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).