Universal Combat (sometimes abbreviated to UC) is the 2nd video game series by 3000AD Inc., the successor of Battlecruiser series of games.
Codenamed ABC, it is a computer game developed by Derek Smart.
The game is most notable for its high level of detail. For instance, every single crew member on the ship is tracked in location, hunger, AI level, and fatigue. Every system onboard the players starship can be monitored and controlled. In order for the player to fly a shuttle, they must first take time to walk though the ship to the shuttle bay, forcing the player to plan ahead for tactical encounters. This often leads to a great many instances of emergent gameplay. For example, enemy boarding parties can be trapped on the ship by disabling Launch Control, which will not allow the intruders to escape via a shuttle craft or fighters.
The freeware version has fewer music tracks (the game FAQ shows how players can add their own MP3 tracks) and no multiplayer.
Development started in late 2001 as Battlecruiser Generations, the 5th game in the Battlecruiser series. As part of its design, the upcoming game was intended to make use of newer technology. With a new publisher, Dreamcatcher Games, on board and offering more oversight, the direction of the game changed towards more action-based gameplay than the Battlecruiser series had previously been known for. The changes warranted a new title, and the name was changed to Universal Combat.
In 2005, 3000AD Inc also announced termination of Dreamcatcher's publishing right for Universal Combat, but the deal only expired at 2007-12-18.
It is a version with updated patches and enhancements.
New scenarios include:
In 2005 Turner Broadcasting licensed both Battlecruiser Millennium and Universal Combat Gold for their games on demand system, GameTap.
It is a sequel to the original Universal Combat games.
Gameplay changes include:
DreamCatcher Interactive originally announced the publication of Universal Combat: A World Apart in May 2005, but several issues with the publisher (DreamCatcher) held up the boxed retail release of that title, and led to the termination of the publish agreement. As a result, the publish right returned to 3000AD Inc.
A compilation release that includes all previous Universal Combat games, plus all outstanding updates and fixes.
New scenarios include:
In addition to the standalone title, a version exists as expansion pack to the Universal Combat - A World Apart game, which only works with Direct2Drive version of the game.
A compilation release that includes all previously published Universal Combat and Battlecruiser games, running on improved versions of the Universal Combat Special Edition game engine. Unlike previous releases, it is distributed via DVD, and Windows 98 and 2000 are no longer supported.
The game now includes total 11 Advanced Campaign Mode (ACM) scenarios, and 111 Instant Action scenarios.
The scenario created by this version Game Builder System IV is not compatible with previous games.
The game was reviewed and rated in several print and online game magazines. Metacritic gave it an aggregate review score of 54%. Gamespot scored it 59% and said "This wildly ambitious simulation is torpedoed by an almost incomprehensible interface, the absence of a tutorial, numerous bugs, and many fit and finish issues, including dated production values." PC Gamer scored it 75% and said "... Derek Smart's Battlecruiser series has been going strong for eight solid years. Over that time, the idiosyncratic space-combat franchise has transformed itself from a bug-ridden lemon to a respected genre contender. Universal Combat is the latest chapter in this recently rebranded series (with new publisher Dreamcatcher), and though the game remains an acquired taste, it's better than ever.
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