Space combat simulator

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Space combat simulator,^{[1][2][3][4][5]} or space combat games,^{[6][7][8][9][10]} are a genre of space flight simulator games which feature spaceship combat. They often feature an arcade-like simulation of space flight, as opposed to the realistic simulation of space flight in space flight simulators.

Space combat simulators which feature trading in addition to combat, such as Elite or Freelancer, are called space trading and combat simulators.^{[11][12][13][14]}

Such games generally place the player into the controls of small, one-person dogfighting craft and bombers in a military force of similar and larger spaceships. The prominent Wing Commander, X-Wing and Freespace series all use this approach. Exceptions include the first Independence War and the Star Trek: Bridge Commander series, which models the larger craft of Star Trek in a more tactical fashion.

Contents 1 Examples 2 Space trading and combat simulators 2.1 Overview 2.2 Gameplay 2.3 Control systems 2.3.1 Keyboard and mouse 2.3.2 Joysticks 2.4 Examples 3 See also 4 References

[edit] Examples

For a more comprehensive list, see List of space flight simulator games

• Descent: FreeSpace - The Great War
• Star Wars: X-Wing - Space Combat Simulator
• Independence War
• Wing Commander series
• Allegiance (computer game)
• X (computer game series)
• Starlancer
• Star Trek: Bridge Commander
• Space Force: Rogue Universe

[edit] Space trading and combat simulators

Space trading and combat simulators,^{[11][13][14][15][16][17][18]} also known as space trading and combat games^[13][12][19] or space trading simulators,^[20][5] (sometimes with the term "exploration" thrown in between^{[21][22][23][24][25]}) are a genre of video games characterized by trading, combat and exploration while piloting a spaceship in a simulated space environment.

The modern space trading and combat simulation genre emerged at the point when home computers became sufficiently powerful to draw basic wireframe graphics in real-time. The game Elite is widely considered to be the breakthrough game of the genre, although it did have some precursors.

Popular examples of the genre include Elite, Wing Commander: Privateer, Freelancer and X³: Reunion.

Some tabletop and board games, such as Traveller or Merchant of Venus, also feature themes of space combat and trade. Traveller was an influence on the development of Elite.^[26] TradeWars 2002 was an early BBS door game that featured trading and combat set in outer space.

[edit] Overview

The space trading and combat simulation genre is a sub-genre of space simulation. The general formula of the genre, which has changed little since the genesis of the genre, is for the player to begin in a small, outdated ship with little money or status and for the player to work his way up, gaining in status and power through trading, exploration, combat or a mix of different methods. Plot tends to play only a limited role and only a loose narrative framework tends to be provided.

[edit] Gameplay

All space trading and combat games feature the core gameplay elements of directly controlling the flight of some sort of space vessel, generally armed, and of navigating from one area to another for a variety of reasons. As technology has improved it has been possible to implement a number of extensions to gameplay, such as dynamic economies or Newtonian physics, but the core gameplay has changed little over the years. One innovative feature in some games is massively multiplayer online play.

[edit] Control systems

[edit] Keyboard and mouse

Most modern space trading and combat games on the PC allow a player to utilise a combination of the WASD keys of the keyboard and mouse as a means of controlling the game (commonly referred to as "WASD/Mouse"). Games such as Microsoft's Freelancer use this as their only control system.

[edit] Joysticks

By far the most popular control system for space trading and combat games is the joystick, and most users prefer to use this input method whenever possible, although expense and practicality mean that many are forced to use the keyboard and mouse combination.

[edit] Examples

• Battlecruiser series (1996-2003)
• DarkStar One (2006)
• Elite series (1984-1995)
• Escape Velocity series (1996-2002)
• Evochron series (2005-2007)
• Flatspace series (2003-2006)
• Freelancer (2003)
• Infinity: The Quest for Earth (in development)
• Space Force: Rogue Universe (2007)
• Space Rangers series (2002-2004)
• SunDog: Frozen Legacy (1984)
• Tachyon: The Fringe (2000)
• Trade Wars series (1984-present)
• Wing Commander: Privateer (1993)
• X series (1999-2007)

[edit] See also

• Space flight simulator game
• List of space flight simulator games

[edit] References

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