Jumpgate: Evolution Expanding On The MMO Genre

Net Devil and Codemasters are teaming up for a new MMO set in space with Jumpgate: Evolution. The MMO genre is tough enough to break into, especially as there is already a popular game with a similar premise, so how does Jumpgate plan to be different? Instead of using timer-based abilities, the combat system is all twitch-based. This makes battles more focused on player skill rather than gear, although gear, in the form of ships and weaponry, will still play a part in player's power and abilities. Players can switch between roles by changing their ship type, for example switching from a quick, powerful fighter to a slower, tougher mining vessel.

There will be larger capital ships that players can fight as bosses, however, such ships will not be accessible to players as their own ship. Perhaps this will not be a feature sorely missed, as being able to weave in-between asteroids and drift around fixtures in huge space stations doesn't exactly seem like fun. Speaking of areas, the PvP arena shown was enclosed within a space station, and required the player to navigate a series of tunnels in order to reach the battleground. There were times where fighting was difficult as the controls were a little floaty, like a mix of flying in World of Warcraft and controlling a vehicle in Halo, but the game provides a lock-on tool to aid with this.

One thing that was most impressive about the open areas was just how expansive they are. While demonstrating the skybox, our guide noted a moon in the distance. We then flew all the way to said moon, circled around it, then flew back. The possibilities of great ambushes in the higher leveled areas with this kind of level layout is pretty promising, as is the rest of the game.

Stay tuned to Gaming Union for a video of us speaking with Mike Rowland, one of the developers behind Jumpgate.

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