Game Blog

Battlestar Galactica Online

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:13:00 +0000

The global market leader in browser-based Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOG), Bigpoint, (http://www.bigpoint.com/) will be demonstrating the next generation of client-free PC gaming at Game Developers Conference 2010. Leading its product slate for 2010 will be Battlestar Galactica Online, a tactical space combat and adventure MMOG based upon Syfy’s Battlestar Galactica series. The game, inspired by one of the most popular science fiction series in television history, will launch worldwide exclusively this fall on Syfy.com for a 30 day period. The Unity co-developed MMOG will offer state of the art graphics that can be played directly in an Internet browser. The teaser website for Battlestar Galactica Online is available at http://www.bgo.bigpoint.com and Bigpoint will be discussing this announcement at booth 2038 at Game Developers Conference, March 9th-12th. Battlestar Galactica Online is licensed through Universal Partnerships & Licensing, on behalf of the NBC Universal Television Consumer Products Group.

Battlestar Galactica is the gripping saga of humanity’s last remnants and their struggle to find a new home while fleeing from their deadly Cylon enemies. Redefining the space opera with its gritty realism, Galactica’s intensity, issues-driven topicality, and command performances have garnered it numerous awards, including three Emmy® Awards and the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award. The show was recognized by the American Film Institute (AFI) as one of the most outstanding programs of the year two years running. The series was produced by Universal Cable Productions and executive produced by Ronald D. Moore and David Eick. The outstanding ensemble cast was led by Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Katee Sackhoff, Jamie Bamber, James Callis, Tricia Helfer and Grace Park.

“Battlestar Galactica is a supremely gameable intellectual property, with compelling character classes, a fantastic array of ships and weaponry, multiple worlds, and a dramatic storyline,” said Bill Kispert, VP & GM, Digital Platforms, Universal Partnerships & Licensing. ” We are excited to work with Bigpoint – and our partners at Universal Cable Productions and Syfy – to bring an epic, accessible, and ‘always on’ BSG experience to fans of the franchise and online gamers alike.”

“Cooperation between Bigpoint and NBC Universal is a very important strategic step for us,” explains Heiko Hubertz, CEO and founder of Bigpoint. “Battlestar Galactica has a huge and passionate fan base. We are proud to be able to publish such an internationally famous title as one of our online games. For the first time ever, we’re relying completely on Unity in order to offer our users fantastic game graphics right in their browsers.”

Battlestar Galactica Online is the first game inspired by a blockbuster Hollywood franchise to be fully developed on Unity technology for MMOG audiences. This platform independent engine makes it possible to produce real-time 3D applications such as MMO games with exceptionally high quality graphics without having to download a client.

Players will be able to choose to play as cylons or humans in a constant struggle to control the universe or just survive its perils. A blend of tactical space combat, exploration, and mission-based gameplay will provide a diverse experience. The dramatic missions will define the game’s overall storyline, enabling the player to delve into mysteries of the Battlestar universe. Battlestar Galactica Online will create a new standard for web games, with beautiful 3d graphics and innovative game mechanics bringing a new level of game play to browser based MMOG. Assets from the television production will be integrated into the game to deliver an even more authentic experience.

The game is being developed by Artplant (http://artplant.no), a Norwegian development studio specializing in 3D MMO games.
Megumi Ikeda from NBC Universal’s strategic venture capital arm, Peacock Equity Fund, investors in Bigpoint, said, “Our investment strategy is to help high-growth companies like Bigpoint that can also drive growth for NBCU, so we’re excited to see this collaboration working so well.”

About Bigpoint

Bigpoint is an online-game publisher, content provider for large media concerns and browser-based game developer. The company’s game portfolio has achieved the same high level of quality usually associated with CDs or consoles. More than 300 employees from over 35 different nations work together in Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany at the headquarters of the world’s largest browser-game portal. The company also has locations in Berlin, San Francisco and Malta. The games are available in over 30 languages and provide more than 108 million gamers from Europe to America and beyond with free, first-class entertainment, without the hassle of having to download or install any additional software.

Bigpoint has pocketed such prestigious honors as the Eco Award “Best Content Provider” 2009, the Ruban d’Honneur at the European Business Awards 2009, the Red Herring 100 Europe, the OnlineStar for the most popular website in Germany and the MTV Skyscraper Award for extraordinary achievement in game development. People’s choice awards and user awards such as the Dutch HME Award 2009 and the American Website of the Year Award 2009 confirm Bigpoint’s sensational success. Bigpoint placed third in the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 due to company growth of 4,094.06% within four years. Founder Heiko Hubertz was awarded second place as Internet Entrepreneur 2007. For further information about Bigpoint and its games, please visit http://www.bigpoint.net.

About Universal Partnerships & Licensing

UP&L oversees Universal’s consumer product licensing, film and home entertainment promotions, and all corporate alliances for Universal’s theatrical, home entertainment, theme parks and stage productions. This dedicated division is also responsible for monetizing the Studio’s vast library of films and characters through licensing, branding and marketing opportunities. UP&L is part of NBC Universal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% owned by Vivendi.

About Syfy

Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibilities. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in 95 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies. Syfy. Imagine greater.

About NBC Universal Television DVD, Music, and Consumer Products Group

NBC Universal Television DVD, Music, and Consumer Products Group manages all global ancillary television business endeavors for the NBC Universal Television Group, including third-party home entertainment distribution, consumer products, musical soundtracks, special markets projects and the NBC Universal Online Store.

About Unity

Unity Technologies is revolutionizing the game development industry and was named one of the top five game companies of 2009 after just four years in the market. Today Unity Technologies has more than 100,000 registered users worldwide – including leading companies like Cartoon Network, Electronic Arts, LEGO and NASA, large and small studios, independent professionals, students and hobbyists – using the Unity platform to develop high performance interactive 3D content for the Web, for mobile and for consoles. Unity Technologies is one of the fastest growing software companies and is aggressively innovating to expand usability, power and platform reach so that it can deliver on its vision of democratizing interactive 3D technology. Unity Technologies is headquartered in San Francisco and has development offices worldwide. For more information, visit unity3d.com.

Tags: battlestar galactica, battlestar galactica series, MMORPG, tactical space combat

Alien vs Predator Outfits Available on Playstation Home

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:13:00 +0000

SEGA Europe Ltd. today announced that full outfits from Aliens vs Predator are now available on PlayStation® Home Thread Store for the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system. These costumes, a male and female version for each species in the game, are offered as complete packages, but also available to download separately.

These downloads are accessible for a limited time, and will be taken out of the Thread Store on the 31st of March.

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Go to the Home Thread Store to get your hands on these costumes:

€2.99 for a complete costume.

€1.99 for a pair of trousers or a top.

€0.99 for a helmet or mask.

Aliens vs Predator was released on Playstation® 3 on 19th February 2010.

For more information about the game, please visit www.sega.co.uk/avp. For assets, please visit www.sega-press.com.

Tags: aliens vs predator, avp, costumes, downloads, helmet, mask, playstation, Playstation 3, PlayStation Home, trousers

Runes of Magic – Siege Wars

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:12:59 +0000

Frogster is pleased to announce that the time for epic battles in Runes of Magic has now arrived. The introduction of Siege Wars will further expand the online world of Taborea as guilds compete against one another to capture their opponents’ castle. The upcoming content update on 11th March will see the launch of the beta phase of the new Player vs Player mode. The definitive launch of the Siege Wars will then follow with the launch of ‘Chapter III – The Elder Kingdoms’.

From the launch of Runes of Magic, guilds have been able to have their own strongholds, with building extensions and furnishings to complete their homes. To launch a Siege War all you need is two guilds, two castles and one simple objective – destroy your opponent and their castle. As a part of Chapter III, the Siege Wars will include new bonuses such as increased running speed and the ability to build an arsenal of weapons including catapults, rams and arrow throwers.

To succeed guilds will need to capture energy nodes on the battlefield to provide the necessary resources for the construction of battle weapons or towers. Should a team break through the enemy’s castle walls and make it to the throne room, then the defenders will have to protect the energy crystal which is kept there. If the team should seize all of the opponents’ crystals as well as their resource nodes, then the battle is won. Special rewards and titles beckon for victorious guilds.

From the launch of the feature, which will arrive on 11th March with the update ‘Patch 2.1.7. Siege Wars’, Runes of Magic players will have one month to give the battles a thorough test. Frogster will be ultimately implementing the new PvP mode into the online game world to its full extent within the framework of ‘Chapter III – The Elder Kingdoms’. There is more information available about the Siege Wars on the official website: www.runesofmagic.com/en/siegewars-patch.html. A trailer gives some first impressions: http://www.runesofmagic.com/en/videos.html

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Tags: building extensions, castle walls, epic battles, first impressions, kingdoms, player vs player, resource nodes, runes of magic, strongholds, throne room

Legends Return in Kung Fu MMORPG Conquer Online

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:12:59 +0000

Conquer Online, TQ Digital’s world renowned Kung Fu themed MMORPG, is set to kick up a frenzy in 2010 with it’s third official expansion, “Legends Return”, due for release in conjunction with the game’s 7th anniversary birthday this April.

After opening it’s gates in 2003, 7 years of Conquer Online has seen millions of players flood the high-kicking MMO’s servers, immersing themselves in the grand adventure of Kung Fu heritage and ancient Chinese mythology.
TQ Digital are honoured to announce that the game will be kept as fresh and vibrant as ever in 2010, thanks to the upcoming April release of it’s reinvigorating 3rd official expansion, Legends Return.

Following the New Dynasty (2008) and Riding Clans (2009) expansions, “Legends Return” is being billed as a special present for Conquer Online’s loyal playing community, bringing a plethora of major new features and improvements that were requested during the games 2010 New Year’s Resolutions event, which allowed users to put forward their game related wants-and-suggestions in a classic new years resolution format.

Listening to the heart of the community and delivering to their needs has been an integral part of keeping Conquer Online both appealing and exciting to play over it’s 7 year reign, and Legends Returns will be a defining example of this.

After processing the most impressive and majority requests, players of TQ Digital’s popular game can expect a new skill system, high grade equipment, new guild wars, gritty dungeons, intricate quests, a new class (Monk), and much, much more!

This thrilling content will be released in 3 exciting chapters throughout 2010, beginning with the first chapter in April and lasting until the final chapter is introduced at the end of the year.

In Chapter 1, the first release of the Legends Return expansion, the Shadow of Darkness will throw players into an age of chaos and destruction. An ancient legend has told of special sub-classes that will be recovered when evil befalls the land, and now that prophecy has been fulfilled. New skills and fabled weapons were recently unearthed by thieves, but their blind lust for gold has seen them unwittingly help an incredibly powerful, unspeakably evil demon rise from the very pits of hell.

Can you help stop him?

The 1st Chapter of Legends Return is scheduled to hit CO this April. The major features of “Legends Return – Chapter 1” will be revealed soon, so be sure to stay tuned to CO’s official website for further information – http://co.91.com/index/

Tags: chinese mythology, expansions, kung fu, legends, MMORPG, resolution format

Mac Compatible MMO Fallen Earth video game

admin — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:12:55 +0000

North Carolina-based game developer, Icarus Studios, Inc., announced today the Beta release of its…