Sci-fi MMORTS titles are a rare breed, and so it's with keen interest that we note the beginning of Starjack Online's open beta phase. The free-to-play title from Limbo Game Studios has been in testing since August of 2010, and has finally thrown open its doors for the public.
If you're unfamiliar with Starjack, Limbo bills it as a "4X, real-time strategy, massively multiplayer game." What exactly is 4X? It stands for explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate, and you'll be able to do all these things in real-time (i.e., no turns) in a constantly changing persistent universe. Starjack is also unique in that nearly everything in the game is player-created, including ships, fleets, troops, colonies, and resources.
If it sounds like a lot to digest, don't worry, as Limbo assures us that the game is as accessible as it is deep. To that end, Starjack allows players to automate various empire management tasks, "removing the tedium and the need for micromanagement." You can learn more at the game's official website, where you can also create an account and grab the beta client.
Reader Comments (18)
Posted: Feb 11th 2011 10:28AM Fusjon said
"micromanage!" "LIKE A BOSS"
Posted: Feb 11th 2011 10:47AM Netu said
This seems amazing. And it's about as "indie" as it gets. I've seen their call for developers on website such as onrpg.com and mmohut.com.
The idea is amazing. And I love the "starjack" part. It seems that those are your private, instanced, areas where you can build your armies and gather your own resources and then go out into the actual universe and battle it out? Or maybe I've got it all wrong.
At any rate, I'm keeping my eye on this one. And as soon as the registration opens up will be trying it out for sure.
Yay for indie!
The idea is amazing. And I love the "starjack" part. It seems that those are your private, instanced, areas where you can build your armies and gather your own resources and then go out into the actual universe and battle it out? Or maybe I've got it all wrong.
At any rate, I'm keeping my eye on this one. And as soon as the registration opens up will be trying it out for sure.
Yay for indie!
Posted: Feb 11th 2011 10:51AM PaterFrog said
The registration is unavailable. Would be smart to tell us such stuff, wouldn't it?
Posted: Feb 11th 2011 11:45AM (Unverified) said
@PaterFrog Works for me.
Can't use the link in the email, just sign in the site and use the activation code from the email.
Reply
Can't use the link in the email, just sign in the site and use the activation code from the email.
Posted: Feb 11th 2011 12:07PM Jef Reahard said
@PaterFrog
Might be smarter to confirm it isn't just you having the problem, as it works fine.
Reply
Might be smarter to confirm it isn't just you having the problem, as it works fine.
Posted: Feb 11th 2011 1:27PM Saker said
I've been in, and am now in a number of these new MMORTS's alphas/beats, so far no one has managed to get it right. I'm not at all sure it's even possible to mix the 2 genre's mmo/rts successfully but will give this one a look. At least it's a sci/fi! So far almost everything is fantasy, or medieval.... Not that there's anything wrong with either.... But I do think people would like something else also... Yes go indie! As Princess Leia so rightly put it "you're my only hope!"
Posted: Feb 11th 2011 1:45PM Fixious said
I also had problems registering at first. Had to resend my activation code and it worked. However, now I can't download the game.
"You do not have access to view this tab within the portal."
=\
"You do not have access to view this tab within the portal."
=\
Posted: Feb 11th 2011 2:10PM zorovriend said
The registering went smooth but the instal isnt working..
Posted: Feb 11th 2011 3:47PM johnmatthais said
@zorovriend
If you haven't already seen it, Infinity put up a possible fix for some people:
http://www.starjackonline.com/Forum/tabid/71/forumid/9/threadid/311/scope/posts/Default.aspx
Reply
If you haven't already seen it, Infinity put up a possible fix for some people:
http://www.starjackonline.com/Forum/tabid/71/forumid/9/threadid/311/scope/posts/Default.aspx
Posted: Feb 11th 2011 8:28PM Langx2 said
I successfully registered but hotmail sent my confirmation email straight to my junk folder. Had to fish it out but other than that, no issues.
Posted: Feb 12th 2011 10:55AM Valkesh said
Even though it's over ten years old, Shattered Galaxy still seems to have come the closest to a workable MMORTS formula I've seen.








