Startopia
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Startopia is a computer game from Mucky Foot Productions (formed by ex-Bullfrog employees) and published by Eidos in 2001, combining features from games such as Dungeon Keeper and Theme Hospital.
Set onboard a series of abandoned Ringworld-like space stations, the single-player aspect of Startopia revolves around the player being tasked with repairing these space stations, and transforming them according to his/her employer's wishes. The game is set after a post-apocalyptic galactic war, and many of the stations are in a state of considerable disrepair. It is hinted that these space stations are essentially the last few space-based environments available to the denizens of Startopia, as most of them had been destroyed during the war.
Outside of the janitor-like robots called "Scuzzers", the player has no direct control over the characters that wander about. It is the player's job to influence resident and visiting aliens to improve their personal desires.
The hardware requirements are low by current standards (350MHz processor, 64 MB RAM, 8 MB 3D graphics card), the game is now in the "budget" range. There is a demo version available. For many people, the demo version is the closest they can get to playing the game, as the game was not promoted and sold very poorly.
In true Bullfrog fashion, Startopia is laced with a subtle humor that references similar themes in mainstream society. Most notable is the name of your assistant AI, VAL. Speaking similar in tone to the HAL 9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey, Val even comments that he's "very enthusiastic about the mission", and letting it slip that he thinks he had an owner by the name of Dave once.
2001 is also used as a basis for the intro video. A monkey discovers an iconic black monolith, in what appears to be ancient Africa. Examining the monolith, a small door opens to reveal a doughnut. Taking a mere bite of the doughnut before throwing it into the sky, the scene immediately changes to the torus-shaped Startopia station.
The game also makes jokes from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Val comments how the player, an organic, most likely doesn't understand the significance of the number 42.
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Gameplay
The game revolves around buying and placing facilities in a space station, and hiring various aliens to operate those facilities. Some rooms are basic necessities, such as Dine-o-mats (food) and Lavatrons (sanitation), while others provide entertainment (Disco) or other services (Love Nest).
Guests will be attracted by the jobs that are made available and also by recreational facilities. The player can hire some of these guests as employees.
Each space station consists of a number of segments. These segments are initially isolated by bulkheads, which can be opened under certain circumstances.
In most game scenarios there are several players (in single player mode all but one controlled by an AI) each cntrolling different segments. These players expand towards each other through the intervening segments, until they meet at which point combat can ensue.
Decks
In addition to the multiple segments there are three "decks".
Engineering Deck
Arguably the most "technical" looking of the decks, the lowest deck is where the majority of station-functioning facilities are placed. Recyclers, sleeping pods, research facilities, and sick bays are built here. In early game scenarios, this is the only deck accessible. As such, a few "basic" facilities can be placed here or in the entertainment deck.
Entertainment deck
The second deck, looking most like a futuristic space station, is the deck in which the bulk of visitor-pleasing facilities exist. Shops, discos, bars, and other facilities are placed here. Whereas visitors can only rest in sleep pods on the engineering deck, the entertainment deck can hold massive hotels for the more discriminating guest. It is assumed that the entertainment deck is a much more quiet and pleasing level than the traffic noise of the engineering deck.
Biodeck
The biodeck is a deck unlike the previous two. Instead of a deck where one can place facilities, the biodeck is covered in "nanosoil". This soil can be changed in terms of moisture and heat, allowing the station designer to turn barren desert to rich grasslands quickly. Not only does this benefit the visitors to a station (an alien used to a hot, dry environment will perfer a hot, dry biodeck), this deck can be farmed on. These trees and shrubs can be processed into a variety of consumable goods. The biodeck is also where Zedem Monks build their temple.
Alien Races
Amusingly, every alien race in Startopia serves an in-game function, as well as a "theme".
Groulien Salt Hogs
Short but proud, Salt Hogs are considered the working class race of the game. They are the simplest to appease, needing basic facilities to be kept happy. Living on a planet created by a long-dead race, these aliens are mechanically inclined. As such, they are the only alien race able to produce and recycle materials in your station. Their speech is similar to that of a pig.
Grekka Targ
Insectoid, the Targ function as your communication experts on your station. While equally simple to please as Salt Hogs, other alien races seem to dislike talking to them. They are arguably the least iconic alien in Startopia, as they do nothing extremely remarkable.
Grey
The iconic grey-skinned, black-eyed aliens are medically strong, and are hired to fill out sick bays. Merely talking to a Grey causes other aliens to feel slightly more healthy. They are middle-of-the-road aliens, who like essentially every sort of facility you can provide. This is surprising, as both Tag and Salt Hogs typically avoid "rich" establishments like the plague.
Dahanese Sirens
The only alien race with male and females, Sirens appear to be the typical Baywatch characters: The females wear skintight clothing, and the males where little more than a codpiece. Unlike Baywatch lifeguards, however, they have blue wings. When hired, they run the station's "Love Nests", which shower lonely aliens in heart-shaped showers to make them feel loved.
It is interesting to note that the in-game designs for the Sirens were not put into the final game. Originally, females were planned to wear far more revealing clothes, similar to the white outfit similar to what Milla Jovovich wears in The Fifth Element. It is assumed that, in order to appease the more conservative US market, the sirens were slightly toned down in appearance.
Kasvagorians
The Kasvagorians make fun of every "warrior race" in science fiction. Tall, spiky, and strong, these aliens perfer crude bars, deserts to walk in, and eating. They are considered disciplined, however, and are suited to security jobs on your station. They take less "mental damage" from being shot at or injured. Amusingly, Kasvagorians suffer physical damage when in a holographic entertainment system. Like Klingons from Star Trek, it seems Kasvagorians disable security measures when they are "playing".
Karmaramans
An odd blend of Hippie, Nali, and Lemming, Karmaramans perfer lounging in a station's biodeck to spending time doing other things. While offending warrior races, they soothe all aliens they talk to, slightly reducing their need to sleep. It is assumed that they are so happy because of the plants they smoke, often selling these "black market goods" to you when trading. If happy, Karmaramans release a Karmagasm. This wave of energy makes all within range happier.
Turrakken
Two-headed, the Turrakken are scientists at heart. When employed by your station, they begin researching additional technologies for your station to use. True to their nerd theme, they spend a great deal of time at Love-enhancing facilities, implying that they can't otherwise feel sexual pleasure. They offend those that find their strict rationality discomforting.
Zedem Monks
Faithful to their religion, these tall pale aliens are biologically prone to faith: their hands are evolutionarily bent to form prayer. When hired by your station, they summon a temple and a personal plinth on the biodeck. They then counsel visitors and residents, when they feel down. They are a fiscal positive as well, often converting aliens to their religion as "penitents". While the substantial energy you receive is good, often they will convert hardworking, loyal workers.
Polvakian Gem Slugs
Unlike other races, Gem Slugs cannot be hired for any job. Very lazy and proud, Gem Slugs have large anti-grav devices to avoid even touching the ground. Their only value to your station is their digestive system: If they are pleased enough, they secrete a substance known as "Turdite". This glowing jell can be recycled for a great deal of energy. Some facilities are specificially for use only by the Gem Slugs. They offend Salt Hogs, whom they see as common rabble. They prefer only the richest accommodations, using poorer/cheaper facilities only if there is no other option.
Sales and Sequels
With Mucky Foot given painfully little to promote the game, it is believed that Startopia sold approximately 15,000 copies. Finding a copy is increasingly difficult, although a great many online stores still have copies.
There were plans for both an Xbox version of Startopia, as well as a sequel. Both of these plans were scrapped by the publishers.
External links
- Official Startopia site (http://www.eidosinteractive.com/gss/legacy/startopia/)
- Comprehensive strategy guide (http://www.rakrent.com/rtsc/rtsc_startopia.htm)