Stargate Worlds merges game genres

Just as the SG-1 team is a collective of different talents and experiences, game developer Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment plans to make Stargate Worlds a collective gaming experience for a broad variety of individuals.

“We are building [a Massively Multiplayer Online Game] and MMO players will feel at home when they step through the gate,” studio head Elggren told GameZone.com. “One playtester who had about 15 minutes of game time commented that Stargate Worlds plays like an MMO, but feels like a tactical shooter.

“It’s a tough concept to explain, but once you get in and play, it all snaps into place.”

A core element for the game will obviously be running and gunning, but that will not always be the easiest way to negotiate a problem. Identifying archaeological symbols, cracking an alien terminal, and negotiating with a new species will change the outcome in a variety of ways. It’s up to the player, or group of players, to choose how to handle the situation.

“Another area where we’re looking to innovate is with mini-games,” said Elggren. “We’re getting the player more involved in activities like opening locks, sabotage and translation by creating mini-games that they have to complete to accomplish their goall.

“We’re aware that some players out there aren’t interested in this kind of gameplay, so we have given them the choice of “calling in help.” Characters get XP for completing mini-games, and it’s possible to advance through level cap, kicking back in the major cities and fielding calls for mini-game help.”

Stargate Worlds is due to hit store shelves in early 2009. Read more of Dan Elggren’s interview at GameZone.com!