Microsoft Space Simulator
| Microsoft Space Simulator | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Bruce Artwick Organization Ltd. |
| Publisher(s) | Microsoft |
| Designer(s) | Charles Guy |
| Platform(s) | MS-DOS |
| Release | 1994[1] |
| Genre(s) | Space flight simulator |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
Microsoft Space Simulator is a space flight simulator program, based on Microsoft Flight Simulator for MS-DOS. It was one of the first general-purpose space flight simulators and it incorporated concepts from astrodynamics, motion, and celestial mechanics.
Development
[edit]Microsoft Space Simulator was released under the Microsoft Home line in 1994. It was developed by BAO Ltd., a company run by Bruce Artwick (who was also behind the development of Microsoft Flight Simulator) with Charles Guy as lead developer.
It provided support for 256-color graphics on three resolutions: 320x400, 640x400, and 800x600. The graphics featured dithered gouraud shading 3D vessels, with texture mapped planets, moons, and deep-sky objects.[2]
Physics engine
[edit]Microsoft Space Simulator uses Newton's laws of motion but takes account of relativistic effects by decreasing a spacecraft's acceleration as its speed approaches the speed of light.[3] It does not take account of time dilation.
Atmospheric effect are not modeled and all planetary surfaces are treated as flat spheres. A limited collision detection between vessels is implemented by using docking ports.
Features
[edit]The simulator featured 14 different spacecraft, most of them futuristic. Historical or current tech craft include the Space Shuttle (with its Manned Maneuvering Unit) and Apollo Command/Service Module and Lunar Module.
Reception
[edit]PC Gamer gave the simulator a score of 84% in its September 1994 issue, praising its graphics and realistic approach to space travel, while criticizing the poor or non-existent sound and the interface. Others praised the lack of sound indicating how it added realism. [4]
References
[edit]- ^ Lee Buchanan (November 1994). "The Final Frontier". PC Gamer. Retrieved December 10, 2016.
- ^ "MICROSOFT SPACE SIMULATOR by BAO (Bruce Artwick Organization)". www.ibiblio.org.
- ^ "Media : Microsoft Space Simulator : SFE : Science Fiction Encyclopedia". www.sf-encyclopedia.com.
- ^ "MS Space Simulator - March 1995 PC Gamer Review". www.planetmic.com.
External links
[edit]- Microsoft Space Simulator at MobyGames
- Microsoft Space Simulator can be played for free in the browser at the Internet Archive
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