Gameforge Reveals Star Trek: Infinite Space Free-To-Play Browser Game
September 28, 2010 | By Eric Caoili 5 comments More:
German MMO publisher Gameforge announced Star Trek: Infinite Space, a free-to-play, browser-based game set in the franchise's Deep Space Nine timeline, releasing in summer 2011.
The publisher has enlisted the help of Frankfurt-based independent studio Keen Games (formerly Neon Studios) to develop the title. Keen's previous shipped games include Dawn of Discovery, G-Force, Dance Dance Revolution: Disney Channel Edition, and What's Cooking? With Jamie Oliver.
Gameforge also contracted Michael Okuda, who served as scenic art supervisor for every live-action Star Trek series except for the original program, as a consultant. His wife Denise Okuda, who was a video supervisor and scenic artist for several of the sci-fi series' films and shows, will serve as a consultant, too.
In June, Gameforge struck an agreement with CBS Consumer Products to develop and publish multiple browser-based, free-to-play games based on Star Trek.
The firm said it had two titles under development: a Facebook game developed by a German studio (presumably Star Trek: Infinite Space), and another release by a studio in California.
The publisher, which reaches over 200 million registered users around the world with free-to-play titles like Ikariam and Gladiatus, disclosed plans several months ago to launch its Star Trek games in the United States and Europe simultaneously.
"Bringing Keen Games on board to develop Star Trek: Infinite Space was an easy decision to make as keen has a strong history of producing outstanding titles," says Gameforge's publishing VP Ralf Adam. "Our production team will work closely with keen games to bring the vision we have for Star Trek: Infinite Space to fruition."
IMHO, the second half of DS9 was some of the best work the Franchise ever did. Whether that's honestly complementary or damning with faint praise is something each reader will decide for himself. :)
No doubt teeth at Activision are still grinding over this. This is bad news for STO
"Free-to-play" doesn't imply that there won't be some kind of money-making mechanic bolted on.
Presumably Quark will be offering ways to speed up your ship or your character's progression... for a price. Maybe that's why the developers went with the DS9 part of the franchise, rather than the silly-but-canonical "we no longer use money" line of the Federation that might make hardcore monetization feel wrong.
Actually, does any developer who gets to make an online game based on a popular literary/TV/movie franchise really give a damn about making design choices based on how well they express the most iconic elements of a unique secondary reality?
Sure doesn't seem that way. Apparently it really is all about quickly reskinning some existing game, regardless of whether the mechanics of that game fit the franchise or not, then hoping that the initial customers will stick around while the game is tweaked to add lore-driven content.
Is that really more revenue-positive over the long term than getting it right at launch?
No doubt teeth at Activision are still grinding over this. This is bad news for STO
Presumably Quark will be offering ways to speed up your ship or your character's progression... for a price. Maybe that's why the developers went with the DS9 part of the franchise, rather than the silly-but-canonical "we no longer use money" line of the Federation that might make hardcore monetization feel wrong.
Actually, does any developer who gets to make an online game based on a popular literary/TV/movie franchise really give a damn about making design choices based on how well they express the most iconic elements of a unique secondary reality?
Sure doesn't seem that way. Apparently it really is all about quickly reskinning some existing game, regardless of whether the mechanics of that game fit the franchise or not, then hoping that the initial customers will stick around while the game is tweaked to add lore-driven content.
Is that really more revenue-positive over the long term than getting it right at launch?