Category: Merchandise

Stargate Worlds: “Lights are still on…”

Stargate Worlds Logo

Here’s an official statement from Cheyenne Mountain’s Senior Marketing Manager Kevin Balentine concerning the statements made by Brad Wright that were published by Gateworld and that pretty much implied that Stargate Worlds, the MMORPG, was most likely never going to get released:

OFFICIAL STATEMENT

The Lights are Still On and Stargate Worlds Development Continues

I’ve been asked from many corners lately to provide an official response to a story circulated by Gateworld.net. I spoke with Darren Sumner, the author of the story, soon after it was posted and gave him a detailed response to the article which he decided not to publish.

Our official response is that the lights here are still on and the development team is working hard every day to get this game built. Team members are in the office seven days a week to deliver Stargate Worlds. Brad Wright is the Stargate expert and a creative consultant on Stargate Worlds who advises us on the story; unfortunately we had not recently updated him on our progress or the impact from the current global economic crisis, and he was not fully aware of the continuing progress on our game.

It’s true that the production of Stargate Worlds has been significantly impacted by the greatest worldwide economic downturn in decades, but we are still raising enough money from angel investors to keep the dev team working.

We are currently negotiating several deals that will cover our financial responsibilities and fund the remainder of development. When we sign those deals, you’ll hear about it. Until then, we’ll keep building Stargate Worlds, because right now, that’s the only thing that matters to us.

SG-1 Movie Combo Pack Out Today (March 3)

Two SG-1 Movies Blu-RayIf you haven’t gotten your copies of Stargate: The Ark of Truth and Stargate: Continuum, now’s the time to get them in one package. Today, the two movies were released in a double-feature package in both DVD and Blu-ray formats (Region 1).

If you’re not ready to make this purchase and you live in the United States, you’ll get your chance to see the two movies on the Sci Fi Channel later this month and in April. Here are the broadcast dates and times for their US television premieres:

– The Ark of Truth: Friday, March 27, at 9 PM
– Continuum: Friday, April 3, at 9 PM

Fan's Choice Blu-Ray, DVD Cover Art Contest

Stargatehub held a Fans Choice poll to decide which 10 episodes of Stargate Atlantis will be on a special Blu-Ray (high definition) DVD release this summer. The results are in! Keep in mind fans were voting for what would look good on Blu-Ray as well as which episodes are favorites. Here are the winners of the poll:

  1. Enemy at the Gate (Series Finale)
  2. Rising (Series Premiere)
  3. The Seige (unclear which part of the Season 1/2 3-parter this is)
  4. Tao of Rodney (Season 3 Episode 14)
  5. Be All My Sins Remember’d (Season 4 Episode 11)
  6. The Shrine (Season 5 Episode 6)
  7. McKay and Mrs. Miller (Season 3 Episode 8 )
  8. Vegas (Season 5 Episode 19)
  9. Midway (Season 4 Episode 17)
  10. First Strike (Season 3 Episode 20)

Now comes the announcement that fans will also get to design the cover of the DVD. From here:

MGM Home Entertainment is giving fans a chance to design the cover art for an upcoming “Stargate Atlantis” best-of compilation to be released on Blu-ray Disc.

Through Feb. 28, fans can visit www.StargateHub.com to upload their own art or work with provided templates. The top designs will be selected by the “Stargate Atlantis” producers, with the winner announced in April and showcased on the Blu-ray release this summer.

We’re confident fans can create a cover to rival or surpass any that we’ve seen for Atlantis. So get busy and submit your art to StargateHub!

Thanks to Elyse at sg1_spoilme for the tip.

Sci Fi Channel to Premiere SG-1 Movies

Several news outlets are reporting the spring premiere dates for the two DTV SG-1 movies, Stargate: The Ark of Truth and Stargate: Continuum, on the SCI FI Channel in the US.

Mark your calendars:

If you can’t wait for these television premieres, both movies are currently on DVD and Blu-ray separately, but on March 3, they’ll be in a double-feature pack (choose from DVD or Blu-ray formats).

Behind the Archaeologist Archetype of "Stargate Worlds"

Daniel Jackson Exploring
Dr. Daniel Jackson uses his weapon’s flashlight to explore, but he’ll fire the weapon if he has to.

Stargate Worlds has become a highly-anticipated MMORPG in the gaming world, and its unique feature for non-combatant character types might be the reason.

The Archeaologist—the “peaceful explorer”—in the game relies on intelligence, cunning, and the ability to infiltrate the enemies’ ranks in clever disguises. In game-talk, the Archaeologist is good at mini-games that lead to new Stargates or other important treasures, negotiation (“conversation”), and disguise.

Back in September 2008, “Inside Stargate Worlds” was launched on YouTube. According to Jim, the director of the channel, “This is your official channel for Stargate Worlds videos straight from the source.” The channel features game play and interviews with the developers. Of course, there are explosions and firefights, but there is also background information on the creation of the Archaeologist character type. This archetype was fashioned after SG-1’s own Dr. Daniel Jackson. Even though Dr. Jackson is able to engage in combat—he carries weapons—his primary purpose on the SG-1 team is to peacefully explore and use his knowledge and skills in making contact with alien worlds.

Although the YouTube channel hasn’t been updated in a while, these videos might be of interest to those of us who are new to the gaming world and might actually give this game a try because of this non-combatant character type who, in systems designer Steve Williams’ words, was fashioned after “the soul of the show”:

  • Creation -Systems designer Steve Williams talks about how his team translated aspects of the Stargate SG-1 series character Daniel Jackson into the Archeologist archetype in Stargate Worlds.
  • Inspiration – Creative Director Chris Klug discusses how the Stargate television series influenced the creation of the Archeologist archetype in Stargate Worlds.
  • Disguise – Systems designer Steve Williams talks about the archeologist archetype’s disguises and how they are implemented in Stargate Worlds.
  • Archaeologist in Disguise during Combat – Originally posted at mmorpg.com, this video shows combat using a high power rifle as well as a sneak peek of an archeologist getting into disguise as a Jaffa.
  • Mini-Games – Systems designer Steve Williams talks about the archeologist archetype’s strength in mini-games and how they are implemented in Stargate Worlds.

Stargate Worlds, which is set before the discovery of Atlantis, is due to be released this year. Visit their homepage for the latest news and developments.

SG-1 Appears in Stargate Worlds

SG-1 in Stargate Worlds

Here is the first screenshot of the legendary SG-1 team, comprised of Col. Jack O’Neill, Dr. Daniel Jackson, Major Samantha Carter, and Teal’c, as they will appear in Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment’s Stargate Worlds, the MMORPG expected to be released this year.

This notice was placed recently in the news section of the game’s official website:

While the rest of the world was working off their turkey hangover, we were …

… nose to the grindstone packing SG-1 goodness into Stargate Worlds! This is the first of several NPC shots we will be debuting exclusively right here on StargateWorlds.com, so keep coming back to see the old favorites and new faces that will bring the game to life.

This screenshot joins several others in the site’s Gallery. The developers added, “Be on the lookout early next week for the next image and a caption contest to go along with it.”

Big Finish Launches Second Season in May

Big Finish Productions is launching its second season of six Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis audio dramas (three episodes each) this May, and the first episode is the SG-1 story entitled “First Prime” by James Swallow, the same writer who brought “Shell Game” (SG-1) and “Zero Point” (SGA) last season.

First Prime from Big Finish

The CD for “First Prime” is now available for pre-order at the publisher’s website (USD $14.53 + $0.74 shipping) and will most likely be offered for download as well (last year, downloads cost USD $8.99).

Christopher Judge reprises his role as Teal’c and Doctor Who veteran Noel Clarke makes his Stargate debut as the Jaffa Sebe’t. Set during Season Five, the story’s tagline reads, “Teal’c’s past as First Prime of Apophis comes back to haunt him when Colonel O’Neill and Daniel Jackson are taken captive by the system lord’s forces. As Teal’c struggles to free them, he finds himself confronted by an old friend and fellow Jaffa, Sebe’t. Can this warrior really be trusted? Or has Teal’c reopened an old wound that can never be healed?”

The audio drama runs approximately 70 minutes and features an original music soundtrack.

"The Ark of Truth" Out on Blu-Ray Today

The Ark of Truth (Blu-ray)The first Stargate SG-1 movie released after the show’s cancellation, Stargate: The Ark of Truth, is now out on Blu-ray HD discs today in North America. The film was written and directed by Robert C. Cooper and closes the two-year story arc of the Ori who were introduced in Season Nine’s premiere.

Two SG-1 Movies Blu-RayThe movie has already been released on DVD in several regions since March 11, 2008, and the second movie, Stargate Continuum, was released on DVD and Blu-ray simultaneously when it made its premiere July 29, 2008. On March 3, 2009, the two movies are being released together on DVD and on Blu-ray in North America. This package was released in Region 2 (UK) on DVD back on December 8, 2008.

The fifth and final season of Stargate Atlantis is expected to be released on DVD this summer, but no word on if there will be a Blu-ray version. Fans, however, are encouraged to create their own Stargate Atlantis Blu-ray Special Edition by voting for their favorite episodes across all five seasons to be included on it at Stargate Hub. Voting closes January 31, 2009, and the Fans Choice edition is expected to be out this summer (number of episodes currently not known).