How many stars are shining? Charaintru, with players, developers and publisher of "Space Rangers"

It is difficult to write about a little-known computer game, because the reader immediately the question arises: what is the joy the author chose this game out of thousands equally unknown? But no less difficult to write about a very famous game, because the reader immediately the question arises: what new it is possible even to tell, when it about it so much is said? Exit is the interview: first, with fans of the game, and secondly, with the developers and publisher. Let them explain why for many years dedicated to this game. Here we choose this path because we are not talking just about the famous game and very famous game series "Space Rangers" (CD) publisher 1S. Just think: these games enjoy an enviable success for 14 years – this is truly a unique case. Moreover, the game continues to evolve — 1S recently was announced a new game in the series: "Space Rangers: Legacy". So how many stars are shining?

Just note that on habré repeatedly wrote about CU [1, 2, 3]. Therefore, we will not retell the essence of the game and an interesting history of its development (in addition to these references, you can look up the relevant Wikipedia article, they applied the voluminous list of sources). Let's talk about the future of the game. It is clear that this is to try to find out the secrets of its success. In the first part of our interview to answer questions most active forum an independent forum of fans of the game "Rangers Center of the milky Way" (CRMP). Among them Champions occupying the top ranks of the leaderboards CU (TR), noted in the Table of celebrities (TK), the authors of the techniques of the passage, the organizers of the Championships. Another part of our interview responses of developers and publishers.

But, first and foremost, you should make a brief explanation for the uninitiated to CU readers. CU is not a multiplayer, but with the first CD and by now every player can send your highscore to the game site (SNK – game developers, "Space Rangers HD: the Revolution"), where this record is recorded in the TR according to the number of points. In addition, was open TK, which recorded maximum average vehicle speed for the entire game, the maximum number of awards, etc. in addition, Steam also captures the entire 82 achievements in the course of the game. Thus, there is a competitive context. This context of intensified competition, where participants are offered a starter save of the game by downloading which they have to perform a number of tasks specific to each championship. As an example you can see section Championships of the forum CRMP. There is also a table of player ranking, where the rating is calculated according to the formula, depending on the record at TR. Players are grouped into team, receive for his services and win awards and titles. And do teams get points for the victory of their players in the TR and in the Championships. Thus, there is an ongoing competition not only between players but also between teams. This system was worked out over the years, both developers and players relevant online communities, it is now possible to assert that it has established itself and is making a significant contribution to maintaining interest in the game. It is possible that developers and publishers of other games should learn from this experience. Of course, not so simple as it may seem from these brief explanations. There are a lot of pitfalls. Note two of them. The game should have good protection from hacking. Championship required a special structure – Commission Championships.
Returning to the interview, it should be noted that the questions for him discussed the forum CRMP. There Idontknower proposed the name "How many stars in the sky?" Therefore this publication is, in fact, is a product of collective creativity, author just put this together, designed and added explanations. many thanks to all the participants of this discussion! this concludes the explanations and go directly to the interview.

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Part 1. Players

Our answer: one of the moderators CRMP, the organizer of many Championships, the champion of TR and TK Explorer game, the team leader Starship Progress — Willis; champion TR and the winner advances TK the author of Methods of the "big" record in CU HD team leader Wings of Freedom – SHERIFF; the TR record and holder advances of TK, the author of many valuable tips on the tactics and strategy of game – Sviatoslav; one of the most active members of the forum forum CRMP — Cowboy bill; the TR record and holder advances of TK, co-author of bot slot for the passage of a planetary battle, active members of the forum CRMP – Student; the TR record and holder advances TK active members of the forum CRMP – Stark242. Of course, all the merits of each of the participants here can not be specified – only specified some.

– And that the participants in our interviews say about themselves?

Willis: Members of the EG forums, MP and the CPC. Total experience of almost 10 years. The head of the team "Progress."

SHERIFF: Graying player in CU.

Sviatoslav: the Misanthrope.

Cowboy bill: my name is Dennis, I am 23 years old, from Minsk. Dreamer, lazy, cynical, adept of sarcasm. I love to provoke people and in some cases find it funny.

Student: Cam Engineer, for 36 years.

Stark242: Name is Stanislav, 46 years old, a big fan of fiction in all forms: f.books (read all his life — a million stories you know), f.movies — almost all know and have in the collection, the music (cyber-electronic), and f.games — strategy (space and fantasy)...

Favorite games and why?

Willis Of the most favorite games I prefer Rome: Total War for its scale, dynamic, global strategy and 3D battles, Empire: Total War (the direct successor of the previous game), Siberia 1, 2 from Benoit Sokal for his wonderful and complex world of quests and many hours of riddles, puzzles and dialogues of the main characters, 12 chairs and, of course, KR2.

SHERIFF: Heroes, Civilization, and Space Rangers. Like the globality and the possibility of a player to control a virtual world civilizational developments. Also like the X3 series of games for the virtualization of space and space battles. Not like in the last game, the inability to show their ability in the form of the final result. Simply put, don't like the infinity games X3.

Sviatoslav: in addition to Rangers: Heroes-1-5 Kohan -1,2, Caesar-2, Warcraft 2, Disciples -2 (with all amendments), Age of Wonders -2 (3?), StarCraft 1,2, Kings Bounty (new ones) and some old (classic) games, which probably no one remembers.
. For the opportunity to strain the brain (if any) for the atmosphere (mostly fabulous).

Cowboy bill: Ha, and your mother you love "for something"? ;)
An active player I would not call, but those are the things, the love to which I suffered through the years: a series of games "Sonic the Hedgehog", "Fable: The Lost Chapters" series of games "Worms" series of games "Space Rangers". Earlier I played on consoles and many other great games, including game series "Crash Bandicoot", "Metal Gear Solid", "Twisted Metal 4" and other. The last game that I was very much impressed and never ceases to inspire and make you think — was, of course, tales of zestiria.

Student: KR, Gothic, Agony authorities, fallout. Open world, freedom of action.

Stark242: 've been Playing for 25 years, if possible, like turn-based strategy, the global space strategy + KR and KB (king's bounty), I love the gymnastics of the mind, the pleasure of immersion in the world of science fiction, fantasy and adventure, not fond of shooting...

How old to play in KR, and why it is still like this game?

Willis: KR2've been playing for 12 years. Even before the release of KR2 KR1 played and imbued with its complex, dynamic space, a player's ability to develop, to go through various tasks and to put in the game, experimenting with tactics that allows you to repeatedly run this game. The development of team ratings and Championships on the EG forums and the MP gave another a new impetus to the passage of KR2.

SHERIFF: Play the CD intermittently for about 10 years. Records in TR started to send at the beginning of 2011. For the purpose of sending records in TR and signed up on the website of the CPC in February 11th. Having studied on the website of the CPC and CR MP the experience of other players dramatically increased their skills and knowledge by KR. In CU like a combination of several genres of games. It makes the game a variety of. Also like the fact that CU makes straining the gray matter, and not mindlessly led wildly with the mouse and hit the keys.

Sviatoslav: From the very beginning and play. Why love is difficult to explain, but I like it.

Cowboy bill: I now difficult to say exactly what year I met a world CU. One thing is for sure: "love at first sight" in my case it was not, and addicted to this game I just with time. My favorite part of "Space Rangers" have been text quests. The strategic part of the game doesn't interest me almost at all. Beautiful lyrics, jokes and excellent music — that have always appealed to the CD, and not estimates as the best configurations of the ship. Planetary battles can go me in the mood, and can at times and frankly annoying. I would say that I like the very essence of the world CU.

Lately, I will not hide, to play in CD I Prohlada. But this game, like many others, was a significant influence on some stages of life. And the most important for yourself in the CU I would say not even the fact of the game, and fun with many wonderful people who would not have been possible if I hadn't found one in this universe. So here it is: the game for me was generally, but the people remain.

Student: 6 Years. Like, that's all :-)

Stark242: don't Play as much — 4-5 years, wasn't bored, I love competition (TR) and interesting community...

– what you like and What not like in the game КР2HD?

Willis: In the game КР2HD I like the idea of pirates and specagenty development branch. Minus is that the game engine is virtually unchanged since the KR2 and the basic elements of the game remain unchanged.

SHERIFF: I'm a picky person. At this stage, I consider CD's as a competitive sport process. In such circumstances, a fair game all players are in equal conditions, created by the developers of the game. I accept all changes from developers and work with the game and those changes that were made. Simply put, the game I was happy with everything.
Sviatoslav: Like almost everything. Less like text quests, but it's a matter of personal taste.

Don't like the need to generate decent buildings. Don't like the second job of specagent – boring. The third mission too, but it's at least shorter.

Student: Like a lot of things, almost everything. Not like impunity, for the "bad behavior" is too weak payback. But in other games and no.

Stark242: Like tactical and a strategic component, bothered PB, AB TC!

Cowboy bill: most in CU HD I like the fresh take on the series, which opened the franchise a second wind. The development of the game at once took up the real fans and not indifferent people for whom the priority is a material component. Although we returned to the already familiar world for us, but the world still had much to offer us. New side of the conflict with its own storyline, new content, updated graphics — it's time to wipe the dust on the shelf Ranger badge to re-let the roaring engine to carry us forward to the adventure!

Now that is not liked. Unfortunately, at the time of release the game looks still quite raw: departures, depends, typos, logical errors. The first time after the release, developers had to work hard on this problem. But we should give them their due: as soon as the stream of the most "rough" of bugs is over, the authors are more than compensated for the deficiencies of the original version of the content-patches, thereby rewarding the patience of the fans. On the day, CU HD is not just a favorite addition to many KR2, but a completely independent game, and even the crown of the entire series.

— Gusarov Dub (Alexey Dubovoy) was completely indifferent to the people? (I do not think so).

Cowboy bill: the same question I asked myself, to be honest. Yeah, at first definitely everything is built on the dream to create something interesting. And Yes, perhaps "indifferent" I really overdid it. But at some point, this strap was taken (at least for Gusarova) and happened what happened. Dub was not against to continue working on the series, but Gusarova was in front of the eyes of the new unconquered horizons. Anyway, the Duo has not passed the test of time. But the fans is still always a completely different level. I'm not about professionalism, of course, but about devotion. I think even a different singer may not love ourselves as he would love some nameless groupie, hanging a poster of him on the wall. :)

– How you see the future of the game? Whether KR3, and if needed, what should be? Should be preserved if the continuity with the previous games of the series the CD and whether the changes of the plot, lending a poignancy in the familiar universe of the game?

Willis: I think that every game needs to develop if she doesn't want to be forgotten. About KR3-continuing KR2 and his successors — the dream of many players. His story took a variety of forms. His version I have already expressed in the interview.

SHERIFF: KR3 of course needed. Probably, in the KR3 should be the development of the plot, maybe add enemies or replacement the old to the new, improved graphics. Continuity with older versions is required.
Sviatoslav: KR3 I personally need. Continuity with the previous series should be maintained. About the story I can't say anything. There may be some strategic add-on parts, such as the ability for money to build/improve bases/fleets in a particular system upon request of the player, but, in my opinion, the prevailing need to remain role-playing and balance. Actually for me between the CD and HD KR3 enough so many changes/additions, which was between KR2 and CU HD. And Yes, no 3D, shelters and rifts.

Cowboy bill: Let's order. :)

I'd like to be optimistic, but the future of the world CU I have not seen in the rainbow run. Screenshots of the upcoming "Heritage" forced to beat his palm against his forehead, the plain model, irrelevant to the universe of CU cartoon graphics and... curvy shape, it is equally inappropriate for the franchise. No, not that I was against the last, but I am confused by the question: what audience is the game that catches potential players for a curvy shape? "Space Rangers" has always been a game where you have to think, and the publisher is clearly focused on those who are "flies on fire". He was right, but me confuses this fact.

The question is not even whether KR3, but rather what KR3 we need. Agree, previous games in the series set a very high bar. Moreover, time does not stand still, and what was acceptable in 2004, can no longer go to today's sophisticated audience. KR3 will have to strike a balance between classic and innovation, just to show progress and stepped forward, and the universe in front of us all the same. For example, dry one from the graphical point of view text quests. If you replace the graphic, you get the first game from the CD without text quests — one of its basic components. If you leave everything as is, then what is the progress? So what do we do to create a hybrid? And don't forget that each of the fans of the CU finds in the series that has any made a series of changes will take not all. Among other things, one can argue about whether in CU multiplayer. As for me, it was not necessary, but someone might think otherwise. I do not believe that for KR3, in principle, should someone take if he is not ready to answer all of these questions. In any case, should be continued to amaze. To surprise again. But the world has to be recognizable. As I said, the bar is set very high. Maybe even a series would be worth to finish. Personally, I only welcome it when the story can end on time and does not produce a lot of unnecessary sequels of varying degrees of controversy and feasibility.

I think I gave an exhaustive answer to this question.

Student: I don't know what to say.

Stark242: the Future: I dream to see the unification of the world CD and world Moo (Master of Orion)-the global space (GKI) is a reincarnation which, by the way, recently came out — I plan to soon study it. In CU I was never interesting plot, continuity, and random I never really liked. Be sure to enter the tech tree, the development of planets as in the SCI, it is necessary to allow the player to affect multiple places at the same time: for this we need to give autonomy to the trunks and partners, significantly expanding their number of degrees of freedom (I wrote about it a lot on SNK in sentences).

– Play games on mobile devices? Legacy will be playing? Think about the f2p scheme?

Willis: In game on mobile devices I don't play, "Heritage" also had the honor to meet you. The f2p scheme in relation to the CD HD wary. I think the game world needs to stay there.

SHERIFF: On mobile devices not playing games. Haven't thought of yet whether I will play in Legacy. For f2p it is difficult to answer.
Sviatoslav: No. No. No.

Cowboy bill: No, on mobile devices I'm not playing anything. They just don't interest me as a gaming platform. As for the Heritage, I think, would be worth at least a look at it. Maybe even play. :)

Now about the "Free to play". On the one hand, this makes the game accessible to everyone, which is good from the point of view of audience engagement. But also here not without a spoon of tar: what will this audience? Still, the price of the game generates a threshold to entry. I would not like that the community is filled with random people. Sometimes less is better.

Student: No. If you go to a computer, I will look. Negative.

Stark242: No, don't play, but want to try, although I doubt I'll like it. With Donato also not experienced, I do not even know the money is in principle not a problem, but it's just not fair, that is...

– How your Pets relate to your passion for CU?

Willis: Home for the game CU indifferent attitude.

SHERIFF: I found a compromise between the time spent in the game, and time spent with family. Family's attitude to my hobby CU tolerant and understanding.

Sviatoslav: While the son lived with us, he was interested (he did a little) to watch the development of the party. Now survived by his wife, is she okay, perhaps due to the fact that I wasn't very abused.

Cowboy bill: Absolutely calmly. The question is much more relevant for those who got their own family and playing in KR more time than the family.

Student: Not really, but used to that.

Stark242: Bad attitude, especially the wife, because it takes away too much family time.

– Your child (12+) let (allowed) to play the CD?

Willis: I Think your child (12+) I would be allowed to play the CD, as this kind of games develop thinking and horizons. Of course, you need to know some measure of the amount of time spent on the game.

SHERIFF: Your child (12+) I would be allowed to play in CU. If he had such a passion, would help tips on the game.

Sviatoslav don't know, because at the time of the release of the first CD's he was 14 and learned the science we are together. I think that would be allowed.

Cowboy bill: I'm right, it's hard to operate with such high matters. :)
I think, first of all, I would like that my children are able to think. To learn to think, to analyze and compare any received from the outside world information, and the more, the better. Thus, the restriction information received at least seems something useful from this point of view. An exception may be if this information can cause direct harm to life or health, including mental. I think CU not carry this risk.

In General, there is still the nature of the child depends. Perhaps some of the children still need something to protect. But in General, I think that would be allowed.

Student: Yes.

Stark242: the Eldest son I was playing in the beginning (by the way, he told me the CD and showed for the first time), but, in my opinion, never as a whole had not passed, helped pass the IB, and then switched to modern youth games, daughter not allowed, she and most these games are not interesting (she is now 6).

Want to add something?

Sviatoslav: prosperity developers and success (including commercial) KR3.
Stark242: turns on and Then, if there's really contact with the developers...
here, somehow so far...

Cowboy bill: do Not use malokskogo condoms. :-)
Thanks for the interview!

Thank you for your answers!
next part to answer questions developers and publishers.

Article based on information from habrahabr.ru