It is a turn based strategy game of combat between fleets of starships. The game runs inside your web browser using Adobe Flash 8 or higher. It is currently under development, but is in open beta testing. Go to the signup page to start playing now.
It is and will be completely free to play.
You can play alone against the computer AI, or with as many players as you like. Each player can control one ship or any number of ships. Players can form teams and share information during the battle.
Since it is turn based, all players do not have to be online at the same time. You can login and submit your turn when you have time. The system will notify you when everyone has submitted their turn so the game can advance.
There is a "near real-time" mode to processing turns that will operate very much like a real time strategy game. You can choose to have the system process turns automatically every X number of seconds. For example, if you choose this option, and set it to process turns every 10 seconds, then your game screen will refresh and the ships will move every 10 seconds whether you have given any new orders or not. This keeps the game moving quickly if all players are currently logged in. You can switch between "near real-time" and traditional turn based play at any time.
Fleet Combat Online is not based on Star Trek or Star Wars or any other existing "world". Its goal is to present starship combat in as realistic a manner as possible. This means "realistic" technologies and realistic physics.
The game is broken down into "eras". Each era has its own technology and limitations. This way, you can play in an early era of space combat with missiles and rail guns. Or you can choose to play in a very advanced era with faster than light drives, energy weapons and shields.
The game has a player ranking system, so you will be able to see where you stand and you can challenge people that are in your same skill level.
