General Discussion

For the last four weeks, we have presented a developer journal from Hermann Peterscheck, the Producer of NetDevil's Jumpgate Evolution. In this final installment, Peterscheck talk about creating a space action game.

One of the things that I like about NetDevil in general and Jumpgate Evolution in particular is that we actually are trying to make different kinds of MMOs. This sounds a bit strange as the last three articles have focused quite a bit on how to appeal to the masses, how to be accessible for everyone, how learning from experts and avoiding senseless innovation is a good idea and things like that. I wanted to wrap up these series of logs by talking a bit about the magic that happens in game development. I love that we work on games that are both in theme and genre somewhat risky.

 Making a space combat MMO is a bit of a risky proposition. Action MMOs have had mixed success rates. Space MMOs have a checkered past with some hits and some misses. So far fantasy games dominate the market and every other genre is fighting over a seemingly smaller pool of players. All of that being said the question beckons: Why in the world would we make a space MMO? At some point the creation process is irrational… and it is irrationality and risk that drives creative industries forward. Just think; it is largely the same people that made BioShock and System Shock. I would argue that both of those are also “risky” games and of high quality; yet one was a much bigger success than the other. I guess the point is that even if you are dedicated to quality and do all the right things there is no way to guarantee commercial success. There are things you can do to mitigate the risk but at the end of the day we have chosen a risky industry and we must live and die by that decision.

Read the whole article here.

A nice piece.   You never know where inspiration can come from, and whether or not something that sounds good in principle will work in practice.

I'm looking forward to seeing the finished product once it is launched.  It's always nice to see a development team with creative ideas willing to take risks. 

This is a blast from the past. Having been one of the beta-testers for the original game, I'm looking forward to see what this will turn into.

One of the reasons I left the game was because it was easy to manipulate the economy, hopefully this will be something they think of.

I'm looking forward to seeing how the game ends up. Maybe 2008 really will bring new life to the mmorpg market.

I am looking forward to it. The generic fantasy is getting old and anything sci-fi or space based is something deserving interest in my book!

to tell the truth , only elite has inspired me as a space combat game. i tried all sorts afterwards and yes i did play jumpgate. it did grab me back then , but i want in the frame of mind to play mmo's on a regular basis.

the original did grab me like elite did, i think it was having the other players around, a mentor to help out, pvp to teach me not to go to pv p areas.

ive spent like 5 years playing fantasy genre games, and this is a breathe of fresh air.

looking back to old elite days, some of the dreams i guess most people had where ship upgrades, owning a fleet of ships, flying woith buddies as wingmen, having a multi crew ship with turrets. and well just owning a biggerr peice of the pie, when u get successful.

good luck with the game, u got eve to contend with and i feel that'lll be a big nut to crack

Honestly, Net Devil is out of chances. 

The first Jumpgate sucked.  Graphics, technology, and design all failed to deliver.

Auto Assault was a miserable failure (as evidenced by it being shut down by NC Soft a year after release!!).  They had some nice graphics, but the design was a complete failure (hello PvP!?!??!??) and the technology underwhelmed.

Why should I give them another chance with JG: Evolution?  Well, I'm not.  I'll stick with EVE Online, thank you.

To Net Devil:  stick with Legos and Flash development.  You might actually be able to succeed.

I'll be keeping an eye on this. Thanks for the article.