Space Combat
Encyclopedia
Space Combat is a game produced by Laminar Research
to provide a simulation of space combat with accurate physics, unlike most other games of the same genre. Although originally a shareware game, the latest version of Space Combat – 1.40 – is now freeware.
In the game, the laws of physics are modeled fully, so ships do not behave like aircraft: they behave like spaceships in a frictionless vacuum. This means that any velocity picked up will be maintained unless an opposite force is applied by the engines.
The game is a free-form simulation, with no plot or mission system. The spaceships have things such as biodomes and customizable engines. The ships have weapons (lasers and torpedoes), as the name suggests.
Space Combat was largely developed using the Apple Macintosh computer with Mac OS X
, but is cross-compiled to the Windows
operating system as well. It should also run on Mac OS 9
, although it is not recommended. Also, to further development of Laminar Research's main product, X-Plane, a Linux
version has been released. The 3D graphics are fully based on the cross-platform OpenGL
libraries.
Laminar Research
Laminar Research is a small software company based out of Columbia, South Carolina, and is dedicated to providing software that accurately reflects the laws of physics. Laminar's flagship product is the flight simulator X-Plane, but it also produces two other programs, Space Combat and Young's...
to provide a simulation of space combat with accurate physics, unlike most other games of the same genre. Although originally a shareware game, the latest version of Space Combat – 1.40 – is now freeware.
In the game, the laws of physics are modeled fully, so ships do not behave like aircraft: they behave like spaceships in a frictionless vacuum. This means that any velocity picked up will be maintained unless an opposite force is applied by the engines.
The game is a free-form simulation, with no plot or mission system. The spaceships have things such as biodomes and customizable engines. The ships have weapons (lasers and torpedoes), as the name suggests.
Space Combat was largely developed using the Apple Macintosh computer with Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
, but is cross-compiled to the Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
operating system as well. It should also run on Mac OS 9
Mac OS 9
Mac OS 9 is the final major release of Apple's Mac OS before the launch of Mac OS X. Introduced on October 23, 1999, Apple positioned it as "The Best Internet Operating System Ever," highlighting Sherlock 2's Internet search capabilities, integration with Apple's free online services known as...
, although it is not recommended. Also, to further development of Laminar Research's main product, X-Plane, a Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
version has been released. The 3D graphics are fully based on the cross-platform OpenGL
OpenGL
OpenGL is a standard specification defining a cross-language, cross-platform API for writing applications that produce 2D and 3D computer graphics. The interface consists of over 250 different function calls which can be used to draw complex three-dimensional scenes from simple primitives. OpenGL...
libraries.
External links
- Space Combat homepage (project discontinued)
- X-Plane.org Although primarily for Laminar Research's X-Plane, X-Plane.org does have a few downloads for Space Combat.