NCSoft Agrees to Publish Spacetime Studios Title

[fitbabits]

Thanks to Gamecloud (http://www.gamecloud.com) for the news (http://www.gamecloud.com/article.php?article_id=3840).

NCSoft sent over a press release announcing that they have struck a publishing deal with the newly revealed game developer Spacetime Studios (http://www.spacetimestudios.com/). The Austin, Texas based company was formed by veterans of Sony Online's Star Wars Galaxies team along with people from the now defunct Origin (Privateer, Wing Commander). The company is currently working on an unnamed original MMORPG that NCSoft will publish but no other details on the game were announced, although the press release suggests it might be a space based title.
All you Origin-lovers rejoice...

[Vjornaxx]

That's really cool. I'd be really excited to see what kind of MMORPG the developers of Privateer and Wing Commander come up with.

[bean19]

But don't forget they are also developers of SWG.

Still, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt until I can evaluate the game. Even really excellent designers make complete crap sometimes, and SWG was obviously rushed out the door far in advance of when it should have been. You can blame the publisher for that.

[Klade]

I'd really like to see a game like EVE but with zero death penalty, and twitch control and firing system. Basically a X-wing v. Tie fighter MMO type title. Yes I've heard of jumpgate, but I'd prefer a game thats a bit more fun.

[Felonous]

As long as that piece of shit Raph Koster has nothing to do with this new MMORPG, I'll overlook the fact they have people from SWG on their team.

[Nite_Moogle]

It's been a long time since anybody has hit a space game that was fun and accessible that didn't suck. Here's hoping.

[dotbomb]

NCSoft sure has a lot of the old Origin team now in one way or another.

[Stormwatcher]

Hooray for ORIGIN!!!!
And dude, the WC people had nothing to do with SWG... and Origin made UO, not SWG. What a stretch!

Anyway, I hope this is WConline.

[Axiom]

Hooray for ORIGIN!!!!
And dude, the WC people had nothing to do with SWG... and Origin made UO, not SWG. What a stretch!

"The Austin, Texas based company was formed by veterans of Sony Online's Star Wars Galaxies team along with people from the now defunct Origin"

[Yama]

However I am quite sure that most of the people that worked on Wing Commander and Privateer were long gone before Origin died. Ultima Online drove many of them away, especially as it went into decline and failed to keep up with its competition.

[Stormwatcher]

"The Austin, Texas based company was formed by veterans of Sony Online's Star Wars Galaxies team along with people from the now defunct Origin"
Ok, now let me remove my foot of my mouth...
But at least Koster shouldn't be in the group.

[gawaintheblind]

Privateer online!

[fitbabits]

Ok, now let me remove my foot of my mouth...
But it's a good look for you! :)

[Grimgrock]

Yet another reason to wish I still lived in the Silicon Hills.

[Klade]

Ya sony brought in a bunch of old Wing Commander people to make Jump To Lightspeed.

[Lister]

Privateer online.... Drool.

You know it'll never happen. Dream games just don't happen...

[Evil Avatar]

When I read this Press Release the only thing that goes through my mind is, "Star Wars Galaxies sucked ass, why would I buy anything from this company?"

I wish them the best of luck, but claiming to have people on your team who helped created one of the worst MMORPG's out there doesn't seem like a great way to get your company off the ground.

Now, the other announcement I read this morning seems pretty exciting.

[MosBen]

Here are two of my wishes. 1) A new Privateer game, not necessarily a MMORPG, though I suppose it's a fertile basis for one. 2) Somebody should go back and remake Wing Commander IV. The videos should hold up pretty well, if my memory is correct, so all they have to do is retool the gameplay portions. Unlikely? Yeah, but I loved that game.

[Bishop]

Sweet, If it's Free Online Play like Guild Wars.........SIGN ME UP.

[GreenMarine]

When I read this Press Release the only thing that goes through my mind is, "Star Wars Galaxies sucked ass, why would I buy anything from this company?"

I wish them the best of luck, but claiming to have people on your team who helped created one of the worst MMORPG's out there doesn't seem like a great way to get your company off the ground.

Now, the other announcement I read this morning seems pretty exciting.

I love you too, EA :)

[dotbomb]

I love you too, EA :)

Hey at least he didn't mention Krispy Kreme donuts or something in his rant...

On second thought EA, why didn't you mention something like that? Go for um... I dunno... pizza or something.

[Stryfe01]

everytiem i turn around theres another MMORPG announcement....Sorry I enjoy WOW, but enough is enough. Let the copycat syndrome die down and come out a few years later with something original ppl.

[Donut11]

I have ex-origin friends who signed a deal with NCSoft to make an MMO - until NCSoft randomly killed their project. If NCSoft was unhappy with the quality of the game, they did not tell this team. And this team were not lightweights - Project Director from Deus Ex, plus Andy Hollis.

SO - if you are doing business with NCSoft, know that they are ruthless. They have to be, I guess, to be successful, but don't expect any hand holding, gentle nudging, or even warning that you aren't quite up to snuff.

All so Tabula Rasa can be another year late. :D

p.s. Silicon Hills suck now - no successful games from Austin since Metroid. All the NCSoft stuff was done out of town...

[Bushido]

Why theRaph Koster (http://www.raphkoster.com/bio.shtml) Hate?

[inflamez]

SWG was not a bad game per se. It started out as a very interesting and involving game, very complex and also rewarding for those who were able to find their role in this "sandbox". Sadly, as everyone knows, it developed into one of the worst (major) MMORPGs on the market (NGE anyone?), without the "Star Wars" franchise it would be as dead as AC2. Nevertheless, it had some talented people working on it and I hope that THOSE are the one who joined up with ex-Origin employees to form Spacetime Studios. Imagine the gameplay of Wingcommander, combined with the complex skill system that SWG once had and some other nifty stuff those guys could probably come up with.... *drool*

[bean19]

Why theRaph Koster (http://www.raphkoster.com/bio.shtml) Hate?

He's infamous for SWG.

His name is synonymous with "evolving world" content that isn't any good.

Still, that's not completely fair. One bad project does not make a bad designer, but the Star Wars fans were really let down by this. Just look at how hated Jar-Jar is.

[mister_slim]

Every time I read of another MMORPG developer coming out of stealth mode, I think "Is this the one Romero's working for?" It's depressing, really.