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Otherland developer RealU lays off 'most of its staff'

Jef Reahard — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, MMO Industry, News Items, Otherland

Otherland developer RealU has laid off "most of its staff," according to a community manager's post on the game's official forums from earlier this month. The upcoming sci-fi cyberpunk title based on the works of author Tad Williams was set to be published by free-to-play giant gamigo. According to the post, gamigo "had and has very limited influence on this decision."

RealU is a subsidiary of German publisher dtp, which "is currently in insolvency." The post indicates that RealU continues to hold the rights to Otherland in both Europe and North America, and it is currently looking into opportunities to finish the title "at another location."

[Thanks Ainilome!]

Otherland developer RealU lays off 'most of its staff' originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 29 Mar 2013 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Otherland enters phase two of closed beta testing this Friday

Matt Daniel — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Sci-Fi, News Items, Free-to-Play, Otherland

Gamigo has announced that the upcoming Otherland MMO, based on the popular cyberpunk series of the same name, is about to enter phase two of beta testing. The new phase of testing is bringing with it a number of improvements and fixes for testers to enjoy.

The new beta build includes a revamped tutorial, a new starter zone, a "refined" combat system, and more. If you're in the Otherland beta and can't wait to check it out, you'll have your opportunity when a "short preview and feedback round" begins Friday, December 14th at 4:00 a.m. Eastern time. The testing period will run until Monday, December 17th, so you've got all weekend to see what the new build has to offer. For all the delicious beta details, check out the game's official site.

Otherland enters phase two of closed beta testing this Friday originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 13 Dec 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GDC Online 2012: Gamigo showcases Otherland and Grimlands

Karen Bryan — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 20:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Historical, Business Models, Classes, Events (Real-World), Game Mechanics, Interviews, MMO Industry, Previews, PvP, News Items, PvE, Free-to-Play, Interviews (Massively's), Events (Massively's Coverage), Miscellaneous, Otherland, Crafting

This week at GDC Online, Gamigo showed off the progress in not one but two of its upcoming titles. Otherland, based on the novels by Tad Williams, has begun to pick up pace lately, with a series of closed beta events in Europe. Meanwhile, Grimlands has also made quite a bit of progress and is working out the finer details as it nears release.

Massively sat down with Gamigo CEO Patrick Streppel to get a firsthand look at both games. Read on for highlights from both the Otherland and Grimlands demos!

Continue reading GDC Online 2012: Gamigo showcases Otherland and Grimlands

GDC Online 2012: Gamigo showcases Otherland and Grimlands originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 10 Oct 2012 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Otherland premieres beta weekend trailer

Justin Olivetti — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Trailers, Video, Free-to-Play, Otherland

Today's a big day if you're an Otherland tester, as this marks the kick-off of the first closed beta weekend. It's a smaller test, however, so if you're not one of the lucky few, then you might be stewing in mild envy. Envy not, fair fellow gamers, for gamigo has an exciting new trailer to give everyone a taste of the multiverse of Otherland.

The trailer begins with a grumpy angel going around a fantasy village and destroying the crud out of it. This prompts a youngster to take up a sword and join the fight against... something. Following that, it's a huge montage across the many genres of Otherland, from sci-fi to Asian-themed worlds.

But who needs a description when you can watch it for yourself? Buckle up because you're going for a ride after the jump.

[Source: gamigo press release]

Continue reading Otherland premieres beta weekend trailer

Otherland premieres beta weekend trailer originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 31 Aug 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Otherland's first beta weekend begins on August 31st

MJ Guthrie — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, MMO Industry, New Titles, News Items, Free-to-Play, Otherland

The few, the proud, the Otherland closed beta testers! Players interested in testing the upcoming free-to-play fantasy and sci-fi mixed MMORPG should keep an eye on their email; Gamigo has announced that the first closed beta test for Otherland will be happening this weekend. From August 31st until September 2nd, select accounts will be given access to the beta.

This first test weekend, however, will be kept relatively small. Otherland Product Manager Florian Hörpel stated, "A small, manageable group of accounts will be given access to the servers for the first closed-beta weekend. This is because we want to get a feel for the limits of the systems." Interested players who do not receive an invitation this time around shouldn't despair -- they will have the chance to join in future beta events. Sign-ups to participate are on the official site.

[Source: Gamigo press release]

Otherland's first beta weekend begins on August 31st originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 29 Aug 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Otherland making-of video shows off Five Isle, Tad Williams

Jef Reahard — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Video, Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, New Titles, News Items, Free-to-Play, Otherland

RealU and gamigo have released a new making-of video update for Otherland. The clip focuses on the in-game world of Five Isle, so named for the five elements of fire, water, earth, wood, and metal that feature in Chinese mythology.

Interestingly, Five Isle is a new invention created specifically for the MMO and does not appear in Tad Williams' series of Otherland novels. Williams himself does appear in the new video along with a handful of game developers. See what they have to say after the break.

[Source: gamigo press release]

Continue reading New Otherland making-of video shows off Five Isle, Tad Williams

New Otherland making-of video shows off Five Isle, Tad Williams originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 Aug 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gamigo to bring UFO Online and more to Gamescom 2012

MJ Guthrie — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Real-Life, Sci-Fi, Events (Real-World), Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, New Titles, News Items, Free-to-Play, Black Prophecy, Otherland

Next month, the eyes of the gaming world will turn toward Cologne, Germany, as developers and fans converge at Gamescom 2012. In preparation, Gamigo has announced the line-up of games it will be presenting at this year's convention. Visitors will be able to try their hands at UFO Online and Jagged Alliance Online in the public area. Folks who can't make it to the convention won't have very long to wait to experience these games for themselves; UFO Online is set for open beta testing on August 23rd, while Jagged Alliance Online is scheduled to leave beta shortly after the convention.

Although not open for public play, Otherland, Grimlands, and Black Prophecy Tactics: Nexus Conflict will be available for members of the press to dive into. Keep an eye out for impressions on these titles!

[Source: Gamigo press release]

Gamigo to bring UFO Online and more to Gamescom 2012 originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Jul 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E3 2012: Gamigo shows off Grimlands and Otherlands

Andrew Ross — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 12:15:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Events (Real-World), Interviews, New Titles, Opinion, Free-to-Play, Interviews (Massively's), Events (Massively's Coverage)

Yesterday, we spoke to Gamigo about its upcoming titles Grimlands and Otherland. Grimlands was, admittedly, not quite on my radar until Gamigo's Anthony Guzzardo said the magic word: sandbox. I'd heard a few things about Grimlands already, such as skill based over levels, lots of customization, intelligent AI, vehicular combat, and yes, something about owning clan territory. Oh, and it's supposed to be free-to-play.

Sadly, E3 was having internet issues at the time of my interview, so while I couldn't play the game, Anthony was able to answer some questions for me.

Continue reading E3 2012: Gamigo shows off Grimlands and Otherlands

E3 2012: Gamigo shows off Grimlands and Otherlands originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 Jun 2012 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Otherland alpha sign-ups begin

Jef Reahard — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, MMO Industry, New Titles, News Items, Free-to-Play, Otherland

Fancy getting an early peek at the MMO version of Tad Williams' Otherland? Head to gamigo's official forum, then, because the company is seeking a few good alpha testers.

This isn't your typical marketing beta, at least according to the sign-up verbiage. "As an alpha tester, you will be asked to focus-test specific game elements, document your user experience, and fill out in-depth surveys each week. Alpha testing is hard work," gamigo says. It's also unpaid work, so only die-hard Otherland fans need apply.

If you're not a die-hard but are still interested in the game, check out our GDC impressions as well as this handy post that collects all of the publicly known information in one place.

Otherland alpha sign-ups begin originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Check and mate: A look at Otherland's EightSquared simulation

Matt Daniel — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, Video, News Items, Free-to-Play, Dev Diaries, Otherland

Fans of Tad Williams' deliciously cyberpunk book series Otherland are almost certainly waiting with bated breath for gamigo and RealU's upcoming MMO adaptation of the universe. In hopes of making the wait just a tad easier, gamigo has released a new developer diary video focusing on the EightSquared universe of Otherland.

EightSquared, as you may have surmised from the name, is a simulation in which an entire medieval countryside has sprung forth from a gargantuan chess board on which the Red and White armies are locked in an eternal war/game. But something has gone wrong with the simulation: The armies are no longer following the rules of warfare (i.e., rules of chess), and it's up to players to find out where the problem lies before things get too far out of hand and cause the destruction of the simulation itself. The full dev diary also provides a look at the game's Lifecycle AI, which breathes life into the world by providing NPCs who follow their own day-to-day schedules.

So what are you waiting for? Log in to the Net and go take a look for yourself.

[Source: gamigo press release]

Continue reading Check and mate: A look at Otherland's EightSquared simulation

Check and mate: A look at Otherland's EightSquared simulation originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Otherland info collected in a single post

Jef Reahard — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, New Titles, News Items, Free-to-Play, Otherland

We got our first real glimpse of Otherland at last week's GDC, and if you're hungry for more info on the upcoming MMORPG from gamigo, a fansite called Otherland Net Feed has you covered. The Tad Williams-inspired title might be available as early as the third quarter of 2012, according to the site, and to whet your appetite, the admin has collected just about every known game factoid in a single sprawling post.

There is plenty of verbiage relating to the title's simulations (that's Otherland-speak for zones) as well as a ton of images from the game's different locales. There are several trailer embeds too, along with concise reviews of combat, crafting, questing, and travel.

[Thanks to Travis for the tip!]

Otherland info collected in a single post originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 12 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GDC 2012: A look at Otherland and Grimlands with Gamigo

Karen Bryan — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Screenshots, Game Mechanics, Interviews, MMO Industry, Previews, Free-to-Play, Hands-On, Interviews (Massively's), Events (Massively's Coverage), Post-Apocalyptic, Otherland

Do you prefer a post-apocalyptic world or Tad Williams' vision of the internet of the future? Luckily, you can have them both by the end of the year because Gamigo is working busy at work preparing to launch two new titles. Massively had a chance to talk with Anthony Guzzardo, Gamigo's North American Publicity Manager, as well as PR Manager Dennis Hartmann as they showed off Otherland, based on the works of Tad Williams, and Grimlands, a post-apocalyptic vision in the desert.

Continue reading GDC 2012: A look at Otherland and Grimlands with Gamigo

GDC 2012: A look at Otherland and Grimlands with Gamigo originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 07 Mar 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Latest Otherland trailer gives players a glimpse of the Net

Matt Daniel — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, Trailers, Video, News Items, Free-to-Play, Otherland

Fans of Tad Williams' cyberpunk series Otherland, rejoice. The MMO adaptation of the series, which is being published by gamigo AG, has received a brand-new trailer showcasing many of the varied worlds you can visit on Otherland's Net. The trailer takes players on a tour of many of the game's interesting environments, which range from a medieval fortress to a Blade-Runner-esque metropolis. Fans also get a small taste of the game's combat set to some appropriately cyberpunk, wubwubwub-filled dubstep.

To watch the trailer for yourself, just click on past the cut and log in to the Net. We'll see you on the other side.

Continue reading Latest Otherland trailer gives players a glimpse of the Net

Latest Otherland trailer gives players a glimpse of the Net originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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See Otherland's Lambda Mall in new developer video

Jef Reahard — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Video, MMO Industry, New Titles, News Items, Free-to-Play

It's been several months since we saw the first installment of RealU's making-of video series on the new Otherland MMO. Today the firm has released part two, and while the earlier clip was focused on the game's action elements, the latest one centers around Lambda Mall.

Lambda Mall is basically a futuristic version of the internet, and in the game it functions as a social and questing hub complete with shops, bars, and plenty of space for your avatars to mix and mingle. The video shows off quite a few locations throughout the sprawling space, as well as plenty of sci-fantasy cyberpunk visuals.

There's also a little preview of Otherland's character customization options toward the end of the clip. Feast your eyes after the cut.

Continue reading See Otherland's Lambda Mall in new developer video

See Otherland's Lambda Mall in new developer video originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Perfect Ten: The upcoming long-shots

Justin Olivetti — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, World of Darkness, Fallout Online, Perfect Ten, Miscellaneous, Transformers Universe, Otherland, MechWarrior Online

In coming up with a follow-up list to my previous Upcoming MMO Contenders list, I found myself almost paralyzed by more choices than I could shake a wireless mouse at. Pointing at the sure bets is one thing, but narrowing down a field of dozens and dozens of interesting -- yet more far-flung -- prospects is far more difficult. It's one thing to have a good idea; it's another to say whether or not this game will actually make it to launch, and if it does, that it'll pull the idea off well.

That said, I've lost some hair and two pounds sweating out this list, and I feel sleeker for it. Today's Perfect Ten is all about the long-shots, the titles that may not have the huge budget, big name studios, or anything solid to show for it, but could still become contenders in their own right if everything is played just right.

Deep breath -- let's give it a go!

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: The upcoming long-shots

The Perfect Ten: The upcoming long-shots originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Otherland dev video talks design and going off the rails

Jef Reahard — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Video, Game Mechanics, MMO Industry, New Titles, News Items, Free-to-Play, Otherland

What's happening in the world of Otherland? How about a new making-of video, for starters. RealU and gamigo, the developer and publisher responsible for bringing Tad Williams' sci-fi novels into the MMORPG realm, are offering up a new five-minute clip that takes fans behind the scenes for a brief look at the development process inside the game's Singapore studio. The clip is full of quick glimpses of devs at work as well as a few talking head soundbytes.

In terms of how the game plays, the most revealing quote comes from lead designer Nic Cusworth. "What we've been trying to do is bring those skills from a console game background into an MMO and give players something that's a little bit more immediate, more fast-paced to play. But at the same time, it has the scope and range of an MMO," he says.

How will that scope and range manifest itself in the finished game? That's still speculation at this point, but the devs seem united in their desire to highlight Otherland's openness and its willingness to deviate from MMO norms. "We all like online games, but I find it quite frustrating how people's conceptions and ideas are so railed," says art director Holger Liebnitz. Check out the full clip after the cut.

Continue reading Otherland dev video talks design and going off the rails

Otherland dev video talks design and going off the rails originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 27 Oct 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Otherland dev talks timelines and Tad Williams' influence

Jef Reahard — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 16:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, Interviews, MMO Industry, New Titles, News Items, Otherland

MMORPGs based on pre-existing intellectual properties are a tricky business, and for every Lord of the Rings Online -- which at least makes an attempt at remaining faithful to its source material -- there's a Star Wars Galaxies or a Star Trek Online that sacrifices canonical authenticity on the altar of gameplay.

Then there's Otherland, gamigo's ambitious MMO based on Tad Williams' famous sci-fi cycle. A new interview with gamigo CEO Patrick Streppel sheds a bit of light on the title's timeline and canon and teases fans with glimpses of what they'll see and do when they plug in to what amounts to a virtual world set in a virtual world.

"Tad [Williams] has been very involved in the project from the beginning and provided lots of input to the development team on top of the source material. He is truly passionate about his vision being turned into a game," Streppel says. How will the game present that vision? It is "essentially a sequel" to the novels, and as a result of the dramatic conclusion at the end of the fourth and final book, it will now "be up to the players to get [Otherland] back online." The interview also delves briefly into gameplay topics, character creation, and more, so head to MPOGD.com to have a look.

Otherland dev talks timelines and Tad Williams' influence originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 06 Oct 2011 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: What was the juiciest reveal at Gamescom?

Brianna Royce — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Events (Real-World), MMO Industry, Opinion, Massively Meta, The Daily Grind, Miscellaneous

Every summer, the Massively staff spends time lurching from con to con in a drunken haze of MMO reveals. And every summer, we mull over those reveals, mentally ranking each one for quality, practicality, guts, and comic-relief. Gamescom has provided another such opportunity. WildStar? 2007 called; it wants Tabula Rasa back. The Secret World in April? Ambitious. Otherland? About time. Huttball? Wait. Really? Huttball?

Then again, we'll play just about anything. So you tell us: What would you deem the best reveal of Gamescom?

Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!

The Daily Grind: What was the juiciest reveal at Gamescom? originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 21 Aug 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gamescom 2011: gamigo reveals Otherland trailer

Jef Reahard — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Trailers, Video, Events (Real-World), MMO Industry, New Titles, News Items, Free-to-Play, Miscellaneous

Prior to this week's Gamescom, blurbs about the Otherland MMO popped up once a year or so, if that. Now we're bringing you the second bit of news in as many days, courtesy of the trailer announcement that follows hot on the heels of yesterday's developer interview at IGN.

The video clip showed up on publisher gamigo's YouTube portal this afternoon with a curious action MMORPG label in tow. We say curious here because "action" isn't the first word that springs to mind when discussing Tad Williams' Otherland novels, nor is there a lot of action in the four-minute trailer. There is a lot of eye candy and appropriately bizarre cyberpunk trappings, though, and all of it is presented through the glossy stylings of the Unreal 3 engine.

The free-to-play title is scheduled to release sometime next year, and you can get a glimpse of what awaits you in the teaser after the cut.

Continue reading Gamescom 2011: gamigo reveals Otherland trailer

Gamescom 2011: gamigo reveals Otherland trailer originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New interview highlights the development of Otherland

Eliot Lefebvre — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 21:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, Interviews, News Items, Free-to-Play

Otherland was an ambitious project that had fallen off the radar for quite some time, but it looks like the project is back on track. Based on the novel series of the same name, the game is set to place players in the eponymous multi-world simulation, a surreal network of virtual worlds filled with inhabitants that believe themselves to be people. Players will not only interact with the otherworldly environments, they'll be tasked with trying to uncover the powers attempting to manipulate the simulation behind the scenes. A new interview sheds some light on what developer RealU is hoping to achieve within the universe.

As fits the setting of the book, Otherland is a game with a great deal of player customization, ranging from customizing the appearance of a player's individual simuloid to customizing one's own space on the virtual web. Fans of the books will also be happy to learn that the game continues the storyline of its predecessors, with the offspring of the Grail Brotherhood working behind the scenes to regain control of the unearthly fantasy worlds. The game is currently aimed for a 2012 release, but it looks as if the foundations are being laid solid to start.

New interview highlights the development of Otherland originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 15 Aug 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Five MMOs that have gone MIA

Krystalle Voecks — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: MMO Industry, New Titles, Opinion, Humor, Miscellaneous

Unlike Chuck Norris, who seems to hang on as an MMO meme with insane tenacity (perhaps it's that extra fist under his beard), there are a handful of MMOs that appear to have dropped off the radar in the last several months -- if not years. Admittedly, this was originally to be a top 10 list of missing MMOs, but in the last half of this year, several developers have seen fit to thwart our plans by actually releasing information about their games. Shock! Horror!

Nevertheless, I've armed myself with an enormous cup of coffee and plundered the archives of Massively and general press releases for MMOGs that seem to have dropped off the radar. Are they still under development? Will we see some movement on them in 2011? Will it take a Chuck Norris-level feat-of-strength and all-around badassery to pull them back from the developmental abyss they appear to be in? Join me behind the break as I run down some of the MMOs we're still waiting for word on.

Continue reading Five MMOs that have gone MIA

Five MMOs that have gone MIA originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 31 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: Which sci-fi MMOs are you looking forward to?

Krystalle Voecks — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, New Titles, Opinion

Star Wars: The Old Republic, Earthrise, Fallen Earth, Star Trek Online, Jumpgate Evolution, Global Agenda, Black Prophecy, the Fallout MMO (maybe), Blackstar, Otherland, StarGate Worlds, and even more. It seems that if you're a hardcore sci-fi fan, now is a really good time to be an MMO player with all the options coming soon in terms of upcoming MMOs. You've got everything from the blended fantasy/sci-fi to favorite movie and gaming IPs to all-new concepts to dig into and enjoy. Of course, with such a large influx coming, this morning we thought we'd ask you what some of your most anticipated sci-fi MMOs are? Which ones are you trying like mad to get into the betas for? Which ones are just kind of "meh" on your radar? If you've got more than one, which one do you think might reign supreme among your choices?

The Daily Grind: Which sci-fi MMOs are you looking forward to? originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cyberpunk MMO Otherland launches game preview site

James Egan — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, MMO Industry, New Titles

It was only a few months ago when we first got word of a new cyberpunk/VR-themed MMO in development. Otherland is based on the the sci-fi novels of Tad Williams, which deal heavily with the interplay of the virtual and the real. Otherland is being built on the Unreal 3 engine by Singapore-based development studio Real U, a wholly-owned subsidiary of dtp entertainment AG in Germany.

The Otherland information page states the game will release in 2011 for PC, and it could potentially offer some interesting dimensions to MMO gameplay. The site states: "MMO fans can expect a fascinating gameplay experience. Based on the globally successful novels, the Otherland gameplay is distinguished by a unique narrative structure. Rather than retelling the story, players will experience their own individual stories within the Otherland universe and will encounter many of the familiar characters from the books. The game world will change dynamically around them during the course of the game."

Continue reading Cyberpunk MMO Otherland launches game preview site

Cyberpunk MMO Otherland launches game preview site originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cyberpunk MMO based on Tad Williams' Otherland announced

Michael Zenke — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-Fi, MMO Industry, New Titles, Casual

The German games publisher dtp Entertainment has made the surprising announcement that they'll be transforming sci-fi author Tad Williams' Otherland into a massively multiplayer online game. The title will be a mixture of several different playspaces, riffing on the series concept of competing virtual realities. One area in particular will be geared towards casual gaming and social interaction, a hub area to be called the Lambda Mall. Eurogamer has the story, along with a three-page discussion of dtp's plans and goals for this innovative title.

As you can see from the site's screenshot gallery, plans for the game include several different art styles to exist side by side. At its core the game will make use of an 80s/90s "virtual reality" theme, bringing to mind the Metaverse of Stephenson's Snow Crash or the old-style Matrix of the Shadowrun RPG. dtp plans to make use of the Unreal 3 engine for the project, ensuring that the impressive screenshots are likely to be even more eyebrow-raising in action. The game is currently slated for release to the PC in 2010.

Cyberpunk MMO based on Tad Williams' Otherland announced originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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