Changes: Star Trek: Starfleet Command

Revision as of 05:37, 25 November 2014

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Star Trek: Starfleet Command is a computer game based on the table-top wargame Star Fleet Battles. It simulates fleet warfare in the Star Trek universe.

Story

Starfleet Command is an open world game; a player's actions during a mission will affect the game world (i.e, if the player succeeds, their chosen faction also succeeds).

While the basic campaigns are meant to emulate the 'General War' period of the Star Fleet Battles timeline, the main storyline of Starfleet Command spans several unique faction-based missions, focusing on the disappearance of the Organians.

Gameplay

Starfleet Command is divided into three segments: a "Campaign" game, several "Skirmish" games and a multiplayer component. The "Dynaverse" (the game's 'campaign' mode) resembles an adventure in which the captain of the ship (the player) earns prestige by successfully completing missions. These prestige points can be used to 'purchase' new ships, as well as repair and refit them and assign crew members. The "Skirmish" and "play-and-forget" games are fast and self-contained and help the player become familiar with the game and the missions available in the "Dynaverse". In multiplayer mode, the player connects via IP or using a game matching service such as Gamespy to challenge other human players instead of the computer-controlled AI.

The player can play as one of six races:

Popularity

Federation Battleship F-BB — Federation Battleship (F-BB)

Starfleet Command was released by Interplay when the Star Trek computer-game franchise was experiencing incredible popularity. Interplay had previously released Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, which had given the company a dominant position among the three primary game publishers of the time.

Starfleet Command proved equally popular, and a dedicated fan community developed to create modifications to the basic game; such modifications included new ships, scenarios, alterations to existing game mechanics, and entirely new storylines and missions.

The release of Starfleet Command is considered to be the beginning of a 'Golden Age' for licensed Star Trek games; between 1999 and 2001, Interplay and Activision started producing more and better games in the franchise. The trend continued until 2001, when Interplay bowed out and Activision took over all of the main components of the gaming franchise.

Starfleet Command was was followed by three sequels: Star Trek: Starfleet Command II: Empires at War, Star Trek: Starfleet Command - Orion Pirates, and Star Trek: Starfleet Command III; the series is one of the longest-running (and best-recieved) series of the Trek game franchise.

Gameplay

The game places the player in command of a single vessel, which the player must maneuver in combat to take advantage of weaknesses in the opposing ships' design. Specific objectives are presented in the mission briefing, most of which involve the player investigating alien planets, ships or stellar objects.

Controls and functions

Sfc1 — Starfleet battle cruiser in open space

The player must manage his ship's weapons, shields, propulsion and life-support via a control panel presented on the left side of the screen.

The panel contains various ship settings (weapons, velocity, and shields), and reconfigures depending on the player's current action; the player can move the ship by clicking on it in the 'space' portion of the window, or choose from several more complicated maneuvers from a selection on the panel.

Gameplay dynamics

In Starfleet Command, ships are treated as complex entities, with a variety of tactics and resources. Starships are large mobile 'bases', and players spend more time managing power-levels and allocating resources than engaging in combat.

During a battle, the player may use any of a number of weapons, such as beam weapons, missiles, shuttles, marines and tractor beams. The effectiveness of any particular weapon varies according to the enemy's ship type. By crippling specific sub-systems, the player can weaken or disable the enemy vessel, rather than destroying it outright.

Some missions require the use of specific weapons or systems; a player may be asked to use a tractor beam to rescue a disabled ship, or send in a squad of marines when capturing an enemy vessel.

Credits

Voice cast

Crew

Dan Curry - Box Cover Art Direction
Extra Special Thanks to Gene Roddenberry
In Memory of DeForest Kelley

Versions

In late 1999, a Gold Edition (called the Captain's Edition in Germany) was released with 26 new missions.

In 2000 a third edition was released, dubbed the Neutral Zone Edition. This was a low-priced stripped down version that only included the Federation and Klingon races.

External links

The Dynaverse Gaming Association site
Template:Brokenlink

Template:Starfleetcommandseries

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{realworld}}
 {{sidebar videogame
-|        image= Starfleet Command 1 box.jpg
+|image        = Starfleet Command 1 box.jpg
-|     imagecap= Cover of the "Gold Edition" release
+|imagecap     = Cover of the "Gold Edition" release
-|        Title= Star Trek: Starfleet Command
+|Title        = Star Trek: Starfleet Command
-|    Publisher= [[Interplay Entertainment]]
+|Publisher    = [[Interplay Entertainment]]
-|    Developer= [[Quicksilver Software]]
+|Developer    = [[Quicksilver Software]], [[14 Degrees East]]
-|     Released= {{d|31|July|1999}}
+|Released     = {{d|10|August|1999}}
-|     Platform= {{platform|win9x}}
+|Platform     = {{platform|win9x}}
+|rating       = {{game ratings|ESRB=e|ELSPA=3|USK=12|SELL=TP|OFLC=G8}}
+|Genres       = Strategy
+|Requirements = P200 MHz (P166 MHz with 3D accelerator), DirectX 6.1, 32 MB RAM, DirectX-certified video card, DirectX-certified sound card, 4x CD-ROM drive, 250 MB hard disk space
+|Reference    = {{ASIN|B00002EPYY}} (US)<br/>{{ASIN|B00004WGJ5|DE}} (Germany Captain's Edition)
 }}
-'''''Starfleet Command''''' is a computer game based on the table-top wargame ''[[Star Fleet Battles]]''. It simulates fleet warfare in the ''[[Star Trek]]'' universe.
+'''''Star Trek: Starfleet Command''''' is a computer game based on the table-top wargame ''[[Star Fleet Battles]]''. It simulates fleet warfare in the ''[[Star Trek]]'' universe.
+==Story==
+''Starfleet Command'' is an open world game; a player's actions during a mission will affect the game world (i.e, if the player succeeds, their chosen faction also succeeds).
+While the basic campaigns are meant to emulate the 'General War' period of the ''Star Fleet Battles'' timeline, the main storyline of ''Starfleet Command'' spans several unique faction-based missions, focusing on the disappearance of the Organians.
+==Gameplay==
+''Starfleet Command'' is divided into three segments: a "Campaign" game, several "Skirmish" games and a multiplayer component. The "Dynaverse" (the game's 'campaign' mode) resembles an adventure in which the [[captain]] of the ship (the player) earns prestige by successfully completing missions.  These prestige points can be used to 'purchase' new ships, as well as repair and refit them and assign crew members. The "Skirmish" and "play-and-forget" games are fast and self-contained and help the player become familiar with the game and the missions available in the "Dynaverse". In multiplayer mode, the player connects via IP or using a game matching service such as Gamespy to challenge other human players instead of the computer-controlled [[artificial intelligence|AI]].
 The player can play as one of six races:
 *[[Federation]]
 *[[Klingon]]
@@ Line 19: / Line 30: @@
 *[[Hydran]]
 *[[Lyran]]
-==Gameplay==
-It is divided into three main parts: a "Campaign" game, "Skirmish" games and a "Multiplayer" game. The "Dynaverse" campaign resembles an adventure in which the [[captain]] of the ship (the player) earns prestige by successfully completing missions.  These prestige points can be used to 'purchase' new ships, as well as repair and refit them and assign crew members. The "Skirmish" and "play-and-forget" games are fast and self-contained and help the player become familiar with the game and the high number of missions available in the "Dynaverse". In multiplayer mode, the player connects via IP or using a game matching service (ex Gamespy) to challenge other human players instead of game [[artificial intelligence|AIs]].
 ==Popularity==
 [[File:Federation Battleship F-BB.jpg|thumb|Federation Battleship (F-BB)]]
-''Starfleet Command'' was released by [[Interplay]] at a time when the gaming franchise for ''Star Trek'' was at an all time high.  Previously Interplay had released ''[[Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (game)|Star Trek: Starfleet Academy]]'' which placed Interplay on the top position with regards to the standings of the three main publishers at that time.  ''Starfleet Command'' also spawned a massive new community due to the "modding" (a term used for fan made add-ons) ability of the game.  Now the ordinary gamer was able to create his/her own ship and add it into the game.
+''Starfleet Command'' was released by [[Interplay]] when the ''Star Trek ''computer-game franchise was experiencing incredible popularity. Interplay had previously released ''[[Star Trek: Starfleet Academy (game)|Star Trek: Starfleet Academy]],'' which had given the company a dominant position among the three primary game publishers of the time.
+''Starfleet Command'' proved equally popular, and a dedicated fan community developed to create modifications to the basic game; such modifications included new ships, scenarios, alterations to existing game mechanics, and entirely new storylines and missions.
-Many new sites evolved around ''Starfleet Command'' itself just to cater for the ever growing numbers of new gamers which Interplay's latest game had brought into the ''Star Trek'' gaming community fold.  Some "modders" of that time would later go on to work full time in the gaming industry.  The release of ''Starfleet Command'' is considered in the ''Star Trek'' gaming community as the start of the "Golden Age" of the franchise; this was a period between 1999 and 2001 when Interplay and [[Activision]] started producing more and better games in the franchise, finally ending in 2001 when Interplay bowed out and Activision took over all of the main components of the gaming franchise.
+The release of ''Starfleet Command'' is considered to be the beginning of a 'Golden Age' for licensed ''Star Trek'' games; between 1999 and 2001, Interplay and [[Activision]] started producing more and better games in the franchise.  The trend continued until 2001, when Interplay bowed out and Activision took over all of the main components of the gaming franchise.
-To this day ''Starfleet Command'' is one of the longest running serials of ''Trek'' games, considered a mini-franchise, since it was followed by three sequels: ''[[Star Trek: Starfleet Command II: Empires at War]]'', ''[[Star Trek: Starfleet Command - Orion Pirates]]'', and ''[[Star Trek: Starfleet Command III]]''.
+''Starfleet Command'' was was followed by three sequels: ''[[Star Trek: Starfleet Command II: Empires at War]]'', ''[[Star Trek: Starfleet Command - Orion Pirates]]'', and ''[[Star Trek: Starfleet Command III]]''; the series is one of the longest-running (and best-recieved) series of the ''Trek'' game franchise.
 ==Gameplay==
+The game places the player in command of a single vessel, which the player must maneuver in combat to take advantage of weaknesses in the opposing ships' design.  Specific objectives are presented in the mission briefing, most of which involve the player investigating alien planets, ships or stellar objects.
-Gameplay consists of maneuvering one's ship to approach enemy ships and assault them in the areas where various systems and ship's shields are vulnerable. It also consists of achieving various other objectives specified in mission assigments, which are provided at the beginning of each scenario. This can include interacting with various ships, aliens, planetary bodies, and other objects in space, depending on the specific assignment.
 ===Controls and functions===
 [[File:Sfc1.jpg|thumb|Starfleet battle cruiser in open space]]
-One major part of gameplay involves managing various ship systems which are accessed via an interface running up and down the left side of the screen.
+The player must manage his ship's weapons, shields, propulsion and life-support via a control panel presented on the left side of the screen.
+The panel contains various ship settings (weapons, velocity, and shields), and reconfigures depending on the player's current action; the player can move the ship by clicking on it in the 'space' portion of the window, or choose from several more complicated maneuvers from a selection on the panel.
-In this screen shot, a Federation battle cruiser is facing an enemy frigate. In the upper left of the screen, the player has clicked the helm symbol to bring up the helm function. This displays multiple buttons labeled with arrows for maneuvering the ship, in various special maneuvers. (Standard maneuvering occurs simply by clicking the image of the ship in the main part of the screen.)
-Below this is a schematic of the player's ship, with buttons on the left side for bringing up various ship systems. The function displayed is Weapons, displayed here by weapons type (the other view is by firing arcs). This view can be used to fire the weapons and to track their recharging status. Other functions which can be shown in this window section are shield, electronic counter-measures (ECM) and electronic counter-counter-measures (ECCM), tractor beam, transporters, and shuttles.
-The function which is clicked on in the ship schematic will define the controls shown in the screen directly below the schematic. Since a weapon is clicked in this example, the screen shows controls for firing and related functions. This screen shows the button used to set photon torpedoes to "overload."
-Below this is the tactical schematic, which will display any target or object which the player clicks on. In this screen shot, it displays the approaching enemy vessel, a Klingon frigate.
-The top and bottom of the screen displays various aspects of the status report for the player's ship (and the target ship). These include speed, hull integrity, power available and used, alert status, weapons recharge status, and mission timer.
 ===Gameplay dynamics===
+In ''Starfleet Command,'' ships are treated as complex entities, with a variety of tactics and resources. Starships are large mobile 'bases', and players spend more time managing power-levels and allocating resources than engaging in combat.
-One central issue for ''Star Trek'' games of this type is the dynamics which define ship control and action, and what type of overall experience is created.
-In this game, ships are treated as complex entities, with a variety of tactics and resources. Players spend less time aiming and shooting, as they might in simpler games, and spend more managing various resources, and allocating power. Starships are complex vessels which take a while to maneuver and to attack.
-During a battle, various weapons and resources play differing roles, such as beam weapons, missiles, shuttles, marines and tractor beams. All of these must be used to maximize power availability. They also change in importance, based on the type of enemy faced.
+During a battle, the player may use any of a number of weapons, such as beam weapons, missiles, shuttles, marines and tractor beams.  The effectiveness of any particular weapon varies according to the enemy's ship type.   By crippling specific sub-systems, the player can weaken or disable the enemy vessel, rather than destroying it outright.
-One key aspect of ship combat is targeting the enemy's weaker shields, and also using the opportunity available when specific systems are damaged.
+Some missions require the use of specific weapons or systems; a player may be asked to use a tractor beam to rescue a disabled ship, or send in a squad of marines when capturing an enemy vessel.
-In other scenarios, objectives may range from defeating aliens, guarding artifacts, rescuing other ships, and a range of other scenarios. Each requires unique use of ship systems. For example, the tractor beam may be the only way to rescue other ships, or move items, while marines may be the only option when the player is assigned to capture another ship or a base.
+==Credits==
-==Links and references==
 === Voice cast ===
 * [[George Takei]] as [[Captain]] [[Hikaru Sulu]]
@@ Line 71: / Line 69: @@
 * In Memory of [[DeForest Kelley]]
+==Versions==
-===Interstellar Concordium===
+In late {{y|1999}}, a ''Gold Edition'' (called the ''Captain's Edition'' in Germany) was released with 26 new missions.
-[[File:Isc.jpg|thumb|Insignia of the ISC]]
-The Interstellar Concordium (or ISC) were one of the primary antagonists in ''[[Star Trek: Starfleet Command II: Empires at War]]''.  They originated as a playable race in the ''[[Star Fleet Battles]]'' tabletop combat game by [[Amarillo Design Bureau]].
+In {{y|2000}} a third edition was released, dubbed the ''Neutral Zone Edition''. This was a low-priced stripped down version that only included the Federation and Klingon races.
-The Interstellar Concordium, or "ISC", is a significantly powerful spacefaring political organization from an unknown region of the known universe. The ISC emphasize the preeminent importance of order over chaos, and in the 2280s-2290s their presence was requested by the [[Organian]]s to bring peace to the galaxy, thus beginning the Concordium's "War of Pacification".
+<gallery>
-The Organians, who had engineered the formation of a [[Klingon Neutral Zone|neutral zone]] between the [[United Federation of Planets]] and the [[Klingon Empire]], had become disillusioned with what they saw as the deterioration of peaceful political relations among the major [[Alpha Quadrant|Alpha]] and [[Beta Quadrant]] powers. Believing their peacemaking efforts to have failed, the [[Organians]] requested the ISC to assume this political role through military subjugation. (''[[Star Trek: Starfleet Command II: Empires at War]]'')
+File:Starfleet_Command_1_Gold.jpg|Gold Edition cover
+File:Starfleet_Command_1_Neutral_Zone.jpg|Neutral Zone Edition cover
+</gallery>
-===External links===
+==External links==
 * [http://www.dynaverse.net/v2/index.php The Dynaverse Gaming Association site]
-* [http://sfc.strategyplanet.gamespy.com/ Starfleet Universe] at [http://www.gamespy.com GameSpy.com]
+* {{brokenlink|http://sfc.strategyplanet.gamespy.com/|text=Starfleet Universe at GameSpy.com}}
 {{Starfleetcommandseries|next=''[[Star Trek: Starfleet Command II - Empires at War]]''}}