Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[New Jim Brown interview talks Stargate Worlds]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/30/new-jim-brown-interview-talks-stargate-worlds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/30/new-jim-brown-interview-talks-stargate-worlds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/12/30/new-jim-brown-interview-talks-stargate-worlds/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Fan website SaveStargate.org has posted the second part of its two-part interview with Jim Brown, one of the principle figures in the development of the troubled Stargate Worlds MMORPG. Alongside colleagues Todd Ellering and Daryl Wofford, Brown pitched the original idea for the sci-fi MMO to MGM way back in 2002, and went on to serve as the creative director at Dark Comet Games.

The first part of the interview lays out the working relationship between the original team and controversial fundraiser Gary Whiting, as well as a bit of background on Cheyenne Mountain's troubles and the formation of Dark Comet. Part two touches on Brown's views regarding the current licensing situation, how close Stargate Worlds came to actually releasing, and what fans can do to make their voices heard for the future of the Stargate gaming franchise.

"Let them [MGM] know you want Stargate games. That's the biggest thing. If CME can manage to succeed with SGW and SGR, that's great, and that means not only will you have those games to play, but there will be more that follow from other studios," Brown says.

MassivelyNew Jim Brown interview talks Stargate Worlds originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cheyenne-mountaincheyenne-mountain-entertainmentdark-cometdark-comet-gamesgary-whitinginterviewjim-brownmgmsci-fisgwstargatestargate-worldsThu, 30 Dec 2010 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Judge awards Stargate Worlds assets to Cheyenne Mountain, MGM terminates license [Updated]]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/10/judge-awards-stargate-worlds-assets-to-cheyenne-mountain-mgm-te/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/10/judge-awards-stargate-worlds-assets-to-cheyenne-mountain-mgm-te/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/11/10/judge-awards-stargate-worlds-assets-to-cheyenne-mountain-mgm-te/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The saga of Stargate Worlds took another interesting twist this week as an Arizona judge ended the legal battle over the assets of Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment. The company -- which is currently languishing under Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection -- will retain control of all its game-related resources. The action settles a fraud complaint initiated by Cheyenne against Dark Comet Games and Fresh Start Studios, both formed by former Cheyenne employees looking to use company materials for the Stargate Resistance shooter released earlier this year.

Though the ruling grants Cheyenne full control of its Stargate assets, completion of the long-suffering Stargate Worlds MMORPG is doubtful due to the recent expiration of the IP license from MGM Studios. Cheyenne founder Gary Whiting told the gaming blog Nerdvana that MGM issued a termination notice on November 3rd. While the notice doesn't affect Stargate Resistance, it does provide a huge obstacle for MCA Financial Group's bid to save the license for Stargate Worlds. MCA is a Phoenix-based company called in to supervise Cheyenne's restructuring under Chapter 11.

[Update: Apparently, there's some discrepancy with what Nerdvana is reporting, or what Gary Whiting is saying. This blog post explains a bit more on how the judge actually didn't award full control of SGW back to Cheyenne.]

MassivelyJudge awards Stargate Worlds assets to Cheyenne Mountain, MGM terminates license [Updated] originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cheyennecheyenne-mountaincheyenne-mountain-entertainmentdark-comet-gamesfresh-start-studiofresh-start-studiosgary-whitinglegalmgmmmo-industryrulingsgwstargatestargate-resistanceStargate-WorldsWed, 10 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Firesky confirms Dan Elggren's departure]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/15/firesky-confirms-dan-elggrens-departure/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/15/firesky-confirms-dan-elggrens-departure/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/05/15/firesky-confirms-dan-elggrens-departure/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


We reported earlier this week about rumours that Stargate Worlds' Executive Producer Dan Elggren had left Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment/Firesky for Gazillion Entertainment. However, the reasons for his decision were left rather vague aside from excerpts from Elggren's family blog. Firesky's Kevin Ballentine officially commented on his departure in an MMORPG.com blog post:

"While we are saddened by Dan's departure, we believe that Stargate Worlds will benefit from this unforeseen change. Dan's guidance has been crucial to getting Stargate Worlds to this point, but we believe fresh eyes may find ways to improve the game moving forward. We wish to express our appreciation to Dan for all he has done for our company and wish him the best of success in his new endeavors. Dan will be transitioning his responsibilities to Rod Nakamoto, senior vice president of product development, over the next week."

MassivelyFiresky confirms Dan Elggren's departure originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 15 May 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The developers of Stargate Worlds, Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment, has already admitted to cash flow problems. They also have had problems with not paying their employees for at least 25 days of service. Now, problems are looking even worse for the Stargate Worlds developer as they find themselves the target of a lawsuit over unpaid bills.

Capital Princess LLC has sued Cheyenne Mountain over an unpaid open account, according to the Arizona Business Gazette on azcentral.com as of March 5th. This just adds to the problems of the unreleased game, which makes us all nervous and wishful that Stargate Worlds will reach completion.

We'll keep you informed on this situation as we get more information.

MassivelyCheyenne Mountain Entertainment sued over unpaid bills originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 15:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakingcapital-princesscashflowcheyenne-mountaincheyenne-mountain-entertainmentcivilcivil-lawsuitlawsuitlegalstargatestargate-worldsunpaid-billsTue, 17 Mar 2009 15:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Cheyenne Mountain opens merchandise shop for Stargate Worlds]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/17/cheyenne-mountain-opens-merchandise-shop-for-stargate-worlds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/17/cheyenne-mountain-opens-merchandise-shop-for-stargate-worlds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/12/17/cheyenne-mountain-opens-merchandise-shop-for-stargate-worlds/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ordinarily, the opening of an online merchandise shop for an MMO wouldn't exactly be news, but there are two reasons why the new Stargate Worlds store raised a few eyebrows: The game hasn't been released yet, and the recent rumor of unpaid employees has fans worried (we're at 34 days now!).

It has been speculated already that this store may be a "last ditch effort" to fund the Stargate MMO, but we'd hope that's not entirely the case. Regardless of how you would view preliminary funding through the sale of merchandise (even if it is on CafePress), this could actually be seen as a good thing. What's really wrong with helping to support a game you'd really like to see make it to launch, and getting a pretty sweet t-shirt in the process? Well, unless the game never launched...

[Via FileFront]

MassivelyCheyenne Mountain opens merchandise shop for Stargate Worlds originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cheyenne-mountainmerchandiseonline-storestargate-worldst-shirtWed, 17 Dec 2008 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Stargate Worlds interview with Cheyenne Mountain studio head]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/24/stargate-worlds-interview-with-cheyenne-mountain-studio-head/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/24/stargate-worlds-interview-with-cheyenne-mountain-studio-head/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/10/24/stargate-worlds-interview-with-cheyenne-mountain-studio-head/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


GameZone recently spoke with Dan Elggren, studio head at Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment, about the upcoming title Stargate Worlds. The interview topics range from the challenges in moving the IP forward while remaining true to its origins, to the fact that sci-fi MMOs generally aren't as well-received as fantasy titles.

Elggren goes on to explain how Cheyenne Mountain has tried to merge the feature set and gameplay expected from an MMO with the more visceral feel of tactical shooter. A key aspect of their business model is that it's predicated on regular content updates. "We'll be adding new story, new levels, new archetypes and, obviously, new worlds about every three months post launch. This will be free content that we're giving away on an aggressive schedule," Elggren says. The interview also touches on Stargate Worlds having opt-in PvP at launch, which he states should later evolve into 'platoon-on-platoon large scale PvP events'. Check out the GameZone interview with Dan Elggren for more info from Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment on what we can expect from Stargate Worlds.

[Via Blue's News]

MassivelyStargate Worlds interview with Cheyenne Mountain studio head originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 24 Oct 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Twiddling your thumbs in anticipation of the beginning of Stargate Worlds' closed beta test? The folks over at Ten Ton Hammer have an NDA-exempt goodie for people who are waiting -- a video of a Ha'tak class Go'auld attack ship exploding in the stratosphere of a planet.

We were actually a little surprised at how spectacular the explosion looked. TTH alleges that it's part of some pre-planned event within the game, so it's a special case, but still -- it's pretty awesome, with some interesting shaders to simulate the shockwave, and attractive fire effects as the broken pieces of the ship plummet through the air. Hey, there's not all that much Stargate Worlds video out there, y'know? We'll take what we can get.

MassivelyStargate Worlds video shows impressive sub-orbital explosion originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 10 Oct 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cheyenne-mountaincheyenne-mountain-entertainmentcmecruiserexplosionfireskyhataksgwstargatestargate-worldsteaservideoFri, 10 Oct 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Introducing the Stargate Worlds YouTube channel]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/29/introducing-the-stargate-worlds-youtube-channel/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/29/introducing-the-stargate-worlds-youtube-channel/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/29/introducing-the-stargate-worlds-youtube-channel/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Firesky has launched a Stargate Worlds channel on YouTube, and has promised that a new video will go live every week day from here on out. So far there are six videos, all of which are brief, punchy developer interviews related to the various weapons in the game.

A few of them are a little painful to watch due to extreme geekiness, but there is a somewhat amusing running joke about the flamethrower weapon being a terribly kept secret. Its existence is unconvincingly denied in most videos, and in one it is confirmed but the developer insists that flamethrower gameplay is not ready to be shown to the public. He says this while a monitor behind him displays all kinds of in-game flamethrower carnage.

Firesky proudly brags that the channel was the #1 most subscribed on YouTube during the week of the 21st, and that it sits comfortably in the top 25 for the whole month of September. That said, most of the videos have only had a couple thousand views, except for the very first video (the flamethrower one), which had 8,000 views. Huh; that's kind of like a microcosm of the monthly lifecycle of an MMO! Anyway, we've embedded the flamethrower footage on the other side of the jump.

Continue reading Introducing the Stargate Worlds YouTube channel

MassivelyIntroducing the Stargate Worlds YouTube channel originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>channelcheyenne-mountaincheyenne-mountain-entertainmentcmedevelopersfireskyflamethrowerinterviewssgwstargate-worldsvideoweaponsyoutubeMon, 29 Sep 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[New Stargate Worlds wallpapers feature in-game imagery]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/28/new-stargate-worlds-wallpapers-feature-in-game-imagery/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/28/new-stargate-worlds-wallpapers-feature-in-game-imagery/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/28/new-stargate-worlds-wallpapers-feature-in-game-imagery/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

The official Stargate Worlds website has been updated in two waves with nine new wallpapers, most of which show in-game locales and combat engagements. You can go look at them at the official site, or you can grab them right here instead! We're awesome like that.

Most of the wallpapers depict a city, but we're apparently not quite Stargate SG-1 literate enough to identify it. There are a couple images of combat (including one of someone getting torched by a flamethrower; that's kinda cool), one shot of a Jaffa in the previously mentioned city (pictured above), and one montage of weapon concept art.

Despite a few cash flow problems at the studio, Stargate Worlds' closed beta test is either already underway or imminent, depending on who you ask. So if you like these images, you might as well go sign up.

Gallery: Stargate Worlds Wallpaper Gallery

MassivelyNew Stargate Worlds wallpapers feature in-game imagery originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 28 Sep 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stargate Worlds Studio Head Dan Elggren told videogamer.com in an interview that there will be an open beta test for the game immediately before the commercial launch date. That's not a shock; most MMO developers these days run a small open beta test in the one or two weeks immediately preceding launch.

Elggren promised that the beta will be "pretty solid product," and pointed to Funcom's Age of Conan open beta event as the best example of what Cheyenne Mountain/Firesky is trying not to do. Our readers who participated in that beta may remember terrible performance and stability issues.

In both videogamer.com's interview and in a chat with us earlier in the summer, the SGW team has acknowledged that open beta events are more marketing tools than technical ones. The closed beta (which will begin within the next few weeks) might be a different kind of affair though.

[Via Ten Ton Hammer]

MassivelyStargate Worlds open beta to come right before launch and not suck originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 17 Sep 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>betacheyennecheyenne-mountaincheyenne-mountain-entertainmentcmedan-elggrendemofireskylaunchmarketingopen-betapromotionalsgwstargatestargate-worldsWed, 17 Sep 2008 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Stargate Worlds beta "just a few weeks away"]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/12/stargate-worlds-beta-just-a-few-weeks-away/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/12/stargate-worlds-beta-just-a-few-weeks-away/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/09/12/stargate-worlds-beta-just-a-few-weeks-away/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Cheyenne Mountain/FireSky's Stargate Worlds beta test plans seem to be on track. At the Leipzig Games Convention, Studio Head Dan Elggren told the press that the beta would start in "early September/October." If you were worried that wouldn't happen, it might be time to stop worrying and start signing up (if you haven't already); there's an announcement at the official website saying that the closed beta test is "just weeks away."

No further information was provided. We just got the above and a reminder to sign up. Since it's just the closed beta, though, you're not very likely to get in too terribly soon what with 200,000 applicants and all. That probably shouldn't upset you too much, since early closed beta tests tend to be about as playable as Ultima IX: Ascension.

Hardcore Stargate Worlds fans will of course ignore these words of wisdom, because that's the kind of crazy gamers can proudly be.

MassivelyStargate Worlds beta "just a few weeks away" originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stargate SG-1 actor Christopher Judge visited Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment's game development studio to check out Stargate Worlds last week. Judge played the part of Teal'c -- the Jaffa warrior on the SG-1 team -- for the entire run of the TV series and in the movies The Ark of Truth and Continuum, and has appeared on Stargate Atlantis as well.

Members of the development teamed gushed about how awesome he was on the Stargate Worlds community site. "I wouldn't have thought I was the type to get embarrassed and feel like a blushing teenage girl (no offense to blushing teenage girls) when meeting a star like Christopher Judge but apparently I totally am," said one of the team members. The team got the impression that Judge was "SUPER excited" about the game.

CME/FireSky put up a gallery of pictures from the visit. The studio was also visited by Formula1 race car driver Jonathan Summerton, which seems kind of random. If you want pics of that event, there's a gallery for that too.

MassivelyTeal'c visits Stargate Worlds originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Sep 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cheyennecheyenne-mountaincheyenne-mountain-entertainmentchristopher-judgecmecontinuumfireskygalleryjaffaphotossg-1stargatestargate-atlantisstargate-sg-1stargate-worldstealcthe-ark-of-truthvisitWed, 10 Sep 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Stargate Worlds reaches 200k beta signups, dev chat on Friday]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/20/stargate-worlds-reaches-200k-beta-signups-dev-chat-on-friday/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/20/stargate-worlds-reaches-200k-beta-signups-dev-chat-on-friday/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/20/stargate-worlds-reaches-200k-beta-signups-dev-chat-on-friday/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The Stargate Worlds team announced yesterday that 200,000 people have signed up for the game's beta test. That's not an unimpressive number, although both Age of Conan and Warhammer Online reported a lot more (but at later stages in development). Of course, history has shown that the number of beta applicants doesn't necessarily reflect on a game's post-launch popularity.

In other Stargate Worlds-related news, the game's sound designer (Nick LaMartina) will be participating in a live dev chat that will be open to all on Friday the 22nd at 11:00 AM Pacific time. Head over to the Stargate Worlds website for details and links on reaching the IRC chat room where it will take place.

When we visited Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment just over a month ago, a representative told us that the company was hoping to start the closed beta phase before the end of the summer. We've been a bit skeptical. Time's a-tickin'!

MassivelyStargate Worlds reaches 200k beta signups, dev chat on Friday originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>age-of-conanapplicationsaudiobetachatcheyenne-mountaincheyenne-mountain-entertainmentcmedeveloperfireskynick-lamartinasgwsign-upssignupssoundsound-designerstargatestargate-worldswarhammer-onlineWed, 20 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Stargate Worlds will be on display at Leipzig train station]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/19/stargate-worlds-will-be-on-display-at-leipzig-train-station/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/19/stargate-worlds-will-be-on-display-at-leipzig-train-station/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/19/stargate-worlds-will-be-on-display-at-leipzig-train-station/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

European Stargate fans take note: Stargate Worlds will be making an appearance at the Leipzig Games Convention in -- you guessed it -- Leipzig, Germany. As was the case earlier in the summer at Comic Con, Firesky/Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment have some special stuff planned.

The team will be "taking over" the Leipzig Train Station, where they'll be showing "the latest" gameplay trailer (we don't know if it'll be new or not, but presumably, right?) and giving away various stuff, including t-shirts and dog tags. Apparently the prizes will be given out by "Stargate commandos." People in uniform, perhaps? Also, Studio Head Dan Elggren and marketing guy Kevin Balentine will be on site to promote the game and talk to the press.

The Stargate franchise has always been popular in Europe -- especially in Germany, so we know there are a few of you out there who'll want in on this. And with that subsidized airfare, getting there might be almost affordable, right?

MassivelyStargate Worlds will be on display at Leipzig train station originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cheyenne-mountaincheyenne-mountain-entertainmentcmecommandosdan-elggrendog-tagsfireskygermanykevin-balentineleipzigleipzig-08leipzig-games-conventionshirtsstargat-sg-1stargatestargate-atlantisstargate-worldstrailertrain-stationTue, 19 Aug 2008 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Interview: Stargate Worlds aims high with artificial intelligence]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/07/interview-stargate-worlds-aims-high-with-artificial-intelligenc/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/07/interview-stargate-worlds-aims-high-with-artificial-intelligenc/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/07/interview-stargate-worlds-aims-high-with-artificial-intelligenc/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

MMORPG has posted its second video interview with the folks working on Stargate Worlds. Last time, it connected with Howard Lyon to talk about customization the game's user interface. This time, studio head Dan Elggren tells the site a little bit about the artificial intelligence that guides the actions of Stargate Worlds' hostile entities.

Elggren explains that there are different types of AI behaviors -- personalities, if you will. An aggressive enemy might throw caution to the wind and charge the player with a knife, while a defensive one will play it safe behind cover. Elggren hopes this will make combat more dynamic in Stargate Worlds than it is in other MMOs. He also said that enemies might run away or retreat for the sake of self-preservation. Of course, enemies do that in plenty of MMOs already, but hopefully it's a bit more complicated than the "run at 15% health" trigger that we're used to seeing.

MassivelyInterview: Stargate Worlds aims high with artificial intelligence originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMORPG.com's Managing Editor Jon Wood is definitely on a roll with providing Stargate Worlds fans with new video content. We already mentioned that he put together a hands-on Stargate Worlds combat video, but he's also done a video interview with Stargate Worlds Art Director Howard Lyons about the game's user interface.

The UI is built to be completely customizable, both in terms of graphics and the layout, Lyons says. Players will be able to swap out button types and adjust the visual priorities of the various interface elements. Multiple UI profiles can be saved and then exported and shared with other players. Have a look at the video for a closer look at the Stargate Worlds user interface, but MMORPG.com does has one caveat -- what you see is pre-alpha footage.

MassivelyStargate Worlds video interview shows off interface customizations originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Aug 2008 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cheyenne-mountaincustomizationcustomizefireskyfiresky-llcinterfacejon-woodmmorpgpreviewssci-fisgwstargate-worldsuiuser-interfacevideoTue, 05 Aug 2008 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Early Stargate Worlds combat video shows off enemy AI]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/04/early-stargate-worlds-combat-video-shows-off-enemy-ai/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/04/early-stargate-worlds-combat-video-shows-off-enemy-ai/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/08/04/early-stargate-worlds-combat-video-shows-off-enemy-ai/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Jon Wood at MMORPG recently put up a hands-on video of gameplay in Stargate Worlds. This latest footage gives us an early look at combat in Stargate Worlds. Primarily, it shows the importance of using cover to survive.

Wood seems to like what he's experienced of the game so far, particularly in terms of the AI in Stargate Worlds."Getting taken off-guard by AI opponents does not happen very often. But when it does, it's just fantastic. It gets your heart going, causes you to panic," he says. The comments related to the video are drawing comparisons with Tabula Rasa but keep in mind this footage is from an alpha stage of testing. That being said, what do you think about how Stargate Worlds is shaping up?

MassivelyEarly Stargate Worlds combat video shows off enemy AI originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aialphacheyenne-mountaincmecombatfireskyjon-woodmmorpgpreviewpvergtrsgwstargate-worldstabula-rasavideoMon, 04 Aug 2008 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Stargate Worlds Comic-Con event plans unveiled]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/19/stargate-worlds-comic-con-event-plans-unveiled/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/19/stargate-worlds-comic-con-event-plans-unveiled/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/19/stargate-worlds-comic-con-event-plans-unveiled/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


We learned a while back that developer Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment and publisher FireSky are teaming up with the United States Armed Forces and the creators of the Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis TV series to present Stargate Worlds at this year's Comic-Con. Fans will get to ask questions about the game and the series, as well as see gameplay footage. A life-sized stargate wll be deployed for photo ops, too.

Now the schedule has finally been announced. It'll all go down in Ballroom 20 on Friday the 25th. From 10:45 to 11:45, the showrunners and stars of Stargate SG-1 will sit in a panel discussing Stargate Continuum, the new movie based on the series. After that, the Stargate Worlds presentation will run from 11:45 to 12:15. Finally, the cast and crew of Stargate Atlantis will talk about season 5 from 12:15 to 1:15. All Pacific time, of course, since the convention's in San Diego.

So if you're just interested in the game, show up at 11:45 and leave at 12:15. We figure you'll go for the whole thing if you'll go at all though; most folks interested in this game are probably fans of the series too, right?

MassivelyStargate Worlds Comic-Con event plans unveiled originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 19 Jul 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cheyenne-mountaincheyenne-mountain-entertainmentcomic-concomic-con-2008fireskyfiresky-llcsan-diegoschedulesg-1sgwstargatestargate-atlantisstargate-continuumstargate-sg-1stargate-worldsSat, 19 Jul 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Chat with Stargate Worlds artists on your lunch break]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/chat-with-stargate-worlds-artists-on-your-lunch-break/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/chat-with-stargate-worlds-artists-on-your-lunch-break/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/18/chat-with-stargate-worlds-artists-on-your-lunch-break/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment is hosting another developer chat for fans who want to know more about Stargate Worlds. This time, the participating developers are Lead Artist Austin Germer and Lead Animator Carl Cross. The chat will take place at 11:00 AM Pacific and 2:00 PM Eastern, and will last for one hour. So that falls right on top of lunch for most folks -- or at least it can, if they schedule it right. So sneak in while eating a sandwich at your desk.

The place to which you may sneak: IRC chat room #Stargate-Worlds at irc.sgwirc.com. Once you're in, ask up to three questions using the /q command. More info can be found at the Stargate Worlds community website. If you're new to the game and want an introduction before the chat, (shameless plug alert) check out the coverage of our exclusive visit to the game's development studio and our interview with the directors.

Hey -- you knew we couldn't help ourselves.

[Via Ten Ton Hammer]

MassivelyChat with Stargate Worlds artists on your lunch break originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artistsaustin-gemercarl-crosschatcheyenne-mountaincheyenne-mountain-entertainmentcmedev-chatfireskyircsgwstargatestargate-worldsFri, 18 Jul 2008 07:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively visits Stargate Worlds: The interview, part 4]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/massively-visits-stargate-worlds-the-interview-part-4/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/massively-visits-stargate-worlds-the-interview-part-4/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/massively-visits-stargate-worlds-the-interview-part-4/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


In part four of our interview with Cheyenne Mountain's studio head Dan Elggren, creative director Chris Klug, art director Howard Lyon, VP of technology Demetrius Comes, and senior marketing manager Kevin Balentine, Lyon describes the philosophy behind the game's artistic style, and we learn more about the company's plan for launch and post-live content.

Continue reading Massively visits Stargate Worlds: The interview, part 4

MassivelyMassively visits Stargate Worlds: The interview, part 4 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artart-directioncheyenne-mountaincheyenne-mountain-entertainmentchris-klugcmedan-elggrendemetrius-comesfireskyhoward-lyoninterviewkevin-balentinerelease-datesgwstargatestargate-worldsThu, 10 Jul 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively visits Stargate Worlds: The interview, part 3]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/massively-visits-stargate-worlds-the-interview-part-3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/massively-visits-stargate-worlds-the-interview-part-3/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/massively-visits-stargate-worlds-the-interview-part-3/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

In part three of our interview with Cheyenne Mountain's studio head Dan Elggren, creative director Chris Klug, art director Howard Lyon, VP of technology Demetrius Comes, and senior marketing manager Kevin Balentine, we discuss endgame content and go into great detail about the graphics and combat.

Continue reading Massively visits Stargate Worlds: The interview, part 3

MassivelyMassively visits Stargate Worlds: The interview, part 3 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cheyenne-mountaincheyenne-mountain-entertainmentchris-klugcmecombatdan-elggrendemetrius-comesendgamefireskygraphicshoward-lyoninterviewkevin-balentineraidsgwstargatestargate-worldsunreal-engine-3Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively visits Stargate Worlds: The interview, part 2]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/massively-visits-stargate-worlds-the-interview-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/massively-visits-stargate-worlds-the-interview-part-2/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/massively-visits-stargate-worlds-the-interview-part-2/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Our part two of our interview with Cheyenne Mountain's studio head Dan Elggren, creative director Chris Klug, art director Howard Lyon, VP of technology Demetrius Comes, and senior marketing manager Kevin Balentine, we talk about the team's plans to reach out to Stargate fans with little gaming experience and we learn about the classic Stargate characters and lore we'll see in the game.

Continue reading Massively visits Stargate Worlds: The interview, part 2

MassivelyMassively visits Stargate Worlds: The interview, part 2 originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ancientsbaalcasualcasual-gamercheyenne-mountaincheyenne-mountain-entertainmentchris-klugcmedan-elggrendemetrius-comesepisodic-contentfurlingsgoauldhoward-lyoninterviewkevin-balentinesgwstargatestargate-worldsstorytvThu, 10 Jul 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively visits Stargate Worlds: The interview]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/massively-visits-stargate-worlds-the-interview/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/massively-visits-stargate-worlds-the-interview/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/massively-visits-stargate-worlds-the-interview/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


During our visit to Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment's Arizona studio, we got to sit down with five of the top minds on the Stargate Worlds team -- studio head Dan Elggren, creative director Chris Klug, art director Howard Lyon, VP of technology Demetrius Comes, and senior marketing manager Kevin Balentine. This exclusive, in-depth, and conversational interview is overflowing with information about everything in the game, including TV series tie-ins and cameos, episodic content, combat, graphics, mini-games, and much, much more. This meaty interview is an essential read for any Stargate or MMO fan. We've split it up into four parts for easy reading. Enjoy!

Gallery: Massively visits Stargate Worlds

Continue reading Massively visits Stargate Worlds: The interview

MassivelyMassively visits Stargate Worlds: The interview originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Jul 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archeologistcasualcheyenne-mountaincheyenne-mountain-entertainmentchris-klugcmedan-elggrendemetrius-comesdiplomacyfeaturedfireskyhoward-lyoninterviewjoystiqfeatureskevin-balentinemini-gamesminigamesscientistsgwstargatestargate-worldsThu, 10 Jul 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively visits Stargate Worlds, part 3: Impressions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/massively-visits-stargate-worlds-part-3-impressions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/massively-visits-stargate-worlds-part-3-impressions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/massively-visits-stargate-worlds-part-3-impressions/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

We found a lot to like in Stargate Worlds. Its cover-based, ranged combat should prove tactically interesting for groups of friends playing together. We were impressed by the attention to detail in the recreation of Stargate lore and places. We were especially excited by the mini-game concept and its integration with more traditional hardcore-friendly modes of play. CME is trying to reach and please a very broad audience, and we believe this product could potentially accomplish that goal. CME's promise to support the game with regular episodic content updates makes the package that much more attractive.

Continue reading Massively visits Stargate Worlds, part 3: Impressions

MassivelyMassively visits Stargate Worlds, part 3: Impressions originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cheyenne-mountaincheyenne-mountain-entertainmentcmecomic-coneverquestimpressionsinterviewkevin-balentinemassively-visits-stargate-worldspreviewsgwstargatestargate-worldsThu, 10 Jul 2008 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Massively visits Stargate Worlds, part 2: Gameplay]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/massively-visits-stargate-worlds-part-2-gameplay/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/massively-visits-stargate-worlds-part-2-gameplay/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/07/10/massively-visits-stargate-worlds-part-2-gameplay/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

We saw gameplay in two contexts. First, we saw canned footage of a firefight on the planet Lucia. Second, we visited the Quality Assurance department and watched testers play the game. The scenario they were playing appeared to be a prison break. From this we acquired a relatively good understanding of the basics of Stargate Worlds' combat. We didn't see any of the other modes of gameplay, but we talked about them a bit in our interview with the directors.

Continue reading Massively visits Stargate Worlds, part 2: Gameplay

MassivelyMassively visits Stargate Worlds, part 2: Gameplay originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Jul 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cheyenne-mountaincheyenne-mountain-entertainmentcmecombatcoverimpressionsinterviewkevin-balentinemassively-visits-stargate-worldsminigamespreviewsgwstargatestargate-worldsThu, 10 Jul 2008 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Listen to exclusive Stargate Worlds audio content]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/21/listen-to-exclusive-stargate-worlds-audio-content/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/21/listen-to-exclusive-stargate-worlds-audio-content/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/06/21/listen-to-exclusive-stargate-worlds-audio-content/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Music can be a really important part of MMOs, if the developer decides that they want it to be. In some games you'll almost immediately turn the audio down to zero and resume listening to your own stuff, but other games like Age of Conan have a musical score that demands to be heard. It is clear that Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment is aiming for the latter with Stargate Worlds, and they have offered followers of the game a chance to listen to some short clips at their community forums.

You'll need to be a registered forum user to be able to listen, but if you take the plunge you can download two short clips, composed by SGW sound designer Nick LaMartina. They are both fairly epic and atmospheric, and leave you wanting to hear more. If you do check them out, you can use the links in the article to leave feedback for each piece in the forums.

MassivelyListen to exclusive Stargate Worlds audio content originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 21 Jun 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiocheyenne-mountaincheyenne-mountain-entertainmentcomposermusicnick-lamartinasgwsound-designerstargate-worldsthemesSat, 21 Jun 2008 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Stargate Worlds' minigames make casual hardcore]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/27/stargate-worlds-minigames-make-casual-hardcore/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/27/stargate-worlds-minigames-make-casual-hardcore/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/27/stargate-worlds-minigames-make-casual-hardcore/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Cheyenne Mountain is trying something a little different in Stargate Worlds. Sure, there will be the regular routine of killing, looting, selling -- repeat. But the game design will also incorporate minigames not unlike the casual games you'd find on Yahoo! or AOL's web portals.

Cheyenne casual game designer Steve Williams has written up a longish developer blog about this unlikely marriage, in which he describes one of the minigames -- a hacking game. Okay, so that's not the most original casual game to slip into a more complex hardcore game -- most of us have played the Shock games. SGW's hack game sounds a bit different, though; it both confuses and helps the user with scrambled visuals and sonic cues as he or she searches for a hidden red wire to access.

More interesting than the specifics about the hack game, though, is the inside look at the process by which Williams and others develop "Hack" and other games like it. Williams also ponders in writing about how the presence of such games affects the traditional MMO experience. "What does it mean," he asks, "when you get uber loot from clipping a wire in less than 12 seconds?"

MassivelyStargate Worlds' minigames make casual hardcore originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 27 May 2008 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casualcheyenne-mountaincheyenne-mountain-entertainmentdesigndev-blogdeveloperdeveloper-bloghackminigamesstargate-worldsTue, 27 May 2008 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Stargate Worlds studio head to appear live on Pwned Radio]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/20/stargate-worlds-studio-head-to-appear-live-on-pwned-radio/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/20/stargate-worlds-studio-head-to-appear-live-on-pwned-radio/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/05/20/stargate-worlds-studio-head-to-appear-live-on-pwned-radio/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Dan Elggren, studio head for Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment's MMO Stargate Worlds, will be appearing on Pwned Radio on Sunday May 25th from 8-10 pm Eastern. Stargate Worlds is gaining some serious momentum, having accumulated 100,000 Beta registrants in just half a month, so we're keen to hear what Dan has to say.

It's some time since the Stargate Worlds crew have given us a major update on what's brewing in their studio. Given the surge of interest, we're expecting DJ Shane Hamelin and the Pwned Posse to glean plenty of up-to-the-moment information. With two hours to fill, there should be a lot of meat to this interview. Dan will also be giving away prizes, including Stargate T-shirts and FireSky hats; but will he drop any hints of when Beta will actually begin? We can only hope.

MassivelyStargate Worlds studio head to appear live on Pwned Radio originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 20 May 2008 07:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cheyenne-mountaincheyenne-mountain-entertainmentdan-elggreninterviewstargatestargate-worldsTue, 20 May 2008 07:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Stargate Worlds developer chat on May 9th]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/28/stargate-worlds-developer-chat-on-may-9th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/28/stargate-worlds-developer-chat-on-may-9th/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/28/stargate-worlds-developer-chat-on-may-9th/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Do you have any burning questions about Stargate Worlds? Something on your mind? The admins of SGWirc have announced a Stargate Worlds special event for May 9th, a developer chat with Aruspex of Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment. The dev chat kicks off at 4pm EST, or 9pm for those of you on UK time, and is slated to last for one hour. Here's where to find him:

Address: irc.sgwirc.com

Channel: #stargate-worlds

Java: http://www.sgwirc.com/chat

Who, or what, is Aruspex? Well the May 9th dev chat announcement is a bit clearer than Aruspex's hidden message from back in January, which was written in Ancient -- or really some variant of a Caesar cipher. His game ultimately revealed that he's in charge of Stargate Worlds' crafting system. While it hasn't been announced exactly what sort of questions Aruspex will field, a moderator at the Stargate Worlds forums hinted that Aruspex may also discuss minigames in addition to crafting.

So get your questions into the IRC bot early to grill Aruspex about anything and everything your heart desires -- and if it's about crafting in SGW, so much the better.

[Via Curse]

MassivelyStargate Worlds developer chat on May 9th originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cheyenne-mountaincraftingdev-chatircmgm-interactivesg-1stargatestargate-atlantisstargate-worldsMon, 28 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Stargate Worlds gets updated]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/11/stargate-worlds-gets-updated/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/11/stargate-worlds-gets-updated/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/11/stargate-worlds-gets-updated/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Fans of the upcoming sci-fi MMO Stargate Worlds can finally freshen up their websites with a brand spanking new Web kit. The kit includes two exclusive wallpapers, new SGW logo, a logo branding guide (which explains how you can use/not use the logo), favicons, avatars, and an updated FAQ and legal.

Plus, four new images have been added to the SGW gallery. These new images show off the planets of Lucia, Tollana, Agnos (nothing really "new" per se since we've seen images of them before). The last new image though is a dozy. How about the very first look at a female Jaffa (seen above)! She's one bad mutha. Look at the legs on her!

MassivelyStargate Worlds gets updated originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cheyenne-mountaincheyenne-mountain-en...jaffastargatestargate-atlantisstargate-worldsFri, 11 Apr 2008 16:30:00 EST<![CDATA[April Fools' in Stargate Worlds]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/01/april-fools-in-stargate-worlds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/01/april-fools-in-stargate-worlds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/04/01/april-fools-in-stargate-worlds/#commentsFiled under: , ,


The dev team for Stargate Worlds has decided to change the direction of the in-game armor. Apparently, this decision was based on how much everyone loved the human body armor seen in the SGW trailer. Due to that overwhelming love fest... all races will now have the same exact armor.

SGW Creative Director Chris Klug is ecstatic about the decision: "We'll have a lot more time to work on other ideas, such as Asgard golf." Oh fun... golf. Technical Director Demetrius Comes said, "It's going to so be much easier to code now that we will have only one kind of armor for all player characters."

Senior Marketing Manager Kevin Balentine chimed in with: "I don't think it's necessary to distinguish the different races by different armor sets." It seems there are other ways to distinguish species on the battlefield. In fact, they're painting the bad guys red and the good guys blue (see the above pic). Balentine, obviously stuck far too long with only his marketing companion cube as company, doesn't think that's ever been tried before.

Nope... not ever.

MassivelyApril Fools' in Stargate Worlds originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 01 Apr 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>april-fools-08cheyenne-mountaincheyenne-mountain-en...chris-klugdemetrius-comeskevin-balentinemgmmgm-interactivered-vs-bluestargatestargate sg-1stargate-atlantisstargate-worldsStargateSg-1Tue, 01 Apr 2008 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Watch a Stargate Worlds artist's video dev diary]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/29/watch-a-stargate-worlds-artists-video-dev-diary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/29/watch-a-stargate-worlds-artists-video-dev-diary/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/29/watch-a-stargate-worlds-artists-video-dev-diary/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Cheyenne Mountain has released a developer profile of Stargate Worlds artist Jake Johnson, who works on all sorts of visual assets -- most prominently the attractive skies of the game's many planets. Johnson talks about how he landed the Stargate gig, the assets he had the most fun creating, and the process he employs to create sky domes. Oh, and his favorite season of SG-1 -- Season 2. Good choice, Jake! Every one knows Sokar was the coolest SG-1 villain!

SGW's skies aren't just skybox textures, apparently; Johnson composes a geosphere to blanket the game world. Planets and other celestial objects can be placed inside it after the fact. The video includes a sneak peak at the sky of the planet Dakara, so that's pretty cool. Also, there's a gigantic Stargate replica in the studio lobby. Nice!

The clip is worth a look, if only for snickering at all the miscellaneous gaming memorabilia littering the art department's desks, including a copy of Battlefield 2, Mario 1UP mushrooms, and an XBox 360 controller. But don't take the controller as a hint; Cheyenne's Joe Ybarra made it clear in an interview a few days ago that the team is focusing on the PC for now.

MassivelyWatch a Stargate Worlds artist's video dev diary originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 29 Mar 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artartistassetscheyenne-mountaindakaradeveloper-profileinterviewjake-johnsonsgwskiesskystargatestargate-worldsvideoSat, 29 Mar 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[SGW images depict spacesuits, Egyptian mythology]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/29/sgw-images-depict-spacesuits-egyptian-mythology/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/29/sgw-images-depict-spacesuits-egyptian-mythology/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/29/sgw-images-depict-spacesuits-egyptian-mythology/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Outer space and Egyptology; it was out of the marriage of these two things that the original Stargate movie was born. While the popular TV series Stargate SG-1 and even more so its spinoff Stargate Atlantis have moved away from Ancient Egypt over the years to explore other mythologies or Star Trek-style science-driven-concepts like self-replicating nanobots gone mad, rest assured that the Egyptian motif is still intact in Cheyenne Mountain's MMO Stargate Worlds.

The evidence: the above, decidedly-Egyptian screenshot, which is one of four new images just released to the game's official gallery. Note the awesome-looking disintegrating moon in the sky. Sweet! To cover the outer space side of things, one of the other images depicts artist's conceptions of humans' spacesuits. The other two images: concept art of a war-torn, bunker-type area, and yet another screenshot of forest ruins.

MassivelySGW images depict spacesuits, Egyptian mythology originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 29 Mar 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cheyenne-mountainconcept-artegyptgalleryimagesscreenshotssgwspace-suitsspacesuitsstargatestargate-atlantisstargate-sg-1stargate-worldsSat, 29 Mar 2008 19:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Getting technical with a Stargate]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/27/getting-technical-with-a-stargate/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/27/getting-technical-with-a-stargate/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/27/getting-technical-with-a-stargate/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


Stargate Worlds' Technology Director, Demetrius Comes, recently got technobabbley about what goes on behind the curtain of their upcoming sci-fi epic.

SGW uses Epic's Unreal 3 engine under the hood for the graphical shock and awe. Big World technologies powers the servers, but did you know that neither engine is exactly what they needed? As Comes put it, they rolled their own glue to get the two engines to work together. But there's a third component - a powerful content creation tool - they call "SpecSuite." It's used to create spawns, enter the data for the AI, create items, mobs, loot tables, etc.

Continue reading Getting technical with a Stargate

MassivelyGetting technical with a Stargate originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Big-World-technologiescheyenne-mountaincheyenne-mountain-en...Demetrius-ComesSpecSuitestargatestargate-atlantisstargate-sg-1stargate-worldsten-ton-hammerunreal-engine-3Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Cheyenne Mountain working on second MMO]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/27/cheyenne-mountain-working-on-second-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/27/cheyenne-mountain-working-on-second-mmo/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/27/cheyenne-mountain-working-on-second-mmo/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

Gamasutra spoke with Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment's Joe Ybarra about the Phoenix-based company's ambitious plans for the future. And boy are they ambitious -- especially for a company that has not yet released a single title, as Gamasutra noted.

Ybarra revealed that the Cheyenne has four active studios, and that Stargate Worlds isn't the only MMO in development. He didn't offer many details about the other title, except to say that it's "considerably less in scope" and that it uses a free-to-play/microtransactions model. Seems like everyone is going that direction these days.

He also touched on the company's desire to develop original intellectual properties, and noted that it's considering changing its name to something representative of its now-broad scope, as "Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment" is a reference to Stargate franchise lore. Cheyenne Mountain is the compound in which the Stargate secretly program operates.

MassivelyCheyenne Mountain working on second MMO originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Stargate Worlds website recently released four new images (2 screenshots and 2 concept pieces). The concept artwork details an Asian-themed world while the two screenshots show off Agnos and Lucia.

But it's not all about the images though. Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment wants to hear from you if you operate a fan web site about their upcoming sci-fi MMO. They're updating their database and want to make sure your site gets on their list. And no, it's not so they can send you a cease and decease letter. On the contrary in fact! When CME releases news and information about Stargate Worlds they want to make sure you know about it.

So if you fit that bill, be sure to check out the list of needs at the SGW website.

Gallery: Stargate Worlds Concept Art Gallery

MassivelyNew SGW stuff comes through the gate originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agnoscheyenne-mountaincheyenne-mountain-en...Luciamgm-interactivesg1stargatestargate-atlantisstargate-worldsWed, 19 Mar 2008 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Game Informer gets some Stargate goodies]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/18/game-informer-gets-some-stargate-goodies/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/18/game-informer-gets-some-stargate-goodies/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/03/18/game-informer-gets-some-stargate-goodies/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


A new issue of the popular print magazine Game Informer has an in-depth Q&A with creative director Chris Klug and studio head Dan Elggren from Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment about Stargate Worlds. While you can get a sneak peek from Game Informer's website, you need to have a subscription to access it. Or, you can just pick it up at the newsstand like the rest of us schlubs.

And according to the Stargate Worlds website, you'll want do just that. Apparently the magazine has some never-before-seen content - including the very first look at what combat will look like in the game itself. They also give a snipet from the interview which talks about how players can use the environment as a buff in combat (players will receive a boost not only in damage dealt, but how much damage can be taken). This feature sounds a lot like what's already in place in Richard Garriott's Tabula Rasa.

The exclusive images found in Game Informer will eventually be posted on StargateWorlds.com, so if you can't get the mag (or just don't want to)... stay tuned.

MassivelyGame Informer gets some Stargate goodies originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 18 Mar 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cheyenne-mountaincheyenne-mountain-en...chris-klugdan-elggrengame-informermgm-interactivesg1stargatestargate-atlantisstargate-worldsTue, 18 Mar 2008 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Stargate Worlds Trailer plus further details on classes, story, and more]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/05/stargate-worlds-trailer-plus-new-details-on-classes-story-and/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/05/stargate-worlds-trailer-plus-new-details-on-classes-story-and/http://massively.joystiq.com/2008/01/05/stargate-worlds-trailer-plus-new-details-on-classes-story-and/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


This is the big Stargate Worlds debut trailer that appeared last night on the SCI FI channel. Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment's IT Director popped by the Stargate Worlds forums and provided the following details about the video:
  • The footage is CGI; however, it does use some in-game art assets and is intended to resemble the look and feel from the actual game.
  • Two worlds are shown in the following order: Agnos and Anima Vitrus (new)
  • Three races: Asgard and his drone, SGC Solider with improved body armor, female Jaffa solider with a staff weapon and Horus guard helmet
  • Heavily modified P90 implies broad weapon customizations
If that glimpse wasn't enough for the interstellar traveling junkies there is a very slight extended version over on Gamespot. The bigger news regarding Stargate Worlds comes from all the juicy details found in Gamespot's interview with Rod Nakamoto, CME's Senior VP of Product Development. Quick fact list from their exchange:
  • Unreal 3 Engine and Big World back end
  • Two factions
  • Classes: Jaffa, Goa'uld, Asgard, human soldier, scientist, archeologist, and commando
  • No vehicle combat or player controlled starships
  • The MMOG will follow the events from SG1 but feature different stories: Replicator War, the Apophis War, the Tok'ra war with the Goa'uld, etc.
  • Beta testing starts this spring and with the launch to follow in the fall
  • 15 USD monthly subscription rate
  • Possibility that SG cast members to do voice-overs
  • Evolutionary Combat and Advanced AI
The translation from the show to an MMOG might work well, certainly, better than other properties such as Firefly. I guess it also helps that you know Stargate Worlds is actually in development and Firefly MMOG will probably never see the light of day. No matter the content, I don't trust any MMOG that was only tested for a short period of time considering Stargate Worlds hasn't been in full production (announced in 2006) very long. It takes time to implement quality content, but maybe CME's Developers can pull it off. What do you guys think?

MassivelyStargate Worlds Trailer plus further details on classes, story, and more originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 05 Jan 2008 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you're looking forward to Stargate Worlds, chances are that you're a fan of the franchise, and that means you watch Stargate Atlantis. So while you're probably going to be tuning in to January 4th's mid-season premiere of Atlantis anyway, we thought we'd give you this heads up: the first Stargate Worlds trailer will premiere during Atlantis this week.

That's not all. Starting January 11th (they just love making us keep track of all these dates), the Sci-Fi Channel will be airing "gate codes" during Atlantis episodes, and those gate codes will let you enter a sweepstakes to have your "image or likeness incorporated into" Stargate Worlds.

So there's your heads up.

[Via GateWorld]

MassivelyWatch the SGW trailer on Sci-Fi, become an NPC or something originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 31 Dec 2007 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cheyenne-mountaincheyenne-mountain-entertainmentcontestsci-fiscif-fi-channelstargatestargate-atlantisstargate-worldssweepstakesMon, 31 Dec 2007 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Morality plays a part in Stargate Worlds' quests]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/17/morality-plays-a-part-in-stargate-worlds-quests/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/17/morality-plays-a-part-in-stargate-worlds-quests/http://massively.joystiq.com/2007/12/17/morality-plays-a-part-in-stargate-worlds-quests/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Cheyenne Mountain's Chris Klug served another dev diary to RPG Vault. This is the third such diary, and it continues the work that the previous entry began -- an exposition on Stargate Worlds' quest and storytelling philosophies.

Klug describes a mission he had worked on in Earth & Beyond, in which players were forced to make a critical moral choice. Apparently Stargate Worlds' missions will follow a similar formula. This sounds a bit like what you'd find in Mass Effect, but it's (apart from Earth & Beyond) not something we've seen much in MMOs. Tabula Rasa claims to involve some choices like that, but that's about it.

Klug promises to go into more detail later, but for now, the diary doesn't have much. This is what we've come to expect from Cheyenne -- frequent, tiny drops of information.

MassivelyMorality plays a part in Stargate Worlds' quests originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 17 Dec 2007 23:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cheyenne-mountaincheyenne-mountain-entertainmentchoiceschrus-klugdev-diarydevlogearth-and-beyondmissionsmoralquestsrpg-vaultstargate-worldsMon, 17 Dec 2007 23:00:00 EST