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Building the LEGO Universe MMO
It's slowly coming together -- brick by brick. The LEGO Universe MMO is still on track, and it's still under control of NetDevil. While the company has gone quite quiet on the production of Jumpgate Evolution, GamesIndustry.biz was able to catch up with the company at GamesCom in Cologne to ask them some questions about the LEGO Universe MMO.This interview is with Ryan Seabury, the creative director on the project, and focuses in on the challenges behind making a directed gaming experience coupled with the creative power of a sandbox game, and then making it all accessible for kids and their families. It's really a great read if you're interested in how game design decisions are made, and how LEGO Universe will bridge the gap between an entirely open sandbox world and a more "theme park" experience.
Runes of Magic Chapter II to be shown at GamesCom
Are you going to be at GamesCom in Cologne, Germany? If you are planning to be in the area from the 19th to the 23rd of August, then you should head on over and check out Frogster Interactive's booth. Runes of Magic is going to be attending the convention in style, with 23 high end gaming rigs running Chapter II: The Elven Prophecy.Frogster is also going to be conducting some nice giveaways as well, including a brand new Runes of Magic PC. Beyond the prizes there will be some small scale panels, including concept artist Eva Widermann explaining the concept artwork she did for Elven Prophecy and Runes of Magic guild Nocturnis giving pointers on how to run one of the game's high end instances.Excited for more Runes of Magic info? Keep an eye on our site, as we have an upcoming developer's tour through The Elven Prophecy!
Leipzig Games Convention dead, long live Games Convention Online
Or rather, GAMES CONVENTION ONLINE as the press release puts it. The Leipzig Games Convention, Europe's premier video games showcase, will be closing its doors in 2009 thanks to competition from Cologne's Gamescom, a new event which premieres this Summer. Gamescom boasts the full support of the industry, which it has snatched from Leipzig's grasp. This includes acting as host for GDC Europe, which had previously been hosted at Leipzig alongside the Games Convention. The Leipzigger Messe isn't done with games, though, as it will play host to a new event this year. Games Convention Online will take part in Leipzig between July 31 and August 2, and will focus on "the most dynamic market in the gaming industry: browser, client and mobile games." An exciting prospect, by all accounts, but we suspect it may not see as great a turnout as Gamescom might. As if the news couldn't get any sadder, Leipzig's CEO Wolfgang Marzin says the industry can come back any time (please!). "If the industry is again in search of a platform for console and PC games and hardware with the know-how of the GC - Games Convention, we will immediately be available."
