If you’ve ever wanted to pilot spaceships in pitched battle against robot invaders, you’re in luck, as a new space simulation browser-based MMO based on Battlestar Galactica has been announced at GDC ‘10. Yes, you can fight with or against the Cylons in this new game developed by Unity and published by BigPoint and NBC Universal.
Players will be able to choose to play as cylons or humans in a constant struggle to control the universe or just survive its perils. A blend of tactical space combat, exploration, and mission-based gameplay will provide a diverse experience. The dramatic missions will define the game’s overall storyline, enabling the player to delve into mysteries of the Battlestar universe. Battlestar Galactica Online will create a new standard for web games, with beautiful 3d graphics and innovative game mechanics bringing a new level of game play to browser based MMOG. Assets from the television production will be integrated into the game to deliver an even more authentic experience.
NBC UNIVERSAL AND BIGPOINT ANNOUNCE FIRST EVER MMOG BASED UPON THE TELEVISION PHENOMENON, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA ONLINE
NBC Universal and Bigpoint Announce Frakkin’ Sweet 3D Browser-Based MMOG at 2010 Game Developers Conference
Co-Development with Unity Pushes Visual and Technology Boundaries
San Francisco, March 9, 2010 – The global market leader in browser-based Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOG), Bigpoint, (http://www.bigpoint.com/) will be demonstrating the next generation of client-free PC gaming at Game Developers Conference 2010. Leading its product slate for 2010 will be Battlestar Galactica Online, a tactical space combat and adventure MMOG based upon Syfy’s Battlestar Galactica series. The game, inspired by one of the most popular science fiction series in television history, will launch worldwide exclusively this fall on Syfy.com for a 30 day period. The Unity co-developed MMOG will offer state of the art graphics that can be played directly in an Internet browser. The teaser website for Battlestar Galactica Online is available at http://www.bgo.bigpoint.com and Bigpoint will be discussing this announcement at booth 2038 at Game Developers Conference, March 9th-12th. Battlestar Galactica Online is licensed through Universal Partnerships & Licensing, on behalf of the NBC Universal Television Consumer Products Group.
Battlestar Galactica is the gripping saga of humanity’s last remnants and their struggle to find a new home while fleeing from their deadly Cylon enemies. Redefining the space opera with its gritty realism, Galactica’s intensity, issues-driven topicality, and command performances have garnered it numerous awards, including three Emmy® Awards and the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award. The show was recognized by the American Film Institute (AFI) as one of the most outstanding programs of the year two years running. The series was produced by Universal Cable Productions and executive produced by Ronald D. Moore and David Eick. The outstanding ensemble cast was led by Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Katee Sackhoff, Jamie Bamber, James Callis, Tricia Helfer and Grace Park.
“Battlestar Galactica is a supremely gameable intellectual property, with compelling character classes, a fantastic array of ships and weaponry, multiple worlds, and a dramatic storyline,” said Bill Kispert, VP & GM, Digital Platforms, Universal Partnerships & Licensing. ” We are excited to work with Bigpoint – and our partners at Universal Cable Productions and Syfy – to bring an epic, accessible, and ‘always on’ BSG experience to fans of the franchise and online gamers alike.”
“Cooperation between Bigpoint and NBC Universal is a very important strategic step for us,” explains Heiko Hubertz, CEO and founder of Bigpoint. “Battlestar Galactica has a huge and passionate fan base. We are proud to be able to publish such an internationally famous title as one of our online games. For the first time ever, we’re relying completely on Unity in order to offer our users fantastic game graphics right in their browsers.”
Battlestar Galactica Online is the first game inspired by a blockbuster Hollywood franchise to be fully developed on Unity technology for MMOG audiences. This platform independent engine makes it possible to produce real-time 3D applications such as MMO games with exceptionally high quality graphics without having to download a client.
Players will be able to choose to play as cylons or humans in a constant struggle to control the universe or just survive its perils. A blend of tactical space combat, exploration, and mission-based gameplay will provide a diverse experience. The dramatic missions will define the game’s overall storyline, enabling the player to delve into mysteries of the Battlestar universe. Battlestar Galactica Online will create a new standard for web games, with beautiful 3d graphics and innovative game mechanics bringing a new level of game play to browser based MMOG. Assets from the television production will be integrated into the game to deliver an even more authentic experience.
The game is being developed by Artplant (http://artplant.no), a Norwegian development studio specializing in 3D MMO games.
Megumi Ikeda from NBC Universal’s strategic venture capital arm, Peacock Equity Fund, investors in Bigpoint, said, “Our investment strategy is to help high-growth companies like Bigpoint that can also drive growth for NBCU, so we’re excited to see this collaboration working so well.”
About Bigpoint
Bigpoint is an online-game publisher, content provider for large media concerns and browser-based game developer. The company’s game portfolio has achieved the same high level of quality usually associated with CDs or consoles. More than 300 employees from over 35 different nations work together in Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany at the headquarters of the world’s largest browser-game portal. The company also has locations in Berlin, San Francisco and Malta. The games are available in over 30 languages and provide more than 108 million gamers from Europe to America and beyond with free, first-class entertainment, without the hassle of having to download or install any additional software.
Bigpoint has pocketed such prestigious honors as the Eco Award “Best Content Provider” 2009, the Ruban d’Honneur at the European Business Awards 2009, the Red Herring 100 Europe, the OnlineStar for the most popular website in Germany and the MTV Skyscraper Award for extraordinary achievement in game development. People’s choice awards and user awards such as the Dutch HME Award 2009 and the American Website of the Year Award 2009 confirm Bigpoint’s sensational success. Bigpoint placed third in the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 due to company growth of 4,094.06% within four years. Founder Heiko Hubertz was awarded second place as Internet Entrepreneur 2007. For further information about Bigpoint and its games, please visit http://www.bigpoint.net.
About Universal Partnerships & Licensing
UP&L oversees Universal’s consumer product licensing, film and home entertainment promotions, and all corporate alliances for Universal’s theatrical, home entertainment, theme parks and stage productions. This dedicated division is also responsible for monetizing the Studio’s vast library of films and characters through licensing, branding and marketing opportunities. UP&L is part of NBC Universal, one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% owned by Vivendi.
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