At some point in our lives, I’m sure most of us have dreamed about what it might be like to be an astronaut. Unfortunately, very few of us have “the right stuff,” which is probably just as well, because today’s astronauts don’t get to fight space pirates. More importantly, today’s astronauts don’t get to be space pirates. That’s why we have video games.
At the New York Comic Con, I had a chance to get some hands-on time with a title that has had space-combat simulation fans shivering with anticipation. With the upcoming PC game “Jumpgate Evolution,” NetDevil will be bringing massive multi-player space combat online with up to 3,000 players per server. You can choose to either go it alone and adhere to a quest-based storyline or jump right into the action, grouping with up to 50 other players for huge, online battles that are entirely skill-based. That’s right — twitchy, intense, real-time action with other players and the environment.
The stunning visuals of the environment and level of detail in the huge battleships we cruised by left my jaw dragging on the floor. Everything about the special effects were screaming invitations at me to get lost exploring this universe, and the ability to see a faraway object in space and go up to it for a closer look told me I’d have no problem doing just that. I wanted to see everything.
Despite the amazing graphics, I was told that the developers were aiming to keep things accessible for low-end systems. The Alienware laptop the game was running on was definitely handling things nicely, but I was assured that such a system was overkill. NetDevil understands that not everyone has a cutting-edge system, so by keeping the required system specifications low, almost everyone has a chance to enjoy the game. It’s a lesson Blizzard taught us with “World of Warcraft” — another game that looks great on almost any system.
Also in the name of accessibility, there will be several control schemes available. For the more versatile gamer who really wants to simulate piloting a craft in space, you can turn off all the auto-assist features and go dog-fighting with the joystick of your choice. For the rest of us, a modest game pad will do quite nicely while the keyboard will be just as suitable. NetDevil has gone out of its way to make a game space-combat simulation fans will love while more casual players can still enjoy the ride.
Another way NetDevil is keeping things simple is in ship customization. A drag-and-drop interface will allow you to kit out your ship in multiple ways, quickly and easily. Whether you’re primarily interested in player-vs.-player combat or looking to squeeze the most cargo into your ship for peaceful trading, configuring your ship is as easy as dropping an icon into place.
Speaking of trade, “Jumpgate Evolution” will feature a dynamic economy with highly sought-after rare items and precious materials that can be sold or crafted into powerful items your ship will need. And that brings us back to being space pirates — the scum of the galaxy, stalking weak cargo ships to rob them of their bounty. Or perhaps you’d rather work as an armed escort, getting paid to defend a caravan of traders as they make their way along trade routes. Bounty hunters, soldiers, mercenaries … the possibilities are endless. In this player-driven world, you can do almost anything, and the reputation system built into the game makes sure you never have too many friends — or enemies.
Like most massive multi-player online games, “Jumpgate Evolution” will require a monthly fee to play, but the cost of a subscription is not yet known. Players can sign up to take part in the beta test when it’s available at www.jumpgateevolution.com. Although the Web site states that the game is due to be a 2009 release, the launch date has not yet been announced.
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