Starship Titanic
Starship Titanic PC CD luxury sci-fi ship crashes space adventure puzzle game!
Game
Windows
Simon & Schuster
1998
CD
$3.99
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STARSHIP TITANIC
Radioheads and readers smitten with Douglas Adams' merry sci-fi universe of galactic hitchhikers and holistic sleuths need very little explanation. But, for the benefit of newcomers and long-lost friends, Starship Titanic can be described as an interactive adventure, wherein humor -- or rather the Adamsian sense of the absurd -- is not a feature but the intended approach, the essence and the solution.
Consider the premise: a luxury starliner crashes into "Your Lovely Home," rather destructively bestowing the ship's salvage rights to you the player. Homeless and possibly rich beyond one's wildest dreams, you must then climb aboard the starship before it takes off again on a quest for answers to some very grave matters. Questions such as how the "Ship That Cannot Possibly Go Wrong" came to be wildly careening through the galaxy, where its control components are and whether the ship's robotic crew is malfunctioning or merely programmed with the customer service initiative of a typical utilities company.
The sizeable interior of the starship is a limited 3D space that players move through by walking and taking elevators and pellerators (a horizontal transport). The sole occupants of the cruise ship are bots who appear to have a screw or two loose each, from the bellboy who acts more like a frat boy to the disconsolately amnesiac doorbot. The game proceeds as a series of puzzles that must be solved before you can move on and, like several other interactive adventures, there are no missteps that result in death, nor is there a time limit.
In addition to investigative roaming and toggling, you interact with the game through the acquisition and use of items and "spoken" exchange with the bots. This spoken (typed on the player's part) conversation capability is the title's most touted element aside from Douglas Adams' participation. Christened SpookiTalk, the feature is something of a departure from the conventional dialogue selection method and allows you to pose your own questions.
The controls for all of the actions available to the player are consolidated into a single interface at the bottom of the screen called the PET (Personal Electronic Thing). The PET is organized into five modes: Personal Baggage, Chat-O-Mat, Remote Thingummy, Designer Room Numbers and Real Life. Aside from the self-explanatory Personal Baggage (i.e., inventory), the PET's various modes provide an interface for spoken interaction with game characters, remote-controlled devices such as elevators, TVs and the item transport system in a given location, room cataloguing (to be used with item transport system), game saving and other practical operations.
In one possible sequence of events, you may use a Chat-O-Mat to summon and speak to bots via SpookiTalk either to make inquiries or requests. Having ascertained a likely place to visit through their grudging replies, a jaunt to one of many significant locations such as the Top of the Well, Bar and Art Gallery may follow, where a particularly cumbersome item may be discovered and picked up. You would then use the Remote Thingummy to activate the Succ-U-Bus item transport system (which vaguely resembles a dyspeptic and dim-witted monkey), select the destination with the Designer Room Numbers and send the item to another location. Having arrived at that location at some later time, the player may then retrieve that object and drag it over another item in the room to make them interact.
Unlike other walkabout-intensive adventure titles such as Riven, all movement in Starship Titanic must be executed in full as there are no shortcuts to well-frequented locations. In addition, not all of the ship is initially open to you -- a consequence of your ignoble Third Class status -- and all in all, the puzzle component of the game is heavy on gumshoe work.
The solutions to the actual puzzles consist of hunting down and combining items to achieve a series of major discrete goals such as gaining access to a new area, finding a component of the ship's controls and, ultimately, going home. A given puzzle will likely require the player to use all four in-game modes of the PET and plot-line mysteries are cleared up as the technical issues faced by the errant starship are corrected via your actions.
For Windows (32-bit Systems) [*Please review compatibility/platform sections in 'What You Get']
Radioheads and readers smitten with Douglas Adams' merry sci-fi universe of galactic hitchhikers and holistic sleuths need very little explanation. But, for the benefit of newcomers and long-lost friends, Starship Titanic can be described as an interactive adventure, wherein humor -- or rather the Adamsian sense of the absurd -- is not a feature but the intended approach, the essence and the solution.
Consider the premise: a luxury starliner crashes into "Your Lovely Home," rather destructively bestowing the ship's salvage rights to you the player. Homeless and possibly rich beyond one's wildest dreams, you must then climb aboard the starship before it takes off again on a quest for answers to some very grave matters. Questions such as how the "Ship That Cannot Possibly Go Wrong" came to be wildly careening through the galaxy, where its control components are and whether the ship's robotic crew is malfunctioning or merely programmed with the customer service initiative of a typical utilities company.
The sizeable interior of the starship is a limited 3D space that players move through by walking and taking elevators and pellerators (a horizontal transport). The sole occupants of the cruise ship are bots who appear to have a screw or two loose each, from the bellboy who acts more like a frat boy to the disconsolately amnesiac doorbot. The game proceeds as a series of puzzles that must be solved before you can move on and, like several other interactive adventures, there are no missteps that result in death, nor is there a time limit.
In addition to investigative roaming and toggling, you interact with the game through the acquisition and use of items and "spoken" exchange with the bots. This spoken (typed on the player's part) conversation capability is the title's most touted element aside from Douglas Adams' participation. Christened SpookiTalk, the feature is something of a departure from the conventional dialogue selection method and allows you to pose your own questions.
The controls for all of the actions available to the player are consolidated into a single interface at the bottom of the screen called the PET (Personal Electronic Thing). The PET is organized into five modes: Personal Baggage, Chat-O-Mat, Remote Thingummy, Designer Room Numbers and Real Life. Aside from the self-explanatory Personal Baggage (i.e., inventory), the PET's various modes provide an interface for spoken interaction with game characters, remote-controlled devices such as elevators, TVs and the item transport system in a given location, room cataloguing (to be used with item transport system), game saving and other practical operations.
In one possible sequence of events, you may use a Chat-O-Mat to summon and speak to bots via SpookiTalk either to make inquiries or requests. Having ascertained a likely place to visit through their grudging replies, a jaunt to one of many significant locations such as the Top of the Well, Bar and Art Gallery may follow, where a particularly cumbersome item may be discovered and picked up. You would then use the Remote Thingummy to activate the Succ-U-Bus item transport system (which vaguely resembles a dyspeptic and dim-witted monkey), select the destination with the Designer Room Numbers and send the item to another location. Having arrived at that location at some later time, the player may then retrieve that object and drag it over another item in the room to make them interact.
Unlike other walkabout-intensive adventure titles such as Riven, all movement in Starship Titanic must be executed in full as there are no shortcuts to well-frequented locations. In addition, not all of the ship is initially open to you -- a consequence of your ignoble Third Class status -- and all in all, the puzzle component of the game is heavy on gumshoe work.
The solutions to the actual puzzles consist of hunting down and combining items to achieve a series of major discrete goals such as gaining access to a new area, finding a component of the ship's controls and, ultimately, going home. A given puzzle will likely require the player to use all four in-game modes of the PET and plot-line mysteries are cleared up as the technical issues faced by the errant starship are corrected via your actions.
For Windows (32-bit Systems) [*Please review compatibility/platform sections in 'What You Get']
WHAT YOU GET:
This item is for the original media, and includes only the media (ie. CD, floppy ...) UNLESS specifically stated above and/or in the title. If more than just the media is included, it will state which items are (ie. box, manual, etc ). Items that come in a sleeve refer to a generic CD sleeve (typically white) and will be sent with shipping protection to avoid damage during transit. If available, we will also send the front and/or back CD inserts if in stock. If these are important to you, please message us to verify we have them available to send. Please do not assume items are included other than what's stated. Again, ask questions PRIOR to purchasing if you have any concerns.
IMAGES:
All images/pictures are stock photos and are for reference only, mainly to show the type of game you will be getting. Please read "WHAT YOU GET" for what is included with the media. Screenshots may vary based on your own computer system, video card, monitor, etc.
COMPATIBILITY:
Computers are like people, each one is different. Unlike console games, a computer game may install and work flawlessly on one system but may need adjustments on another. This is due to a variety of factors, mainly the OS platform running, video card you have, drivers, protection software installed, etc. Many times manufacturers release updates to games to fix bugs and add enhancements. We would be happy to help get the game going on your computer, but ultimately compatibility issues are the responsibility of the buyer. We suggest going to Google and searching for the name of the game along with the words "system requirements" to determine if your system is suitable. Ultimately, we are not responsible for software compatibility problems or publisher's errors.
PLATFORM:
Stated within the auction is what platform the game will work on (ie. Windows, Mac, Linux...) This is a generic statement and specific platform versions (ie. XP, Vista...) will have to be researched by the buyer. Games that came out PRIOR to XP or higher will not specifically state they will work on that release, but only because they came out before those versions were made. Many, if not most, will work on XP or higher with a few quick adjustments. We provide instructions with all items purchased on how to do this adjustment using the Program Compatibility Wizard. If we find out that an item will definately not work on a specific version, we will state it. For DOS games, you may need to play it with a free DOSbox program if the Program Compatibility Wizard does not work.
64-Bit Windows OS Systems:
For 64-bit Operating Systems, older games most likely will NOT work due to 64-bit systems not being able to run 16-bit programming code (most games prior to 2000). For DOS games, you may need to play it with a free DOSbox program.
Macintosh Systems:
For Macintosh programs, most older games will need to be run in Classic Environment if you have a MAC OS X 10.0 - 10.4 version. Please research Google on how to do this, or send us a message for information prior to purchasing. If your MAC OS system doesn't support Classic Environment (ie. MAC OS X 10.5 or Higher OR Intel Macs), you will have to try running it using the free program called SheepShaver, but compatibility is not ensured. Please research prior to purchasing or ask questions.
MEDIA FORMAT:
Please verify you have the required hardware in order to use the specified media (ie. CD, DVD, floppy drives, etc.) If the item comes as a floppy disc, make sure you have either the needed 3.5" floppy drive or the bigger and older 5.25" floppy drive.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A SMOOTH PURCHASE:
Ask questions PRIOR to purchasing an order to avoid any confusion.
Be patient if there are problems during installation or gameplay. Typically someone else has
already ran into that problem and has listed a solution online. Contact us and we will do our best to help.
Be sure to update your video card drivers and search for updates to the game from the manufacturer.
This item is for the original media, and includes only the media (ie. CD, floppy ...) UNLESS specifically stated above and/or in the title. If more than just the media is included, it will state which items are (ie. box, manual, etc ). Items that come in a sleeve refer to a generic CD sleeve (typically white) and will be sent with shipping protection to avoid damage during transit. If available, we will also send the front and/or back CD inserts if in stock. If these are important to you, please message us to verify we have them available to send. Please do not assume items are included other than what's stated. Again, ask questions PRIOR to purchasing if you have any concerns.
IMAGES:
All images/pictures are stock photos and are for reference only, mainly to show the type of game you will be getting. Please read "WHAT YOU GET" for what is included with the media. Screenshots may vary based on your own computer system, video card, monitor, etc.
COMPATIBILITY:
Computers are like people, each one is different. Unlike console games, a computer game may install and work flawlessly on one system but may need adjustments on another. This is due to a variety of factors, mainly the OS platform running, video card you have, drivers, protection software installed, etc. Many times manufacturers release updates to games to fix bugs and add enhancements. We would be happy to help get the game going on your computer, but ultimately compatibility issues are the responsibility of the buyer. We suggest going to Google and searching for the name of the game along with the words "system requirements" to determine if your system is suitable. Ultimately, we are not responsible for software compatibility problems or publisher's errors.
PLATFORM:
Stated within the auction is what platform the game will work on (ie. Windows, Mac, Linux...) This is a generic statement and specific platform versions (ie. XP, Vista...) will have to be researched by the buyer. Games that came out PRIOR to XP or higher will not specifically state they will work on that release, but only because they came out before those versions were made. Many, if not most, will work on XP or higher with a few quick adjustments. We provide instructions with all items purchased on how to do this adjustment using the Program Compatibility Wizard. If we find out that an item will definately not work on a specific version, we will state it. For DOS games, you may need to play it with a free DOSbox program if the Program Compatibility Wizard does not work.
64-Bit Windows OS Systems:
For 64-bit Operating Systems, older games most likely will NOT work due to 64-bit systems not being able to run 16-bit programming code (most games prior to 2000). For DOS games, you may need to play it with a free DOSbox program.
Macintosh Systems:
For Macintosh programs, most older games will need to be run in Classic Environment if you have a MAC OS X 10.0 - 10.4 version. Please research Google on how to do this, or send us a message for information prior to purchasing. If your MAC OS system doesn't support Classic Environment (ie. MAC OS X 10.5 or Higher OR Intel Macs), you will have to try running it using the free program called SheepShaver, but compatibility is not ensured. Please research prior to purchasing or ask questions.
MEDIA FORMAT:
Please verify you have the required hardware in order to use the specified media (ie. CD, DVD, floppy drives, etc.) If the item comes as a floppy disc, make sure you have either the needed 3.5" floppy drive or the bigger and older 5.25" floppy drive.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A SMOOTH PURCHASE:
SHIPPING:
We typically ship all items out within 1-2 business days after payment is received. In regards to the stated shipping and handling, remember that these costs include more than just postage.
International buyers please email/chat with us to determine if you are eligible for shipping of a specific product. If you are, then international buyers not shipping to an address within the U.S. can expect their orders to take anywhere from 5 days to 4 weeks to be received, depending on how fast/well USPS is moving. Additionally, international orders typically have to go through governmental customs, which can delay the arrival process. Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to buying. Customs fees are normally charged by the shipping company or collected when you pick the item up. These fees are not additional shipping charges.
We typically ship all items out within 1-2 business days after payment is received. In regards to the stated shipping and handling, remember that these costs include more than just postage.
International buyers please email/chat with us to determine if you are eligible for shipping of a specific product. If you are, then international buyers not shipping to an address within the U.S. can expect their orders to take anywhere from 5 days to 4 weeks to be received, depending on how fast/well USPS is moving. Additionally, international orders typically have to go through governmental customs, which can delay the arrival process. Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to buying. Customs fees are normally charged by the shipping company or collected when you pick the item up. These fees are not additional shipping charges.
