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NetDevil producer discusses the Jumpgate Evolution experience
Space-based massively multiplayer games are few and far between, in an industry dominated by dragons, monsters, swords, and all the other mainstays of the fantasy genre. Of course there are a few prominent examples of sci-fi MMOs on the market, most notably EVE Online which seems to be holding its own in a fantasy-fixated industry. But EVE is a particular type of game that doesn't quite meet the needs of those sci-fi fans who want a more visceral combat experience. Jumpgate Evolution, which is in development at NetDevil, may well be a title that provides that style of play gamers want in a sci-fi MMO. Indeed, Jumpgate Evolution is introducing an old favorite to the sci-fi MMO genre -- the joystick.But there's certainly a lot more to Jumpgate Evolution than its dogfighting. Jim Rossignol from Eurogamer caught up with Hermann Peterscheck, the Producer of Jumpgate Evolution, and spoke with him about some of the core concepts of the title, its mission (quest) system, and objective-based PvP. Peterscheck also walks the reader through what the new player experience will be like when beginning Jumpgate Evolution. If you're interested in hearing more about Jumpgate Evolution and how its gameplay is going to differ from a title like EVE Online, head on over to Rossignol's Eurogamer interview with Hermann Peterscheck.
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First Impressions returns!
At last check we had identified and indexed well over 250 MMOs of just about every shape, size and color available for gamers from 8 to 80 - and up! Unfortunately, there just aren't enough hours in the day to cover every single game out there as in-depth as we'd like. That said, we are pretty insanely dedicated to MMOs and love to play them... So what's a blog to do? After kicking the idea around, we've decided to bring back First Impressions for those readers who want to know about more games than just the mainstream. For now, we'll give you a brief look back at some of the staff's favorite past Impressions, as a taste of the fun to come. Be sure to come back next Wednesday and join me as we start a new journey through strange and fantastic worlds of First Impressions! First Impressions: Dungeon RunnersDungeon Runners is a game by NCsoft that trades off of the popularity of Blizzard titles WoW and Diablo II, but does it with a sense of humor. More properly, we should really say it does it with a healthy dose of snark and silliness. That's okay, we like it that way. First Impressions: Jumpgate EvolutionSometimes we get a ridiculously early look at a game in development. Wondering what Jumpgate Evolution was like in earlier beta days, or perhaps still waiting on your invite? Take a peek behind the scenes with Jennie.
The Digital Continuum: Fantasy's upcoming vacation
Is the MMO fantasy genre finally ready to relax and take its long overdue vacation? It does seem to be the case, as nearly all of the highly anticipated titles in the coming years are exceptionally not high fantasy or even really general fantasy. So while the sun is setting on the age of fantasy, a new dawn appears to be rising elsewhere. With it comes a tidal wave of new genres into the industry, some new and others a bit more familiar. Don't believe or agree with me? Keep reading and maybe you'll change your mind.
Jumpgate Evolution surpasses 150k beta sign-ups
The guys 'n gals over at NetDevil are probably smiling ear-to-ear right now, as Jumpgate Evolution has just passed the 150k beta sign-up mark. That's a whole lot of interest for a space-shooter MMO and we're incredibly happy for them. We also can't wait to see how Jumpgate Evolution turns out after getting some hands-on time with it and face time with NetDevil producer Hermann Peterscheck. Look for future interviews and coverage from Massively as we keep an ever watchful eye on the up and coming MMORPG.%Gallery-18375%
Issue one of Jumpgate Evolution newsletter 'gates' into view
The first Jumpgate Evolution community newsletter is out now and with it some new wallpapers, a few new screenshots and a peek at the Solrain Sector. While there's no big feature announcements or flashy "podcast production" videos, it's also the first newsletter, so we're being understanding. The Solrain Sector information is thin, but we do get this image of a blazing planet bursting at its seems.We're certainly looking forward to future newsletters and the information that they'll divulge onto the community at large. The past has taught us that people respond really well when newsletters are bristling with information of varying degrees, so hopefully this is just a warm-up for NetDevil. The earlier and more frequently they're able to communicate with potential players, the stronger Jumpgate Evolution's community is going to become.%Gallery-18375%
New Jumpgate Evolution footage from Eurogamer Expo
At PAX earlier this year, we were treated to some of the first real shaky-cam footage of NetDevil's Jumpgate Evolution in action. Now, we get a bit more gameplay footage from an attendee of this year's Eurogamer Expo earlier last week.This video comes to us courtesy of the Limited Edition blog, and shows over eight minutes of the game being played off and on. We can see some great footage of combat, exploration and achievements in this video. Considering this video contains more than just Jumpgate, you can jump in around the 2:17 mark and watch until 10:26 for the Jumpgate-only content. Of course you could always watch the entire 15:44 video for more on non-MMO-related Eurogamer Expo goodness.
The Daily Grind: Where do you see yourself in a year MMO-wise?
A lot can happen in a year and typically there are at least one or two prominent new MMOs released in about that time. With Warhammer Online out now and expansions for both World of Warcraft and Lord of the Rings Online right around the bend, we're wondering where you think you'll be in just one year.There's also content updates to consider, like the first one coming for Mythic's Warhammer Online. Blizzard's content updates are anyone's guess, really. Then there's titles like Jumpgate Evolution and Champions Online to think about for anyone getting worn out on the fantasy setting. Not to mention the possibility of Star Trek Online hanging over the heads of many Star Trek fans this time next year -- assuming it gets a late '09 or early '10 release date.Us? We're probably going to be playing all of them off-and-on throughout the year. Don't ask us how much that's going to cost, because we try not to think about it.
The Best of Massively: Hands-on with upcoming games
Massively's first birthday is only a couple of weeks a way! We've been having fun looking back at our first year of coverage -- first with our ten most important interviews, then our most helpful guides, and most recently our top 5 weirdest news stories. This week we've compiled six of our hands-on previews of games that are yet to be released.Jump into the gallery to see what's on the genre's horizon with new expansions, Sci-Fi, super heroes, and more. No matter what your interests, we've got you covered! Click to start >> %Gallery-34363%
WarCry interview sheds more light on Jumpgate Evolution
One of the most hotly anticipated sci-fi MMOs on the horizon is Jumpgate Evolution. Despite the videos, screenshots, and bits of fiction that NetDevil has been releasing to stoke interest in the game, some questions remain unanswered -- particularly in terms of continuity with Jumpgate's previous incarnation and how they plan to differentiate themselves from competing MMOs in the genre. To that end, WarCry has done a Q&A with Hermann Peterscheck, the Producer of Jumpgate Evolution. The interview touches on the challenges faced in the development process and the game's relatively low system requirements. In addition, Peterscheck discusses whether the game is really geared towards hardcore or casual gamers. See the WarCry interview for Peterscheck's views on where the game is and what he hopes it will be for fans of space-based games.
The Digital Continuum: Can a space colonization MMO work?
The colonization of space isn't a brand new idea for the realm of MMOs. 2006's Seed was all about the subject, but it unfortunately failed due to a lack of publisher interest. There's no denying that such a game wouldn't be anywhere near a hugely popular title. Still, I'd like to think that with the right design philosophy, platform and business model a game focused on the challenges of discovering another planet and making it a new home would be incredibly worthwhile.
The how and why of LEGO Universe's early focus testing
Gamasutra has an interesting article up concerning the reasons and implementations of early focus testing; two and a half years early in the case of NetDevil's LEGO MMO. They speak at length with LEGO Universe lead producer Ryan Seabury about why NetDevil has been taking the early approach to testing and how they do it in a way that actually helps the game. The biggest piece of the puzzle seems to be that LEGO itself has been treating the upcoming game like any of its other projects by offering its own consumer testing group to support LEGO Universe's development. Although there's a lot more to getting helpful results out of the process.It sounds like NetDevil has learned a hard lesson from their time spent on creating Auto Assault, which didn't receive any focus testing until the end of its development cycle. This isn't an entirely new tune from the MMO developer out in Denver. They've been taking a similar approach with the sci-fi space shooter MMO, Jumpgate Evolution. Things are looking pretty positive for both games if our impressions from time spent playing and seeing Jumpgate Evolution at PAX 08 is any indication. Hopefully we'll soon begin to hear some information on the actual game part of LEGO Universe and not just the development of the game.
Discover which Jumpgate Evolution ship is right for you
If you'd like to get an early taste of what ship types will be offered in Jumpgate Evolution, then head on over to their ships page and take a gander. For the time being NetDevil is showing off combat, mining and transport ship types on its website. That's a lot to choose from, but thankfully you're not left in the dark on any ship. There are paragraph long write-ups on everything from heavy military escort ships up to speedy blockade runners.We're looking forward to darting our way through some contested space in our "GZ 23 Mad-Rabbit" (yes that's a made up name) to make a quick buck. Of course, we're sure that somebody will try and blow us into frozen space giblets with a light interceptor. That's what we (will eventually) get for trying to earn money by selling armaments between opposing factions, we (at a later date, will) suppose.
New Jumpgate Evolution video shows off dogfighting
It's safe to say that there are a lot of sci-fi MMO fans out there who would appreciate a game that incorporates dogfighting into a space-based title. Jumpgate Evolution is shaping up to be that game, from what we've seen thus far of its combat. We've been following Jumpgate Evolution for a while now, and Massively's Kyle Horner recently interviewed NetDevil producer Hermann Peterscheck about the upcoming title. New video footage of the game, captured at PAX 2008, is now found at GameTrailers.The video shows off combat taking place within a massive asteroid belt. Have a look at the video below the cut, and let us know if you think Jumpgate Evolution seems to be your type of game.
Strategy Informer interviews CCP Games about the future of EVE Online
Gaming site Strategy Informer recently spoke with CCP Games about what the future may hold for EVE Online. The interview focused on two facets of the game: EVE's economy, and the fact that with other sci-fi MMO titles like Jumpgate Evolution on the way, EVE may face increased competition in the coming months and years. CCP's Lead Economist, Dr. Eyjólfur Guðmundsson talked with Strategy Informer about the game's economic depth, which dwarfs other titles, despite having a subscriber base that's a fraction of what Blizzard enjoys. The interview touched on the possibilities of new trade hubs being established by players over time, the scarcity of certain technologies and their increasing prices, and how the market moves in general. However, the main aspects of the game he discussed were the player-run financial services that have sprung up in EVE, what the community has come up with on its own.
PAX08: Hermann Peterscheck interviewed on all things Jumpgate Evolution, page two
Massively: The flying and shooting felt really tight when we got to play it, did that take a lot of iteration to get just right? Massively: Control-wise you guys nailed that, because it took us a minute of fiddling around with the game to figure it out. Anyone familiar with shooters of any kind on the PC will be able to figure it out.
PAX08: Hermann Peterscheck interviewed on all things Jumpgate Evolution
On the last day of PAX08 we stopped by the Jumpgate Evolution booth, which was full of people with glazed-over eyes as they blasted away at enemy ships in space. After some time with the game, we sat down with the NetDevil producer Hermann Peterscheck. In-between our questions and his answers we also got to watch him blow up some space pirates, fly through a huge asteroid and battle above a super-volcanic planet with chunks of land -- that had a city on it -- floating in orbit around the planet. It was a lengthy look at a game that's already come a long way and is still showing some real promise, too.%Gallery-18375%
PAX08: Hermann Peterscheck interviewed on all things Jumpgate Evolution, page four
Dude, I dunno if you saw that but I got a nice green item there. br> Massively: That's pretty intense, you're getting flanked. br> Hermann: Yeah that's what I'm talking about.
G4TV interviews Jumpgate Evolution dev, exhibits lots of footage
G4TV interviewed Publishing Producer Michael Rowland about Jumpgate Evolution at PAX this weekend. You can watch the video of the interview right now. Mixed in with the questions and answers are a lot of gameplay video clips.The clips are the most attractive part of the video, but the interview is helpful too. Rowland suggested that the combat has a "more FPS feel" than the "turn-based" combat of other MMOs. He also said that players will be able to level up just by engaging in PvP with opposing factions. There will be three factions in all when the game launches next Spring.Most of that information can be found at the Jumpgate Evolution website, but check out the video for the gameplay clips. Just try not to be too annoyed by Adam Sessler. Of course the game was actually playable on the floor at PAX. Bet you're sad you missed out on that!
Jumpgate Evolution lore: The Bleakstone Sector is rather bleak
The official Jumpgate Evolution website is periodically updated with lore and fiction articles about places in the Jumpgate universe. They reveal information about the game's setting and back story, but they're also detailed enough that they shed some light on what gameplay will be like in the sector in question.The latest of these articles is about the Bleakstone Sector, an inner sector that's every bit as harsh and dangerous as the sectors in the outer frontier. In a binary star system, the planet Bleakstone gives off a radiant glow thanks to the minerals and chemicals on its surface. But that glow is a dangerous siren's call, as the atmosphere is extremely hot and toxic. One domed mining facility and a few outposts in space are the only evidences of humankind in this hostile region of space.There's also a faux news report about a violent attack by The Inferno on the colonists who inhabit the sector.
The Digital Continuum: Five attention-stealing MMOs
Throughout this year there hasn't really been an MMO released that's became a stand-in for my main game, which I actually don't even have as of right now. So with the summer's end nearing, I thought a look six or so months into the future releases would be an interesting topic. I know what some people may be thinking, Age of Conan did indeed come out just as summer was starting. While Funcom's newest game did hit rather recently, it just wasn't what I was looking for in a game overall. So if you're in the same boat as me, or just want to read about some of the upcoming MMOs worth playing, feel free to click the image above to start reading.%Gallery-30721%
