Filed under: Jumpgate Evolution

Creating the sound and music of Jumpgate Evolution

by James Egan Sep 12th 2009 at 6:00PM

Filed under: Sci-fi, Jumpgate Evolution, New titles

We've been wondering what's happening over at NetDevil with Jumpgate Evolution of late. It's been a bit quiet on the news front, but we've come across a recent dev blog from Jumpgate Evolution Producer Hermann Peterscheck that explains the importance of audio in this sci-fi MMO.

Peterscheck explains NetDevil's approach to audio in a space game and the various steps taken to ensure the game sounds as good as it looks. He writes, "Try imagining Star Wars without John Williams' sound track or James Earl Jones' booming Darth Vader voice. Poor audio on top of great video can really deteriorate production value. The trouble with audio is that it generally comes late in the development cycle and all too often as an afterthought."

The Daily Grind: What type of ship combat is ideal in a sci-fi MMO?

by James Egan Sep 6th 2009 at 8:00AM

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Jumpgate Evolution, Game mechanics, PvP, PvE, Opinion, Star Trek Online, The Daily Grind, Black Prophecy

The coming years will bring numerous options for sci-fi MMO gameplay. While EVE Online is presently the reigning champ, other ship-based MMOs are on the way like Star Trek Online and Jumpgate Evolution. There are also a few dark horses in the running like Taikodom and Black Prophecy. Despite their differing game mechanics, what all of these titles share is combat that takes place in three-dimensional space. While there's still a default horizontal orientation, you're not fixed to that horizontal plane, giving you more vectors of attack and evasion. Each game has (or will have) its own twist on combat, though.

EVE Online's combat is methodical and somewhat difficult to master. However, it's also a blast once you know what you're doing, especially given that that when you get into Tech II and Tech III ships, there's real loss involved that can get your heart pumping. Combat in Star Trek Online has been described as being above all else a tactical experience, but from the video footage we posted yesterday, it's faster-paced than we anticipated. These ships seem fairly agile. But when it comes to dynamic joystick-style space combat in an MMO, Jumpgate Evolution will likely be in a class of its own.

With these differing approaches to the game mechanics of combat in these titles, what do you want out of ship combat in an MMO? Do any of these games fit what you're looking for in a space-based massively multiplayer online game?

Jumpgate Evolution dev blog looks at balancing combat

by William Dobson Jul 30th 2009 at 9:00AM

Filed under: Sci-fi, Jumpgate Evolution, Classes, Game mechanics, New titles

As player-versus-player pew-pewing is one of the biggest draws for those interested in the upcoming Jumpgate Evolution, there's no wonder that a lot of attention has been given to balancing the game's combat. The most recent Jumpgate Evolution dev blog entry from lead producer Hermann Peterscheck, titled "Combating Combat", shed some light on how class balance came to be where it's at now.

The post goes on to say that from the very beginning, balance was approached with PvP in mind, as NetDevil realized that it would be easier to tweak PvE accordingly at a later stage. Starting with just one class of ship, additional classes were introduced over time and put through their paces in daily play tests. Petersheck noted that the goal was to have each class feel truly unique and not simply have a bit less of this stat, or a bit more of that one:

"It's very tempting to just throw a bunch of classes of ships together in order to say things like 'our game has 15 classes of ships!' but this, we believe, is the wrong direction. People want meaningful and strong choices and not lots of meaningless, empty choices. Currently we plan to have 4-6 classes, but they will each have nearly endless possible configurations within those groups."

It's a promising design philosophy, to be sure. Check out the rest of Peterscheck's article at the JGE dev blog.

Jumpgate Evolution hits 250,000 beta sign ups

by James Egan Jul 21st 2009 at 8:00PM

Filed under: Betas, Sci-fi, Jumpgate Evolution, News items

The upcoming sci-fi title Jumpgate Evolution seems to be highly anticipated by the MMO gaming community, at least if the deluge of unique beta sign-ups is any indication. Jumpgate Evolution's developer NetDevil and publisher Codemasters announced today that they've passed 250,000 beta sign-ups.

They added, "Everyone working on Jumpgate Evolution is ecstatic about the news, and we can't wait to begin allowing those who have supported us through this phase of development into Beta once it begins later this year."

[Via WarCry]

Jumpgate Evolution interview drops details on PvP

by James Egan Jul 17th 2009 at 7:00PM

Filed under: Sci-fi, Jumpgate Evolution, Game mechanics, Lore, PvP, Races

NetDevil's upcoming sci-fi MMO Jumpgate Evolution is notable for its aggressive, joystick-style approach to PvP. Needless to say, it's a game we're really looking forward to trying, we're just not sure about when that's going to be. Without a solid ETA on when the title will launch, we're just keeping up with NetDevil's updates on Jumpgate Evolution's development. They've recently announced some new info about the game's move towards a player-driven economy, but we'd imagine most of our readers are more interested in JGE's PvP. That's the focus of an interview with the title's lead producer Hermann Peterscheck that we've just come across over at MMORPG.com.

Jon Wood spoke with Peterscheck about how PvP will factor in the game's lore, and vice versa. Peterscheck explained how each of the nations has a personality or a character, which they've been trying to convey with the lore released for the militaristic Octavians, the profit-motivated Solrain, or the mystic Quantar. NetDevil's goal is to present enough 'character' for each nation that players can identify with that faction and bring that into their gameplay.

Jumpgate Evolution updates lore surrounding the spiritual Quantar faction

by James Egan Jul 15th 2009 at 6:00PM

Filed under: Sci-fi, Jumpgate Evolution, Lore, New titles

The writers on the Jumpgate Evolution team have released a lore update that focuses on the mystic Quantar nation. In Jumpgate Evolution's setting, the Quantar are a people who follow many different religious paths, but are "united by the fundamental belief that human destiny lies among the stars." Their spiritual beliefs are reflected in their technology, centered around the concept of a pilot and ship striving to become a single being, which explains their prowess in combat.

NetDevil's lore update to Jumpgate Evolution chronicles the history of Quantar culture and society, but they also released new info on sectors of Quantar space accompanied by some gorgeous images. There's now quite a bit of material centering on the Quantar nation which should be good news to fans of Jumpgate Evolution's lore.

Jumpgate Evolution lead producer on how the game is shaping up

by James Egan Jul 7th 2009 at 7:00PM

Filed under: Sci-fi, Jumpgate Evolution, Game mechanics, Interviews, MMO industry, PvP, PvE

We think that Jumpgate Evolution is a promising game, one that will inject aggressive joystick-style PvP combat into the MMO scene and provide a change of pace from the slower, more tactical sci-fi titles. Massively doesn't have an ETA on the game's launch yet, but we are following how the game is developing, as communicated in interviews with the gaming press and fansites as well.

We recently mentioned Jumpgate Evolution's aims to establish a player-driven economy in the game, which we noted our readers had a mixed response to. We've also come across some more info about the game in an interview JGE lead producer Hermann Peterscheck gave to I4U News.

Jumpgate Evolution economy changing to player-driven system

by James Egan Jul 5th 2009 at 12:00PM

Filed under: Sci-fi, Jumpgate Evolution, Economy, Game mechanics, Interviews, Crafting

Some gamers were disheartened when NetDevil opted to delay the Jumpgate Evolution launch in order to refine some aspects of gameplay, but we're hoping the extra time they've bought for themselves will equate to a more polished release. One of those aspects of the game they're improving is Jumpgate Evolution's economy, which is the subject of an interview that producer Hermann Peterscheck gave to JGERadio's "Tikigod."

Throughout the interview, Peterscheck emphasizes that Jumpgate Evolution's economy should, by design, function in ways similar to a real world economy (but hopefully with a lot less fail) -- a far more dynamic system than one driven by NPC vendors. Peterscheck says, "I actually think the changes make the economy more alive. What we have done is moved away from an AI-based economy to a player-driven economy."

No comment from Codemasters on Warner Bros. buyout rumors

by William Dobson Jun 24th 2009 at 10:00AM

Filed under: Fantasy, Sci-fi, Jumpgate Evolution, Lord of the Rings Online, MMO industry, Rumors

GamesIndustry.biz recently reached out to Codemasters, publisher of the European version of Lord of the Rings Online and the upcoming Jumpgate Evolution, for their comment on a rumor that Warner Bros. may be getting ready to buy them out. The rumor was first seen at VG247 (warning: link contains colorful but entertaining language) and it claims that Warner has "completed due diligence and buyout discussions are ongoing". This prompted GI.biz to seek clarification from Codemasters.

Their reply? "We won't respond to that story. Everything is fine here." Ok, so sometimes 'no comment' does just mean 'no comment', but it certainly doesn't close the book on the whole rumor situation with any conviction. Warner Bros. didn't return GI.biz's calls (yet) so there's no confirmation to be had from them either. It looks like we might just have to wait and see if anything actually eventuates -- or for more insider leaks perhaps.

New Jumpgate Evolution screens show fighters in action

by James Egan Jun 11th 2009 at 8:00PM

Filed under: Sci-fi, Galleries, Screenshots, Jumpgate Evolution

Massively recently took a look at Jumpgate Evolution at E3 2009, and we liked what we saw, which would be clear to anyone who listened to the latest Massively Speaking podcast. We put up some of the new screenshots for you to accompany our most recent feature story on Jumpgate Evolution, but the team at NetDevil released 14 new screenshots today.

We've added them to our core Jumpgate Evolution gallery, so have a look through our images below for the latest shots of the Quantar and Solrain fighters in action.

Gallery: Jumpgate Evolution Gallery

E3 2009: A complete roundup of Massively's coverage

by James Egan Jun 8th 2009 at 8:00PM

Filed under: Jumpgate Evolution, MMO industry, New titles, The Agency, All Points Bulletin, Global Agenda, Free Realms, Massively Interviews, Massively Hands-on, Massively Event Coverage, Champions Online, Home, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Dragonica Online, Heroes of Telara, Final Fantasy XIV

Electronic Entertainment Expo 2009 proved to be a significant event for the gaming industry once again, with a fair amount of news and announcements related to MMOs. Massively was there on the ground for E3 this year and we've been putting up breaking announcements, interviews, and hands-on previews throughout.

Given how much info came out of E3 on Massively, here's a roundup of our coverage, day-by-day. Be sure to check out the rest after the jump as there's plenty more content, plus you'll find E3 galleries for these games as you click through. To cap it all off, we've also put together an E3 2009 wrapup video for you at the end of this post. Read on to see where the MMO industry is headed in the next year and beyond!

Day One

Star Wars: The Old Republic world's first fully-voiced MMO

Final Fantasy XIV announced

Jumpgate Evolution releases E3 trailer

EA to publish All Points Bulletin in 2010

PlayStation Home hits 6.5 million accounts

Trion World Network unveils Heroes of Telara

Massively's day 1 video from the E3 floor

E3 2009: The evolution of Jumpgate Evolution

by Mike Schramm Jun 8th 2009 at 12:00PM

Filed under: Sci-fi, Galleries, Video, Jumpgate Evolution, Interviews, MMO industry, New titles, PvP, Hands-on

The last time I personally saw anything about Jumpgate Evolution (Netdevil's re-imagining of the the very early space MMO) was almost two years ago when I spoke with the executive producer. At that time, we had little more than a few screenshots and concept art. Massively has spoken with Peterscheck and covered the game multiple times since then, but when I stepped into Netdevil's little booth at E3 (so little, in fact, that it didn't even have their name on it -- it was labeled with Gazillion Entertainment, their publisher), I didn't have any idea what to expect.

What I found was both surprising and impressive. Way back in that first interview, Peterscheck told me that they were trying to make a space shooter MMO that depended on skill rather than stats, that offered up a fully realized universe for players to explore, and gave some new options for PvP and space combat that we hadn't seen before. Sitting in their booth watching the game get played on three big screens, I saw all that and more. Hit the jump (gate) below for impressions and even a gameplay video from last week's show.

Gallery: Jumpgate Evolution E3 2009

E3 2009: Massively's day 1 roundup

by James Egan Jun 3rd 2009 at 8:00PM

Filed under: Jumpgate Evolution, Events, real-world, MMO industry, All Points Bulletin, Massively Event Coverage, Home, Star Wars: The Old Republic, Heroes of Telara, Final Fantasy XIV

E3 2009 is turning out to be quite a show this year and Massively is right in the middle of it all to report on the MMO news. We got a head start on E3 and reported a bit on what's happening before the Expo officially kicked off and it looks like we'll have plenty more to share with you before E3 is over. Here's our recap of day 1 in MMO news from Electronic Entertainment Expo 2009, and be sure to click through to the E3 galleries we've got after the jump.

Star Wars: The Old Republic world's first fully-voiced MMO

Final Fantasy XIV announced

Jumpgate Evolution releases E3 trailer

EA to publish All Points Bulletin in 2010

PlayStation Home hits 6.5 million accounts

Trion World Network unveils Heroes of Telara

Boatloads of screenshots after the jump!

E3 2009: Jumpgate Evolution's E3 trailer evokes that space opera drama

by Kyle Horner Jun 1st 2009 at 12:00PM

Filed under: Trailers, Jumpgate Evolution, New titles, News items

When attempting to entice potential players with your game it never hurts to remind them of that television show or movie they love so very much, and how that it's possible to live out their fantasies of said other property in your own. This rule of thumb is why the E3 2009 trailer for Jumpgate Evolution over at G4TV's website is so very good. The trailer is quite successful in making us want to pop in our Battlestar Galactica reboot DVDs and watch them all over again.

Release day may no longer be in June -- or any month for that matter -- but our hopes are set in beta expanding sometime soon. You can find the full trailer after the break, in all its evocative and dramatic glory.

Massively is on the ground in Los Angeles this week and covering all the latest E3 MMO news coming from the convention. Check out our breaking coverage (or all the Joystiq network E3 reporting) and keep your eye on Massively's front page for the latest developments.

Jumpgate Evolution delayed: No new launch date in sight

by Shawn Schuster May 27th 2009 at 9:00AM

Filed under: Sci-fi, Jumpgate Evolution, MMO industry, New titles, News items

As we quickly approach June and the time limit for MMOs launching in Q2 09, we get word from NetDevil that Jumpgate Evolution won't quite make it for the deadline. In fact, according to a forum post at the official JGE forums, Scott Brown says there is no definite date for the game's release at all.

"Our passion for this game means we want to release it in a state that is complete." Scott says. "You have raised the bar for us and we feel a great responsibility to reach that bar and exceed it. The only thing worse than waiting is being rewarded with a product that does not live up to its potential." Luckily, JGE looks to be an promising game so far, and the forum members and potential players are remaining optimistic about what seems to be a wise choice on NetDevil's part. We'll be sure to keep you up-to-date on any developing news regarding Jumpgate's progress.