''Shattered Galaxy'' is a

massively multiplayer online real-time strategy game Massively multiplayer online real-time strategy game (MMORTS) mixes the genres of real-time strategy and massively multiplayer online games, possibly in the form of web browser-based games, in which a very large number of players interact with o ...

(MMORTS) that was released in 2000 by

KRU Interactive Kru Interactive (spun off from Nexon Co., Ltd) is a company that operates and manages online gaming and MMORPGs. Its headquarters is located in Santa Clara, California. KRU or Kru Interactive The South Korea-based game company made a name ...

, now known as Nexon Inc., after an extensive

open beta The software release life cycle is the process of developing, testing, and distributing a software product (e.g., an operating system). It typically consists of several stages, such as pre-alpha, alpha, beta, and release candidate, before the fi ...

period. In the US, it was published by

Tri Synergy Tri Synergy was a video game publisher founded in 1996 in Dallas, Texas. They specialized in co-publishing games made by a variety of developers. The company's website is defunct, and they have not worked on any projects since 2015, so they like ...

. It combines the attributes of a massive multiplayer online role-playing game and a

real-time strategy Real-time strategy (RTS) is a Video game genre, subgenre of strategy video games that does not progress incrementally in turn-based game, turns, but allow all players to play simultaneously, in "real time." By contrast, in Turn-based strategy, tur ...

game. Having won the

Seumas McNally Seumas McNally (February 10, 1979 – March 21, 2000) was a Canadian video game programmer and designer. He is best known for his development of indie games and computer software, including '' DX-Ball 2'' and '' Tread Marks'', the latter earning ...

Grand Prize at the 2001

Independent Games Festival The Independent Games Festival (IGF) is an annual festival at the Game Developers Conference (GDC), the largest annual gathering of the independent video game industry. Originally founded in 1998 to promote independent video game developers, ...

and hosted through the

Game Developers Conference The Game Developers Conference (GDC) is an annual conference for video game developers. The event includes an expo, networking events, and awards shows like the Game Developers Choice Award for Game of the Year, Game Developers Choice Awards and ...

, the game has been commercially unsuccessful due in large part to its dated graphics engine. The game was published under the name ''Tactical Commanders'' in South Korea, published by

Nexon Nexon Co., Ltd. (formerly ) is a South Korean video game developer and publisher. It develops and publishes titles including ''MapleStory'', ''Crazyracing Kartrider'', ''Sudden Attack'', ''Dungeon & Fighter'', ''The First Descendant'', and ''Bl ...

until December 31, 2005. This game has also been serviced in Japan, Taiwan, and Germany.

Plot

''Shattered Galaxy'' is set in a post-apocalyptic future. A teleportation device was found buried on Earth's surface, though scientists were not able to master its secrets. Various non-living substances were successfully sent through and retrieved, but when a common

rat Rats are various medium-sized, long-tailed rodents. Species of rats are found throughout the order Rodentia, but stereotypical rats are found in the genus ''Rattus''. Other rat genera include '' Neotoma'' (pack rats), '' Bandicota'' (bandicoo ...

was inserted into the portal, it activated the artifact in an unexpected way: the device immediately teleported itself, as well as all matter in a 2000 kilometer wide radius around it, to the planet Morgana Prime. The player is one of the survivors of this incident. The planet itself was devoid of sentient life, but robotic war machines were found on its surface, and humans have since learned to control them telepathically (allowing the humans themselves to stay out of harm's way). Humans have since expanded to another planet (server) in the Morgana system, Relic, where wars likewise rage.

Gameplay

Development

As of September 2008, the game can be played using a basic account at no charge with a few minor handicaps or upgraded to an elite account at a cost of US$9.95 per month to play with all limitations removed.

has closed Tactical Commanders' service in Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. As of October 2008, the German service was closed due to lack of players.

Reception

John Lee for ''

Next Generation Next Generation or Next-Generation may refer to: Publications and literature * ''Next Generation'' (magazine), video game magazine that was made by the now defunct Imagine Media publishing company * Next Generation poets (2004), list of young ...

'' gave it three stars out of five and called it a "decent" persistent online game that requires a teamwork. The game received "generally favorable reviews" according to the

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website

Metacritic Metacritic is an American website that aggregates reviews of films, television shows, music albums, video games, and formerly books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted average). Metacritic was created ...

. ''Shattered Galaxy'' was a runner-up for ''

The Electric Playground ''EP Daily'' (formerly ''The Electric Playground'') is a daily news television show that covers video games, movies, TV shows, comic books, collectibles and gadgets. Created and executive produced by host Victor Lucas, and his Vancouver, British ...

''s "Best Independent PC Game" prize, but lost to '' Serious Sam: The First Encounter''.

References

External links

Official website
* {{Seumas McNally Grand Prize 2001 video games Independent Games Festival winners Kru Interactive games Massively multiplayer online real-time strategy games Seumas McNally Grand Prize winners Tri Synergy games Video games developed in South Korea Video games scored by Jesper Kyd Windows games Windows-only games