Star Sonata
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| Primary Developers | Adam Miller, Sherman Mui, Roch Denis, Jeff Landauer, Eric Prieur[1] |
| Other Contributors | Danny Chi, Mark Elrod, and Adrian Eyre[2] |
| Publisher(s) | Star Sonata LLC |
| Release date(s) | Early 2004[citation needed] |
| Genre(s) | MMORPG |
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| Media | Download |
| System requirements | 32MB RAM, Internet access, DirectX 8, 8MB 3D graphics card (not compatible with ATI Radeons), sound card, 28MB hard drive space |
| Input | Keyboard, mouse |
Star Sonata is a space-themed massively multiplayer online role-playing game that uses a third-person 2d overhead view similar to that of Asteroids. In addition the game offers complex and involved commerce, construction and team systems. The goal for players in Star Sonata is to bring their team to domination and claim the seat of emperor.[3]
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[edit] Player base
According to a recent post on the Star Sonata forums by developer Jeff Landauer, the December 2005 subscription base is 404 accounts with a growth of 8% per month. [4] Each account can support up to 5 characters. Star Sonata has an estimated 600-700 active characters. The Star Sonata forum has over 45,000 registered users, however only a minority of these (less than 2,000) have ever posted.[5]
Players from all over the world play Star Sonata, with the majority being from the United States and the United Kingdom.[6]
[edit] Advancement
The leveling system is based on a fixed experience requirement with the experience returned based on the relationship between your level and the "AI" (computer controlled enemy). Each level requires 1000 experience.[citation needed] Defeating an AI of a higher relative level will gain up to 510xp, while defeating a lower one can result in as little as none.
Experience is earned by killing computer-controlled enemies and finishing in-game missions. Each time a player levels they earn 5 skill points which can be spent on skills. Skills determine what equipment you can use or give a small bonus to different aspects of the game.
Territory (star systems) can be claimed by players or teams of players, and once enough of the galaxy becomes 'owned', a team can attempt to become Emperor. Shortly after a player is crowned Emperor, the universe will be manually reset and re-randomized by the administrators. The most recent reset occurred on Thursday, February 10, 2007. Each universe lasts a few months, on average.
[edit] Subscriptions
According to the Star Sonata "Account Information" page, unsubscibed players are limited to level 20. To progress past that a monthly subscription is required. The current cost is $9.95 per month, or 4 months for $29.95. Payment from outside of the United states is accepted through major online money transfer services or credit cards.
[edit] Inspirations
During an interview with GameZone.com, Adam Miller was asked why he decided to create a game like Star Sonata. He responded "We designed Star Sonata out of a nostalgic childhood dream of space adventure." [7]
Peterb, of Tea Leaves, has suggested that Star Sonata drew most of its inspiration from Escape Velocity. Peterb went on to say "Star Sonata is like Escape Velocity, only online".[8]
[edit] Similar games
[edit] External links
- Official Star Sonata homepage
- Code Herder's Flickr - screenshots of the promised overhaul of the client.
- StrategyWiki's Star Sonata wiki guide (previously hosted by Wikibooks)
- The Lyceum Archives - A dedicated wiki-project to replace the StraregyWiki page.
- Community Map - map of players from Star Sonata
- Interview with a creator of SS
