General Discussion

Steve Hartmeyer, a programmer on NetDevil's upcoming Jumpgate Evolution, files this Dev Journal on the game's AI system.

We've spoken a great deal in interviews and other articles about just how excited we are about Jumpgate Evolution's AI system. It has rapidly gone from being a system intended to solve one or two things, to becoming the tool of choice to address all sorts of interrelated game issues. Although we try to maintain perspective and recognize that employing the AI system is not always the proper solution to a problem, this is truly a case where the excited kid inside each of us tends to burst out and enthuse, "We can make the AI do that! Wouldn't that be great?" It's simply the case that our AI system is turning out to be very capable and versatile, so it's extremely tempting to make quite extensive use of it.

Read the whole thing here.

Apsolutely amazing.

You guys are actually making living breathing universe

It will be interesting to see a truely dynamic universe in which we the gamer can participate in and influence. Nice work so far. If you continue down this path you definately will have  a hit.

It could be amazing... and looks like they are aiming for that goal and no other.

Imagine it..

You (player) jump into a system. Trader/hauler/miner NPCs fly about on 'safe' routes through the system, protected by patrolling defender NPCs...

When a message flashes across your comm from a trade vessel...

"We're under attack by pirates! Someone please help! We can't outrun them!"

You see a patrolling defender break off his patrol route and fire his afterburner towards the distressed trader. A message pops up on your comm from the defender, he's engaging hostiles and requesting backup.

You then have a choice, help the defender to save the trader? Or simply go about your business?

The comm lights up again, a pirate's grizzled voice chimes through,

"1,000 credits to any freelancer who get's these patrol ships off our back!"

What do you do?

This simlpe situation creates so many possibilities for both PvE action and PvP action, as defined by how you wish to role play your character.

The possibilities... are truly endless.

Keep up the good work, and if the game really does play more like X-Wing vs. Tie-Fighter (instead of the crappy Jump to Lightspeed) you can count me in!

Interesting approach... I can't wait to see it in action.

Originally posted by heerobya

It could be amazing... and looks like they are aiming for that goal and no other.

Imagine it..

You (player) jump into a system. Trader/hauler/miner NPCs fly about on 'safe' routes through the system, protected by patrolling defender NPCs...

When a message flashes across your comm from a trade vessel...

"We're under attack by pirates! Someone please help! We can't outrun them!"

You see a patrolling defender break off his patrol route and fire his afterburner towards the distressed trader. A message pops up on your comm from the defender, he's engaging hostiles and requesting backup.

You then have a choice, help the defender to save the trader? Or simply go about your business?

The comm lights up again, a pirate's grizzled voice chimes through,

"1,000 credits to any freelancer who get's these patrol ships off our back!"

What do you do?

This simlpe situation creates so many possibilities for both PvE action and PvP action, as defined by how you wish to role play your character.

The possibilities... are truly endless.

Keep up the good work, and if the game really does play more like X-Wing vs. Tie-Fighter (instead of the crappy Jump to Lightspeed) you can count me in!

That reminds me of Space Ranger. Great game.

I really like what I'm hearing, looking forward for more info on JE.

   This does sound good.  Might get me out of MMORPG retirement

OMG Everything I hear about this game is totally rad...  I promised myself I wouldn't get all worked up over a game before it's release(mostly because of the dissapointment afterwards) but I cannot help it! This game is so good if I could I would eat it!!  

I'm definitely looking forward to this game. JGC was fun, but JGE has the opportunity to be so much more.