Custom User Interfaces For Jumpgate Evolution

ZAM recently spoke with NetDevil President, Scott Brown, about various aspects of their upcoming space sim title, Jumpgate Evolution. JGE intends to "take the gameplay of a Wing Commander: Privateer or an Elite and set it in a massive, persistent universe". Find the interview here.

ZAM: Where did the idea for the original Jumpgate come from?

Scott: We were huge fans of a game called Warbirds and also the Elite/Privateer/X-Wing series of games and we wanted to make a game that could combine the online play similar to Warbirds but in space like the other games.

ZAM: While we enjoyed the first Jumpgate back in 2001, the game didn't experience the level of success that it deserved. Did this result in you encountering any problems in securing a publisher for the sequel?

Scott: Not really because once people saw the graphics, even early on, everyone was excited about the game. Also we were doing a lot of things that help cater to a broader player base and lowering the cost of investment for a publisher such as going for low system specifications on the server and client; therefore making it a very attractive project.

ZAM: As with EVE Online, the original Jumpgate suffered somewhat from repetitive missions and the absence of a strong story. How have these issues been addressed in Jumpgate Evolution?

Scott: We have a much stronger story now, with help from Keith Baker (the creator of Eberon for D&D) and we have significantly more focused PvP so players have even more reason to fight against the other nations.