SVS Subspace/Continuum Primer

by Seph

2003 revision by Ace-High

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What are the main differences between zones in Subspace/Continuum? 
Subspace zones can be separated into a few main categories: Standard (SSS), Supership, and One-Shot Kill zones. This primer focuses on SVS settings which are the backbone of the game.  Zones like Trench Wars have larger populations because they are easier to learn.  However, whereas Trench and Super Ship players have a hard time competing in SSS, SSS players can compete easily on all three types.

What is SSS? 
SSS stands for Standard Subspace Settings. SSS defined what Subspace is about. It made Subspace popular and addictive. Almost all zones that existed prior to 1998 were under SSS (which was then named after the company SVS meaning Standard VIE Settings). It is THE most fine-tuned and balanced settings you can find across Subspace. 
However, after VIE (Virgin Interactive Entertainment)'s demise in the winter of 1998, player-created zones took over the scene and became very popular up to this date. 

Are there any SSS zones available currently? 
Yes, they are the following: 

SSCX Alpha West--otherwise known as Alpha zone--was one of the two original zones from 1996. It was designated as the zone for new players where they can get a grip on the basic elements of flying. No objective, just fly around and kill....master your ability to control your ship is the main objective of Alpha. 

SSCX Chaos/League--This is the first of the SSS megazones which comprises many different game arenas into a single zone. The breakdown is as follows: 

	Chaos: The entry arena is Chaos, also known as Chaos Expert, a natural progression from Alpha for more experienced pilots. 	Fly lone-wolf, in a swarm, or on a turret to compete in the bi-weekly Reset Winners Competition, the biannual Pilot/Squad 	Rankings, or just for the hell of it.  There is also a weekly Chaos League event with dozens of squads competing simultaneously 	as well as a monthly solo pilot tournament.

SSCE Dueling/League--This is a hybrid zone comprising Dueling in the main arena and 6 leagues in subarenas.  Dueling zone focuses on bare-knuckle one-on-one fighting.  Premier League (three skill divisions) four versus four competition is by far considered the highest level of competition in Subspace/Continuum.  There are is also a Gladiator (3v3) League, Dueling (1v1) Ladder, and a 2v2 Dueling League.  

SSCX Warzone--Alpha/Chaos zone with a twist. It is a capture-the-flag type zone where teamwork comes into play a lot more often. Your team must get all 8 flags and hold them for 60 seconds for the win. 

SSCX Powerball--created by JeffP, one of the original programmers of Subspace, this game pits your team against the other team (2 teams in total) and try to bring the ball to the opponent's end and score. 


How do you join leagues? 
Well, first of all you must be a good SVS player. You also need to make your presence known by playing in SVS zones frequently--obviously if you want to be picked up for a league team then you should play in Alpha/Chaos/Dueling/Warzone. If you want to be picked up for a Powerleague team then you should play in Powerball. 

So, what are the differences between SVS gameplay and non-SVS gameplay? 
All other zones that were not mentioned above are Non-SVS zones. They are player-made zones with custom settings and different themes. They revolutioned what Subspace can become after the demise of VIE--namely SSCU Trench Wars, SSCX Extreme Games and SSCU Death Star Battle are the big three in Subspace nowadays, in terms of population size. Each of those zones provide different elements into their game. For example, Trench Wars (TW) is a one-hit-kill zone to simulate trench warfare--if you get shot, you're dead. Death Star Battle (DSB) simulates...well, fighting for the control of Death Star (Star Wars fans should konw this). Extreme Games (EG) provides a warzone-style fast action game. EG can also be classified as a Super-Zone. Super zone means a zone with fast ships, fast bullets and fast bombs--mass destruction settings. 

Well, the above zones sound great, so why SVS? 
SVS incorporates all of the above plus more. Under SVS setting, plain shooting does you no good. You need to have good energy management skill, good offensive/defensive awareness, good flying skills and lastly, great aim, in order to succeed in SVS. 
The above items do not arrive in your head overnight. It takes months and months of practice for you to say "I am good at this game". 

SVS defined what Subspace is about. It drew over 2000 people to play this game before VIE went down. It is part of our herritage. One cannot say they truly played Subspace until they experience SVS and its zones. 