MGM announces Stargate MMORPG

MGM and Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment today announced that work has begun on Stargate Worlds, a massively multi-player online role-playing game (“MMORPG” to those in the know) based on the hit TV franchise.

An MMORPG is a free-form and always evolving online video game universe, where players around the globe can log on and create unique characters, interact with other players, and go on missions. Star Wars Galaxies recently took the MMORPG world by storm; Star Trek Online is set for an early 2007 launch.

“Stargate Worlds is an MMO that provides players with a form of exploration, adventure and ranged combat set in worlds of historical human time periods, alien environments, and outer space locations,” according to the announcement. “Players will travel through the Stargate as a team of soldiers and scientists where they can forge alliances, establish trade, investigate ancient mysteries, and defend Earth from such hostile forces as the Goa’uld and the Ori in an immense multiplayer universe.”

The developer’s official Web site offers more on the game:

Stargate Worlds provides players with a form of ranged combat unique to MMORPG that will take full advantage of modern and science fiction weaponry, cover, and terrain. Players will be able to form squads with their friends or use bots for players who want to go solo. Squad leaders will control maneuvers and objectives through an innovative combat control interface. Players may choose to create characters that are members of either the SGC (the Good Guys) or the System Lords (the Bad Guys). Characters are equipped with varied and mixed skills, with the choice to form such classes as Research, Combat Marine, Medical, Scientific, Diplomatic, Engineering, Archeological, and Exploration. PVP will be possible between the two alliances on many contested worlds, actually swaying the balance of power on those planets, and unlocking hidden content. Cooperative play will also be possible, and players will be encouraged to forge temporary alliances to deal with greater threats, such as the Ori.

The universe evolves as players inhabit and vie for control over alien worlds. Local populations will shift their allegiance between the two alliances. Outside threats, such as the Ori, will conspire to further change the face of these worlds. Players will be able to tip the balance of power on these worlds, beating back the Ori invasion, and swaying the local populations to their side through quests, combat and trade. Whether you are a solitary explorer, master tradesman, or commander of a massive armed force — your every action will alter the worlds of the Stargate universe.

“Today’s MMO market challenges developers in many ways. Creating a product that separates itself from the pack requires a unique combination of two elements: a superior game concept implemented by a superior development team,” Joe Ybarra, Vice President of Product Development for Cheyenne, said. “Partnering with MGM Interactive and the Stargate creative team gives us the first, and our team’s experience and depth ensures the second. Together we look forward to creating the world’s best MMO-RPG.”

“We chose to entrust the franchise to Cheyenne because we are confident in their ability to create a triple A Stargate MMO,” Travis Rutherford, Executive Vice President of MGM Interactive, said. “Together we can give both the Stargate fans and gaming enthusiasts what they want by combining a strong brand, cutting edge technology, exceptional art, usability, and a fantastic game playing experience.”

Cheyenne Mountain’s license was inked in September 2005, and the company has already assembled its development team. The company’s staff is comprised of a veteran management team that has shipped more than 80 titles, and boasts extensive MMO development experience, according to the announcement.

The first concept art from the game is now available on Cheyenne Mountain’s Web site. Stick with GateWorld for the very latest!

(Thanks to John Callaham, Raynix, Morjana, Adrian Mester, Brian Cooke, Brennan Cox, and Chade Fallstar for the tip!)