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DarkSpace News - New Beta Client
Posted by Jon Wood on Aug 03, 2006 | 3 comments in our forums
A major update has been made to the Beta client for the MMORPG, DarkSpace. The changes are large enough that any older versions of the Beta client will not function and will need to be uninstalled:
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The DarkSpace Staff would like to inform everyone about some major updates and changes to the DarkSpace Beta client. We have recently begun a complete overhaul to the entire GameCQ client. This is the user interface that deals with client logins, the chat interface, displaying game servers and most importantly, how the game itself is updated. Due to these changes, any older versions of the DarkSpace Beta client will no longer work, and we recommend completely uninstalling any such versions, and downloading the new GameCQ Beta interface from the link provided below Important changes to the chat interface include the chat itself being moved to use its own window, popup message support (for friend chat, private messages, and server announcements when the chat interface is minimized), friendlier chat alert tones and an increase in the default chat buffer settings (previous settings would only store around 100 lines of text in the onscreen buffer, the new settings allow for several thousand). The update system has been improved and optimized to allow for future support of server specific game mods, as well as potentially providing a reliable and secure distribution/update system for other (third party) online games. For the DarkSpace Game itself, we are working on changing the engine netcode from pure TCP/IP protocol, to using a combined UDP/TCP system. The biggest benefit from such a change should be a major reduction in percieved 'lag' on the client side. Along with other serverside thread handling optimizations, these changes should provide a much smoother gameplay experience for all of our users. Although the current beta version is still a little unstable as many of the changes are as yet unfinished, we invite everyone to take a look at our progress, and to help us out by providing feedback and assistance in our bug testing. We would also like testers to take a look at the changes between the Beta and the current 1.483 Release version, and provide honest feedback and opinions on the changes, as we are well aware that an established userbase can sometimes end up with rosey tinted spectacles. |
For more on DarkSpace click here.
The game has been released for over four years, although within that span of time it has changed a great deal.
The game developer, PaleStar, was originally part of BlueByte. However, when EA purchased BlueByte they decided to withdraw backing for DarkSpace. The court proceedings for Palestar to retain the IP rights for the game and the Medusa engine swallowed up most of the settlement money, and left DarkSpace with no budget for a decent ad campaign.
So sadly we are little known, although the gameplay experience is definetely unique when compared to anything else that is around.
DarkSpace is a space MMO, so it often get compared with the likes of EvE (and the departed EnB), although there is no real relation between them in terms of gameplay. EvE is a very simulation oriented game, but you do not have a great deal of direct control over your own actions. You activate a weapon, and the game AI takes over.
With DarkSpace, the game is much more action oriented. You control your ship directly, and if you want to dodge incoming fire, you have to do it yourself. There are no dice rolls (except for varying actual damage values).
Combine this with a seamless permanent universe which is essentially a 300+ flag CTF map, and each flag (a planet) with it's own player built fortifications, and.. well... you really need to try it out for yourselves :-)
The only real downpoint is that because we aren't that well known we have a small playerbase. However, on the upside, pretty much everyone knows everyone else, and although there are arguments (as in any competitive game) it is probably the best community for an MMO that I have come accross.
Drafell Moraxi - DarkSpace Community Liason
The main reason people leave(besides some flaws) is the fact that the community is not friendly...
Game rating: 8
Community rating: 3