Space flight simulation game

A space flight simulation is a genre of flight simulator video games that lets players experience space flight to varying degrees of realism. Common mechanics include space exploration, space trade and space combat.

Overview

Some games in the genre aim to recreate a realistic portrayal of space flight, involving the calculation of orbits within a more complete physics simulation than pseudo space flight simulators. Others focus on gameplay rather than simulating space flight in all its facets. The realism of the latter games is limited to what the game designer deems to be appropriate for the gameplay, instead of focusing on the realism of moving the spacecraft in space. Some "flight models" use a physics system based on Newtonian physics, but these are usually limited to maneuvering the craft in its direct environment, and do not take into consideration the orbital calculations that would make such a game a simulator. Many of the pseudo simulators feature faster than light travel.

Examples of true simulators which aim at piloting a space craft in a manner that conforms with the laws of nature include ''Orbiter'', '' Kerbal Space Program'' and '' Microsoft Space Simulator''. Examples of more fantastical video games that bend the rules of physics in favor of streamlining and entertainment, include ''Wing Commander'', '' Star Wars: X-Wing'' and '' Freelancer''.

The modern space flight game genre emerged at the point when home computers became sufficiently powerful to draw basic wireframe graphics in real-time. The game ''Elite'' is widely considered to be the breakthrough game of the genre, and as having successfully melded the "space trading" and flight sim genres. ''Elite'' was highly influential upon later games of its type, although it did have some precursors. Games similar to ''Elite'' are sometimes called "''Elite''-clones".

Space flight games and simulators, at one time popular, had for much of the new millennium been considered a "dead" genre. However, open-source and enthusiast communities managed to produce some working, modern titles (e.g. '' Orbiter Spaceflight Simulator''); and 2011's commercially released '' Kerbal Space Program'' was notably well-received, even by the aerospace community. Some more recent games, most notably '' Elite: Dangerous'', have brought new attention to the space trading and combat game subgenre.

Subgenres

Realistic simulation

Realistic space simulators seek to represent a vessel's behaviour under the influence of the laws of physics.
As such, the player normally concentrates on following checklists or planning tasks. Piloting is generally limited to dockings, landings or orbital maneuvers. The reward for the player is on mastering real or realistic spacecraft, celestial mechanics and astronautics.

Classical games with this approach include '' Space Shuttle: A Journey into Space'' (1982), '' Rendezvous: A Space Shuttle Simulation'' (1982), '' The Halley Project'' (1985), ''Shuttle'' (1992) and '' Microsoft Space Simulator'' (1994).

If the definition is expanded to include decision making and planning, then '' Buzz Aldrin's Race Into Space'' (1992) is also notable for historical accuracy and detail. In this game, the player takes the role of Administrator of NASA or Head of the Soviet Space Program with the ultimate goal of being the first side to conduct a successful human Moon landing.

''Orbiter'' and, to an extent, '' Space Shuttle Mission 2007'', provide more elaborate simulations. They have 3D virtual cockpits and external views. ''Orbiter'' has been continually developed into modern times including having modern graphics, while others above have not been.

''FlightGear'' is used professionally in aerospace engineering and research, with a flight dynamics engine (JSBSim) that is used in a 2015 NASA benchmark to judge new simulation code to the standards of the space industry''.'' ''FlightGear'' simulates orbital and atmospheric flight, but as of 2021 does not cover flight between planets (although its flight dynamics engine supports Mars and has been used to model the NASA ARES glider). The simulation has been continually developed into modern times, as ''FlightGear'' is free and open-source - the project receives development from people with scientific and engineering backgrounds, and is open to contributions from any source. ''FlightGear'' can accurately handle speeds from subsonic, transonic, through to high hypersonic or re-entry regimes with a flight dynamics engine that can incorporate windtunnel data or computational fluid dynamics, and uses a 3d model of gravity used for spaceflight based on spherical harmonics which can simulate the twisting force caused by gravity varying over a craft. It has an accurate celestial simulation that also feeds star tracker instruments for navigation. ''FlightGear'' has the ability to accelerate time supported by the fact that the physics simulation runs on a separate clock than the visuals - this is very important to simulate long space missions. Being modern, ''FlightGear'' has realistic graphics and an orbital renderer that can handle calculations of light scattering and auroral emission with huge distances involved. Of particular note is ''FlightGear'''s Space Shuttle project, whose simulation is backed by NASA windtunnel data and is the most detailed and accurate simulation outside of NASA's internal ones.

'' Kerbal Space Program''

can be considered a space simulator, even though it portrays an imaginary universe with tweaked physics, masses and distances to enhance gameplay. Nevertheless, the physics and rocket design principles are much more realistic than in the space combat or trading subgenres. Mods for the game such as Real Solar System, Realism Overhaul and Kerbalism can be installed to add more realism to the game by replacing the standard in-game solar system with a 1:1 replica of the real Solar System as well as adding more realistic rocket engines, radiation, Life Support and other elements to make the game more realistic.

The game ''Lunar Flight'' (2012) simulates flying around the lunar surface in a craft resembling the Apollo Lunar Module, while ''Perilune'' (2019) is an example of a lunar landing simulation with realistic physics designed for Android mobile devices.

The game/program SpaceEngine includes a realistic space flight simulator within its full scale representation of the universe (including both real and procedurally generated astronomical objects), utilizing realistic orbital mechanics and an atmospheric model for certain flyable shuttles. It also includes interstellar travel using the hypothetical Alcubierre drive, but this is implemented in a realistic method to compliment the more realistic elements of the game.

Space combat game

Most games in the space combat genre feature futuristic scenarios involving space flight and extraplanetary combat. Such games generally place the player into the controls of a small starfighter or smaller starship in a military force of similar and larger spaceships and do not take into account the physics of space flight, often citing some technological advancement to explain the lack thereof. The prominent ''Wing Commander'', '' X-Wing'' and '' Freespace'' series all use this approach. Exceptions include '' Independence War'', '' Independence War 2'' and the '' Star Trek: Bridge Commander'' series, which model craft at a larger scale and/or in a more strategic fashion. ''I-War'' also features Newtonian style physics for the behaviour of the spacecraft, but not orbital mechanics.

Space combat games tend to be mission-based, as opposed to the more open-ended nature of ''space trading and combat games.''

Space trading and combat game

The general formula for the space trading and combat game, which has changed little since its genesis, is for the player to begin in a relatively small, outdated ship with little money or status and for the player to gain in status and power through trading, exploration, combat or a mix of different methods. The ship the player controls is generally larger than that in pure space combat simulator. Notable examples of the genre include ''Elite'', the ''X series'', '' Wing Commander: Privateer'', '' Freelancer'', and '' No Man's Sky''.

In some instances, plot plays only a limited role and only a loose narrative framework tends to be provided. In certain titles of the ''X'' series, for instance, players may ignore the plot for as long as they wish and are even given the option to disable the plot completely and instead play in sandbox mode. Many games of this genre place a strong emphasis on factional conflict, leading to many small mission-driven subplots that unravel the tensions of the galaxy.

Games of this type often allow the player to choose among multiple roles to play and multiple paths to victory. This aspect of the genre is very popular, but some people have complained that, in some titles, the leeway given to the player too often is only superficial, and that, in reality, the roles offered to players are very similar, and open-ended play too frequently restricted by scripted sequences. As an example, ''Freelancer'' has been in one reviewer's opinion critiqued as being rigid in its narrative structure, being in one case compared negatively with ''Grand Theft Auto'', another series praised for its open-ended play.

All space trading and combat games feature the core gameplay elements of directly controlling the flight of some sort of space vessel, generally armed, and of navigating from one area to another for a variety of reasons. As technology has improved it has been possible to implement a number of extensions to gameplay, such as dynamic economies and cooperative online play. Overall, however, the core gameplay mechanics of the genre have changed little over the years.

Besides the array of space-themed trade and combat games, there also exist a small number of games with similar mechanics, but with a less traditional historical setting. These include the '' Sid Meier's Pirates!'' and ''Mount and Blade'' franchises.

Some more recent games, such as 2003's ''EVE Online'', have expanded the scope of the experience by including thousands of simultaneous online players in what is sometimes referred to as a "living universe" – a dream some have held since the genre's early beginnings. ''Star Citizen'', a title in development by Cloud Imperium Games (headed by Chris Roberts, who was involved in ''Freelancer'' and ''Wing Commander''), aims to bridge the gap between the ''EVE''-like living universe game and the fast action of other games in the genre.

An additional sub-class of space trading games eliminate combat entirely, focusing instead entirely on trading and economic manipulation in order to achieve success.

Control systems

Video games

Most modern space flight games on the personal computer allow a player to utilise a combination of the WASD keys of the keyboard and mouse as a means of controlling the game (games such as Microsoft's ''Freelancer'' use this control system exclusively). By far the most popular control system among genre enthusiasts, however, is the joystick. Most fans prefer to use this input method whenever possible, but expense and practicality mean that many are forced to use the keyboard and mouse combination (or gamepad if such is the case). The lack of uptake among the majority of modern gamers has also made joysticks a sort of anachronism, though some new controller designs and simplification of controls offer the promise that space sims may be playable in their full capacity on gaming consoles at some time in the future. In fact, '' X3: Reunion'', sometimes considered one of the more cumbersome and difficult series to master within the trading and combat genre, was initially planned for the Xbox but later cancelled.
Another example of space simulators is an arcade space flight simulation action game called Star Conflict, where the players can fight in both PvE and PvP modes.

Realistic simulators

Realistic simulators feature spacecraft systems and instrument simulation, using a combination of extensive keyboard shortcuts and mouse clicks on virtual instrument panels. Most of the maneuvers and operations consist of setting certain systems into the desired configuration, or in setting autopilots.
Real time hands on piloting can happen, depending on the simulated spacecraft. For example, it is common to use a joystick analog control to land a Space Shuttle (or any other spaceplane) or the Apollo Lunar Module (or similar landers). Dockings can be performed more precisely using the numerical keypad.
Overall, the simulations have more complex control systems than game, with the limit being the physical reproduction of the actual simulated spacecraft (see Simulation cockpit).

History

Early attempts at 3D space simulation date back as far as 1974's ''Spasim'', an online multi-player space simulator in which players attempt to destroy each other's ships. The earliest known space trader dates to 1974's ''Star Trader'', a game where the entire interface was text-only and included a star map with multiple ports buying and selling 6 commodities. It was written in BASIC.

''Star Raiders''

''Star Raiders'' was introduced in 1979 for the then-new Atari 8-bit family and became the killer app for the system. Doug Neubauer created the game as a combination of ''Star Wars'' and the text-based ''Star Trek'' mainframe game. Using smoothly scaled 2D sprites and 3D particles to mimic a first person view of a volume of space, ''Star Raiders'' simulates clearing sectors of enemy ships while managing resources and damage to the ship's different systems. In addition to forward and rear views from the ship, the game provides both a galactic map and sector scanner to show enemy and friendly starbase locations. The game does not pause while these displays are active; they keep updating in real-time.

It is one of the games that inspired ''Elite'' and the ''Wing Commander'' series. It also resulted in direct clones, including '' Space Spartans'' for Intellivision and '' Starmaster'' for the Atari 2600, both from 1982.

''Elite''

''Elite'' has made a lasting impression on developers, worldwide, extending even into different genres. In interviews, senior producers of CCP Games