NBC Universal and Bigpoint Announce First Ever MMO Based Upon the Television Phenomenon, Battlestar Galactica: Battlestar Galactica Online
SAN FRANCISCO, March 9, 2010--
- 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
The global market leader in browser-based Massively Multiplayer Online
Games (MMOG), Bigpoint, (http://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 MMOG, 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(R) 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 MMO
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 web MMOGs.
PLEASE VISIT THE FOLLOWING LINK FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, GRAPHICAL
MATERIAL AND INFORMATION ABOUT BIGPOINT AND THE OTHER COMPANIES INVOLVED: