Codemasters Online and NetDevil today announced that Beta sign-ups for their space combat MMO, Jumpgate Evolution have now exceeded 150,000 users. Gamers can continue signing up for the chance to participate in the upcoming Beta here.

Edward Relf, Director, Marketing, Codemasters Online commented :

“Since the commencement of the Beta sign-up program three months ago, we have seen overwhelming support for the game and look forward to inviting players into the Beta in the coming months. We encourage everyone looking to get into Beta to sign up as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.”

Jumpgate Evolution a space combat MMO published by Codemasters Online and developed by NetDevil. This title will allow players to choose from one of three playable Nations and engage in action featuring ship-to-ship combat in a persistent online universe. Gamers can embark on an immersive and accessible space adventure where they can trade valuable commodities, take part in large-scale intergalactic battles, meet and play with friends and become an elite space hero. Jumpgate Evolution features both a varied universe to explore and has been designed for experienced and novice MMO players alike.

Jumpgate is set for release in 2009 with closed Beta due to go live soon. For more information on Jumpgate Evolution or to sign up for Beta click here.

In case you were wondering, the word “Beta” was used eight times in this post.

There a new video over on GameTrailers featuring Jumpgate: Evolution Asteroid Gameplay. The footage is just over two minutes of ship vs. ship combat while flying through an asteroid field.

This isn’t a fancy trailer with a thrilling soundtrack. However, it does give you a good look at the graphics upgrade and GUI for NetDevil’s MMO.

I’ve been looking forward to Jumpgate: Evolution. It’s everything I thought EVE Online was at first glance until I found out about all the corporate politics.

NetDevil has released new media for its upcoming Jumpgate Evolution MMO. On the official Jumpgate Evolution site, gamers can grab the new logos for playable nations; the Quantar Paths, Solrain Commonwealth and the Octavian Empire.

Fresh from Games Convention 2008 in Leipzig comes a new video for Jumpgate Evolution. the footage features in-game footage, accompanied by a narration detailing some of the setting’s backstory.

Jumpgate Evolution is slated for a December 15, 2008 release in time for the holidays. NetDevil is taking signups for the beta now. For gamers who tire of fantasy MMOs whether high, low or casual; take the conflict into a futuristic space setting for a change.

Codemasters and NetDevil are gearing up Jumpgate Evolution for launch. Part of the preparations involve adding new features to the Jumpgate community website over the next few months. The first of these new goods is a community spotlight.

As you might expect the community spotlight is there to “showcase fan sites, contests, important community information and any honorable fan-made content which we feel deserves to be seen.” Players can submit nominations for worthy entries by sending an e-mail to jumpgate@codemasters.com.

via Jumpgate Evolution

NetDevil and Codemasters have opened up the sign-up for the Jumpgate Evolution closed Beta. Positions for the closed Beta testing are limited so entries will be prioritized by several factors. Play testers will be selected according their computer specs, gaming experience and how active they’ve been on the forums.

Candidates must be at least 18 and Code M members. If you aren’t already a Code M member, there’s still time to sign up. There’s an obligatory Non Disclosure Agreement, which is pretty standard for most games.

To get signed up for this sci-fi, space based MMO visit the Jumpgate Evolution site.

Thanks to a link provided by VG247, we now have a list of developers confirmed for E3 2008 along with what titles they will be showing off at the event. While the list is still updated regularly, as of this post, this is what you can expect should you be attending.

Akella
Postal III (PC, X360)

Bethesda Softworks
Fallout 3 (PC, PS3, X360)

Capcom
Bionic Commando (PC, PS3, X360)
Bionic Commando Rearmed (PC, PS3, X360)
Capcom Project #1 [untitled] (other)
Capcom Project #2 [untitled] (other)
Dark Void (PC, PS3, X360)
MotoGP 08 (other)
Neopets Puzzle Adventure (PC, Wii)
Plunder (PC, PS3, X360)
Resident Evil 5 (PS3, X360)
Spyborgs (Wii)
Street Fighter IV (PC, PS3, X360)
Super Street Fighter II Turbo HD Remix (PS3, X360)

For the full list, hit the jump.

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I have a problem. It’s not a serious addiction, in fact its much the opposite of an addiction. I can’t commit.

If the subject of my problem were a woman I’d be the very picture of a man who wouldn’t commit – frequent hot dates with a possibility of long term relationships are tossed to the side in search of the next shiny object or attractive game setting. I dawdle between games like a child with free run of a candy store and no oversight. I just can’t seem to find that special game to break me of my wanderlust.

Now you might not think this a serious problem, I mean after all, who doesn’t play multiple games? But my issue goes beyond rotating pastimes to keep from losing interest. I have a staple game I play – Guild Wars – mostly because its free and doesn’t require a huge commitment of time or energy to hop into any of its settings and grind out a few missions or quests. Guild Wars is like the partner who dislikes your wandering habits but lets you come home whenever you feel like it because it knows it’ll always get what it can while you’re around.
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Codemasters is in negotiations to publish two MMOs for consoles.

After building on the success of several PC MMOs including Archlord, Dungeons & Dragons Online and The Lord of the Rings Online; Codemasters is ready to to go up against games such as SOE’s The Agency, NCsoft’s PlayStation 3 project and Funcom’s Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures. The company already has NetDevil’s Jumpgate: Evolution prepped for launch later this year.

“The time is right for some good console MMO games. There’s two titles that we’re really interested in for taking to console right now and that’s something I’d like to see happen in the next year or so, but it’s got to be the right game,” said David Solari, vice president and general manager of Codemasters Online Gaming, speaking exclusively to GamesIndustry.biz.

“It’s a little more challenging because of the restrictions of a console – certain games aren’t going to work. Final Fantasy was very successful on 360 so I just think you need the right game, and I think there’s a really good opportunity there because there’s not enough companies there right now,” he added.

The biggest concern of Codemasters is sharing the cost of maintenance on online environments of home consoles and the revenues with format holders Microsoft and Sony.

“It’s got to be the right business model. It’s more difficult because the first-parties take a share of the revenue – and it’s quite significant share,” stated Solari.

“You have to do your sums and see if it’s going to add up at the end of the day. First parties aren’t going to run the data centres for us and that’s the biggest expense in our business. We have to work that out with them,” he said.

via GamesIndustry.biz

The latest NetDevil dev log answers the question, “Why Jumpgate Evolution?” The answer it seems is,”Why not?” Players can look forward to revised game mechanics and a huge graphical update. With more resources available and D&D Eberron writer Keith Baker on board, Jumpgate Evolution has a lot of potential.

via NetDevil

A new developer diary for Jumpgate Evolution has been posted on MMORPG. NetDevil’s Steve “Istvan” Hartmeyer gives players a look into the ins and outs of designing a User Interface for a game. Everyone wants something different out of a UI so if it isn’t precisely the customer wants, it better be something he can alter to suit his needs.

Most developers are well aware that user interface can break a product. Sadly, it doesn’t usually “make” a product. Players don’t often think, “Wow. This UI is really well-executed!” If the UI is really well-executed, it’s most likely that players hardly notice it at all. The trouble happens when the interface gets in the players’ way, or is found inadequate.

Obviously, user interface has to be taken very seriously during development, which can require quite a significant investment of time and effort… There’s certainly more than one way to approach the problem, but for Jumpgate Evolution, our team has elected where possible to let the players themselves guide us.

Jumpgate Evolution is giving players a flash based UI to play with. I’m all for it, as I tend to mod the heck out of my games to tailor them to my needs… OK desires.

Read the complete dev diary on MMORPG.