3000AD announces the completion of development of Universal Combat: A World Apart, another dispute with publisher DreamCatcher, and plans for future products Universal Combat Gold; Universal Combat Online; and Battlecruiser Next Gen (working title). They say the clash ends their relationship with DreamCatcher, a partnership that had already suffered through a prior dispute (story) that was eventually settled (story). Going back further, rights to the original Battlecruiser 3000 A.D. reverted to the developer after a dispute with original publisher Take-Two over the game's premature release. The blurbs on their upcoming projects do not include mention of Universal Combat: Hostile Intent (story), a project that was delayed when Universal Combat: Hold the Line was cancelled (story). Update: Derek Smart clarified with a post in the forums here that the work done on Hostile Intent is now part of the Universal Combat Online project mentioned below. Here's word on UC: A World Apart going gold for digital distribution, their gripe with DreamCatcher, and the hunt for a new publisher for the retail boxed version:

In other news, while Universal Combat - A World Apart, the eagerly awaited sequel to the original 2004 game, went Gold on 04-15-05 for release this May, several issues with the publisher (Dreamcatcher) have not only held up the boxed retail release of that title, but also led to the termination of the agreement. As a result, Dreamcatcher no longer has those rights as they have now reverted back to 3000AD Inc. We are in the process of negotiating with other interested parties for the boxed retail rights to this product.

We also recently terminated the Battlecruiser Millennium Gold and Universal Combat agreement which we also had with this publisher. Those rights have also now reverted back to 3000AD Inc and a cease & desist has been issued to Dreamcatcher, advising them to stop any further production and marketing of these two games or face legal action under the DMCA and other copyright infringement laws.

This issue with Dreamcatcher does not affect the e-commerce download version of UCAWA, which we expect to have available within the coming weeks once all the server side preparations have been completed and tested with our e-commerce partners (e.g. Trymedia, BMT Micro and others) who will be carrying the product.

And here are the game announcements:

Universal Combat Gold
Universal Combat Gold (UCG) is a stand-alone follow up title to the original Universal Combat game released in February 2004. It contains the full original game plus several enhancements, updates and features. Both the retail and e-commerce download version will be priced at $19.99. Estimated release date is Q3/05 (July).

Universal Combat Online
Universal Combat Online (UCO) is our massively multi player online game. Based on a vastly improved version of the Universal Combat - A World Apart engines, it contains a plethora of new advanced technologies and content to make it the ultimate futuristic battleground with our pioneered vast seamless space and planetary worlds. Both the retail and e-commerce download version will be priced at $29.99. The monthly fee will be announced at a later date. Estimated release date is Q3/06 (Sept).

Battlecruiser Next Gen (working title)
The eagerly anticipated next generation incarnation of the one that started it all, is on the Way. Using the Reality Engine, Battlecruiser Next Gen (BCNG) is designed from the ground up to give a total immersion experience. A completely seamless first person, space and planetary environment provides the most immersive sci-fi game ever developed. Pricing information will be announced at a later date. Estimated release date is Q4/07 (Nov).