jumpgate-evolution
Latest
Scott Brown elaborates on design philosophy behind Jumpgate Evolution
Gamasutra caught up with NetDevil president Scott Brown to play a demo of and talk about his upcoming space MMO, Jumpgate Evolution. Fans already know about the various ships, career paths, and large-scale battles from recent interviews and part one of a "making of" production video, so they decided to discuss more of the design philophy behind the game instead.Scott says his 13-person team has been trying to concoct the perfect "easy to learn, difficult to master" formula that will provide an accessible but challenging experience for players. He also believes players should be able to solo in JGE, but be encouraged to group as well. One feature he hints at is a "soft grouping" mechanic that will prevent solo players hunting in the same area from stealing each others' kills.Instead of trying to incorporate fantasy-based MMO roles like tanking, healing, and DPSing, NetDevil gained their inspiration for careers from modern air and naval combat. Scott also believes that PvE- and PvP-oriented players may not mix, so the team has been considering a special PvE PvP-only server-type. Ultimately, beta testing will determine whether or not this happens. Speaking of beta, don't miss your chance to sign up because the game is set to launch in June.
Champions Online dated for release on July 14th
During an event in the UK today, Cryptic's Bill Roper revealed that Champions Online will officially launch on July 14th 2009 in both the United State and Europe. The launch date, while a tiny bit further than expected, is probably for the better since Jumgpate Evolution is releasing in the middle of June anyhow. If both of these games hit in the same month, we'd probably lose our minds.Finally having a definitive release date is incredibly exciting and means we can now commence the tailoring of our superhero costume that we'll wear on launch day in order to celebrate. Of course, you won't be seeing that because well let's face it, we're going to be staying home waiting for Champions Online in the mail, dressed like the No Pants Man.Keep your eyes sharp, as we're sure there'll be additional information from this event sometime soon.
The Daily Grind: Which sci-fi MMOs are you looking forward to?
Star Wars: The Old Republic, Earthrise, Fallen Earth, Star Trek Online, Jumpgate Evolution, Global Agenda, Black Prophecy, the Fallout MMO (maybe), Blackstar, Otherland, StarGate Worlds, and even more. It seems that if you're a hardcore sci-fi fan, now is a really good time to be an MMO player with all the options coming soon in terms of upcoming MMOs. You've got everything from the blended fantasy/sci-fi to favorite movie and gaming IPs to all-new concepts to dig into and enjoy. Of course, with such a large influx coming, this morning we thought we'd ask you what some of your most anticipated sci-fi MMOs are? Which ones are you trying like mad to get into the betas for? Which ones are just kind of "meh" on your radar? If you've got more than one, which one do you think might reign supreme among your choices?
Jumpgate Evolution full ship type details plus new screenshots
If you're looking forward to Jumpgate Evolution as much as we are, then you'll be happy with today's press release via Codemasters concerning player ships -- in fact, you'll be ecstatic. The reason being that below the cut you'll find information on every single ship type and it's progression within the game.We're talking Combat Fighters, Advanced Fighters, Support Gunboats, Combat Gunboats, Runners and Freighters. If all that information isn't enough, the press release also lays out the advancement paths of each ship type. The new screens are also pretty mindblowingly awesome, as well. While we're fairly certain that the world "mindblowingly" isn't actually word, for lack of a better thing to say, that will have to do.So what are you waiting for? Check it out and join us in salivating over what's looking to be one amazing space shooter MMO.%Gallery-18375%
The Digital Continuum: Evolving past the Diku design
I never played any of the numerous MUDs -- let alone DikuMUD -- back in the early nineties, and it's probably for the best, as my then youthful mind wouldn't have spared more than a few minutes to learn how they worked, let alone spend the necessary time to play them. We're talking pre-teen here, just to be clear, and I was really interested in stuff like point and click adventure games. Oh, and also Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.Even though I wasn't around for the progenitors that would eventually lead to things like Ultima Online, EverQuest, Dark Age of Camelot and World of Warcraft, it's not hard for me to see in the wake of all those titles the line of ideas and creativity that connects all of them. Hell, you can trace it back to the original release of Dungeons and Dragons if you really wanted to, but let's focus on the future for today.
Jumpgate Evolution gives us a dev diary sneak peek
If you've been itching for more information on the upcoming sci-fi space shoot-em-up Jumpgate Evolution, then you'll be thrilled to hear that Netdevil and Codemasters Online are rolling out a series of developer diary videos. The first video released today features Hermann Peterscheck, Lead Producer of Jumpgate Evolution, who talks about some of the inspirations that have gone into this game. Additionally, he takes some time to delve into just why they opted for a space shooter as an MMO project. As if that weren't enough, he shows off some gorgeous footage of game-play, and goes further into what the experience should be like for players in Jumpate Evolution, providing a behind-the-scenes look at the game's production ideals. Netdevil and Codemasters Online have told us that they'll be bringing out a second developer diary video soon, chock full of more tantalizing details for MMO fans to drool over. The word is that the second installment will feature Jumpgate Evolution's Art Director Darren Klein, and will take players further down into the wormhole by looking into the art - and the reasoning - as to the visual style Jumpgate Evolution is taking. If you still haven't signed up for the beta for the game, head over to their main site and get signed up! For now, enjoy the hot new dev video goodness behind the break!
New Jumpgate Evolution trailer is very definition of large scale battles
The newest trailer for Jumpgate Evolution is nearly 100% all combat, aside from the brief moments of textual drama. And with all that combat comes a pretty large sense of scale that we've really only seen in a few MMOs since the genre's inception. This and wonderful joyous action being NetDevil's specialty, it comes as no surprise.Between the announcement of the game's minimum requirements and all of these gameplay videos, we're feeling very assured in our belief that Jumpgate Evolution is shaping up to be a visually stunning title that doesn't demand the world of our hardware. And so long as there aren't any significant bugs or crashes to desktops going on once the game releases, we'll probably be able to call the game 2009's most technically and visually impressive MMO.Check out the full trailer after the break, or download the HD version directly from Big Download's super-fast file service.
Minimum specs and new screens for Jumpgate Evolution revealed
With the month of March behind us and April in full effect, June continues to creep closer and closer. This is of deep significance for anyone awaiting the release of NetDevil's Jumpgate Evolution, as is today's announcement of the game's minimum hardware requirements.If this was a game of limbo, we'd have to say that NetDevil just won this month's tournament by creating one of the most technically limber MMOs we've seen in quite some time. How will the game actually look at lower setting has yet to be seen, although space games tend to scale down pretty well. We're also interested to see what the recommended specs look like, but for now you can consider us very impressed.Check out the minimum requirements just beyond the cut.%Gallery-18375%
Gazillion VP shares plans for Marvel Universe, Lego Universe, and beyond
If you've been reading Massively over the past few weeks, it's likely you've heard us mention Gazillion Entertainment. They're a company that seemingly came out of nowhere and revealed that they've acquired NetDevil (thus Jumpgate Evolution and LEGO Universe) and have two MMOs based on Marvel Comics IPs in development; Super Hero Squad is geared towards kids while Marvel Universe is aimed squarely at older comic fans. Our parent site Joystiq managed to get some face time at GDC 2009 with Gazillion's VP of Marketing Paul Baldwin who explained a bit about the company and their plans for the MMO industry.
GDC09: Jumpgate Evolution developer video walkthrough
With its June release nearing and beta even closer than that, Jumpgate Evolution was looking pretty hot at GDC09 this week -- although that may have something to do with the game running on three monitors.Much of the information in the video isn't entirely new, aside from the discussion of open PvP which seems to involve the building and defending/attacking of space stations. Beyond that, we get a very close look at the sexy UI that NetDevil has put together. Also, have we mentioned that this game looks downright gorgeous?We're pretty sure that we've mentioned that at least five or twenty times. Check out the second half of the walkthrough after the break.
The Digital Continuum: Five PvP MMOs with potential
PvP and PvE -- both are part and parcel to the MMO experience. Some games focus on one more than the other, to be sure. Others try to strike an even balance, but ultimately a game seems to become one aspect more than the other.With so many upcoming MMOs in the next couple of years, I thought it would be worthwhile to see which games may possess a substantial degree of PvP potential. As per usual, I'm choosing five to keep things from getting out of hand.
NetDevil acquired by Gazillion Entertainment... last July
We've got good news that also happens to be a bit strange. Remember that new publisher that's now bringing us the Marvel MMO? Well, it turns out that NetDevil was actually acquired in July 2008 by the newly revealed Gazillion Entertainment. NetDevil's Scott "Scorch" Brown says in his post on the official Jumpgate Evolution forums that the choice was made due to Gazillion's shared view on game development. Specifically, the two companies value lots of focus testing, vertical slice development, iterating until things are great and only releasing games when they are ready.The strange part is of course the announcement of an acquisition that occured over half a year ago. We're assuming the delay was due to Gazillion wanting to make a big announcement splash, but it's dark business magic like this that make us scratch our heads sometimes.Is this news and that of Codemaster's chief operating officer unexpectedly departing from the company connected? It's hard to say, but at this point it's anybody's guess as to what's really going on.
Rumor: Codemasters chief operating officer has left unexpectedly
Edge Online has picked up a rumor that Tony Williams, the chief operating officer of Codemasters, has unexpectedly left the company while Codemasters has yet to make an official announcement.Williams was the managing director at Bam! Entertainment, which was responsible for Carmen Sandiego: Secret of the Stolen Drums, Wallace & Gromit in Project Zoo, and various Cartoon Network video game adaptations, until coming on board with Codemasters in 2005. Edge Online has been unable to confirm his absence, as their calls to Codemasters were left unanswered.Codemasters is responsible for publishing Jumpgate Evolution and Lord of the Rings Online Europe, as well as ArchLord in the United States.
Massively speaks at length with Jumpgate Evolution's Hermann Peterscheck Pt. 3
"I think it's kind of fun to be sort of a space trucker, and we're trying to do everything we can to make that role more interesting." I'm surprised at what people enjoy in terms of different experiences.
Massively speaks at length with Jumpgate Evolution's Hermann Peterscheck
With its June launch looming just a few months away, we spoke with Jumpgate Evolution's Hermann Peterscheck. Within this interview you can find information on topics such as digital distribution, beta, hardcore mode and plenty more.And if that somehow doesn't sate your thirst for information, then check out our previous interviews with Hermann, which contain all sorts of additional, informative goodies.%Gallery-18375%
Massively speaks at length with Jumpgate Evolution's Hermann Peterscheck Pt. 2
Will the system allow for one character to eventually train in several or possibly every license? World of Warcraft Well certainly you want to facilitate interested players. WoW Even Blizzard is moving that direction with dual-specs, allowing max level characters to have two talent load-outs.
The Daily Grind: Do you have a springtime MMO?
Spring is nearly here, and that means new videogame releases are bound to decline over the coming months until summer arrives with nary a release in sight. For us MMO gamers, though, what it generally means is we look for a particular game to pack away -- like geeky summertime squirrels!Some of us stick with what's working, whether it's World of Warcraft or EVE Online. Others patiently await new exciting releases like Champions Online, Jumpgate Evolution and Free Realms. And then there are those who take a break and play the non-MMO games coming out during spring, only to return to their favorite MMO of choice once the well runs dry elsewhere.We sometimes wonder what non-MMO gamers do in the summer. Maybe they go outside and burn up in a violent burst of pale ash, victims of our local star's death rays.
Newest Jumpgate Evolution screens would make Boba Fett proud
NetDevil recently unleashed a ton of new images from Jumpgate Evolution, including both concept art and screen shots. And while the new screens are full of amazing space battles, we had to put the spotlight on this concept piece you see above. Are primary reason is because this early captial ship sketch is pretty amazingly designed, and there was no way we couldn't point out how impressive it'll be to see it fully rendered in-game come launch this June.Still, our favorite newest screen is easily this shot of the spacecraft with the wing-design. Now, is it just us, or is that ship one 90 degree wing-turn away from highly resembling bounty hunter Boba Fett's Slave I spacecraft? Hmm, seems like the guys and gals over at NetDevil are letting their Star Wars geek show. Groovy!%Gallery-18375%
Jumpgate Evolution trailer contains a few lasers
We've been wondering what was going to set Codemasters' upcoming spacefaring MMO Jumpgate Evolution apart from other, longer established astronautical online titles. The answer might just be in the new trailer for the game which you see above -- lasers. More lasers than a San Francisco warehouse rave. We've done the math, there's an unprecedented 158:1 ratio of lasers to seconds of gameplay shown. That is a great deal of lasers.Also, from what we've seen, it's probably going to stand out due to its fast-paced, dynamic combat and gorgeous visuals -- both of which lend themselves to laser proliferation. If you want to get your hands on the title, they're currently accepting beta applicants -- otherwise, your pilgrimage into Codemasters' final frontier will have to wait for Jumpgate's June release.See: Jumpgate Evolution HD Trailer Download [Via Big Download] Gallery: Jumpgate Evolution
'Enter the Fray' in Jumpgate Evolution's latest trailer
NetDevil has released a new Jumpgate Evolution trailer showing off quite a bit of gameplay footage, including our first look at the much-promised capital ship battles.It'd be an understatement to say that as fans of things like space shooters, Battlestar Galactica and the original Star Wars trilogy, this trailer delivers a lot of excitement. In fact, we hope that Codemasters and NetDevil can figure out how to get stuff like this alongside any upcoming space movies or television series.June 2009 and beta can't come soon enough, but until then we'll keep updating you with the latest information and news regarding Jumpgate Evolution. Check out the video after the break.
