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Global Agenda Q&A explains Hi-Rez Studios approach to sci-fi MMO

James Egan — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Game mechanics, Interviews, New titles, Global Agenda

More opportunities for sci-fi MMO gaming will present themselves in the coming years, and we've been taking a closer look at these in-development titles. One such game that we've written about is Global Agenda, an MMO that uses Unreal Engine 3, which its developer Hi-Rez Studios describes as a futuristic "spy-fi world of advanced technology and player-driven conflict."

MMORPG.com recently ran a Q&A with Todd Harris, Executive Producer for Global Agenda: "Top Three Questions about Global Agenda... Answered!" The developer journal addresses the fact that Global Agenda is more about tactics than twitch. Despite being a (third person) shooter, the game has RPG elements. Harris writes, "... your character actions and contributions affect the outcome of a single mission (like an FPS), your character career (like and RPG), and your agency's long-term Campaign goals (like a strategy game.)"

Continue reading Global Agenda Q&A explains Hi-Rez Studios approach to sci-fi MMO

Global Agenda Q&A explains Hi-Rez Studios approach to sci-fi MMO originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 10 Feb 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dates for EVE's next expansion, retail launch confirmed in video interview

James Egan — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Business models, Expansions, Interviews, MMO industry

Hilmar V. Pétursson, CEO of CCP Games, has given a rather softspoken video interview with Gamereactor on where the sci-fi title EVE Online is today, and what's on the horizon. The interview seems intended for those who haven't played the game before -- as Hilmar gives an intro to the game and its single world setting -- or perhaps gamers who haven't gotten their feet wet in a massively multiplayer online game yet, as he highlights some of the benefits of incorporating more social aspects into video games.

Hilmar gives some history of the company, discussing how CCP Games has grown into having nearly 400 employees at present, with 300 of them focused on the next expansion and its retail launch (in partnership with Atari). The next expansion -- which will include Tech III and wormhole exploration -- will go live on March 10th, and EVE Online will appear on retail shelves on March 12th. Check out the video interview over at Gamereactor for more on the upcoming EVE expansion.

Update -- embedded video below the cut:

Continue reading Dates for EVE's next expansion, retail launch confirmed in video interview

Dates for EVE's next expansion, retail launch confirmed in video interview originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CCP Games lead economist on social structures in EVE Online

James Egan — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, EVE Online, Culture, Economy, Events, in-game, Game mechanics, Interviews, MMO industry, Opinion

Phil Elliott from Gamesindustry.biz recently conducted an interview with CCP Games Lead Economist Dr. Eyjólfur Guðmundsson (known as CCP Dr. EyjoG) titled "Star Bucks." While the interview discussed the importance of social structures in EVE Online given the game's single-shard nature and of course the game's economics, he was asked questions about gameplay and some of the core foundations of the game -- namely the freedom to act and the consequences that result (or the perceived lack of consequences).

Dr. EyjoG was asked about the concept of trust in the sandbox game, how some players feel there's not enough reciprocity in terms of consequences for one's actions in EVE. "Should we provide more security, more traceability -- that would help it out, but it's definitely a game design and balance question. For us we see the universe as it is, we don't see that need... at this point at least," Dr. EyjoG responded. The interview also hinted at some of the as-yet unrealized possibilities in the game such as player-requests to tie sovereignty in with rules that govern those regions of controlled territory and what the game might be like years down the line.

CCP Games lead economist on social structures in EVE Online originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 18 Oct 2008 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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