Over this past weekend, MMORPG.com's own Donna Desborough attended Codemastes Connect '08 in England. While there, our intrepid reporter had the opportunity not only to speka with Scott Brown, the Producer of Jumpgate Evolution, but also (for the first time) to try it out for herself.

The announcement that Codemasters would be working with NetDevil on Jumpgate Evolution (JGE) caught many by surprise. Further news that those attending Connect'08 would get the first hands-on look at the game was exciting news though. Never before had anyone outside of NetDevil played the game.

I was only able to play one demo mission, but if what they have on show now is anything to go by, this game is going to be a beauty, graphics-wise. It is supposed to look beautiful even if you only have a good machine and even more amazing if you have a top end machine. The computers at the Omega Sektor (the event location) are of course top end machines so it was a treat to see JGE in all of its wonderful glory. It is good to know though that they are very specifically looking at making the game able to run on both lower and higher specification machines.

A combat system that can make it possible for someone like me, who is horrible at flight games, to enjoy space combat without massive frustration is a feat. The movement and shooting is smooth and easy to figure out, it even has a lock on guide that shows you where you need to aim. Movement is easy to figure out and feels like second nature once you do.

Read the whole article here.

Donna.. there is some geekness lacking in your Hands On Review.. to short description. but overall, nice to hear you like it:)

This game promises so much and its awesome to see they are paying attention and want to offer a great game both for PVPers and PVErs.

And if the movement is nice and smooth as you say it is.. well cant wait for beta.

From videos/screens we've seen so far the game looks beautiful and Im sure it will be delightful to get into some fast paced space combat action.

It might be the first game that I will buy something extra to enjoy it.

Since I've read it will support joysticks or gamepads Im thinking of getting one.

One of the strongest parts of a good game is a skill system that allows the player to go in any direction. As opposed to class based systems.

If this game will allow skill based advancement and joystick control it should be a winner. (as long as the pvp is limited in some way) (my opinion only of course)

Looking good and that they also focus on good pve content sounds great.

 joystick support seems good  but a lot of people dont have it so a good support for mouse and keyboard is def needed.

Originally posted by weslubow

 allows the player to go in any direction.

If this game will allow skill based advancement and joystick control it should be a winner.

Jumpgate does allow the player to go in any direction, but is neither class based nor uses the sort of skill-tree system many MMORPG players seem to expect from a non-class game.   Think of it more like Wing Commander or Elite taken to an MMO scale.   Outfit your ship the way you want, fly it on the tasks you want.  The "skills" are what you bring with you and learn while playing.

My only concern was that the game will be too pvp-centric. Now they are actively balancing it for PvE and put in PvE content, i am very excited to try it out.

As an ex JGC player I was already looking forward to Jumpgate Evolution, but after see it at connect and talking to Scorch and some of codemaster guys, I'm really excited. The potential is certainly massive, and the enthusiasm from both netdevil and codemasters is great.

I can't wait to see more.

Here's to hoping they keep remembering the promises of no PvE carrots only existing in PvP space. I don't mind PvE carrots in PvP space, I just don't want that to be the *only* location for them.

It does sound good that they are taking the time to make an interesting new dynamic in regards to missions (soft grouping), and keeping both sides of the PvP - PvE fence happy. Here's to hoping they can pull it off in spite of some people's vigorous complaints about having PvE space.

From reading that article, it sounds like they still are a long way off to the final version release, but I am glad to see they are trying to get everything right.

Originally posted by IstvanND

 

Originally posted by weslubow

 allows the player to go in any direction.

If this game will allow skill based advancement and joystick control it should be a winner.

Jumpgate does allow the player to go in any direction, but is neither class based nor uses the sort of skill-tree system many MMORPG players seem to expect from a non-class game.   Think of it more like Wing Commander or Elite taken to an MMO scale.   Outfit your ship the way you want, fly it on the tasks you want.  The "skills" are what you bring with you and learn while playing.

 

Stop posting here! Crunch time! Hurry up and release!

hehe as a old elite and freelancer player im starting to dangerously hype this game