Castle Thorn Software

Players were able to do things like command ships, and set up colonies. There are no pre-programmed game environments, and no instance dungeons. Therefore, actions, victories, or colonies set up by players will remain, and affect game outcomes.

StarQuest Online was one of the only space-based MMORPG where individual players can work together as crewmen on the same vessel, operating different control stations on the bridge.

Administrators provide some scripted missions. However, players are fully able to create their own organizations, colonies and other structures within the game. The main organization within the games is the United Systems Alliance, which is the "official" player organization. Players may choose to create characters which are independent of the Alliance, but several alien empires are fully controlled by non-player characters.

Starships require several players to function. Almost all starships have a real-world schedule to function, and cannot be used at all without at least one of the players present who serves as a senior officer in the game. Exception to this rule is civilian owned shipping which may by its nature vary a great degree.