New Jumpgate Evolution Trailer Shows Intersteller Greatness

Prepare for some intersteller MMO goodness. NetDevil, which is actually a developer 10 minutes away from where I live, is working on Jumpgate Evolution. From this trailer we can see the game is coming together quite nicely.

Jumpgate Evolution Playable at PAX

Upcoming space massively multiplayer online game Jumpgate Evolution is getting its coming out party at this year's Penny Arcade Expo, NetDevil announced today.

The game will be fully playable at the show on Alienware laptops.

“We are ecstatic that NetDevil will be taking Jumpgate to this year’s Penny Arcade Expo. This is an amazing opportunity for visitors to come and try the game still early in its development. We look forward to the game’s showcase at the event and look forward to the hearing the players’ feedback first-hand. We know they will love it!” said Edward Relf, Director, Marketing, Codemasters Online.

I'd be sure to check it out when I'm there. I can't wait to see how much it has improved since my last time with it.

Don't forget to let me know if you want to drive along with me next week on my trek to the show.

Jumpgate Evolution, proud project of Colorado-locals NetDevil, looks to be well past the first fifteen and nearing beta.

We've received a number of tips that the NetDevil folks have put out the word that they are looking for some folks to help beta test the game. They've also sent out feelers about which box art best suits the sprawling space combat massively multiplayer online game. I think I like the first one. Fahey says his favorite is the middle. What's yours?

Jumpgate Evolution Beta Sign Up [Jumpgate Evolution]

NetDevil's Jumpgate evolution is a concept that sells itself. Massively multiplayer Wing Commander, anyone? How about some co-operative Privateer? It's a game that combines twitch-action space combat with levels and experience points. It's an excuse to dust off those old flight sticks. You'll even be able to play as a trader, paying more combat-ready players a cut of the action to make sure you make your deliveries safely. Space convoy!

It sounds amazing and looks rather lovely for a game with a scalable engine, allowing it to run on computers old and new, which is why every time I write about the game I'm surprised more people aren't aware of it. Hell, when I sat in with Codemasters' Lilit Baron last week at E3, he almost seemed pleasantly surprised that I had been keeping up with the game. Codemasters is gearing up to cure the rampant ignorance over Jumpgate Evolution, and the screenshots and accompanying Q&A, which you'll find after the jump, are just the beginning.

Behold the official logo for NetDevil's massively-multiplayer Lego Universe. The logo features the classic Lego logo surrounded by the U-shaped hand of a Lego minifig - the principle characters in the game - symbolizing the entire Lego universe being in the hands of the players. An innovative logo design for what very well could wind up being one of the most innovative MMO titles on the market. To celebrate the launch of their new logo, the Lego Universe folks have also released a wallpaper incorporating some concept art into the design for fans to stare at longingly while they wait for the game to be finished. You'll find the wallpaper craftily hidden after the jump, complete with innovative "click for a larger version" feature!

In the latest LEGO Universe update the Colorado-based developers spill the beans on the upcoming LEGO massively multiplayer online game's economy and storyline.

LEGO Universe design director Brian Booker says that the game will have an "overarching epic storyline about the origins of LEGO Universe and the minifigs that inhabit it."

I can't tell everything about the game just yet, but maybe I can give you some hints... Aside from just playing games or trading and socializing, the story allows minifigs to team up—and that's when the real adventuring begins. If the teams of little LEGO people are successful in their endeavors, they'll uncover new zones where they can have new and different experiences...

Booker also walks us through the games economy which isn't, it turns out, based on studs.

Jumpgate Evolution: The First Fifteen

How long do you play a game before you decide if you like it?

An hour, two, a day? Try 15 minutes.

The first fifteen is all the time a developer gets to convince a gamer that what they're playing is worth the price of admission, or so believes NetDevil's Scott Brown.

Following in the footsteps of the masters of the MMO, Blizzard, NetDevil is breaking away from the norm of game development for their latest pet project, Jumpgate: Evolution. Instead of trying to sketch out a complete world and then going back and filling in the details, giving the game its luster and heart in a soul-killing, deadline-pushing crunch, NetDevil is crafting their space flight massively multiplayer game one gleaming section at a time.

The team, which recently topped ten people, recently wrapped up their initial goal: Building out and polishing the game's first 15 minutes of play.

It may not sound like much, but in a year's time the team had to create the user interface, settle on the look of the game, and work out the games network and artificial intelligence.

They also had to give gamers a way to create their character, ships to fly, enemies to fight and places to go.

I'd like to say I saved the best April Fool's Day post for last, but then I'd just be fooling myself. The bad news is, all Jumpgate Evolution and LEGO Universe developers NetDevil managed to pull together for this festive day was a logo swap accompanied by a brief announcement.

Today, NetDevil announces a new name change to NetAngel. This new company name establishes a clearer link to our commitment to make immersive and socially responsible massively multiplayer online games. This change takes effect on April 1st, 2008.

NetDevilAngel Home Page [Official Site]

The official LEGO Universe website just put up an interview with Phillip Atencio, one of the upcoming massively multiplayer game's art directors.

There's a lot of material in the interview but there were two things he touched upon that I found really interesting. First is how LEGO Universe is going to deal with violence and still attract younger gamers.

For LEGO Universe I'm seeking out creative ways to represent aggressive play and darker themes while still retaining LEGO values. This is an exciting challenge for me. I enjoy challenges that push my creative limits!

I'd like this game to feel more like Asian games. My goal is to design a visual package that has a distinct style, has a bright clean look, and complements the look of LEGO bricks. Executing this high goal is also an exciting challenge to me. Finally, I want LU to appeal to girl players in ways that aren't condescending or stereotypical. These are things I'd like to achieve to create a game that retains LEGO values while appealing to a wide range of cultures.

Also interesting is how LEGO Universe is going to manage to build a game that includes a diverse collection of sets. It's a pretty big challenge if you think about it. LEGO has everything from their younger City sets to things like Black Knight's Castle.

The shorts of the Sundance Film Festival will be going on sale on the Xbox 360, iTunes and Netflix starting Friday, the festival announced today.

All said 45 short films from the 2008 Sundance Film Festival will begin hitting the three platforms starting on Jan. 18 and running through 2011. The films will sell for about $2 a pop on all of the services. Hit the jump for the full list of films and descriptions coming.

Jumpgate Evolution

I was impressed with Jumpgate Evolution back when NetDevil showed it off to me at the open house for their new offices, but somehoe I had completely forgotten about the hybrid space MMO, that was until they launched the website for the game yesterday. On the front page is this slick video. I happened to be talking to NetDevil's Scott Brown yesterday and it sounds like I might be able to check it out in the not too distant future. Color me antsy.

NetDevil, the guys behind Auto Assault and currently working on LEGO Universe MMO, announced today that they are working on a remake of LEGO Racers, based on the toy of the same name. The web-based flash game is being developed under a new Web Games division at the company and will be rolled out with several other casual web-based games in 2008.

"NetDevil has proven a valuable partner that truly understands what the LEGO play experience is all about," said Kelly J. McKiernan, Internet Content Manager on LEGO Racers. "The company's high-quality work on the LEGO Universe MMO made them an easy choice for LEGO Racers, and we look forward to continuing our relationship with them to give fans of LEGO a whole new way to interact with some of our most popular franchises."

LEGO Racers will have kids trying to beat out other LEGO Racers to become the best LEGO racer and will allow players to own up to five cards from ten teams, each with unique attributes. Players can modify and upgrade their car with parts and the racers will be shown live online. The game will also support offline racing.

"Having a dedicated focus on casual game content is something that we've thought about for a long time and we see it as a natural extension of our team's experience and capabilities," said Scott Brown, President of NetDevil. "We see casual game content as a key growth driver moving forward, and feel we are in a great position to bring some the world's most recognized brands and entertainment properties to new audiences."

It's cool to see a Colorado developer growing so quickly. Now we just need to get a couple of studios from EA, Ubi and Activision. Then I'll launch my plans to have E3 moved here. :)

Warmonger Destroys Downtown

As we reported back in June, NetDevil's vehicular combat MMO Auto Assault is closing its virtual garage doors forever. In just a few hours from now, the MMO will be nothing more than a memory for its fans. The NCsoft team promises a "wild, crazy event tonight" and hints at some nice bonuses for those who log on for one last hurrah. Some lucky Auto Assault players will even receive a "parting gift" that will include a chance to play other NCsoft titles such as Tabula Rasa and City of Heroes. Not a bad way to see off a friend.

Festivities kick off at 9 PM Central Time, ending at midnight, and are scheduled to include "all sorts of nutty things." Have fun, guys. Rest in peace, Auto Assault.

Auto Assault News [Official Site]