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Trion Worlds explains how Defiance will 'co-evolve' in two mediums

Justin Olivetti — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Sci-fi, Video, Interviews, Free-to-play, Post-Apocalyptic, Defiance

Wondering whether -- or if -- the joint venture of Syfy and Trion Worlds will work in tandem with Defiance? Then you may want to put aside a few minutes to watch the following video that attempts to explain how a TV show and an MMO will work together to create a blended experience for fans.

"In the past it's always been very difficult to connect television shows, which are always evolving, with video games, which are static," Trion Worlds CEO Lars Buttler states, going on to say that Trion has cracked that code. "In our unique setup, we can do things other people have never dared to try before."

Defiance the TV show and Defiance the MMO will, according to Buttler, "literally depend on each other and co-evolve."

It may not be heavy on specifics, but it's a fascinating watch nonetheless. Check it out after the jump!

Continue reading Trion Worlds explains how Defiance will 'co-evolve' in two mediums

Trion Worlds explains how Defiance will 'co-evolve' in two mediums originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 Apr 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PAX East 2012: Defiance's first-ever combat trailer

Matt Daniel — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 18:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Trailers, Video, News items, Consoles, MMOFPS, Defiance

PAX East is kicking into high-gear today. Studios are all over the floor showing off their latest trailers and demos, and Trion Worlds is no exception. The studio has just released a shiny new trailer focusing on the upcoming Syfy-Trion collaboration known as Defiance. For the first time since the title's announcement, players get to take a look at the game's frantic FPS combat.

The trailer takes players into the land of the United States' Bay Area, which is in the process of being terraformed by alien invaders, and it's up to humankind to stop them before it's too late. The video gives fans a glimpse of large-scale combat as dozens of characters storm a stronghold by foot, ATV, and humvee to bring the fight to the alien scum, guns blazing. Oh, and the aliens look like the kind of fellows you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley... or in a well-lit one, for that matter. Just check out those teeth! Load your weapons and get in the fight past the cut.

Massively's on the ground in Boston during the weekend of April 6-8, bringing you all the best news from PAX East 2012. Whether you're dying to know more about TERA or PlanetSide 2 or any MMO in between, we aim to have it covered!

Continue reading PAX East 2012: Defiance's first-ever combat trailer

PAX East 2012: Defiance's first-ever combat trailer originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Firing Line: Blacklight release, Defiance, and (hopefully) a DUST livestream

Jef Reahard — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Game mechanics, MMO industry, News items, Opinion, Free-to-play, MMOFPS, DUST 514, The Firing Line, Defiance

Welcome back to The Firing Line, shooter fans. I'm still recovering from Sony Online Entertainment's PlanetSide 2 demo last week (as well as CCP's reveals regarding DUST 514 gameplay footage and impending beta dates).

Life goes on, though, and there are plenty of interesting tidbits to talk about with regard to our favorite genre. Won't you join me after the break for a recap?

Continue reading The Firing Line: Blacklight release, Defiance, and (hopefully) a DUST livestream

The Firing Line: Blacklight release, Defiance, and (hopefully) a DUST livestream originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Defiance beefs up its TV cast with big-name stars

Justin Olivetti — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, MMO industry, New titles, Miscellaneous, Defiance

Next month the pilot for Syfy's Defiance will commence filming, and the station has announced several additional cast members joining lead star Grant Bowler in the sci-fi post-apocalyptic series. As the show and Trion World's upcoming MMO will share the same world and influence one another, it's quite possible that gamers could be running into virtual versions of these characters.

Four new actors have been announced for the show. The first is Julie Benz (Dexter, Angel), who will be playing Mayor Amanda Rosewater, a leader of a small mining town. Stephanie Leonidas (MirrorMask) is Irisa, an alien warrior who's adopted by the lead's character and raised as his bodyguard and daughter. Finally, Tony Curran (Gladiator, Blade II) and Jaime Murray (Warehouse 13, Dexter) are coming on as an alien husband-and-wife team fleeing the destruction of their home world.

[Source: Trion Worlds press release]

Defiance beefs up its TV cast with big-name stars originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Syfy announces star of the Defiance TV series

Matt Daniel — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, News items, Consoles, MMOFPS

By now, we're sure you're all familiar with Trion Worlds and Syfy's collaborative effort, Defiance, which aims to be the first MMO to directly interact with a running television series. Well, every TV show needs a star, and Defiance is no exception. In a press release today, Syfy announced that New Zealander Grant Bowler has agreed to play Defiance's starring role. North American audiences would best know Bowler from his role as Connor Owens on Ugly Betty or as -- we wish we could make this stuff up -- Cooter, "the leader of the werewolf biker gang in the HBO series True Blood."

In Defiance, Bowler will play the role of Jeb Nolan, "the law keeper in a bustling frontier boomtown that is one of the new world's few oases of civility and inclusion." Having lost both his wife and his child in the conflict with the aliens, Nolan became a lone wanderer, which eventually brought him to the town where he works to keep the peace. Hopefully this new addition to the cast indicates that the TV series -- and by extension, the MMO -- is beginning to gear up for production.

[Source: Syfy press release]

Syfy announces star of the Defiance TV series originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Firing Line: Aiming to misbehave

Jef Reahard — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Super-hero, Trailers, Video, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, PvP, Opinion, Free-to-play, MMOFPS, Post-Apocalyptic, The Firing Line

Hello folks, and welcome to my Christmas list (well, the Massively portion of it, at any rate). For this week's edition of The Firing Line, I decided to take a look at a few of the more obscure titles coming down the development pike.

Now, when I say obscure, I don't necessarily mean shoe-string budget indie productions. The games I've got for you after the cut feature a cross-section of both big IPs and big-name development studios, but for whatever reason, they're still a bit under the radar when compared to the likes of PlanetSide 2, DUST 514, and Firefall. Turn the page to read about four online shooters you should be excited about. There might even be some video involved if you play your cards right.

Continue reading The Firing Line: Aiming to misbehave

The Firing Line: Aiming to misbehave originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:00:00 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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Trion Worlds treks to NYCC with a trio of games

Brianna Royce — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, Events, real-world, MMO industry, News items, Free-to-play, Massively Meta, MMOFPS, MMORTS, RIFT

Trion Worlds has three gaming worlds up its sleeve right now, and it aims to talk about all of them at this year's New York Comic Con. In fact, the company has announced that several of its developers will participate in a panel "to discuss the future of [its] online gaming portfolio."

RIFT junkies can look forward to a chat with Design Producer Hal Hanlin and Lore Lead Morgan Lockhart about the studio's upcoming plans for the fantasy MMO, while MMORTS fans will get their PvE and PvP on with Senior Producer Chris Lena from End of Nations. And attendees looking for their shooter fix won't be left out: Rob Hill, Senior Producer for Defiance, will be on hand to cover the MMOFPS and its integration with the Syfy show.

The panel takes places on Friday, October 14th, from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. EDT in room 1A24. Tickets for the con are still available on the official NYCC website.

[Source: Trion Worlds press release]

Trion Worlds treks to NYCC with a trio of games originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Defiance drops in new screenshots, artwork

Matt Daniel — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 21:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Galleries, Screenshots, News items, Consoles, Post-Apocalyptic

Hot off the press from Gamescom 2011, we bring you a new round of screenshots from the upcoming collaboration between Trion Worlds and SyFy, Defiance.

For those of you not up to speed on what exactly Defiance is aiming to be, here's a crash-course. Defiance is set to be the first-ever collaborative effort between an MMO and a TV-show, with actions occurring in each influencing the story of the other. Players will be put in the shoes of the citizens of San Francisco Bay Area, while the TV show takes place in and around St. Louis. Earth is under attack by a mysterious breed of aliens who are looking to terraform Earth until it suits their own needs, and of course this means that all humans must die. Humanity isn't just going to take that sitting down, though, and it's up to players to fight off the alien hordes and reclaim their planet.

Savvy? Great. Now hit the gallery below (and if you're new to the Defiance scene, go check out the trailer) for some new screenshots of this innovative title and prepare yourself to fight for the planet. That, or die trying.

Gallery: Defiance core gallery

Defiance drops in new screenshots, artwork originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 18 Aug 2011 21:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trion's David Reid: 'New era' of premium games inevitable

Justin Olivetti — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Business models, MMO industry, Massively Event Coverage, RIFT, Miscellaneous

It's a brutal, cutthroat world in the MMO industry, Trion Worlds' David Reid admits, and he thinks that companies that can't adapt to the rapidly changing scene need to get out of the pool so others can swim.

Talking to a crowd at GDC Europe, Reid spoke on an inevitable "new era" of premium games that are being fashioned in the forges of increased competition, challenging business models, higher development costs, and lower social interaction. "It's a lot harder to make your money back in the premium games space than it used to be," he said.

Reid used Trion's approach as an example of how MMO studios need to be at the top of their game when developing games, including "AAA ambition and polish, massive scale, persistence, and customization."

RIFT, which he cites as having over a million customers and holding the number two spot in the West, made sure that high-quality visuals were a key part of the experience, but also that the team was willing to listen to player feedback when preparing future content. He also pointed to End of Nation's free-to-play model and Defiance's synergy with the Syfy TV show as ways to captivate player interest and stay on top of the game.

Trion's David Reid: 'New era' of premium games inevitable originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ask Massively: Sort of like literary criticism edition

Eliot Lefebvre — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Launches, MMO industry, Opinion, Ask Massively, Miscellaneous

For those of you not familiar with Irish literature and the nonsensical ditherings of some more famous examples of same, you might not realize that today is Bloomsday, a day celebrating the novel Ulysses. If you've never read Ulysses, you're in for a treat... if your idea of a treat is a phone-book sized tome whose plot leaps and bounds like an inert lump of granite. It's a heartwarming tale of a man's growth into boyhood, a boy's growth into surrogate sonhood, and an author's growth into the sort of man who would submit Finnegan's Wake as a serious literary work with a straight face.

Now that we've gotten that out of the way, it's time for this week's edition of Ask Massively. And today's questions aren't going to lie down and take it, since we're fielding questions about Defiance as well as the sometime-this-year-probably release of Star Wars: The Old Republic. As always, if you've got a question you want answered next week, you can send it along to ask@massively.com or aim it toward the comment field.

Continue reading Ask Massively: Sort of like literary criticism edition

Ask Massively: Sort of like literary criticism edition originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 16 Jun 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E3 2011: Trion Worlds talks Defiance

Matt Daniel — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Screenshots, Events, real-world, New titles, PvP, News items, PvE, Consoles, MMOFPS, Miscellaneous

Straight from E3, we have some brand-new information on the upcoming project Defiance from Trion Worlds and Syfy. Three members of Trion Worlds got up on stage to demo the game and answer questions from the audience (which included our own Rubi Bayer), and there's a wealth of new information to cover, so let's dive in, shall we? Follow on past the cut for all the Defiance goodness you could ask for.

Continue reading E3 2011: Trion Worlds talks Defiance

E3 2011: Trion Worlds talks Defiance originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: Do cross-media tie-ins interest you?

Eliot Lefebvre — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Culture, Lore, News items, Opinion, The Daily Grind, Miscellaneous

Trion Worlds is taking on a big new project with Defiance, linking a television show's ongoing plot developments with an MMO. In many ways, this seems like an ideal mix -- players who care about the ongoing story can enjoy the show, and the rest of the time you can just play the game without being shoehorned into a developer's pre-scripted story. On the other hand, this also means that you know your player character is unlikely to be a major player in the game's storyline. You'll just be some guy (or girl) without any sort of major impact.

City of Heroes tried a similar tack with the comic book that launched with the game, showcasing several player characters in each issue and trying to marry an ongoing story with an MMO structure. Do you like the idea of tying together passive and active entertainment in this way? Are you excited to see how Defiance manages it? Or do you want your MMO's story contained within the MMO itself rather than tied to the needs of a television series?

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: Do cross-media tie-ins interest you? originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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E3 2011: Trion updates official Defiance site with teaser trailer

Eliot Lefebvre — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 22:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Trailers, Video, MMO industry, New titles, News items, Post-Apocalyptic

We've known that Defiance would be getting its first serious showing this year at E3, but it looks like the team at Trion Worlds couldn't wait quite that long to show the fans the interesting stuff just around the corner. The official site has already been updated with a brand-new teaser trailer showing off the barest glimpse of what players will be able to expect... and judging by the ruined landscape within the trailer, we can report that this looks to be a very different post-apocalyptic take than other offerings in the genre.

E3 will also see more information about the corresponding television series, which will be written be Rockne S. O'Bannnon of seaQuest DSV and Farscape fame. Billed not only as the first fully persistent online shooter but the first time that a game and a television show will be co-existing at the same time, Defiance could prove an interesting look at what can be done with MMOs.

Massively's on the ground in Los Angeles during the week of June 6-9, bringing you all the best news from E3 2011. Whether you're dying to know more about Star Wars: The Old Republic, RIFT, or any MMO in between, you can bet we'll have it covered!

E3 2011: Trion updates official Defiance site with teaser trailer originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 06 Jun 2011 22:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trion Worlds and Syfy to debut Defiance at E3 2011

Matt Daniel — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Screenshots, News items, MMOFPS, Miscellaneous

Three years ago, Syfy announced that it would be teaming up with RIFT creator Trion Worlds to construct the world's first MMO that would actively intertwine with a live-action TV series. This project became Defiance, which will be making its debut at E3 2011. The groundbreaking project will create a shared universe for the game and TV series, with each influencing the other through actions the characters and players take.

The game -- an action-based shooter that will be released on PC, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360 -- will be set in the San Francisco Bay Area, whereas the TV series will take place around St. Louis, Missouri. Both, however, take place on the same conflict-torn future Earth where humans and aliens coexist, though whether they do so peacefully or not remains to be seen. Lars Buttler, CEO of Trion Worlds, has this to say about the project: "This is essentially the convergence of the television and gaming industry into one fully-developed cohesive property. Syfy is creating a television show that takes place in the fictional universe that the game is set in. The game and the show will constantly [influence] each other from the moment they simultaneously launch." If done properly, Defiance could bring a new level of persistence and player influence to the genre. Keep an eye out for more on this upcoming title as E3 draws ever closer, and be sure to head over to Hollywood Reporter for the full article.

Trion Worlds and Syfy to debut Defiance at E3 2011 originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 03 Jun 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bigpoint announces two million player mark for Battlestar Galactica Online

Matt Daniel — Wed, 25 May 2011 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, News items, Free-to-play, Browser, Battlestar Galactica Online

Bigpoint announced today that its sci-fi MMOG Battlestar Galactica Online, based on the immensely popular Syfy series of the same name, has reached two million registered players in its first three months of service. The free-to-play game has been under constant construction since its launch, with the addition of new ships for both the Colonial and Cylon factions, the introduction of the Merit system (which "enables the purchase of high-value items like nuclear missiles"), and even the ability for players to pilot their factions' trademark capital ships.

What's next for BSGO? Rob Ollett, managing director at Bigpoint International, has this to say: "With BSGO continuing to achieve new benchmarks and receive such a strong positive response from the fans, we're excited to take its development to the next level. At just three-months in we're at a point now where we can shift the majority of our attention to adding new content and addressing the community's wish list."

To join the exciting, paranoia-fueled (ohgodohgodohgod who's a Cylon!?) universe of Battlestar Galactica Online, head on over to the official site.

Bigpoint announces two million player mark for Battlestar Galactica Online originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 25 May 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Battlestar Galactia Online gets a face-lift and more

Larry Everett — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Sci-fi, New titles, Patches, Free-to-play, Browser, Battlestar Galactica Online

Battlestar Galactica Online has already made headway in the MMO community because of its quality, yet it is completely playable in-browser. In an announcement today, the team at Bigpoint decided to give the players a taste of what is to come in the next update -- and it's all about rewards.

First up, the developers apologized for taking so long with the update; the delay is due to their upgrades to the Unity engine. In the update blog released today, they said, "This was a big step forwards for the game, and Battlestar Galactica Online is now better looking, smoother and more stable than ever before." Unfortunately, as a result of all the time spent on upgrades, not all the big bugs have been addressed, but the team promises to get right on those.

So what was implemented? Merits are the PvP currency for BSGO, and with them you can buy either the Viper Mk VII or the Cylon War Raider. You can also gain the much-desired ability to command a Battlestar or Basestar. Secondly, you may now exchange water for cubits. The team is certain this one will be a hit among players. Lastly, rewards such as XP and loot have been scaled according to player level: higher-level players will now receive fewer rewards for low-level "easy" kills.

For the full story, jump to the developer update on the official website.

Battlestar Galactia Online gets a face-lift and more originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 14 Apr 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SyFy-Trion project revealed as Defiance

Justin Olivetti — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, MMO industry, New titles

Trion Worlds may be big with its RIFT mojo these days, but the studio isn't looking to be a one-trick pony. We've known that it's had a number of other projects in the works, including an action science-fiction MMO created in conjunction with the Syfy channel.

Today we've learned the name of this project: Defiance. Described as a "new entertainment franchise that will seamlessly pair a primetime series with an online video game," Defiance is scheduled for release sometime later this year.

We first heard about this MMO a few years ago, although Trion's been fairly mum on the specifics. Video games and TV series working together offer a unique prospect for synergy and cross-promotion, something that hasn't escaped the attention of Trion CEO Lars Buttler. Defiance may also appear on the Xbox 360 if Trion's hiring practices are any indication.

SyFy-Trion project revealed as Defiance originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bigpoint's Battlestar Galactica Online just the beginning of its master plan

Justin Olivetti — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Interviews, Launches, MMO industry, Free-to-play, Browser, Battlestar Galactica Online

In the Battlestar Galactica TV reimagining, the Cylons were infamous for having an overarching plan for their domination of the galaxy. Likewise, Bigpoint's plan for the newly-launched Battlestar Galactica Online is far more than it might first appear. For starters, the SyFy channel -- which is hosting the game on its website -- plans to aggressively run commercials promoting BSGO to the public.

According to Gamasutra, Bigpoint itself is in a state of rapid growth with the recent acquisition of the former employees of Planet Moon for its relatively new San Francisco office. This newly combined workforce numbers over 80, and CEO Heiko Hubertz has them all mostly working on two major IPs: "We didn't acquire the company; we just took over the employees. So almost 40 of them are now working for us, and they're working mainly on Battlestar and The Mummy."

Bigpoint's plan to tackle the North American market diverges from its European strategy by focusing on high-quality, multi-million dollar budget browser titles -- and so far, it's paid off, as the company is in the black. Hubertz thinks this was a smart move: "It was very quick -- the decision, 'Okay, if we want to be successful in the U.S., we have to change our thinking about this industry.' And that's the reason why we developed games here in the U.S., that's the reason why we picked a technology like Unity to develop games of high quality."

You can read up on Bigpoint's plan over at Gamasutra, and don't forget to check out our first impressions of Battlestar Galactica Online.

Bigpoint's Battlestar Galactica Online just the beginning of its master plan originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Battlestar Galactica gets an open beta date

Krystalle Voecks — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Sci-fi, New titles, News items, Free-to-play, Battlestar Galactica Online

Are you ready to step into the world of Battlestar Galactica Online and have a frakkin' good time blowing Cylons into the next century? Perhaps you're more the type of person who feels a certain affinity with the toaster-people and instead would prefer to play on the side of the Cylons themselves? Whatever the case, if you've been waiting for Bigpoint Games' upcoming free-to-play SyFy Channel space dogfighter, then you're in luck. According to a post by Husker on the Battlestar Galactica Online forums, the game's open beta is right around the corner: February 8th, to be exact!

Initially, three servers will be launched for open beta: Caprica for the U.S. West coast, Scorpia for the U.S. East coast, and Tauron for players located in the EU. However, all players will be expected to use English in common chat channels, even on the EU server. The only exception is in Squad and Wing chat, which is left up to players. Any other language used in open channels will cause you to be ganked with a GM banhammer and be sent to appeal on the forums. Bigpoint also states that if more servers are needed, the company will be adjusting accordingly. In the meantime, you can check out Beau's First Impressions of the game or watch the red-hot trailer Bigpoint just released to get an idea of what this very ambitious Unity-engine-based game will be like.

Battlestar Galactica gets an open beta date originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Battlestar Galactica fires up its FTLs for an in-game trailer

Larry Everett — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Sci-fi, Trailers, Video, New titles, Browser, Battlestar Galactica Online

In December of 2003, the SciFi Network (now Syfy) launched a hugely successful re-imagining of the '70s space-opera Battlestar Galactica. Early last year, Bigpoint announced it had procured the license to make a browser-based MMOG set in the same re-imagined universe. Today, we have the first-ever in-game trailer for Battlestar Galactica Online. The press release states that this game is "one of the most ambitious browser-games ever developed," and the trailer features the in-game footage of Cylon Raiders and Colonial Vipers facing off against the Galactica and Basestars. We also get a taste of what actual combat will feel like, with Bear McCreary's musical score as a emotional backdrop. Catch the full, exciting trailer after the break.

Beta applications are being accepted on the game's website, open beta begins sometime soon in Q1, and launch will be shortly after that. When the game launches in the United States, it will be available only through Syfy.com. Stay tuned here for more information. So say we all!

Continue reading Battlestar Galactica fires up its FTLs for an in-game trailer

Battlestar Galactica fires up its FTLs for an in-game trailer originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trion hiring for untitled SyFy action MMO, looking for XBox 360 programmers

Eliot Lefebvre — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 21:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, MMO industry, News items, Consoles, Miscellaneous

With RIFT launching in the very near future, Trion Worlds is resting on its laurels and doing absolutely nothing... by which we mean the exact opposite. The team is looking for new staff to help develop the yet-unnamed action MMO created in partnership with SyFy, currently just named the "SyFy Action MMO." This in and of itself is good news for those who had thought the project had been abandoned, but it gets even more interesting when you realize that two of the jobs are targeting XBox 360 programmers.

Assuming that the game is targeting the 360 -- which seems likely under the circumstances -- it would join Final Fantasy XI as one of the only MMO options on the console. That would be a significant boon from a marketing perspective, as would the show/game integration promised back when rumors first began surfacing. The 360 programmers are not explicitly linked to the long-dormant game, but neither are they linked to the two existing games in Trion's stable. Although the job listing alone doesn't promise a future for the game, it's a step in the right direction for what might be a very different take on MMOs after all.

Trion hiring for untitled SyFy action MMO, looking for XBox 360 programmers originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Battlestar Galactica Online goes closed beta, releases new screens

Beau Hindman — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Betas, Sci-fi, Screenshots, Launches, New titles, PvP, News items, PvE, War, Free-to-play, Browser, Races, Battlestar Galactica Online

It looks like Bigpoint is stepping closer and closer to launching the browser-based Battlestar Galactica MMO. Open beta is due this December with launch exclusively on SyFy.com this fall. (Sci-fi on SyFy? Yes!) Fans will be happy to know that the game will be firmly set in the popular television show's universe complete with warring factions, exploration, mission-based PvE and lots of player-obliterates-player combat!

Ah, the joys of exploring the unique sights and ships of the Battlestar universe. Right now, closed beta players are being asked to finish a tutorial mission -- as either human or cylon -- then are sent off to freely explore the universe. They can experiment with mining, PvE or PvP content, or even exploring the Battlestar, space outposts, planet bases or a Cylon basestar! We all know that Cylons rule and humans drool, so this is good news.

Read on!

Continue reading Battlestar Galactica Online goes closed beta, releases new screens

Battlestar Galactica Online goes closed beta, releases new screens originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 08 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Perfect Ten: Halloween MMOs

Justin Olivetti — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Age of Conan, Dungeons and Dragons Online, Fallen Earth, Events, in-game, Warhammer Online, Wurm Online, Hellgate: London, The Secret World, Humor, World of Darkness, Perfect Ten

We're only a few days away from Halloween, and already the Massively office staff is dressing up in anticipation. Shawn's post-apocalyptic gear is at odds with Rubi's tastefully modest Guild Wars Elementalist outfit. Greg's Squig is in the corner battling it out with Larry's Chewbacca. Bree is dudded up as a giant red corrective marker; Jef's free-to-play outfit requires microtransactions to view in full; and Kyrstalle is photographing it all with her Poloroid One-Shot camera. I think Eliot showed up in full plate armor and riding a mechanical bull, but that just may be his normal work attire.

So as everyone else is goofing off in the spirit of the holidays, it remains to me, your lovable intern, to hack out a top 10 list in honor of All Hallow's Eve. It's the least I can do since they're paying me in candy.

While every MMO incorporates horror at some point (even, yes, Hello Kitty Online's Cat-Tastrophie zone), and it's nearly impossible to escape a clutch of giant spiders in any game you visit, I've picked out 10 MMOs that best deliver a slice of October 31st. Some are old, some new, some canceled and some yet to come, but these are 10 of the spookiest MMOs in the world.

Continue reading The Perfect Ten: Halloween MMOs

The Perfect Ten: Halloween MMOs originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bigpoint announces key characters in Battlestar Galactica Online

Rubi Bayer — Sat, 14 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, News items, Battlestar Galactica Online

Bigpoint, the creator of upcoming browser-based MMO Battlestar Galactica Online, has revealed a part of the game that fans have been speculating on for a while. The names of key characters have been announced, and you'll certainly see plenty of familiar ones.

These characters will be NPCs, placed in the game to "create a deeper connection to the storyline, provide quests and accentuate the dramatic tension that the series is known for delivering expertly."

On the human side, you'll find William and Lee "Apollo" Adama, Starbuck and ~~Apollo~~ and Galen "Chief" Tyrol. The Cylon roster will be made up of One, Two, Six and Eight. (Sorry guys, no Three.)

Bigpoint CEO Heiko Hubertz is pleased with these additions to the game: "These characters brought to life the story and captured the imaginations of a whole new generation of Battlestar Galactica fans and we felt strongly that they needed to appear in the game."

You can sign up for the game newsletter and receive more updates through the BSG Online site.

[Editor's Note: Whoops, we made a mistake in our list! Fixed that for you. ~Sera]

Bigpoint announces key characters in Battlestar Galactica Online originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 14 Aug 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Battlestar Galactica Online E3 trailer divides players... literally

Justin Olivetti — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Trailers, Video, Previews, Browser, Battlestar Galactica Online

"Human or Cylon... Man or Machine... who will you choose?" asks the maddeningly vague Battlestar Galactica Online trailer. More of a teaser than anything, this trailer will make the rounds at this month's E3, trying to tempt MMO gamers and Battlestar Galactica fans alike with intergalactic conflict.

Based on the hit SyFy series, Battlestar Galactica Online pits the remnants of humanity against their created "children" -- robot and cyborg Cylons. The browser based game is set during the second season of the show and should be coming out early this fall on SyFy Games' portal. We took a look at this title back at GDC10, and hopefully we'll learn more about the details of BGO from Bigpoint developers at E3. In the meanwhile, hit the jump, check out the trailer and see if it doesn't get your blood pumping for outer space fighter combat!

Continue reading Battlestar Galactica Online E3 trailer divides players... literally

Battlestar Galactica Online E3 trailer divides players... literally originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 12 Jun 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trion names upcoming MMORTS, renames Heroes of Telara

Rubi Bayer — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: MMO industry, New titles, News items, RIFT

If you've been waiting for information on... well, pretty much anything from Trion Worlds, it's your lucky day. Trion has come forth with information about three projects that have gotten a fair amount of attention in the past, but left fans wanting to know much more.

To begin with, Heroes of Telara is no longer Heroes of Telara. The game has been renamed Rift: Planes of Telara, a new title that reflects one of the most important mechanics of the game.

Trion also revealed a little more information about the mysterious SyFy MMO that they're working on. No elaborate details are forthcoming quite yet, but we now know that it will be an "MMO action game" set on Earth between 50-100 years in the future.

Finally, Trion unveiled End of Nations, which they say will be "the world's first premium massively multiplayer real-time strategy game." The fact that the game was an MMORTS has never been a secret, given that Trion actually named the game MMORTS for a while, but we've got a fair amount of new information with the unveiling. The game is aimed at existing fans of the genre rather than looking for converts, so players will be able to jump right into what they enjoy.

Check out the full story on End of Nations and Trion's other projects over at Gamasutra.

Trion names upcoming MMORTS, renames Heroes of Telara originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 26 Apr 2010 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Daily Grind: How does your MMO integrate with TV?

Kyle Horner — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: MMO industry, Opinion, The Daily Grind

The SyFy Channel's television show / massively multiplayer game is definitely a one of a kind idea, but we find ourselves wondering how the whole thing will work.

It's really a question of how the two mediums -- one being an MMO and the other being the television show -- will effect one another. A recent, specific quote from a video with Lars Buttler, CEO of Trion World Network and SyFy President David Howe seems telling, "They not only promote each other, they literally depend on each other and co-evolve." Can we expect a game that allows players to alter the course of the show and vice versa? It would seem so, or at least that's what we're hearing in so many words.

But we'd like to know what you think, and more specifically what you'd like to see from this decidedly big project. Would you be happy with a television show and MMO that bounced off of each from time to time, or do you want something more from this joint project between Trion and SyFy?

The Daily Grind: How does your MMO integrate with TV? originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New information about hybrid SyFy MMO and television show

Rubi Bayer — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Business models, MMO industry, New titles, News items

Back in June of 2008, we first heard about a neat little idea from SyFy -- then the Sci-Fi channel -- involving a combination MMO and television show. The project is still going strong as a collaboration between SyFy and Trion World Network, and now has the intriguing working title of One Earth.

One Earth has since received financial backing from Peacock Equity, a global fund from NBC Universal and GE dedicated to investing in digital media companies (among other ventures).

New video -- featuring Lars Buttler, CEO of Trion and President of SyFy David Howe -- delves deeper into the project. "...we are making this game now with a lot of support from every side," Buttler says. "we can, in this unique setup, do things that other people would never even dare before: create a video game world, a television show, they're based on the same universe, they take place at the same location in the future. They not only promote each other, they literally depend on each other and co-evolve."

For the full story and video, take a look here.

New information about hybrid SyFy MMO and television show originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trion World Network hiring PS3 programmers for SyFy Network MMO?

Seraphina Brennan — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Sci-fi, Game mechanics, MMO industry, New titles, News items

What's this? Well, it looks like the developer behind the new SyFy Network MMO and Heroes of Telara is looking to branch out from the PC world. In a swath of new job openings, the new developer is also seeking to hire those with PlayStation 3 experience.

More specifically, Trion is seeking a PS3 graphics programmer, senior programmer, and interface designer. Three very important things if you're looking to perhaps move a game across platforms. All of the job listings are specifically mentioning the SyFy Network project, so it looks like we might be seeing some sort of downloadable MMO that will be appearing on the system.

The SyFy Network MMO will be tied into a television show, and it will be an action RPG, so it only figures that they want to take a more television/console oriented approach with the game. Watch the TV show, then boot up your PS3 and play the game. Sounds like a perfect match, if you ask us.

Trion World Network hiring PS3 programmers for SyFy Network MMO? originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trion to reveal first MMO at E3: Heroes of Telara

James Egan — Wed, 06 May 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Fantasy, MMO industry, New titles, News items

One of the newer industry players in the MMO world is Trion World Network, which first came to our attention nearly a year ago with word of an MMO being made in partnership with the Sci-Fi Channel (soon to be rebranded as "Syfy"). Since then we've learned that there are multiple titles and publishing deals in the works at Trion.

Trion has now announced that the first title they'll unveil is "Heroes of Telara", which they'll be showing off at this year's E3 Expo in June. Details on the title are extremely scarce, but the Trion PR line is one of the first game descriptions we've seen thus far for their previously codenamed "Channel 1" MMO: "Heroes of Telara is a fantasy Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG) where everyday gamers are forged into legendary heroes. In Heroes of Telara players are challenged to conquer the unknown in an epic, ever-changing world. Heroes of Telara will feature an unprecedented level of rich and dynamic gameplay, driven by recurring events, unexpected challenges and limitless new content."

We'll be on the lookout for more info about Heroes of Telara as well as the other Trion MMOs as details emerge.

Trion to reveal first MMO at E3: Heroes of Telara originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 06 May 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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