command Dev Promises To Pay Up If His Game Sucks
Posted by Michael McWhertor at 11:40 AM on March 8, 2008
Dr. Derek Smart, the outspoken and controversial designer behind space sims Battlecruiser 3000AD and Universal Combat has released his latest venture, Galactic Command Echo Squad SE - Episode 1, proving that brevity and marketing ain't his thing. The frequent e-dick is typically proud of his new game, promising at least one potential Galactic Command player a full refund if he's unsatisfied.
In a BluesNews comment, Smart says "In fact, here's my pledge to you: If you're a space sim fan, can't wait for the demo and you buy the game [...] but think its crap, I'm tits up and talking trash, I'll personally refund your money. And you still get to keep the game."
See the stipulations there? You have to have very specific feelings, notably that Derek's "tits up" and that you think it's "crap". Thinks it's shit? You're disqualified.
The refund may not apply to you, dear reader, but if you're really that unhappy with Smart's latest, it wouldn't hurt to try.
Ships Ahoy - Galactic Command Echo Squad SE [BluesNews via NeoGAF]
Comments (AU Comments · US Comments)
There are currently no AU comments for this post.
SeeOne
Posted 10:32 PM 19/3/08
Did I misread that, or is someone giving Derek Smart money to make another game?
wow.
SeeOne
dhelor
Posted 10:32 PM 19/3/08
I want payment in advance, Smart.
dhelor
Koztah
Posted 10:32 PM 19/3/08
@kaitousai:
Derek Smart has always been cocky about his titles. In fact, he's being relatively humble right now.
Koztah
N-Bomb
Posted 10:32 PM 19/3/08
Wasn't he bragging about getting the Freespace rights a couple years back?
I want a new X-Wing or Freespace :(
N-Bomb
concerning
Posted 10:32 PM 19/3/08
ZED FIGHTING
concerning
munniec
Posted 10:32 PM 19/3/08
Where have we heard this from? Something about a console and unsold ones? Right PS3. Anyways, I very much doubt he's going to pay up.
munniec
JoelR
Posted 10:32 PM 19/3/08
@Cell9song:
true enough - but his ego overshadowed the whole thing
he first said it was perfect and then said the publisher forced him to release it unfinished (of course this is well after he said it would be finished 2-3 years after!) His Ego wrote checks his production schedule and high design would not let him cash.
JoelR
Doomstalk
Posted 10:32 PM 19/3/08
@RaptorShadow:
Derek Smart
Derek Smart
Derek Smart
...
Oh shi-!
Doomstalk
JohnnyLA
Posted 10:32 PM 19/3/08
He also would like to pick fights with Volition and Freespace 2 and try to bring race into the issue.
He is a complete and utter ass.
JohnnyLA
Cell9song
Posted 10:32 PM 19/3/08
@RaptorShadow:
Also, look up 'Derek Smart's Desktop Commander'
yeah, I know. Invariably some idiot seems to think its high comedy to do the "DEREK SMART, DEREK SMART, DEREK SMART" chant whenever thread about DS comes up. It stopped being funny about a month after Lowtax did the piece.
I agree about the troll thing but I have to admit its refreshing to see a dev not take shit from trolling little punks themselves as well.
Cell9song
CaptCaveman
Posted 10:32 PM 19/3/08
I have a better idea. How about giving the game to me. And if I like it then I'll pay for it. That way I don't put you out having to give me any cash back.
CaptCaveman
RaptorShadow
Posted 10:32 PM 19/3/08
Yes, but it didn't help the fact that he's a stuck up troll.
He trolled the fuck out of the Relic forums, trying to assert the supremacy of Battlecruiser back when the first Homeworld was announced. It is still believed that posting his name three times in succession will summon the foul demon to wreak havoc.
Also, look up 'Derek Smart's Desktop Commander'
RaptorShadow
Cell9song
Posted 10:32 PM 19/3/08
@JoelR:
Battlecruiser: announced 1992 - released 1996 (until DNF it was the longest piece of vapourware ever announced).Proported by Smart to actually use neural nets for the AI but was roundly critizied because the hardware of the time pretty much precluded that statement. It was so buggy it took to 1998 to release a patch that actually made the game playable
it was rereleased in 1998 as a version two called Battlecruiser300AD
While Derek can be a notorious jackass at times, your summary of what happened isn't exactly being fair. The publisher was as much to blame as anyone else for releasing it in an unfinished state and long after they washed their hands of support, Derek patched the entire game on his own dime after which he gave it away.
Cell9song
RPGZero
Posted 10:32 PM 19/3/08
Before this post I hadn't heard of the game. I'm a fan of the genre and am now looking forward for more information on it.
He wins.
RPGZero
JoelR
Posted 10:32 PM 19/3/08
Derek Smart
Battlecruiser: announced 1992 - released 1996 (until DNF it was the longest piece of vapourware ever announced).Proported by Smart to actually use neural nets for the AI but was roundly critizied because the hardware of the time pretty much precluded that statement. It was so buggy it took to 1998 to release a patch that actually made the game playable
it was rereleased in 1998 as a version two called Battlecruiser300AD
and this is a person who is saying essentially "blow me" now if you don't like his games? His ego sure has not gotten smaller even though his sales have never reflected the possibility of growing an ego as large as his....
JoelR
Taco Bell™
Posted 10:32 PM 19/3/08
I've never wanted a game to fail. Never.
Until now.
Taco Bell™
Forsakyn
Posted 10:32 PM 19/3/08
I can't wait for this game personally. Once it comes out there it'll be fun to see "Dr." Smart return to deal with folks that don't like his game in his patented mature manner. When the hell is Derek Smart's Desktop Commander coming out, anyhow? That was an awesome looking game, and I will buy it the day it comes out.
Forsakyn
Passa
Posted 10:32 PM 19/3/08
@Cyber: Looks like z-fighting to me.. I suppose when putting images up, at a glance you wouldn't notice. Not a huge glitch anyways..
Passa
helava
Posted 10:32 PM 19/3/08
Does the title remind anyone else of "Alpha Squad 7: Lady Nocturne: A Tek Jansen Adventure?"
helava
ErskinPig
Posted 10:32 PM 19/3/08
I like it when devs talk in such blunt, coloquial terms. It's a refreshing change from the increasing prominence of PR bullshit and buzzwords such as "AAA" and "innovative next-gen IPs".
ErskinPig
meandering_drivel
Posted 10:32 PM 19/3/08
@crazyscreenwriter: good to see we're all friends here
meandering_drivel
crazyscreenwriter
Posted 10:32 PM 19/3/08
He's still alive? I heard he was involved in a tragic accident where he was sucked up into his own Anus...
crazyscreenwriter
Cyber
Posted 10:32 PM 19/3/08
@Strangelove: It sticks out like an eyesore to me
Cyber
Cyber
Posted 10:32 PM 19/3/08
@Strangelove: Check the texture of the space station- or whatever it is- in the centre.
Cyber
Strangelove
Posted 10:32 PM 19/3/08
@Strangelove:
Maybe the shadowing? With shadow filters, things get a bit weird, but it's barely noticeable.
Strangelove
Strangelove
Posted 10:32 PM 19/3/08
@Cyber:
What's the glitch? Looks fine to me ...
Strangelove
durrem
Posted 10:32 PM 19/3/08
Derek Smart is seriously mellowing out in his old age...
durrem
gamadaya
Posted 10:32 PM 19/3/08
I've always wondered if devs can tell if they're games suck. Often times, it's pretty obvious.
gamadaya
Cyber
Posted 10:32 PM 19/3/08
Heh, and just when you thought he went away.
I like how several of the high-definition screenshots he boasts on about contain awful graphical glitches, such as this one:
[www.3000ad.com]
Cyber
Maldron
Posted 10:32 PM 19/3/08
He could argue that, by definition, somebody so turned off by the game wouldn't want to keep playing it, so anybody who would play it after being refunded tried to defraud him.
You know, if he's a dick. Which I think somebody said he is. Was it you, Michael? Wasn't paying enough attention.
Maldron
超外人
Posted 10:32 PM 19/3/08
I don't like the sound of things. He seems way too cocky about his title. He's probably saying it to get more sales and just stay out of contact of people who actually do want refunds.
超外人
klagermkii
Posted 7:33 PM 26/3/08
I kind of miss Derek Smart's presence. He was the Uwe Boll of video games, making wild promises about his next piece of work and then just churning out turd after turd. It would then be mocked incessantly by all on the Internet and, like Uwe, his inability to handle criticism just made it more fun.
Perhaps they can work together on "Galactic Command: The Movie"...
klagermkii