# MoonBase Commander > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/MoonBase_Commander > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/MoonBase_Commander.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MoonBase_Commander > Source revision: 1305400511 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) 2002 video game This article is about the 2002 video game on Microsoft Windows. For the 1990 video game for MS-DOS and Amiga platforms, see [Moonbase (video game)](/source/Moonbase_(video_game)). 2002 video game MoonBase Commander Developer Humongous Entertainment Publisher Infogrames[a] Designer Rhett Mathis Composer Stuart Ellison Engine SCUMM Platform Microsoft Windows Release NA: August 13, 2002 Genre Turn-based strategy Modes Single-player, multiplayer ***MoonBase Commander*** is a strategy video game released in 2002 by [Humongous Entertainment](/source/Humongous_Entertainment). In the game, the player controls a main hub, which can send out other hubs, attack enemy structures, create defensive buildings, and collect energy for further expansion; this is accomplished through launching buildings and/or weapons from a hub. Each building is connected to its parent hub by a cord, which cannot overlap with other cords. The game features both single-player and multiplayer formats. It won the "Best of 2002: The Game No One Played" award from *[IGN](/source/IGN)*.[1] ## Gameplay The game is [turn-based](/source/Turn-based_strategy), allowing the player to spend a limited number of energy points per turn. The player can spend these energy points by attacking their opponents and/or adding more buildings to their base. Most units are ground-based and are attached by a cord to the unit that created them. Cords cannot overlap or land in water. Regardless of whether a unit is ground-based, all units need to be launched from their originating unit, similar to many [artillery games](/source/Artillery_game). The power of a shot is not preset, but determined by how long the player holds down on the launch button. The longer it is held down, the further the unit launches. Wind can also affect the accuracy of launching units. Game maps [wrap around](/source/Wraparound_(video_games)) at the edges, meaning that no player is ever in a corner. *MoonBase Commander* has four factions that can be played: NiceCo, DeWulf, System7, and Team Alpha. The factions are functionally identical with only cosmetic differences. The Skirmish mode allows the player to fight up to three computer players of varying difficulty levels. The goal of a skirmish is to destroy all opposing players. Challenge Mode consists of sixteen premade missions, four for each faction. Each challenge has different goals, enemies, and settings. The player earns a Gold, Silver, or Bronze medal upon completing a challenge, based mainly on how long it took them to complete it. The challenges progress linearly and when one challenge is complete, the next is unlocked. The credits are played when all the challenges have been completed. ### Multiplayer Although the game has built in LAN functionality, Internet play is only accessible through third-party software. Initially Internet play was only available through *[GameSpy](/source/GameSpy)*, but the Moonbase Commander Console was created shortly after the release of the original game to overcome this limitation and eventually became the most common method for fans to play online. In 2013, the source code to the Moonbase Commander Console was released under the [MIT License](/source/MIT_License).[2] There is another utility called MoonbaseIP that also bypasses the need for GameSpy along with MBCImport which allows for custom maps and export/import maps.[3] ## Development *MoonBase Commander* was developed on the [SCUMM](/source/SCUMM) engine, best known for its use in [LucasArts adventure games](/source/LucasArts_adventure_games).[4] In 2024 Moonbase Commander was made to work with ScummVM thereby removing limitations to only Windows only PCs.[5] ## Re-release In early 2014, *MoonBase Commander* was re-released on [Steam](/source/Steam_(service))[6] in its complete and unabridged form. It includes the full original gameplay, both single player campaigns and local (LAN) multi-player. ## Reception and legacy Reception Aggregate scores Aggregator Score GameRankings 77.42%[7] Metacritic 77[8] Review score Publication Score IGN 8/10[9] Award Publication Award IGN "Best of 2002: The Game No One Played"[1] *MoonBase Commander* received mostly positive reviews on [GameRankings](/source/GameRankings) and [Metacritic](/source/Metacritic).[7][8] It was praised by Tycho of [*Penny Arcade*](/source/Penny_Arcade_(webcomic)) at the 2002 [E3](/source/Electronic_Entertainment_Expo).[10] Despite this, sales of the game were low, such that when an [intellectual property](/source/Intellectual_property) valuation for [Atari Interactive](/source/Atari_Interactive) was performed in 2006, *Moonbase Commander* was estimated to be worth somewhere between $0 and $100,000.[11] The rights to the *MoonBase Commander* franchise were sold at auction to [Rebellion Developments](/source/Rebellion_Developments) following Atari's bankruptcy.[12] The editors of *[Computer Games Magazine](/source/Computer_Games_Magazine)* presented *MoonBase Commander* with their 2002 "Best Budget Game" award.[13] It won *[GameSpot](/source/GameSpot)*'s annual "Best Game No One Played on PC" award.[14] ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-IGNAward_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-IGNAward_2-1) ["Best of 2002: The Game No One Played"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121217070133/http://m.ign.com/articles/382922). IGN. Archived from [the original](http://m.ign.com/articles/382922) on December 17, 2012. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Moonbase Commander Console"](https://github.com/michaelbarlow7/moonbase-console). *[GitHub](/source/GitHub)*. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Millet), Z-Ware (Taron. ["Zauron's Lair"](http://www.zauron.net/utilities.php). *www.zauron.net*. Retrieved 2017-01-09. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-scummvm2_5-0)** Cobbett, Richard (December 22, 2017). ["How ScummVM is keeping adventure games alive, one old game at a time"](https://www.pcgamer.com/how-scummvm-is-keeping-adventure-games-alive-one-old-game-at-a-time/). *[PC Gamer US](/source/PC_Gamer_US)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190709045657/https://www.pcgamer.com/how-scummvm-is-keeping-adventure-games-alive-one-old-game-at-a-time/) from the original on July 9, 2019. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["ScummVM :: Latest Developments :: "Your move, Commander.""](https://www.scummvm.org/news/20240703/). *www.scummvm.org*. Retrieved 2025-08-11. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Moonbase Commander on Steam"](http://store.steampowered.com/app/254880). Steam. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-GR_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-GR_8-1) ["*Moonbase Commander* - GameRankings"](http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/555470-moonbase-commander/index.html). [GameRankings](/source/GameRankings). Retrieved June 1, 2015. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-MC_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-MC_9-1) ["*Moonbase Commander* reviews at Metacritic.com"](https://www.metacritic.com/game/moonbase-commander/critic-reviews/?platform=pc). [Metacritic](/source/Metacritic). Retrieved June 1, 2015. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-IGN_10-0)** ["*Moonbase Commander* Review"](https://www.ign.com/games/moonbase-commander/pc-477995). [IGN](/source/IGN). Retrieved June 1, 2015. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Penny Arcade - News - Quote News Unquote"](http://www.penny-arcade.com/2002/6/10/). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["SEC Info"](http://www.secinfo.com/dsvr4.tadr.9.htm). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["Game Informer"](https://web.archive.org/web/20131102004546/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/07/21/3380720.aspx). *[Game Informer](/source/Game_Informer)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/07/21/3380720.aspx) on 2013-11-02. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-cgm12th_14-0)** Staff (March 2003). "Best of the Year 2002; 12th Annual *Computer Games* Awards". *[Computer Games Magazine](/source/Computer_Games_Magazine)* (148): 58–61. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-bestworst2002_15-0)** *GameSpot* Staff (December 30, 2002). ["*GameSpot*'s Best and Worst of 2002"](https://web.archive.org/web/20030207155400/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/). *[GameSpot](/source/GameSpot)*. Archived from [the original](http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/) on February 7, 2003. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** The [Steam](/source/Steam_(service)) re-release was published by [Rebellion Developments](/source/Rebellion_Developments). ## External links - [*MoonBase Commander*](https://www.mobygames.com/game//moonbase-commander) at [MobyGames](/source/MobyGames) v t e Humongous Entertainment Brand owned by Tommo since 2013 Junior Adventures Putt-Putt Joins the Parade Goes to the Moon Saves the Zoo Putt-Putt and Pep's Balloon-o-Rama Travels Through Time Enters the Race Joins the Circus Freddi Fish Case of the Missing Kelp Seeds 2: The Case of the Haunted Schoolhouse 3: The Case of the Stolen Conch Shell 4: The Case of the Hogfish Rustlers of Briny Gulch 5: The Case of the Creature of Coral Cove Pajama Sam No Need to Hide When It's Dark Outside 2: Thunder and Lightning Aren't so Frightening 3: You Are What You Eat from Your Head to Your Feet Life Is Rough When You Lose Your Stuff! Spy Fox "Dry Cereal" 2: "Some Assembly Required" "Operation Ozone" Backyard Sports † Baseball original 1997 game 2001 2003/2004 game, a.k.a. 2005 Soccer original 1998 game MLS Edition Football original 1999 game Basketball Hockey Blue's Clues Blue's Birthday Adventure Blue's 123 Time Activities Blue's Treasure Hunt Other games Fatty Bear's Birthday Surprise Junior Field Trips Big Thinkers MoonBase Commander Related Ron Gilbert Shelley Day SCUMM † Backyard Sports was removed from Humongous Entertainment's control in 2005. That series is currently owned (since 2021) by Backyard Sports LLC and handled (since 2024) by Playground Productions. --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [MoonBase Commander](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MoonBase_Commander) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MoonBase_Commander?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.