Stargate Worlds developer Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment has reassured that its forthcoming MMO is a game first and a license second in an interview with CVG.
Having a license "does jumpstart the community aspect of your game because the dedicated fans of the license are likely to be your biggest advocates", admitted studio head Dan Elggren.
But, he added, the key to success is simple: "Build good, fun games that people want to play. We know what the key is. Now it's all about execution."
Still, thanks to the Stargate license, the MMO's benefited from a strong, vocal community that started forming early in 2006, Elggren revealed.
However, the developer's more than aware of how a license "also comes with the stigma of rushed and poorly executed games based on blockbusters and children's movies".
It's something which Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment is obviously taking pains to steer away from.
In the interview Elggren also said the dev doesn't regard WoW as direct competition, just a different dish served up on the MMO platter.
"Sometimes you're in the mood for a good swordfight, sometimes you would rather shoot up aliens with a P90!"
We'll be posting up the full interview shortly, so keep 'em peeled.
Finally, a dev that realises the game is more important than the licence. I am a huge fan of the stargate series, and am really looking forward to this, but for some reason, I just think this will be a bit naff, like all other TV tie-ins
I'll give it shot and see how well it plays. I do freely admit however that the Stargate license is a big selling point for me in this game, but I also want to play something fresh and different from the usual run of MMO clones out there.
Guess the original License holder is giving that option then.
Usually they're either required to stick to the license as much as possible and not to make their own interpretation of it. (which usually ends badly, as many of us know) So i'm rather curious now what spin they'll give to the game, but very glad they're putting the game first and the actual license second. This might well get quite interesting.
TBH, most licensed MMOs have turned out ok. LOTR Online is great and Conan is shaping up to be fairly good. Only one that comes to mind as a bit rubbish is SWG.
Copyright 2006 - 2009 Future Publishing Limited, Beauford Court, 30 Monmouth Street, Bath, UK BA1 2BW England and Wales company registration number 2008885
