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B5 as a MMP Universe

Babylon6Babylon6 Earthforce Officer
in Babylon 5
How many of you have tried out Jumpgate? A very interesting game in a lot of respects. It borrows heavily from B5 in terms of tech, ships look n feel and the darn jumpgates.

Also, Star Wars: Galaxies is taking shape and will no doubt be a massive crowd puller.

I have little doubt that this MMP genre will be huge in the future and the franchises will compete on the universe/world in which they take place.

I think Babylon5 could be a big crowd puller with the right game behind it. Imagine docking your Whitestar after flying in space Combat Sim mode, then jumping out in your FPS mode engien to interact with avatars in Elite fashion. All the while the Universe is bristling with action on a thousand worlds and craft.

How hard are MMPs anyway? [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/smile.gif[/img]

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Babylon6 in orbit @ [url="http://www.nomad-jedi.com"]http://www.nomad-jedi.com/[/url]

[b]Check out the writing skills of this person: [url="http://www.minbari.co.uk/log12.2263/"]http://www.minbari.co.uk/log12.2263/[/url][/b]
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Comments

  • SanfamSanfam I like clocks.
    the B5 Universe is perfect for this, but it just doesn't have the fan base that would give it the advantage over the rest.
  • AarghAargh Trainee
    Well, I think that EVE:"The second genesis" doesn't have a very big fanbase either. But that doesn't prevent the developers from making a great game and let a lot of players to play it. My point is that it doesn't matter what universe we are talking about, just as long as the game runs smoothly, has FUN gameplay and a descent rendering pipeline. And of course, B5 is the perfect universe for a MMP game. I discussed this with Andy the other day... and who knows what Space Dream Factory can come up with. Just think of it, you start the game in a shuttle somewhere. What do you do next? Join the raiders? Salvage space junk and sell it, in hope of buying a better ship. Perhaps you travel to a colony and hire a crew for the light gunship you bought after 2 years of collecting and selling goods. Then you might offer your services to anyone interested. Why not kidnap a high ranking centauri politician? Demand ransom and seek refuge with the narns... And wait, you noticed some neutrino emmisions at sector 431. Perhaps a Shadow ship has passed throught not long ago.. It's better to look for debris or valuable minerals somewhere else...


    yours
    Henrik
    SDF
  • JohnDJohnD Ranger
    [quote]Originally posted by Babylon6:
    [b]Also, Star Wars: Galaxies is taking shape and will no doubt be a massive crowd puller.[/b][/quote]

    However, it's run by Verant. Remember...the company whose head honcho basically called online gamers morons who didn't have a clue what they wanted? Their customer service isn't exactly the best.

    [quote][b]I think Babylon5 could be a big crowd puller with the right game behind it.[/b][/quote]

    I'm not so sure that a B5 MMPORPG would draw enough regular, long-time players to be worth it, but Rick, Randy and the crew would know better. As it is, the MMPORPG market is feeling more and more saturated.
  • JackNJackN <font color=#99FF99>Lightwave Alien</font>
    You know...

    This just pisses me off to no end...

    [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/mad.gif[/img]

    I suggested a MMP B5 game to the powers that be, as a possible sequel to the RPG one in design.

    There were just too many damn people pulling on the focus on what should be done next. I really didn't care if it came out totally different than what I envisioned.

    Then of course there was the "leadership" we had from up North...

    I have to stop. I'm supposed to be over this, and moving on with my life.

    Grrrrr...!

    [This message has been edited by JackN (edited 12-01-2001).]
  • BigglesBiggles <font color=#AAFFAA>The Man Without a Face</font>
    Bring on the margaritas...

    ------------------
    [b][url="http://www.minbari.co.uk/log12.2263/"]Required reading[/url][/b]
    Never eat anything bigger than your own head.
    The Balance provides. The Balance protects.

    "Nonono...Is not [i]Great[/i] Machine. Is...[i]Not[/i]-so-Great Machine. It make good snow cone though." - Zathras
  • MundaneMundane Elite Ranger
    A lot of the ideas here reminds me about Battlecruiser Millenium....
  • Falcon1Falcon1 Elite Ranger
    [quote]Originally posted by Biggles:
    [b]Bring on the margaritas...

    [/b][/quote]

    I'll drink to that Biggles! [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/wink.gif[/img]


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    'The future is all around us' G'kar
    'I have no surviving enemies! None what so ever!' Galen

    Visit my B5 site at: [url="http://www.nialb5.com"]B5 site[/url].
  • BigglesBiggles <font color=#AAFFAA>The Man Without a Face</font>
    I'm sure anyone would. [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/biggrin.gif[/img]

    ------------------
    [b][url="http://www.minbari.co.uk/log12.2263/"]Required reading[/url][/b]
    Never eat anything bigger than your own head.
    The Balance provides. The Balance protects.

    "Nonono...Is not [i]Great[/i] Machine. Is...[i]Not[/i]-so-Great Machine. It make good snow cone though." - Zathras
  • MessiahMessiah Failed Experiment
    Naw, its soon christmas... Ill rather have Glögg. Or Must perhaps [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/smile.gif[/img]

    ------------------
    [b][i][url="http://www.dd.chalmers.se/~gu00mama/"]http://www.dd.chalmers.se/~gu00mama/[/url]
    Vir - Are you saying you don't trust me anymore? I made your favourite, Spoo.
    Londo - I'll order in.

    How can we possibly use sex to get what we want? Sex [/i]IS[i] what we want! - Frasier Crane[/i][/b]
  • rcmodelsrcmodels Ranger
    what if we got a team of all the mod makers together and made a free mmpog? it'd take work and with in game advertising we could pay off the servers..
  • AarghAargh Trainee
    [quote]Naw, its soon christmas... Ill rather have Glögg. Or Must perhaps [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/smile.gif[/img][/quote]

    Yeah, please send me some Blossa glögg! ...B-L-O-S-S-A... tralalala... :=)

    /Henrik
    Space Dream Factory
  • BigglesBiggles <font color=#AAFFAA>The Man Without a Face</font>
    An amatuer MMORPG would be infinitely more difficult to make than any other kind of amateur game. The network code would be extremely difficult, then you've got play balancing, servers, all sorts of horrible things.

    ------------------
    [b][url="http://www.minbari.co.uk/log12.2263/"]Required reading[/url][/b]
    Never eat anything bigger than your own head.
    The Balance provides. The Balance protects.

    "Nonono...Is not [i]Great[/i] Machine. Is...[i]Not[/i]-so-Great Machine. It make good snow cone though." - Zathras
  • rcmodelsrcmodels Ranger
    i'm not saying its a small undertaking. But we have the potential to do something very good.
  • JackNJackN <font color=#99FF99>Lightwave Alien</font>
    A coalition or a consortium...

    Wouldn't tha be something...

    Still, who would control timely completion of tasks, and who would have the final say on what was done.

    Sounds scarier than a standard game design team...

    heh heh!

    [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/biggrin.gif[/img]
  • rcmodelsrcmodels Ranger
    true, but i have no doubt that we can do it. Put Biggles or one of the mod people in charge.
  • JohnDJohnD Ranger
    [quote]Originally posted by rcmodels:
    [b]what if we got a team of all the mod makers together and made a free mmpog? it'd take work and with in game advertising we could pay off the servers..[/b][/quote]

    I actually have experience in developing MMPORPGs (C code, but text based), even one set in the B5 universe. It isn't exactly the easiest thing to do. You need LOTS of help, a good leader at the top who is able to control the people beneath him, a good administrative corps, player helpers, PR/web type people, documentation, etc.

    It takes tons of your time to create and administer, you get lots of crap from the player base, and there are days when you can do no right. It's often a thankless job and can be stressful as hell, with plenty of work and hectic days.

    Basically, go for it, but be realistic - odds are overwhelming it will either fail or will have a small player base. No, I'm not being a party-pooper. Been there, done that.

    I'm actually working on another with a small team, but one coder needed some emergency surgery earlier this week and I'm a bit burned out on building part of the game universe and the place isn't ready for any of my coding, as limited as that will be.
  • JohnDJohnD Ranger
    [quote]Originally posted by JackN:
    [b]Still, who would control timely completion of tasks, and who would have the final say on what was done. Sounds scarier than a standard game design team...[/b][/quote]

    It can be even scarier due to the fact that nobody would be paid or have any real commitment to the overriding authority (game company). Ideally, someone should be at the top, organizing things and keeping developers busy with the right projects and on time, yeah. Watching the players enjoy themselves is fun, but getting their is a real son of a b*tch.
  • JohnDJohnD Ranger
    [quote]Originally posted by rcmodels:
    [b]true, but i have no doubt that we can do it. Put Biggles or one of the mod people in charge.[/b][/quote]

    I'm glad you're optimistic, but having been there, don't count on it working out too well [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/smile.gif[/img]

    I'd guess it would either never be finished, would be finished but nowhere near on par with commercial MMORPGs like Ultima Online, Dark Age of Camelot, etc. or it would be released and never maintain enough of a critical mass size of player base to succeed.

    If you honestly want it to work, go into the MUD/MUSH community and take on the people behind a current MU* success story - one with 100 or more players online consistently...and let them go at it and advise you. Hire on a few good coders (2-4 seems good for projects with which I've been involved), a good player assistance staff that will allow you to have 24/7 coverage with at least 2 staffers on at all times, take on someone to handle the web site, etc.

    Then, hope everyone gets along well and that luck works in your favor.
  • BigglesBiggles <font color=#AAFFAA>The Man Without a Face</font>
    You want me in charge? Bad idea! I have really poor organisation skills. My approach is usually "I can't be bothered. Let someone else do it."

    ------------------
    [b][url="http://www.minbari.co.uk/log12.2263/"]Required reading[/url][/b]
    Never eat anything bigger than your own head.
    The Balance provides. The Balance protects.

    "Nonono...Is not [i]Great[/i] Machine. Is...[i]Not[/i]-so-Great Machine. It make good snow cone though." - Zathras
  • EternityEternity Elite Ranger
    What is MMP exactly? BTW anytrhing that let's me pilot a Whitesrat I am behind!
  • rcmodelsrcmodels Ranger
    I was using you as an example biggles... No one would actually want you to do it [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/wink.gif[/img]
  • BigglesBiggles <font color=#AAFFAA>The Man Without a Face</font>
    Good. [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/smile.gif[/img]

    MMP = Massively MultiPlayer.

    ------------------
    [b][url="http://www.minbari.co.uk/log12.2263/"]Required reading[/url][/b]
    Never eat anything bigger than your own head.
    The Balance provides. The Balance protects.

    "Nonono...Is not [i]Great[/i] Machine. Is...[i]Not[/i]-so-Great Machine. It make good snow cone though." - Zathras
  • JackNJackN <font color=#99FF99>Lightwave Alien</font>
    Whitesrat?

    I want one of those!

    hah hah

    [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/biggrin.gif[/img]
  • rcmodelsrcmodels Ranger
    i would kill for a b5 mmpog... *holds up bloody knife*
  • Babylon6Babylon6 Earthforce Officer
    "Whitesrat 1 on channel 4 Delenn".

    ROFL

    ------------------
    Babylon6 in orbit @ [url="http://www.nomad-jedi.com"]http://www.nomad-jedi.com/[/url]

    [b]Check out the writing skills of this person: [url="http://www.minbari.co.uk/log12.2263/"]http://www.minbari.co.uk/log12.2263/[/url][/b]
  • TheKnaveTheKnave Ranger
    [quote]Originally posted by JackN:
    [b]A coalition or a consortium...

    Wouldn't tha be something...

    Still, who would control timely completion of tasks, and who would have the final say on what was done.

    Sounds scarier than a standard game design team...

    heh heh!

    [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/biggrin.gif[/img][/b][/quote]

    Possibly a tribune elected from all the people involved, with a bible created to handle SOP?
  • EternityEternity Elite Ranger
    **Sigh** one little tpying error and it never ends
  • BigglesBiggles <font color=#AAFFAA>The Man Without a Face</font>
    Whitesrat! Whitesrat! [b]WHITESRAT![/b]
    [img]http://216.15.145.59/mainforums/biggrin.gif[/img]

    ------------------
    [b][url="http://www.minbari.co.uk/log12.2263/"]Required reading[/url][/b]
    Never eat anything bigger than your own head.
    The Balance provides. The Balance protects.

    "Nonono...Is not [i]Great[/i] Machine. Is...[i]Not[/i]-so-Great Machine. It make good snow cone though." - Zathras
  • MessiahMessiah Failed Experiment
    A white rat? You mean a labrat?

    ------------------
    [b][i][url="http://www.dd.chalmers.se/~gu00mama/"]http://www.dd.chalmers.se/~gu00mama/[/url]
    Vir - Are you saying you don't trust me anymore? I made your favourite, Spoo.
    Londo - I'll order in.

    How can we possibly use sex to get what we want? Sex [/i]IS[i] what we want! - Frasier Crane[/i][/b]
  • John WalkerJohn Walker Shadowman
    You all know about [url="http://www.worldforge.org/"]WorldForge[/url], right?
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