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| 2010-03-10 |
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NBC Universal and Bigpoint announce first ever MMO based upon the television phenomenon, Battlestar Galactica: Battlestar Galactica Online
- NBC Universal and Bigpoint Announce Frakkin' Sweet 3D Browser-Based MMOG at 2010 Game Developers Conference
- Co-Development with Unity Pushes Visual and Technology Boundaries
San Francisco, March 10, 2010 – The global market leader in browser-based Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOG), Bigpoint, (http://bigpoint.com) will be demonstrating the next generation of client-free PC gaming at Game Developers Conference 2010. Leading its product slate for 2010 will be Battlestar Galactica Online, a tactical space combat and adventure MMOG based upon Syfy’s Battlestar Galactica series. The MMOG, inspired by one of the most popular science fiction series in television history, will launch worldwide exclusively this fall on Syfy.com for a 30 day period. The Unity co-developed MMOG will offer state of the art graphics that can be played directly in an Internet browser. The teaser website for Battlestar Galactica Online is available at www.bgo.bigpoint.com and Bigpoint will be discussing this announcement at booth 2038 at Game Developers Conference, March 9th-12th. Battlestar Galactica Online is licensed through Universal Partnerships & Licensing, on behalf of the NBC Universal Television Consumer Products Group.
Battlestar Galactica is the gripping saga of humanity's last remnants and their struggle to find a new home while fleeing from their deadly Cylon enemies. Redefining the space opera with its gritty realism, Galactica's intensity, issues-driven topicality, and command performances have garnered it numerous awards, including three Emmy® Awards and the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award. The show was recognized by the American Film Institute (AFI) as one of the most outstanding programs of the year two years running. The series was produced by Universal Cable Productions and executive produced by Ronald D. Moore and David Eick. The outstanding ensemble cast was led by Edward James Olmos, Mary McDonnell, Katee Sackhoff, Jamie Bamber, James Callis, Tricia Helfer and Grace Park.
"Battlestar Galactica is a supremely gameable intellectual property, with compelling character classes, a fantastic array of ships and weaponry, multiple worlds, and a dramatic storyline," said Bill Kispert, VP & GM, Digital Platforms, Universal Partnerships & Licensing. " We are excited to work with Big-point – and our partners at Universal Cable Productions and Syfy – to bring an epic, accessible, and ‘always on’ BSG experience to fans of the franchise and online gamers alike."
"Cooperation between Bigpoint and NBC Universal is a very important strategic step for us," explains Heiko Hubertz, CEO and founder of Bigpoint. "Battlestar Galactica has a huge and passionate fan base. We are proud to be able to publish such an internationally famous title as one of our online games. For the first time ever, we're relying completely on Unity in order to offer our users fantastic game graphics right in their browsers."
Battlestar Galactica Online is the first game inspired by a blockbuster Hollywood franchise to be fully developed on Unity technology for MMO audiences. This platform independent engine makes it possible to produce real-time 3D applications such as MMO games with exceptionally high quality graphics without having to download a client.
Players will be able to choose to play as cylons or humans in a constant struggle to control the un-iverse or just survive its perils. A blend of tactical space combat, exploration, and mission-based gameplay will provide a diverse experience. The dramatic missions will define the game's overall storyline, enabling the player to delve into mysteries of the Battlestar universe. Battlestar Galactica Online will create a new standard for web games, with beautiful 3d graphics and innovative game mechanics bringing a new level of game play to browser based MMOG. Assets from the television production will be integrated into the game to deliver an even more authentic experience.
The game is being developed by Artplant (http://artplant.no), a Norwegian development studio specia-lizing in 3D web MMOGs.
Megumi Ikeda from NBC Universal's strategic venture capital arm, Peacock Equity Fund, investors in Bigpoint, said, "Our investment strategy is to help high-growth companies like Bigpoint that can also drive growth for NBCU, so we're excited to see this collaboration working so well."
About Universal Partnerships & Licensing
UP&L oversees Universal’s consumer product licensing, film and home entertainment promotions, and all corporate alliances for Universal’s theatrical, home entertainment, theme parks and stage productions. This dedicated division is also responsible for monetizing the Studio’s vast library of films and characters through licensing, branding and marketing opportunities. UP&L is part of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80%-owned by General Electric, with 20% owned by Vivendi.
About Syfy
Syfy is a media destination for imagination-based entertainment. With year round acclaimed original series, events, blockbuster movies, classic science fiction and fantasy programming, a dynamic Web site (www.Syfy.com), and a portfolio of adjacent business (Syfy Ventures), Syfy is a passport to limitless possibili-ties. Originally launched in 1992 as SCI FI Channel, and currently in 95 million homes, Syfy is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. Syfy. Imagine greater.
About NBC Universal Television DVD, Music, and Consumer Products Group
NBC Universal Television DVD, Music, and Consumer Products Group manages all global ancillary television business endeavors for the NBC Universal Television Group, including third-party home entertainment distribution, consumer products, musical soundtracks, special markets projects and the NBC Universal Online Store.
About Unity
Unity Technologies is revolutionizing the game development industry and was named one of the top five game companies of 2009 after just four years in the market. Today Unity Technologies has more than 100,000 registered users worldwide – including leading companies like Cartoon Network, Electronic Arts, LEGO and NASA, large and small studios, independent professionals, students and hobbyists – using the Unity platform to develop high performance interactive 3D content for the Web, for mobile and for consoles. Unity Technologies is one of the fastest growing software companies and is aggressively innovating to expand usability, power and platform reach so that it can deliver on its vision of democratizing interactive 3D technology. Unity Technologies is headquartered in San Francisco and has development offices worldwide. For more information, visit unity3d.com.
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Janine Griffel
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Bigpoint GmbH
Christoph-Probst-Weg 3
20251 Hamburg / Germany
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| Some press clips |
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"A pioneer in creating browser-based games."
The Wall Street Journal, 04/2009
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Computerbild Spiele, 04/2009
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"The futuristic graphics of DarkOrbit are a professional and detailed treat for the eye."
DigitalVD, 12/2008
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"A high-quality graphical simulation of a pirate's life."
InformationWeek, 11/2008
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