Pardus is a graphical browser-based MMORPG written in PHP and C/C++[1] and set in a futuristic universe where players interact and compete in space.

Partially inspired by classic computer games such as Elite and Master of Orion II, Pardus was developed and published by the Austrian company Bayer&Szell OG.

Alpha testing of the game began in September 2004 and the core feature set was finished by October 1, 2006.

Players begin the game with a low-end spacecraft and attempt to increase their wealth, rank, skills and otherwise advance their characters.

[3] Upon completion of the tutorial a player must choose from one of four races: Humans, Rashkir, Ska'ari or Keldon.

Each faction has a certain set of specializations, which gives member pilots access to unique ships and equipment.

The level of cooperation is such that on certain servers, the borders of some faction-controlled territory are sealed by military outposts (controlled by players) that prevent foes or unwanted guests from passing.

Each syndicate provides to its members access to unique ships and equipment, as well as daily reputation bonuses (positive or negative).

[5] From the main interface players have a view of the local system they are in, plus various screens detailing the buildings in the area, the contents of their ship, the skills of their character and so forth.

[10] Several times each day at fixed intervals all planets, starbases and buildings in the game consume and produce a variety of commodities, provided certain upkeep needs are met.

There are dozens of types of commodities available, ranging from low-tech raw materials such as Food, Water, Energy, Ore, and Metal, to high-end finished products such as Droids and Hand Weapons.

This often leads to fields that are "strip-mined", meaning raw materials are very scarce or in insufficient quantities to be harvested.

Strip-mined fields are one of the most common difficulties encountered by players in the more populated areas of the universe.

Each have their own initial start-up costs and their unique necessary upkeep, some high-end buildings require a certain amount of experience or APs played before construction is allowed.

This reputation loss is often used by pirates to easily gain acceptance into The Shadow Syndicate and enjoy relevant benefits.

These defense modules need to be destroyed before commodities can be stolen and allows the owner and his allies time to react to the attack.

Player-owned starbases, though generally more difficult to maintain than other buildings, can make their owners a considerable amount of money if well placed.

Some successful bases tend to have private web pages with extended customer services, marketing, RP elements and/or investor programs.

This is a popular function, as player-built ships and equipment is usually considerably cheaper than their regular price offered by NPC starbases and planets.

There is a variety of missions; for instance killing non-player characters (NPCs), delivering packages, or transporting VIPs.

There is a chance a player will be detected by the authorities when selling to a black market, however, which might result in a faction bounty.

EPS pilots may have equipment that can detect illegal contraband on ships and will turn players over to authorities.

Players often plan economies together in order to produce maximum profits, build Military Outpost "walls", and can attack or ambush targets together that they would not be able to defeat alone.

PvP killing not associated with faction war, private conflict, or bounty hunting is always considered piracy.

Only the central Pardus cluster, offering unique NPC opponents and additional rules, remains neutral at all times.

[21] Because Pardus is player-driven and open-ended, it acts similarly to agent-based models, with the important distinction of the "agents" being real people instead of programmed.