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Total Recall Online trades publishers, launches in China
We've followed the strange journey of Total Recall Online over the past few years. The IP was first obtained by SEE Virtual Worlds in 2011. The company announced that it was turning the franchise into a browser-based MMO in time for the movie remake. Well, this didn't happen, and at some point Total Recall Online changed hands to a new developer, UCJOY. UCJOY released it as a browser title in China, where it currently remains exclusive to the region. If you're curious, you can check out the old trailer for the game and think about the halcyon days of Johnny Cab and Kuato. [Thanks to Dengar for the tip!]
Total Recall Online trailer shows off the game for the first time
It's been exactly a year (from tomorrow) since we last reported on the Total Recall MMO, back when it was confirmed by SEE Virtual Worlds as part of its acquisition of several popular intellectual properties. Now, thanks to an exclusive video interview over at Lorehound, we learn more about what Chinese developer ZQGame is looking to do with the browser-based title. The two factions -- The Resistance and The Federal Government -- are said to be set up with good and bad on both sides, opening up the world of morality and ethics to players. Producer K.J. Lin speaks about the features we can most look forward to, including vehicles like magnetic hover cars and motorcycles, companions to act as bodyguards, three main classes that will grow and change according to your faction and game choices, and much more. Give the entire video trailer a look after the cut below and check out some tracks from the game's soundtrack while you're at it.
Achievement Unlocked: A look at the Guinness world records of online gaming
We're just over a month into the new year, and already we've got plenty to look forward to: The Secret World is expected to hit in April, TERA will follow shortly in May, and Guild Wars 2 will be out... sometime this year (we hope). But before we all start looking toward the future, let's take a moment to look back at some of the gaming achievements of the past. Thanks to the handy-dandy Guinness Book of World Records 2012: Gamer's Edition, we've got a quick compendium of MMO-related records from the past year and then some, so if you're at all interested in the shortest-lived MMO to date or the longest time anyone's spent playing MMOs from inside a crate, join us as we take a stroll down memory lane to take a look at some notably (in)famous MMO achievements.
The MMO Report: Giving it away for free edition
Today on The MMO Report, Casey chronicles DC Universe Online's F2P growing pains ("It's almost like they're giving it away for free," he says cheekily) before moving on to the Total Recall MMO, Star Wars: The Old Republic's server types, Guild Wars 2's pet system, and the bizarre addition of Second Life to the FBI's watch list for criminal gangs and drug traffickers. "Way to give criminal organizations a wonderful idea, FBI," jokes The Beard. This episode also sees the return of Uncle Casey's mailbag and a new contest to devise an MMO Report-themed drinking game. Winners will receive (what else?) World of Warcraft-themed MEGA Bloks. Casey ends the show on a Skyrim note: "For some reason, I am always drawn to the most useless skills and end up creating a character that's only good at talking to people and getting lower prices on things but not so great at killing things." Sounds like some of my toons! Hit the break for the full episode!
SEE Games confirms Total Recall browser MMO
A few months ago, we reported that SEE Virtual Worlds had acquired a number of well-known intellectual properties, including the upcoming Total Recall remake. At the time, however, it was unknown how the company would put those properties to use. Well, wonder no more. SEE has announced that it is working on a browser-based Total Recall MMO which will tie into the upcoming film remake. The game will be free-to-play and supported by microtransactions. No release date has been announced yet, but the movie itself is tentatively scheduled for August 3rd, 2012, so a similar release date for the game wouldn't be unreasonable.
Total Recall IP snagged by MMO studio SEE Virtual Worlds
Planet Michael creator SEE Virtual Worlds has announced that it is now the proud owner of even more well-known intellectual properties. The studio now owns the rights to Men in Black 3, Total Recall (the remake, bleh), Asterix, War of the Worlds, and Waterworld. Whether the studio will turn these properties into MMOs as well, however, remains to be seen. CEO Martin Ballas said only, "These properties are tied to memorable moments and incredible characters that players are going to interact with in future SEE-created digital and online interactive video games." SEE Virtual Worlds, however, has purchased Planet Calypso for a staggering $6 million, which could hint at a possible Total Recall-themed online destination. Before long, you just may be able to hop online and shout at your party, "Get your ass to Mars!"
SEE buys Planet Calypso for $6 million, talks with Massively for an encore
For $6 million you could buy a heck of a lot of tacos -- or one virtual planet. Wisely, SEE Virtual Worlds went the latter route, snapping up Planet Calypso from MindArk and saving itself massive heartburn. The sci-fi-themed Planet Calypso operates under the umbrella of Entropia Universe and boasts 950,000 registered accounts since coming online in 2003. As part of the deal, SEE Virtual Worlds also acquired all of the assets of First Planet Company, a former subsidiary of MindArk, which has been transformed into SEE Digital Studios. Under this reorganization, SEE Digital Studios is now responsible for developing and operating Planet Calypso, Planet Michael and Universal Monsters. The company is expected to hire on additional team members for these projects. Fresh from the champagne celebration, SEE Virtual Worlds President Corey Redmond sat down with us to discuss this deal and the future of these three titles. Hit the jump to boogie with Michael Jackson, scream in terror at the Wolfman, and navigate the economy of virtual worlds.
Michael Jackson planet coming to Entropia Universe
We're having a very real panic attack right now. It started when we read the press release posted after the jump, which announces that Entropia Universe, an MMO with a real-world economy and not much else, would play host to "Planet Michael" in late 2011. In this upcoming Michael Jackson-themed world -- not to be confused with the Micahel Jackson experience -- fans of Michael Jackson can congregate and talk about how much they love Michael Jackson. We're not sure what else one does on Planet Michael, but it will seemingly cost real money, and we're sure there will be people who spend money to do it -- hence the panic attack. Here's an idea! How about the Michael Jackson fans of the world just use the comment section of this post as a forum to discuss their love of Michael Jackson's music and cinematic works? We certainly won't charge you anything, nor will we creepily approach you for digital sex! Here, we'll start things off: "Man in the Mirror" is the greatest song ever written by humans, and "Dirty Diana" isn't far behind. Discuss.
Michael Jackson virtual world planned for 2011 launch
"The Ultimate Michael Jackson Online Game" may not be a virtual world you expected, but it's a very real project coming to us late next year, via Entropia Universe. SEE Virtual Worlds approached Michael Jackson's estate about producing Planet Michael, and the company is planning to focus on the King of Pop's positive impact on our culture: "Planet Michael will offer fans around the globe an innovative, first-of-its-kind interactive gaming and social experience that truly celebrates Michael Jackson's extraordinary life as an artist and humanitarian." Planet Michael will be a free-to-play themed planet created specifically for Entropia Universe with "gameplay monetization" that allows players to take on different occupations and sometimes contribute to real-world charities at the same time. The site is currently live and taking signups.
