If you want to know about the development of Universal Combat (neé Battlecruiser Generations), the best place to go is the forums of its developer, 3000AD. There, studio head Derek Smart regularly updates visitors--at length--about the large-scale space simulation's progress and his rocky relationship with its publisher, DreamCatcher Games.

　　According to the latest post from the self-styled GALCOM Supreme Commander, Universal Combat's year-plus-long road to production will extend into 2004. "GM could be a reality within the next 7-10 days," he said, meaning the game wouldn't even be sent to the factory until December 24 at the earliest. Then Smart revealed that the UC delay is actually having financial repercussions for DreamCatcher. "Naturally, they weren't very pleased about it," he continued, "especially since we subsequently lost a substantial retail order by missing the Christmas ship period." DreamCatcher could not be reached for comment at press time.

　　Also, in a democratic move, Smart asked registered 3000AD forum users to vote on whether Universal Combat should be shipped in its current state, or whether he should take his time and send the game to the factory "around mid- to [the] end of January 2004." Those wishing to vote may do so at the bottom of Smart's post.