Escape Velocity (computer game)
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| Image:Escape Velocity.png Escape Velocity {{#if:{{{image|}}}|<tr><td colspan="2" style="text-align: center;">{{{image|}}} | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Ambrosia Software {{#if:{{{publisher|}}}|<tr><th style="background-color: #ccccff;">Publisher(s)<td>{{{publisher|}}} |
| Release date(s) | 1996 |
| Genre(s) | RPG |
| Mode(s) | single player {{#if:{{{ratings|}}}|<tr><th style="background-color: #ccccff;">Rating(s)<td>{{{ratings|}}} |
| Platform(s) | Mac OS {{#if:{{{media|}}}|<tr><th style="background-color: #ccccff;">Media<td>{{{media|}}} |
- For other senses of this term, see escape velocity (disambiguation).
Escape Velocity is a single-player, role-playing, science fiction computer game series first introduced in 1996 by Ambrosia Software for the Apple Macintosh. Two other similar games based on the original, EV Override and EV Nova, followed in 1998 and 2002 respectively. In addition there is a trading card game available based around the storyline of the EV Nova universe.
The series was created as a joint effort between several people and groups. Matt Burch programmed nearly the entire program and engine, except for the registration system and various libraries. He also devised the scenario for the first game. Ambrosia Software, headed by Andrew Welch, managed marketing, registration, and distribution. Early test versions of the game went by the name ‘Merc’ (short for ‘mercenary’). Peter Cartwright wrote the scenario for Override and the Australian company ATMOS created the scenario of EV Nova; both originated as plug-ins for the preceding games before being picked up by Ambrosia as sequels. The fighter pilot voices in the original game were provided by Patrick Delahanty. A plug-in of additional phrases was also created and later included as part of EV Override.
Although there has been much speculation, the developers indicate that there will be no fourth release of Escape Velocity.
Similarly, the developers pay no heed to the near-constant requests for a multi-player version of the game. In addition to the amount of work that would be required to produce one, the game’s developers believe that a multi-player version of the game would not be compatible with the gameplay of the series.
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Licensing and technical features
The first two Escape Velocity games were only available for the Apple Macintosh. The first two are Classic-only, but EV Nova is a Carbon application and runs natively on both the original Mac OS and Mac OS X. EV Nova has been ported to Windows, and adapted versions of the scenarios of the first games are available as free plug-ins.
This series follows the general licensing rule for Ambrosia Software. All three games are shareware. Ambrosia’s shareware system allows most distribution of unregistered games. Copies of the first two Escape Velocity games will work without limitation for 30 days. During that time, the player is simply reminded at startup that they have not registered, and told how many times they have played the game, and for how many hours. There is also the character called ‘Cap’n Hector’ (named after Ambrosia’s mascot and office parrot) who reminds the player to register. This is ususally done by flying by the player’s ship or attacking the player, but in EV Override, Cap’n Hector also robs the player’s credits.
An unregistered copy of EV Nova is more limited. In addition to the attacks by Cap’n Hector, certain ships and technologies cannot be obtained after the thirty-day trial ends, and even before then, the game’s story lines stop about two thirds of the way through, and plug-ins are not supported. Once the game has been registered, Cap’n Hector and all of the other restrictions disappear from the game. For obvious reasons, players are not permitted to share or redistribute their registration codes.
The entire series features what many people consider a very open-ended plug-in architecture. This allows the scenarios to be completely rewritten or significantly added to by those in no way associated with Ambrosia in terms of graphics, plotline, ships, missions, etc. This technology is based on the Macintosh resource fork format, making it possible to develop plug-ins without using any purpose-designed editors (though several editors exist and are popular since they make the task much easier). Since Windows does not support resource forks and it is therefore impossible to preserve them when transferring files to Windows-based computers, an alternate format and a conversion system were devised for the Windows version of the game.
Gameplay
Most of the game takes place in a spaceship shown from a third-person overhead perspective. The player has the option of engaging in both combat and trade. Players fly around in one of hundreds of star systems, which are connected to each other by hyperlinks. A spaceship can move between star systems along the hyperlinks by engaging its hyperdrive. Alternately, wormholes or hypergates may be utilized for instantaneous travel.
Most systems contain stellar objects such as planets and space stations. Players can land on these objects, where they may be given the option to trade, gain missions, purchase add-on outfits for their spaceship, or entirely new spaceships. Plotline is advanced through missions available from both facilities upon planets as well as NPCs flying through space.
Many people consider this series unique in the way that it prescribes very little as to what the player can do. They can choose which missions to follow and which governments to form a good relationship with or to be entirely neutral. They can choose to be a trader or a mercenary or an asteroid miner among a number of things or a combination of several.
The three games are alike in gameplay only; the universe and plot are completely separate and unrelated between the releases. Each release’s engine contains improvements on the previous version, although by far the most significant improvements were made in the third release.
Plots
The plot of the original Escape Velocity involves disputes between the Confederation government and a Rebellion against it. As noted earlier the player can pick sides (or not) based on who they believe is right, who they believe is stronger, who they believe it is more profitable to support, or any other criteria.
The universe and plots of the second title, EV Override, are significantly larger and more complex. The major conflicts are between the humans of the United Earth colonies, and the warlike Voinians to the galactic west. Also present are the peaceful traders, the Miranu, and the warring Strand races: the Igadzra, Zidagar, and Azdgari. See EV Override for more information.
In the third title, EV Nova, there are six unique major factions with which the player may side, along with numerous smaller groups. These factions include the Federation, the Rebellion, the Auroran Empire, the Polaris, the telepathic Vell-os, and the Pirates. See EV Nova for more information.
The ships throughout the entire series have followed general plans — for instance, the angular Rebel Manta continues to have red trim, and the Confederate Cruiser is slow but powerful.
Governments
The Rebellion is one of two main governments in Escape Velocity. According to the game documentation, after winning a deadly war with "enigmatic alien marauders" the Confederation did not relinquish its naval power, and, according to the game's introduction, began exploiting the resources of the outer worlds. Those worlds eventually seceded, provoking a civil war. The Rebellion is in turn criticised for its aggressive nature, support of quasi-criminal organisations, and attacks on civilian shipping and liners. The Rebellion uses four ships in their campaign against the Confederation including Rebel Manta, Rebel Destroyer, Rebel Cruiser and Escort Carrier.
The Confederation is one of two main governments in the game. According to the game, as humanity expanded into the Milky Way Galaxy, the new colonies operated independently of each other. However, an invasion by an unknown alien race forced the colonies to unify under Earth's leadership. This became known as the Confederation. The Confederation and the aliens fought a bloody war, with millions of humans being killed. Eventually the Confederation prevailed. Years after the war ended, many in the outer worlds felt that the Confederation was becoming corrupt and oppressive. They seceded from the Confederation and became known as the Rebellion. At the start of the game, the two sides are locked in a bloody stalemate. The Confederation uses four ships in its military including Confederate Patrol Ship, Confederate Gunboat, Confederate Frigate and Confederate Cruiser.