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Stephen Hawking’s last paper has been published on multiverse theory
The last paper Stephen Hawking wrote before he died has now been published in the Journal of High Energy Physics. Though some version of the paper has been available on the preprint site arXiv since last year, it was submitted to the journal for review just days before Hawking passed, and it deals with some theoretical physics about the many universes that might have been created by the Big Bang.
Recommended Reading: What will astronauts eat while exploring Mars?
Recommended Reading highlights the best long-form writing on technology and more in print and on the web. Some weeks, you'll also find short reviews of books that we think are worth your time. We hope you enjoy the read. How NASA Is Solving the Space Food Problem by Elizabeth Preston Eater The first manned test flight for NASA's Orion capsule may have been pushed back this week, but the project forges on. One issue that the agency faces in the quest to send humans to explore Mars is food. This piece from Eater examines the challenges NASA looks to overcome with regards to the dietary needs of the crew during deep-space missions, including some onboard gardening.
Shards backers can play as soon as Kickstarter campaign completes
Citadel is kicking off week two of its Shards Online Kickstarter with new incentives for backing the multiverse sandbox. Shards is different from other crowdfunded MMOs in that there is a "fully playable build available now," the company explains. As such, backers will get in the game "as soon as the campaign completes," and they'll receive three months of subscription time on top of their current pledge level, too. Citadel will also be hosting events for backers, the first of which will be livestreamed Saturday, May 24th at 4:00 p.m. EDT. Finally, the firm has announced a referral program that includes both in-game rewards and pledge-level increases for each new backer that you recruit. You can get all the details in the press release after the cut. [Source: Citadel press release]
Shards is a full MMO and a private server platform
Shards Online released a video update to its Kickstarter project over the weekend, along with a huge wall-o'-text focused on lore. Citadel Studios boss Derek Brinkmann stars in the clip, which addresses one of the most common questions about Shards so far. "Is Shards a game, or is it a platform? The answer is it's both," Brinkmann explains. "First and foremost it's a full game. It's built from the ground up with its own rulesets, live content, real-time events, moderation, updates, developer support, PvP, PvE, crafting, housing, the whole kit and kaboodle." In terms of the title's platform aspects, Brinkmann says that you don't have to be a programmer or a modder to run your own Shards server. He also explains how private servers are simply one of the game's many options, since the official Shards servers will offer full MMO functionality. You can view the video after the cut.
Firefly Universe Online reactivates with Fox's 'well wishes' [Updated]
Is the dream of a Firefly MMO still flying? The folks at DarkCryo Entertainment think so. The unlikely project seemed doomed due to an unauthorized use of the IP, but that may have changed. DarkCryo posted a notice on the project's Facebook page indicating that Fox has given something of a go-ahead: "With the well wishes of Fox Entertainment Group, we have reactivated the FUO MMORPG Facebook page in preparation for our upcoming Kickstarter campaign. A popular alpha launch may re-awaken licensing consideration, in which case we may then include an expansion pack containing derivative content." According to the counter on the front page, the crowdsourcing attempt to fund further development will begin in 16 days. Firefly Universe Online was officially (or unofficially, as the case may be) announced back in June of 2011. [Thanks to Tarka for the tip!] [Update: This "announcement" has since been alleged to be a hoax.]
The MMO Report: Baby names edition
This week on The MMO Report, Casey discusses the un-disbanding of the Multiverse project and associated Firefly/Buffy IPs, Wakfu's bright and bizarre character classes, DC Universe Online's timely crafting update, and Razer's new Fiona gaming tablet. He also notes that Bethesda came away the clear victor in the Fallout Online settlement. Now, where's our Fallout MMO? Finally, Casey dips into the mailbag to dispense advice to aspiring game designers and gratitude to a pair of gamers who are planning to name their first child after Casey himself. Says the Beard: "I am equally honored and aghast... I'm just a loudmouth with a camera who reads hit-or-miss jokes about nerd stuff off a teleprompter so that someone can put it on the internet." Watch Casey blush at the prospect of little baby beardlings in the full MMO Report video tucked behind the break.
The MMO Report: Cool balloon bro edition
This week on The MMO Report -- where everyone prefers "a blaster over hokey religions and ancient weapons" -- Casey tries to make the most of a slow MMO news week. He reports that the fallout over Fallout Online has settled, Multiverse (the Buffy/Firefly MMO platform) is dead in the water, CCP is launching EVE Online character avatars into orbit via balloon, and Star Wars: The Old Republic is boasting 350,000 concurrent users. There's no mailbag this week, he relates, because everyone's too busy playing lightsabers with their friends, which is probably true. He also thanks BioWare for teaching him how to /getdown... and I think you should tune in at the five-minute mark to see his moves for yourself. The video's tucked behind the break for your amusement!
Firefly MMO gets a possible second shot at the stars
While Multiverse, the development platform that was supposed to be the driving force for possible Buffy and Firefly MMOs, suffered a studio shutdown, the source code lives -- and has been snatched up by the newly formed Multiverse Foundation. Fortunately for those who were holding out hope for an online version of Joss Whedon's scifi western, it looks as though this new company wants to pick up where the previous team left off. Massively was contacted by Tristan Bacon, head of communications for Multiverse Foundation. He says that the company has acquired the source code and is "starting work full-time on the actual MMO creation platform." Bacon says that if there is still interest from fans, the team intends to use the platform to make a Firefly MMO. Don't get overexcited at the prospect of saddling up for the 'verse in your own ship, however, as this might be as long a shot as it ever was. There are substantial obstacles to overcome, including permission to use the IP. Bacon also says that the current team is just a small group of volunteers working on it in their spare time, and would appreciate more developers to sign on to the project.
Buffy and Firefly MMO dev studio closes
It was a foregone conclusion that we'd never play the announced Firefly and Buffy the Vampire Slayer MMOs from developer Multiverse, but the closure of the studio makes that all but certain. The company actually ceased operations in early December, with a post on its website noting the studio closed due to a lack of funding after it was unable to achieve profitability with the Multiverse platform. The Multiverse platform was used as "proof of concept" for Facebook titles Battle, Team Battle and Battle: Realms at War. The platform was also used for McDonalds and Coca-Cola web games. Our condolences go out to Browncoats and followers of the Scooby Gang.
Multiverse shuts down: Firefly, Buffy MMOs officially dead
It may be 2012, but 2011 isn't finished claiming its victims just yet. As discovered by Ten Ton Hammer, the team behind the Multiverse development platform has officially pulled the plug due to lack of funding. If that name doesn't ring a bell, we're sure you've heard of the two IPs most closely associated with it. Multiverse was slated to be the engine powering both the Firefly and Buffy the Vampire Slayer MMOs, but as of December 7, 2011, fans will have to look elsewhere for their Whedonverse fix. There is always Firefly Universe Online, but due to the unauthorized nature of the project and the lack of updates, we're not holding our breath.
Gamescom 2011: gamigo reveals Otherland trailer
Prior to this week's Gamescom, blurbs about the Otherland MMO popped up once a year or so, if that. Now we're bringing you the second bit of news in as many days, courtesy of the trailer announcement that follows hot on the heels of yesterday's developer interview at IGN. The video clip showed up on publisher gamigo's YouTube portal this afternoon with a curious action MMORPG label in tow. We say curious here because "action" isn't the first word that springs to mind when discussing Tad Williams' Otherland novels, nor is there a lot of action in the four-minute trailer. There is a lot of eye candy and appropriately bizarre cyberpunk trappings, though, and all of it is presented through the glossy stylings of the Unreal 3 engine. The free-to-play title is scheduled to release sometime next year, and you can get a glimpse of what awaits you in the teaser after the cut.
Five MMOs that have gone MIA
Unlike Chuck Norris, who seems to hang on as an MMO meme with insane tenacity (perhaps it's that extra fist under his beard), there are a handful of MMOs that appear to have dropped off the radar in the last several months -- if not years. Admittedly, this was originally to be a top 10 list of missing MMOs, but in the last half of this year, several developers have seen fit to thwart our plans by actually releasing information about their games. Shock! Horror! Nevertheless, I've armed myself with an enormous cup of coffee and plundered the archives of Massively and general press releases for MMOGs that seem to have dropped off the radar. Are they still under development? Will we see some movement on them in 2011? Will it take a Chuck Norris-level feat-of-strength and all-around badassery to pull them back from the developmental abyss they appear to be in? Join me behind the break as I run down some of the MMOs we're still waiting for word on.
GDC09: Multiverse travels to the City of Sinners and Saints and the Islands of War
This summer is shaping up to be a big release for the Multiverse platform, as two independent developers are gearing up to remove the final bugs from their games built on the open-source engine. However, their choice in development platform is the only thing these two games have in common, as both have taken radically different approaches to their gameplay.Telos International's City of Sinners and Saints will be setting up a closed beta for April in preparations of opening their doors to the public in June. The game is focusing on creating a social networking experience within a three dimensional space, combining Facebook-esque concepts with game environment mechanics. Quests and games will be available, but most of the focus centers on creating an avatar and just meeting other people in a very over-the-top environment.On the flip side, Neojac Entertainment's Islands of War has announced that they wish to start their open beta today, the 25th of March, and they have requested testers via their website. This fantasy themed MMORPG has been created more in the vein of the traditional MMO, a la World of Warcraft. While the game will be incorporating features that the casual player will enjoy, the setup seems to be more traditional than the approach of Sinners and Saints.
Multiverse reveals a peek at their upcoming flash development platform
Imagine booting up your computer to play your favorite online game with your friend, except he's in an airport waiting for a flight and you're at home in your office chair. You see a glorious 3-D world from the comfort of your computer monitor, and he sees a two dimensional isometric view from his hunched view over his mobile phone. You use your mouse to click your action buttons and fight monsters, and he just taps the screen with his finger. You're questing together, winning battles together, except you see the world entirely in 3-D and he's seeing it in 2-D.If you're thinking that this scenario is entirely implausible, you would be wrong. MMO tools developer Multiverse has recently unveiled a sneak peek at their upcoming flash toolset by launching the flash based game Multiverse Battle.
Multiverse exec reveals Buffy MMO details, discusses fate of Firefly
Okay, we reacted with violent disbelief to the recent news that Multiverse, the company behind the heard-but-not-seen MMO based on Firefly, would produce a second MMO using yet another of Joss Whedon's IPs, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. However, our home row homies at Massively are proving that cooler heads do sometimes prevail, as they recently gleaned a plethora of information about Multiverse's newest project (and their seemingly Ill-fated space cowboy sim) in an interview with the company's co-founder, Corey Bridges.First and foremost, Bridges promised that some headway had been made on the Firefly title, and regretted putting it on the backburner to focus on their recently acquired vamp-slaying IP -- though he's anxious to resume work on it "as soon as possible." He then goes on to explain one of the more confusing elements of the online Buffy game -- apparently, the title's 2D rendition will launch first, giving players a chance to dip their toes in the waters of the Hellmouth before the more complex 3D version launches. He also hopes to have a public beta for the title into our hands "by the end of the year."For further details on both titles, check out the entire interview on Massively. We just hope you haven't already burned your brown duster and wooden stake collection in protest.
Buffy/Firefly interview pt. 2
Are avatars that you create for the 2D experience be able to step into the 3D version of the game?CB: That's exactly what we're planning for. We're showing it a little bit at this show, we'll be able to show you some of it in Austin at AGDC. We really want to make sure to show this game to people. One thing that I worry about is backlash from Firefly. We announced that so long ago, and people are going "crap, guys, where is it?" It was really important to us that we not announce Buffy before we were already working on it. Once bitten, twice shy. Believe me, nobody could beat us up that we beat ourselves up about this. We're not at fault, but there are a lot of dashed hopes here. I wanted us to be in a public beta of Firefly here by now!
Massively interview: Multiverse explains the Buffy MMO, Firefly's delay
Yesterday we brought you word that the folks at Multiverse (the developers of the MMO middleware) are in development on an MMO based on Buffy the Vampire slayer. At the same time, news came out the Firefly MMO will now be delayed considerably while they focus their efforts that other IP from writing dynamo Joss Whedon. Yesterday evening we had the chance to speak with Mr. Corey Bridges, Co-founder, Executive Producer and Marketing Director for the company. Mr. Bridges took some time out of his busy schedule at the Virtual Worlds Expo to explain a bit more about the Buffy/Firefly MMO hoopla. Most interesting, it sounds as though (despite the lack of any announcements about it) there has actually been some forward movement on the Firefly MMO! Mr. Bridges could say almost nothing about it because of contractual obligations with Fox (the owners of the Firefly IP), but what he could say left us with the tantalizing impression we may actually see that Firefly game someday. Read on for all of that discussion, plus tidbits on why they're working on a Buffy title, a bit on what the game will be like, and the interactions between the 2D and 3D game spaces.
Multiverse to reveal (and probably never release) Buffy MMO
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/pc_games/Can_Buffy_slay_World_of_Warcraft_on_its_own_turf'; No, you know what, Multiverse? No. We're not going to do it again. We stood idly by as the announcement of a Firefly MMO had us getting our brown coats out of the closet and breaking up with our girlfriends; a Firefly MMO that, it should be noted, has never materialized in so much as a screenshot. Now you think you can waltz back in with the promise of an MMO based on Buffy the Vampire Slayer, another Joss Whedon show? You couldn't even break our hearts with the beloved IP of a different guy?More proof that this couldn't possibly be real? You'll apparently be able to "play it either as a fully immersive 3D environment or as a Flash-based 2D game." C'mon, that doesn't even make sense! Tell you what, Multiverse: You put an actual, playable build of the game into our hands. Until then, you'll be met with an indifference as cold as your black, dream-crushing hearts.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer MMO announced, Firefly MMO 'delayed'
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/pc_games/Can_Buffy_slay_World_of_Warcraft_on_its_own_turf'; In an announcement to press today about the keynote address to this year's Virtual Worlds Conference in Los Angeles, the folks at Multiverse have announced a trio of new and interesting projects. One is a Titanic-related project connected to James Cameron, while another is the main connecting 'space' that will link all of Multiverse's worlds - a project called Multiverse Places.The third is, apparently, a Buffy the Vampire Slayer massively multiplayer game. Multiverse, if you'll recall, is also the company that holds the license to develop an MMO based on the Firefly television show, another Joss Whedon fan favorite. While the Firefly title has now apparently been 'delayed', it sounds as though the Buffy title is already in development. From the announcement: "Buffy the Vampire Slayer: A massively multiplayer online game based on the critically-acclaimed Joss Whedon television series. Currently under development at Multiverse, 'Buffy' exemplifies a new era of game design, allowing consumers to play it either as a fully immersive 3D environment or as a Flash-based 2D game."The full announcement is available below the cut. Be sure to check out our exclusive interview with Corey Bridges of Multiverse for plenty of details on the project!
Wising up to the Firefly MMO's unique challenges
It's been about a year and a half since Wired reported that the Firefly license would be MMO-ized by Multiverse. Since then, there's been a vacuum of news -- nada. The game is looking vaporware-esque at this point, but MMORPG nevertheless ran a feature article speculating as to what sorts of challenges the developers of the Firefly MMO will face.The author goes through all sorts of possible approaches, from a Star Wars Galaxies-inspired ground game to an EVE Online-inspired space game -- even a mostly-social, barely-RPG, casual-type experience. We suspect the last of those is the most likely, if the game gets made at all. As the article notes, the project is not likely to have much funding, and while the audience is passionate, it's also small. That was FOX's problem, too. As we know, the challenges don't end there.One concern MMORPG didn't bring up at all; Firefly was a character-driven series. Its setting was kind of interesting, but the characters were what made it all worthwhile. If Mal, Jayne, Inara, and Kaylee aren't a part of it, will anyone want to tune in? Turning this franchise into a successful MMO seems almost impossible. Regardless, Captain Mal Reynolds said "we have done the impossible, and that makes us mighty." If the folks at Multiverse pull off a Firefly MMO, that quote could be their mantra.
