A while back I posted a news item that addressed the dearth of "thinker games" on the 'net, bemoaning the rising tide of twitch-action games and real time strategy in the online multiplayer arena. Don't get me wrong -- I do play twitch games, but there are so many of them it seemed a shame that there weren't any efforts representative of the true macro-strategy gaming style.
Soon after that posting, I was invited by the minds at FastStorm to help with the design of an online game that was specifically geared toward strategy and diplomacy. No twitch, no Nintendo-syndrome, just pure mental chess. I jumped at the chance and offered what little advice and direction I could.
Now, after an intense development cycle, the folks at FastStorm are launching the first iteration of UltimateGalaxy, a game built by thinkers for thinkers. UG is unique in that there is no micromanagement -- you don't build fleets, armies or factories. Rather, you use your civilization's influence in various realms to effect change over generations, all the while negotiating with your neighbours. Players of the old boardgame classic Diplomacy will find the model harkening back to the days of nervous trust, glib communications and betrayal -- everything that made this kind of game exciting and unpredictable.
So head on over and give it a go! If outthinking your opponent is your style, UltimateGalaxy might very well be the mental drug you've been looking for!
 |
 News just came in that UF is one of three finalists for an advertising industry award in the Broadcast Streaming category! Wooo! It's been a very long, hard road to get to this, and just being selected as a finalist is incredibly vindicating. I've always been one to advocate that gentle-push advertising geared specifically for a niche is the way to go, not the usual heavy-artillery blast marketing that so many seem to resort to.
In any case, I'll be in New York in the middle of next month at the awards to watch the ceremony and to shake hands and all of those things that people like me are nervous about doing. Ah well. I'm sure the drinks will be good. And I do love NYC. My thanks to the Ad-Tech folks for selecting UF as a finalist, and to all of the UFies who support us by visiting our sponsors!
|
