More On MMO’s
Regular readers may recall that I occasionally write about game mechanics as applied to large online games. I’ve gone into economics a bit, some stuff on crafting systems, and I’ve even gone into some detail on settings.
Well one setting that I think would be a really great for an online game is the universe that the Stargate franchise is set in. It’s got all manner of alien planets, ancient technology, and one of the more popular scifi story lines currently on the market.
And it turns out that I am not alone in this opinion.
Furthermore, the nice folks at Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment seem to think that I have something on the ball when it comes to making games, and have offered me a nice job there to help them finish it.
So posts might get a little sporadic for the next several weeks, as I need to pack up my house, and move half-way across the country.
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August 26th, 2008 at 11:07 am
DO.
NOT.
SCREW.
THIS.
UP.
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Sean reply on August 26th, 2008 12:13 pm:
Just in light of the post I’m responding to, you should make O’Neill a woman. And make the Goa’uld (yes, I looked that up, thank you wiki) all lizard people, like in the “V” Series from the 80’s.
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August 26th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Well as I’m a HUGE fan of the Stargate SG-1 series, and have been looking foward to this game, oh forever now, I can’t wait to see what you can bring to the game dynamics.
Did I say HUGE fan? I meant GIANORMOUS. No Really. I have every movie (Yes, there are 3 now) and every single episode on DVD. I watch them all about once or twice a year.
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skippy reply on August 26th, 2008 9:54 pm:
Well specifically, I’ll be on the world-building team. Which means I’ll be making the area that the players run around in.
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Stickfodder reply on August 26th, 2008 10:45 pm:
Awesome. Oooh hay leave your mark hidden on some planet that we can find when we play that would be a pretty cool inside joke.
Captcha “BATHGATE and” heh I guess captcha has given us its approval and suggestion. lets come up with something better tho.
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August 26th, 2008 at 6:11 pm
I heard the last Stargate game was disappointing. There were more than one fan mods that got killed that probably would have ended up a lot better than that crappy game.
I feel a lot better when you’re on the staff of such a project. Good luck skipper, and don’t fuck it up! You’ll have a legion of rabid fanboys to answer to…
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August 26th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Oh man,
I don’t know if I should bow or hate you.
So, how much will it cost me in bribes (or cephalopod pastry products) to get a NPC based on me?
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Michiel reply on August 26th, 2008 9:08 pm:
Ooooo, can I have an NPC based on me? Maybe I can be the prototype for the expendable character like the red shirted ensigns and storm troopers.
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August 26th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
So what would it take for us to get into the beta?
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August 26th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
I’m not in the Stargate fandom, but I hope (for your sake) that you don’t end up being made into a scapegoat for a bad game. Speaking as a fan, we can be rabid little monsters, and you’re an internet celebrity, don’chaknow.
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August 26th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
Hello everyone!
First time I’m posting on your site Skippy but I’ve been reading your blogs since March of 2007 ever since an army co-worker pointed me to your list and site. By far, Sgt Generic Part 1 and 2 have been my favorite posts. Although I’m not big on posting, this time I just had to.
Dude, congrats on getting in on the CME team! I’m envious big time, as I too am a huge Stargate fan, and like Andrew above, I too own all the movies and series on DVD. Even have seasons 1-8 in the old version box sets.
I’ve been reading the forums on the CME website for a couple of months now and even applied for closed beta. I can honestly say that once Stargate Worlds comes out, I’m dropping all my other games, including WoW, and going full geek mode playing SGW. =)
If there’s one area of any MMORPG that needs careful attention, it’s the economy. By far, IMO, that’s what can make or break a game, and can drive a lot of players away from the game when prices for items go out of control. I don’t believe there is any absolute perfect solution, and I’m sure CME is or already has addressed the issue, but this issue MUST be vigilantly worked on to make sure the economy is as stable as can be whatever the “currency” happens to be.
That’s my 2 dollars. (inflation notwithstanding)
Btw, what DOES captcha mean anyways LOL?
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August 26th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
A captcha is a type of challenge-response test used in computing to ensure that the response is not generated by a computer. {first result from Google}
In this case it’s an image a human can read easily, but not a computer. Preventing spam bots.
Why did this make you laugh out loud?
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kereineko reply on August 26th, 2008 8:49 pm:
I think he forgot a comma in there… as in he was asking if it mean “LOL.” Who knows, it’s just my guess.
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paula reply on August 27th, 2008 6:38 pm:
(more simply, it’s that word or two you’ve gotta type into the little box at the bottom, before the computer will accept your comment, that hopefully will prevent auto-generated spam.)
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Caine reply on August 27th, 2008 11:31 pm:
Ok I think I get what captcha means. And no, the LOL was simply my way of just laughing. I do that a lot. =)
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August 26th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
It would be awesome, if you could get them to stick in a quest npc, or a world flavor npc in the military, that is responsible for some wacky shit.
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August 26th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Captcha is my first char name:
Captcha: Adventure Woman
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August 26th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
I say when the game comes out we all get it make a character with the name we use here and meet up in the game. Or if the name we use here is taken we post whatever name we get here.
Oooo we can use it for an online skippycon
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August 27th, 2008 at 1:52 am
I second the first comment, made by Jacob.
Have fun in Arizona. You’ll be hitting the middle of the hot period, but air conditioning is a modern miracle!
Drive safe, and hey, do you know if there are going to be any space battles/flight sequences? Cause that would just be awesome.
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Caine reply on August 27th, 2008 11:34 pm:
On the forums, they’ve stated that space battles and ships will be in the first expansion.
Right now they are focusing on the elements of exploring worlds through the gate system, like they did in the first 4 seasons or so where Earth had no ships to speak of.
Personally, I can’t wait to plug in my joystick and fly an F-302 in battle against death gliders. =)
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August 27th, 2008 at 3:34 am
congrats, Skippy! It’s the next best thing to major lottery-winning: getting a dream job like this is pretty cool, so — as Jacob so eloquently put it — DON’T SCREW UP!
and captcha hits another winner: if you kinda sneak your sense of humor in on ’em gently, instead of hitting ’em with it all at once, it might very well be called…… Mercy Conditions!
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August 27th, 2008 at 4:25 am
Oh shit I just remembered that there was a game on the SNES for the original Stargate movie I thought It sucked so to reiterate what others are saying but in my slightly different words
DON’T FUCK THIS UP!
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August 27th, 2008 at 4:50 am
I demand that a list of 100 things skippy is not allowed to do at an MMO game company be posted in not more than 3 months!
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August 27th, 2008 at 5:45 am
I was at all three Stargate panels at Comic Con in San Diego and I’m really optimistic for the beta of Stargate Worlds. Good luck! Woo!
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August 27th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Congrats. It looks very cool.
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August 27th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
ROCK ON!!! I actually signed up to beta test this, so I look forward to seeing your handy work when I finally get that fateful email that will mean the locking of myself into my basement for a month or so!
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August 28th, 2008 at 1:48 am
Dude. Just. Do not screw this up. I’ve been waiting patiently for this to come out… and I know you can add the flavor it needs.
Have fun!
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August 28th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Oh. Dude.
I’ve been anticipating that game for quite some time now. Don’t let them make you screw this up.
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August 29th, 2008 at 7:41 am
First off, gratz on the opportunity. Second, speaking of MMOs what about one that takes place in the Firefly/Serenity universe? Think about it, it’s big enough, reavers and the alliance could be represented by various NPCs, and the scifi/western combo would really be entertaining to be a part of. Chances are it would end up being shitty, but if it was done right it could be really good.
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August 29th, 2008 at 10:38 am
YOU SIR ARE MY HERO!
And please remember me when it becomes time for the beta… my name is in the hat there… please pull it… please?
Captcha: shouts chicago
Now how did it know I’m from Chicago?
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December 15th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
I’m going to come out of the blue and say that if you have an class system, and you decide to make an Uber-class, or if you have a wicked huge final boss, make it called: *drumroll please*
The Skippy
If you are impressed or flattered, thank you and you’re welcome. If you are thinking ‘what a stupid cheesy f**kin’ suck-up’ I’m sorry. *as I run away with my hands over my butt*
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paula reply on December 15th, 2008 5:57 pm:
Don’t worry about the sucking-up: Skippy (all hail our gracious overlord!) generously permits us all the sucking-up we care to do.
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