# Planet X3

> 2019 retro real-time strategy

**Wikidata**: [Q120915249](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q120915249)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/planet-x3

## Summary
Planet X3 is a 2019 retro real-time strategy (RTS) video game developed by David Murray, also known as The 8-Bit Guy. Originally funded via Kickstarter for MS-DOS, the game is a single-player title that has since been released for modern operating systems including Microsoft Windows and macOS.

## Key Facts
- **Developer:** The 8-Bit Guy (David Murray)
- **Genre:** Real-time strategy (RTS)
- **Initial Release Year:** 2019
- **Steam Publication Date:** July 14, 2023
- **Platforms:** Microsoft Windows, macOS, and MS-DOS
- **Funding Scheme:** Crowdfunding (Kickstarter Project ID 1973096722/planet-x3-for-ms-dos)
- **Game Mode:** Single-player video game
- **Distribution Format:** Digital distribution (Steam)
- **Language:** English

## FAQs
### Q: Who developed Planet X3?
A: Planet X3 was developed by David Murray, who is professionally known as The 8-Bit Guy.

### Q: What platforms support Planet X3?
A: The game is compatible with Microsoft Windows and macOS via Steam, and it was originally designed for MS-DOS hardware.

### Q: How was Planet X3 funded?
A: The game's development was financed through a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter.

### Q: Is there a multiplayer mode in Planet X3?
A: No, Planet X3 is strictly a single-player video game.

## Why It Matters
Planet X3 is a significant example of the modern "retro" development movement, where new software is created specifically for legacy hardware. While most modern games target high-end graphics, Planet X3 was built with the constraints of MS-DOS in mind, later being ported to modern systems like Windows and macOS to reach a broader audience. 

The project demonstrates the continued viability of crowdfunding for niche hobbyist software, as evidenced by its successful Kickstarter campaign. By bridging the gap between vintage computing enthusiasts and the Steam marketplace, Planet X3 preserves the gameplay style of early real-time strategy titles while utilizing modern digital distribution methods. It serves as a primary case study for independent developers creating "new-old" software for platforms that are decades past their commercial prime.

## Notable For
- **Retro-Native Design:** Specifically developed as a 2019 release for MS-DOS, carrying a DOSBox compatibility ID of 4604.
- **Crowdfunded Origins:** Successfully launched through a dedicated Kickstarter campaign for MS-DOS hardware.
- **Cross-Platform Availability:** Despite its retro roots, it is officially supported on Microsoft Windows and macOS via Steam (App ID 2479230).
- **Single-Player Focus:** Maintains a dedicated single-player RTS experience without multiplayer components.

## Body

### Development and Funding
Planet X3 was developed by David Murray, operating under the name The 8-Bit Guy. The project was realized through a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter (Project ID: 1973096722/planet-x3-for-ms-dos). While the game is categorized as a 2019 retro real-time strategy title, it received a wider digital publication on the Steam platform on July 14, 2023.

### Technical Specifications and Platforms
The game is designed to run on several generations of operating systems:
*   **Microsoft Windows:** Supported via Steam; the OS family has been in development since 1985.
*   **macOS:** Supported via Steam; the OS family has been in development since 2001.
*   **MS-DOS:** The original target platform for the physical and crowdfunded release.

The game is indexed in multiple technical databases, including:
*   **Steam Application ID:** 2479230
*   **MobyGames ID:** 124434
*   **PCGamingWiki ID:** Planet_X3 (105981)
*   **Lutris ID:** planet-x3

### Distribution and Gameplay
Planet X3 is distributed primarily through digital distribution on Steam. It is localized in English and functions exclusively as a single-player experience. The game is classified under the "real-time strategy" genre and is recognized by various gaming databases such as RAWG (ID: planet-x3-dos), GameSpot, and Giant Bomb. Its presence on modern storefronts like Steam and the GOG Dreamlist highlights its transition from a hobbyist hardware project to a commercially available digital title.

## References

1. Steam
2. GameSpot
3. Q124398839
4. GOG Dreamlist