Listen to the Joystiq Podcast (because your ears can't read)

netdevil posts

Lego Universe web site taking beta sign ups

2010 seems to be the year that Lego Universe comes out of its shell. The long-in-development MMO from developer NetDevil had a coming out party last month at CES and today comes word that the game's official web site is finally signing up people who want to beta test the game.

This news follows reports that people were able to sign up for the beta test at the Lego Universe CES booth. The family-themed game is scheduled to officially launch by sometime in 2010. NetDevil, now owned by Gazillion Entertainment, seems to be moving faster on Lego Universe than their other upcoming MMO Jumpgate Evolution which seems to be stuck in a rut with no word on a release date.

Gallery: Lego Universe


LEGO Universe trailer lets imagination run free


Although this is a cinematic trailer for LEGO Universe, it's difficult to not get exciting about an MMO that would have almost no limitations. The MMO will feature a classic battle between good and evil, with destructive forces seeking to snuff out all imagination in the game world. There is no confirmed release date for the game at this time.

"Developed by The LEGO Group and NetDevil, LEGO Universe will bring the iconic brick online in the first MMOG – massively-multiplayer online game – based on the LEGO play experience. LEGO Universe will enable fans of all ages to build, create, interact with friends, battle, and explore LEGO worlds – past, present and future."

Download HD LEGO Universe Trailer (65 MB)

Gallery: Lego Universe

CES 2010: Get into the beta of Lego Universe


We've already reported that the upcoming MMO Lego Universe would be shown at CES this for the first time in public. But according to a new press release today you will be able to do more than go to a exhibit hall booth and play a demo. You will also also be able to sign up to play the beta version.

There are no details on how sign ups will actually work at CES 2010 but if you are in the North Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center you will be able to play the NetDevil-developed game for the first time. The press release states that Lego Universe should be ready for launch in the second half of 2010.

Gallery: Lego Universe

First Lego Universe in-game screenshots released


It's been a long time in coming but folks who have been waiting to see what a massively multiplayer game based on the Lego toy brand will look like can now check out the first public in-game screenshots from Lego Universe. The screenshots come from the game's official web site which was updated today.

The screenshots give an idea of what the final game will look like and also show off a little of the game's character customization features. Developer NetDevil and The Lego Group first announced their plans for the game over two years ago. Currently the plan is to release the game sometime in 2010.

[Via Shacknews]

Gallery: Lego Universe

Jumpgate Evolution gets 250,000 beta sign-ups; still no release date


It's been a while since there's been any concrete news on Jumpgate Evolution, the long awaited revamp of Netdevil's space-based MMO. This week the developer sent out a press release announcing that over 250,000 people had signed on to beta test the game. The announcement states that they hope to get the closed beta test going sometime this year.

Last May, Netdevil announced that it had decided to push back the launch date for Jumpgate Evolution beyond its planned June 2009 release. So far Netdevil has declined to set a new release date for the game which will still be published by Codemasters.

Jumpgate Evolution trailer realizes its destiny


"Jumpgate Evolution is an exhilarating space combat MMO, set in a vast expanding universe, that will allow players to choose from one of three playable Nations and engage in an intense action-packed gaming experience. While embarking on an immersive and accessible space adventure, players can trade valuable commodities, take part in exhilarating intergalactic battles, meet and play with friends and live out the dream of an elite hero. The game features a rich and varied universe to explore and has been designed for experienced and novice MMO players alike."

Download HD Jumpgate Evolution E3 2009 Trailer (93 MB)
Check out all Jumpgate Evolution downloads

Jumpgate Evolution officially delayed; new release date not revealed


One of the biggest MMO launches that we thought might be released in 2009 is Jumpgate Evolution, the revamp of Netdevil's first space-based MMO game with improved graphics, lots of new content and more. For a while Netdevil and publisher Codemasters have been touting a release date for the game for sometime in June.

However, in a new development update on the game, Netdevil co-founder Scott Brown stated that they have discovered some issues after some "Friends and Family" testing of the game. Brown staters, "Based on these results, it is clear that the product needs more time to meet its objectives." A new release date for Jumpgate Evolution was not given but Brown states, " Once we've established our road map for the next few months we'll share with you when the revised release date is."

New Jumpgate Evolution screenshots; hardware requirements revealed


Netdevil's upcoming space-based MMO Jumpgate Evolution is ramping up for its planned June launch date and today the game's publisher Codemasters released some new screenshots showing off more of the graphical goodness of the title. More importantly, the publisher also revealed the hardware requirements needed to run the game.

Jumpgate Evolution has been designed to run on PCs that are no longer at the top of the performance ladder. The press release also emphasized that the game has support for a wide range of joysticks (as seen above) as well as gamepad controllers in addition to the typical mouse-keyboard support. Check out the minimal and recommended hardware specs for the game after the jump.

Jumpgate Evolution trailer lights up the darkness


The latest trailer for Jumpgate Evolution is very similar to previous trailers in showing off the game's graphics and setting up the background. story. In this space combat MMO, players will need to choose between supporting one of three sides in an ongoing struggle. The game is still taking sign ups for beta testing. Visit the official website to join.

Download HD Jumpgate Evolution 'When Darkness Falls' Trailer (68 MB)
Check out all Jumpgate Evolution downloads

Feature: Gazillion Entertainment CEO on Marvel MMO game projects

By John Gaudiosi

According to Rob Hutter, CEO and president of Gazillion Entertainment, the best way to combat Blizzard Entertainment's World of Warcraft, the Goliath of the massively multiplayer online (MMO) game business, is to think bigger. The new privately-held MMO game publisher, based in San Mateo, CA, is focusing on the large untapped mainstream audience that Nintendo has captured with its now-ubiquitous Wii console. Although Gazillion is developing a trio of original mass market MMOs, none of which have been revealed yet, its first two big licensing deals are with Marvel Entertainment and LEGO.
Advertisement

Our Writers

Steven Wong

Managing Editor

RSS Feed

John Callaham

Senior Editor

RSS Feed

James Murff

Contributing Editor

RSS Feed

Learn more about Big Download