Stargate Worlds Game Info

Developer: CME
Publisher: Not Announced
Release Date: 2007/8
Current Status: In production (alpha)
Game Info
Stargate Worlds F.A.Q
Interviews

Game Info

Stargate Worlds is a new MMORPG style of online game currently in development by Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment, the game will follow the Stargate: SG1 series and is licensed out by MGM Interactive.  The game started pre production late 2005 and entered the production stage in the latter half of 2006.  Currently in alpha stage at the time of writing it has been confirmed by developer posts and interviews that the game will be using a variant of the popular Unreal Tournament 3 engine as a base, significantly cutting down Alpha stage development time for the game.

The developers (CME) have a fairly large staff with veteran members coming from places like EA.  Some of their staff also have fresh starts who are cutting their teeth in the gaming industry by working on this game.  With the emphasis taken off the development of the game engine it looks as if they are concentrating a lot of the work on modelling and texturing along with story line arcs.  It is still not yet definite as to which races will be fully playable in the game on its release.

Release date for Stargate Worlds is also unknown with prominent members of the official forums hedging a bet that the game will be up for release or at least nearing the end of the final beta stage by late 2007 going into early 2008.

The most refreshing thing about CME is the openness of the development team who are basically all signed up to the official boards for the game.  They have already given out a fair amount of info...

On game play...

I'm on the development team, so I can shed a little light on the topic of "twitch" gaming. We are not designing Stargate Worlds to play like a first-person shooter, although we are attempting to make a squad-based modern infantry combat play system. As in the show, most of the combat in SGW will be at range with a machine gun, rifle, staff weapon, zat gun or some other device which can hit you from far away. Given latency issues with both the internet connection and the client/server, it is nearly impossible to create good gameplay which would be consistent for everyone regardless of their connection, computer spec, or the overall population of the server.

We would rather focus the combat gameplay around using the environment for cover, practicing smart tactics, and taking advantage of skills, equipment, and command/control. It would be unfair to make the combat reliant on player reaction time or the quality of their system.

On graphics...

What StuRose didn't mention was that Bridge Studios also gave us a huge amount of digital artwork, including the models/textures for the spacecraft, weapons, and the city of Atlantis! We're going to use everything we can; we want this game to include original material used on the TV show.

On playable races...

Actually, as many of the familiar races as humanly possible will be represented in the game. But, not all of them lend themselves to being a playable race.

All four of the early races (Asgard, Furling, Nox and Ancient) will be represented through their technology, and whereever appropriate, their direct presence, or playability.

As will Goa'uld, Tok'ra, Tollan, Unas, Jaffa, etc.

How each fits within the structure of the game is still something being considered.

Remember, too, Stargate Worlds will coexist with the show, which continues to evolve. Ori will be present, but will have to represent the Ori of the show when the game is released, not just the Ori from last week's episode.

Finally, human races can all be best described as "human." Though different factions/loyalties may exist, a Tollan is, for all intents and purposes, human, being transplaneted like so many races, from Earth. Just really advanced, technologically. So, what would be the difference between playing a "human" using Tollan technology, or an actual Tollan?

Goa'uld and Tok'ra, even though they prefer human hosts, still represent a blended, or symbiote being. Unique play options, if they become playable.

Replicators...

For more info visit... http://forums.stargateworlds.com/showthread.php?t=272

Stargate Worlds F.A.Q

1.      Who is Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment?

Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment is a development company based out of Arizona.  We are currently in pre-production of a MMORPG, Stargate Worlds.

2.       What is Cheyenne’s company background?

CME was founded in July 2005 and then we obtained the license from MGM in September 2005 for the Stargate franchise.

3.      Who works for Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment? 

Our company is comprised of talented industry veterans who have cumulatively shipped over 80 game titles.  CME is also funded by several high net worth individuals.

4.      Will Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment only develop MMO games?

CME plans on developing projects of various types on many different platforms.

5.      What kind of game is Stargate Worlds?  Stargate Worlds is an MMO-RPG, based on the Stargate SG-1 and Atlantis TV series, with playable areas based on historical & fictional human time periods, alien environments, and outer space locations.

6.      Why Stargate SG-1/Atlantis?  Stargate SG-1/Atlantis is an ideal property for a science fiction MMO.  With 9 seasons of SG-1 and 2 seasons of Atlantis, the wealth of story material is unmatched in breadth and depth.  Players will encounter alien and human adversaries, visit exotic locations, space travel, and embroil themselves in major conflicts than span the galaxy.  All this contained in a modern fictional universe that could be our own.

7.      What will differentiate Stargate Worlds from the existing products on the market?

Stargate Worlds provides players with a form of squad-based ranged combat unique to an MMORPG that will take full advantage of modern and science fiction weaponry, cover, and terrain.  We also plan on focusing on non-combat gameplay to allow players a rich crafting and construction experience.  The unique game experience will be played with state-of-the art graphics and technology.

8.      When will the game be finished?  When is the expected release date?

Stargate Worlds is currently in pre-production, which is expected to continue until late spring.  We will use the community site to update everyone on both the current status and the expected release date as we proceed.

9.      How closely are you working with Bridge Studios in creating Stargate Worlds?

By using all of the existing and future episodes as the foundation of the storyline we will work closely with Bridge Studios to deliver an ever expanding adventure appropriate to the MMO genre.

10. Will there be aspects of the game story that are original and not based on the show?  Yes, Bridge Studios and Cheyenne will work closely together on developing new storylines, locations and characters which may even be incorporated into the SG-1 storyline. 

11. Will the game be available in other countries?  Which ones?  Yes, we plan on launching the game globally. 

12. Who will you market the game to?   We will market Stargate Worlds as an MMO-RPG that can be played by anyone including Stargate SG-1 fans, current MMO players, gamers, and even non-gamers.  We see our game as being “easy to learn, hard to master”.

13. Is Stargate Worlds related to The Alliance, the Stargate game from Perception?   No, we partnered with MGM in Sept 2005 for the development of an MMO-RPG.  We have no relationship with Perception.

14. Do you have a publisher for Stargate Worlds?  No, we do not have a publisher at this time.  Several publishers have expressed interest in the game but we are still in pre-production and are concentrating on building our art and technology assets.  At the appropriate time, we will engage publishers for our various worldwide releases.

15. Are you planning on getting one publisher or more than one?  We will probably get more than one.  One for North America and others for the foreign countries as appropriate.

16. How are you funding the development until you get a publisher?  We have private investors which will support the project until its completion.  We are not relying upon publisher funding to develop this game.

17. Do your investors have control over the development of the game?  We have many investors.   The investors have appointed a Board of Directors.  The Board provides strategic direction for the company, but all day-to-day development decisions are made by senior management of the company.