Battlecruiser 3000AD
Description official description
This is the original release of Battlecruiser 3000AD. An updated version was released in 1998 as Battlecruiser 3000AD v2.0.
In this space simulation game, the player takes the role of a Galactic Command officer and has command over a giant space ship, a Battlecruiser, and can control everything that happens on this ship. The year is 3000AD and Gammulan Empire is on its way to conquer the galaxy. This isn't seen lightly by the Galcom who sends out their best commander (the player) to stop the threatening empire.
The game is mostly played from the bridge, where the player has access to all the ship's functions. There is three modes in the game: Free Flight, Advanced Campaign Mode and Xtreme Carnage Combat Simulator. The Free Flight mode lets new player explore the world and learn the game without having to fear being attacked. The Advanced Campaign Mode is dynamic and features a number of alien civilizations that influences what happens in the world. The Xtreme Carnage Combat Simulator mode allows players to train their combat performance.
Groups +
Screenshots
Promos
Reviews
Critics
Average score: 43% (based on 12 ratings)
Players
Average score: 2.6 out of 5 (based on 3 ratings with 0 reviews)
Be the first to review this game!
Trivia
Jo Guest advertisement
Glamour model Jo Guest (Joanne Guest), who has more ties with games than just this title, modeled for a few game ads in UK magazines, one of them being Battlecruiser 3000AD in 1996 and the advert soon became (in)famous.
The advert was a black-and-white photo showing Jo wearing a black leather bra, panties and thigh-length boots - she was perched on a stool with the game itself held in front of her on the stool. The photo appeared in that form (with only the name of the game repeated plus the name of the distributor) in several PC magazines, including the November 1996 issue of PC Gamer.
However, that was not the only version of the advert. For the more "laddish" magazines (e.g. PC Zone) one or two alterations were made. For a start, the caption "She really wants it" was added, and in this version of the photo it looked like she wasn't wearing any panties (the game box obviously obscured the interesting area).
This had the effect of getting the game talked about, but not necessarily in the way that the advertiser had hoped: complaints were made to the ASA who handed down a judgement that the advertiser should desist from that style of advertising. A link to the picture can be seen here.
Information used from the Joanne Guest FAQ.
Release
Battlecruiser 3000AD was created by Derek Smart, who loudly defends ANY criticism of his product in the newsgroups, and threads regarding Battlecruiser 3000AD is a frequently source of flamewars.
The 1996 release was rushed out the door to meet the Christmas release deadline, apparently without the approval of the developer (i.e. Mr. Smart). The result is a game so buggy it's completely unplayable upon install. It took Derek Smart/3000AD a full year's legal battle to get the title back under their own control, all the time issuing new patches to complete the product. Derek Smart made the V1.01 (the DOS-only version) free download to thank the gamers for their support.
Awards
- Computer Gaming World
- November 1996 (15th anniversary issue) – #2 Top Vaporware Title in Computer Game History
Information also contributed by Kasey Chang
Analytics
Upgrade to MobyPro to view research rankings!
Related Games
Released 2001 on Windows
Released 2018 on Windows
Released 1998 on Windows
Released 2003 on Windows
Identifiers +
Contribute
Are you familiar with this game? Help document and preserve this entry in video game history! If your contribution is approved, you will earn points and be credited as a contributor.
Contributors to this Entry
Game added by Kabushi.
Additional contributors: Sciere, Alaka, LepricahnsGold, Patrick Bregger.
Game added September 11, 2009. Last modified February 22, 2023.