Although this has relatively little to do with the
href="http://www.tentonhammer.com/node/35681" target="_blank">announced
MMOG deal that was announced earlier this year, apparently
the SCI FI Channel
has had a hand in developing two browser-based MMOGs for their UK
consumers. The two
games - Dark Orbit
and Seafight
- are already open to the public at
scifi.co.uk and look pretty interesting. But don't just take our word
for it; the Ten Ton Hammer staff has posted three screenshots from the
games that you can take a gander at.
Here's the official press
release:
href="http://www.scifi.co.uk">Scifi.co.uk, the
official website of the SCI FI channel in the UK,
today announces the launch of two interactive online games in
partnership with Bigpoint, the leading producer of browser-based MMOGs.
style="font-style: italic;">
The
games - "DarkOrbit" and "Seafight" – will be available to
scifi.co.uk
users for free from 12th August and will unite them with a community of
almost 30 million other gamers around the world. Players can also buy
virtual goods or use special game features with a premium subscription.
The games are complex, long running, multiple player games, which are
played directly in a browser without downloads or installation of
additional software.
This is the first
execution of the
collaboration announced between NBC Universal and German-based Bigpoint
since the Peacock Equity Fund, a $250m venture capital fund that NBC
Universal launched with sister company GE Commercial Finance, acquired
35 per cent of Bigpoint in a €70m ($110m) deal in June 2008.
style="font-style: italic;">
“SCI
FI is our umbrella brand for casual and online gaming in the UK and
other countries outside the USA. Science fiction and fantasy fans have
a huge affinity with gaming and our relationship with Bigpoint will
allow us to take advantage of growing popularity of multiple
players”
says Kevin Obi, SVP SVP New Digital Media Business, NBC Universal.
style="font-style: italic;">
Heiko
Hubertz, founder and CEO, Bigpoint commented: “We're pleased
that we're
working with SCI FI UK on our first collaboration following our
agreement with NBC Universal in June. There is a perfect fit between
our audiences and we look forward to extending this relationship with
both SCI FI and NBC Universal in the future."
style="font-style: italic;">
The development
follows the re-launch of scifi.co.uk in May 2008 into a destination
site for fans of sci-fi and fantasy content, online gaming and gadgets.
Other sites serving audiences across Europe will be launched in Q4 2008.
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