[Radi]

Jumpgate Classic was cheap. $9.95 is not "normal" subscription rate today. Usually it is close to $15. So it is safe to assume that around $15 will be standard monthly subscription rate.

[Ambrosius]

I can't imagine that it won't be at least $14.95 the same as Eve and WoW.

[Stfan]

Hope you don't mind a take from an old tow that moved on.

Jumpgate is still the best fully 3 diemensional flying MMO I have seen. No other MMO so fully involves you in the experience. Yes, I have played EVE. It is still point and click. Tab onto a target and press the button. No thinking, no tracking, no allowing for travel time and leading the target. No reverse angle, watch your speed, nudge a tad to the left and hit the retros just in time to drop speed and dock a super heavy, fully laden Tow while under fire!

There is nothing out there that comes close to what Jumpgate has!

So, what makes games win and lose?

I waited a long time for Tabula Rasa to come out. Pre-ordered my collectors edition and pre-paid my game time. Within 3 weeks of opening servers, heaps of people were hitting level cap. Within 4.5 weeks I had hit level cap. After that there was nothing! Nothing at all, except promises of possibilities at some stage in the future. I left and never came back even though I had months left on my subscription. There was nothing to hold me.

I have been playing WoW for 2 years. I keep trying other MMOs and going back to WoW. Why? I still keep finding places, quests, dungeons and lots of other stuff I have never ever seen before! It is possible to level up 3 or 4 characters on the same side and only repeat about 10% of the quests. Every character can do something totally different. The experience is totally new each time. When you get to level cap, then the end-game entertainment starts and that is at least as long, hard and entertaining as getting to level cap! Why does WoW succeed? Because of the richness and diversity of its environment.

So where does that leave Jumpgate Evolution? Ask yourself what has been taking so long. The basics of Jumpgate is already there. If they were just updating models, skins and interfaces then it should have been released long ago. However, if they were reworking leveling, missions, quests. If they are rebalancing the 3 sides or even working on a fourth "pink" side. If they are trying to build an end-game that will capture the imagination and enthusiasm of level capped players and get old grumps like me to come back. Then that will take a lot of time, effort and money and that is what I am hoping and praying is what they are doing.

That said, I do not believe that Jumpgate Evolution will be a "shotgun" game that will explode and die within a year. It would need a much larger marketing budget and promotional lead up than I believe they have. What it does have is a very strong niche market. The players in that market are dedicted and will ensure it surives its first year. What it needs is for NetDevil, Gazillion and the players of Jumpgate to promote what it has to the public. To build up its player base. A static player base will mean that it lives long and slow like Everquest (no offence intended to Everquest, its players and fans). But a growing and evolving player base will ensure a lively future that keeps the gameplay and graphic engines at the leading edge of technology.

Search Jumpgate on YouTube and there is plenty of stuff there. Highest number of hits I have seen is 15,000 which is not huge but is a great start. I believe that Jumpgate, Jumpgate Evolution and its successors will be around for a long time to come. What form it will take in the future will be very much dependant upon both NetDevil and you guys.


Look to the future and travel safe.

[Jump]

Hey stfan, long time no see.

[biteme]

Stfan take you optimism and shove it!! Your rosy sunshiny attitude is makes me want to puke. Leave us to our ranting pessimism and be gone mister

[Stfan]

Originally Posted by biteme

Stfan take you optimism and shove it!! Your rosy sunshiny attitude is makes me want to puke. Leave us to our ranting pessimism and be gone mister

On behalf of old blue truckers everywhere: "Bite my shiny metal ..."

Originally Posted by Jump

Hey stfan, long time no see.

Hi Jump *waves*, been far too long. With luck I might get back into a big blue tow some day soon. Just have to remember where I left my licence and insurance.

[GrimGriz]

Originally Posted by Stfan

If they are trying to build an end-game that will capture the imagination and enthusiasm of level capped players and get old grumps like me to come back. Then that will take a lot of time, effort and money and that is what I am hoping and praying is what they are doing.

First, I'm pretty sure whatever Gods you have should be worrying about more important things than Jumpgate Evolution.

Second, dream on. They'll ship a barely functioning beta and blow smoke up our asses that they'll be adding content at the same time they switch to a maintenance skeleton crew and head to the bank.