Battlecruiser 3000AD

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Battlecruiser 3000AD
The Gametek release of Battlecruiser 3000AD
Developer(s)	3000AD
Publisher(s)	Take Two Interactive Software, Gametek, Interplay (v2.0)
Designer(s)	Derek Smart
Series	Battlecruiser
Platform(s)	MS-DOS, Windows
Release date	NA September 30, 1996)
Genre(s)	Space trading and combat simulator
Mode(s)	Single-player
Input methods	Keyboard and Mouse

Battlecruiser 3000AD (also known as [BC3K] in Usenet) is one of the longest-developed games in computer game history. It was under development for seven years, generating one of the longest and largest flame wars in the history of Usenet,^[1] before publisher Take Two Interactive Software released it in September 1996. It was even then released against the wishes of its primary developer Derek Smart,^[2] as it was still incomplete and buggy – although even in this state it was able to collect some positive reviews and revenue. Smart sued Take Two (who also released the game in the UK through a sub-license deal with GameTek). Through an out of court settlement, he regained the rights to his game and released it for free on the internet. He continued to develop a new version through his personal company, 3000AD and in late 1998 he released v2.0 of the game through Interplay.

In addition to a sequel, Battlecruiser Millennium, the game spawned a follow-up series in 2004 called Universal Combat.

A multiplayer online version called Battlecruiser Online is currently active.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• 3000AD Official site
• BC3K freeware download link
• Battlecruiser 3000AD at MobyGames
• Battlecruiser 3000AD at Home of the Underdogs
• The Saga of Battlecruiser 3000 - Article about the game at Gamespy.com

[edit] Games in the series

Title	Released	Publisher
Battlecruiser 3000AD (U.S.)	1996	Take Two Software
Battlecruiser 3000AD (UK)	1997	GameTek
Battlecruiser 3000AD v2.0	1999	Interplay
Battlecruiser Millennium	2001	Dreamcatcher Games
Battlecruiser Millennium Gold	2003	3000AD