OnlineWelten Artikel zum Onlinespiel Jumpgate Evolution

Onlinewelten: When is Beta going to start?

Lance Robertson: I'm not at liberty to announce that at this point. I will say that we are driving towards opening beta as soon as we can offer an experience that is representative of what we plan to launch with.

Onlinewelten: When did you first hear about JGE and what made you want to join the team?

Lance Robertson: Some time ago - long before I joined NetDevil back in August. The similarities to what I've worked on before are surprising and add to that my personal interests and it makes perfect sense for me to work with this team.

Onlinewelten: What are the main lessons you learned from your former experience as a producer for an MMORPG and how are those going to influence the production of JGE?

Lance Robertson: Producing games of this type are not easy and I have witnessed the many failures in the MMO space. I've learned many lessons about game and MMO production over the years and so I can help the team out in avoiding creative deadends, production pipeline issues, as well as not losing the forest for the trees. There are so many subtleties associated with having made all of these calls before, that it helps to already have a good feel for what works and what doesn't. It also helps to have been involved with MMOs in development positions other than producer or project manager. I feel like a successful producer ought to be firmly grounded in the realities of each of the disciplines.

Onlinewelten: Since you have been mainly working with Fantasy-MMORPGs so far - how much do you know about space MMOs in general and JGE especially to help make the release of JGE a success?

Lance Robertson: I mentioned before that I've been a big fan of space combat games for a very long time. I believe the marriage of a fast-action space dogfighting game and an MMO to be a natural one and all of the work we're doing right now validates that belief. The needs and mechanics of MMOs in general are very similar and the sensibilities I've evolved from my previous work definitely apply here. JGE and it's history and design provide a great framework for its future success. Having played the others, and seen both what they did well (and not so well), I know I fall right into the underserved market we're shooting for.

Onlinewelten: What exactly are those great new ideas you have already brought to the table?

Lance Robertson: Well I see you're paying attention. As tempting as it might be to start discussing such things, I feel like we need to save a few things for future conversations. As I said before, we're actively evaluating where we are and I'd prefer not to get into anything that may not make it into the game.