Preview

For the Emperor!

Gaming is a competitive industry, and few genres are more competitive (or more expensive to compete in) than the massively multiplayer gaming genre. A number of high profile MMOs have crashed and burned in spectacular fashion, sometimes taking entire development houses with them. In some cases this was due to a lackluster back story and insufficient attention to character development. With that in mind, the Warhammer universe would seem to be an ideal franchise upon which to base an MMO, and indeed there is already a fantasy-themed MMO in the form of Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning.

The Adeptus Astartes in action

But these days the fantasy MMO genre is a crowded place, with Warhammer Online, Lord of the Rings Online, Age of Conan, and World of Warcraft essentially competing for the same gamers. Some time ago a second MMO based on the sci-fi world of Warhammer 40,000 was announced.

A few months back I was given the opportunity to try out Quest Online’s new Massively Multiplayer Online Game Alganon. From my brief time with the game it was apparent that Alganon was in desperate need of more development and testing time.

Perhaps one of the most beloved turn-based strategy games of all time was Walter Bright’s Empire.  First programmed way back in 1977 (in FORTRAN, no less), Mr.

The first games in a series are too often left stagnant. Sure, they may be patched and have relatively minor features added, but the fundamental engine remains the same. Storm Eagle Studios’ Distant Guns: The Russo-Japanese War was a fine game, but the next game in the series, Jutland, sported an improved engine.

The star of independent game developers is ascendant. Innovating where others are content to merely imitate, indie companies have succeeded in winning over many a jaded gamer by providing fresh gaming perspectives and experiences. One company that may soon be able to add its own name to the ever growing list of successful independent developers is Finland’s Nitro Games.