BIG Changes!

[PortGalaxy]

I am pleased to share this very exciting news with all of you.

Many of you likely know that we did release Port Galaxy not too long ago. The game was complete for the most part but was not quite as stable as we would have liked. It had several technical issues. However, we had a good amount of players join and show interest in the game. We tried to create a unique game with endless possibilities and great graphics. I feel we succeeded in that.

However, due to the technical issues, and other issues we keep running into with the Flash version of Port Galaxy, we have decided to make some changes. One of the other main issues is the lack of programmers and other staff who know how to properly develop this type of game with Flash. We hired MANY programmers all of whom failed us in one way or another. From companies to professional freelancers, to people from this forum, nobody was able to do it properly. Even though we were so close to having a completed game, we continued to run into the same old problems so I finally decided enough was enough.

Today I am announcing that we are going to cease all development on the Flash version of Port Galaxy. But do not worry; I'm just getting to the good part. Port Galaxy is now being developed in Unity3D! That’s right! Port Galaxy will now be a web-based full 3D game. Explore a virtual galaxy like never before; using Unity will open up even more possibilities. Here are some of the great things you can expect to see.

- Full 3D MMO. Experience the Space Port and Planets in a real 3D environment.
- Complete remake of all of our current game elements. This means everything will work properly, and everything will be enhanced to work in 3D!
- Embrace a new style of gameplay, or stick with what you know. Lock your camera in an Isometric view, or unlock it and experience the game in 3D.
- Compatible with almost everything! Every browser, resolution, just install Unity Web Player and go! Future support for iOS and Android may also be available!
- Realistic Graphics - even more so than we had before!
- Physics, and even more customization options. Room layouts, lighting, textures, colors, customize your whole experience.
- Larger environments! Walk around, meet a friend in a lounge, take a transport pod to another room.
- And MUCH MUCH more!

I'm also pleased to announce we will be utilizing SmartFoxServer 2x on the server side of things! This will also open up a lot of new things and make everything more secure and safe.

When is all of this happening? Right now. Development is expected to be finished in around 6 weeks. We hope you all enjoy this news as much as we do, and hope to see you there when we launch the new and improved Port Galaxy.

Follow us on Twitter or Like us on Facebook! Stay up to date with all the latest news and previews while we develop the game over the next 6 weeks.

Let us know what you think!

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Check out Port Galaxy Today!

[LasuniColin]

I dont know necessarily how I feel, I like your idea, however dont you feel you've wasted money and time on your old client?

"When is all of this happening? Right now. Development is expected to be finished in around 6 weeks. We hope you all enjoy this news as much as we do, and hope to see you there when we launch the new and improved Port Galaxy." Now makes it sound better, I was hoping it wasn't going to be [insertyearnumberhere].

[PortGalaxy]

We certainly put a lot of time and money into the flash client. The trouble is, every time we would get close to finishing, something would happen. Usually, a programmer would say they couldn't finish or not be able to fix bugs, etc. So the way I see it, we can continue putting money into that and hope one day it gets done right, or we can change everything.

Unity is a much better platform to work with. There are far more programmers and graphics designers who can work with Unity. We had MANY applications from graphics designers and programmers who wanted to develop Port Galaxy. Being able to develop in a 3D environment is much easier to work with as well. We won't have to deal with layering or sprite sheets, or any of the technical issues with programming. There are also thousands of free resources at our disposal to use with Unity. So, in the end I really feel confident that Unity will be a much better path to take. This time around we can actually develop the game how we want, without any issues, and know that there will always be plenty of programmers or graphics artists to choose from.

We now have a team of 3 developing the Unity version of Port Galaxy. Soon you will get to see some development previews and I guarantee you'll like what you see!

[WillyR]

Good luck meeting your 6 week expectation.

[internetz]

Unity3D is a very good engine. Best of luck. However, as many old MF members will know from my past, never set dates until it's completed...

[PortGalaxy]

We have not set a release date. We do however have a contract with our developers based on a 6 week time frame. So over the next 6 weeks, I will be releasing development previews.

[bibelot]

It's a shame you won't be continuing with the flash version, it showed a lot of potential. What will become of the old client/server? Any plans to release it or sell it?

stu

[PortGalaxy]

We may sell some of the content from the Flash version once the Unity Version is completed. If you like 3D games at all you're going to love the new version of PG

[bibelot]

(12-23-2011 03:20 PM)PortGalaxy Wrote:  We may sell some of the content from the Flash version once the Unity Version is completed. If you like 3D games at all you're going to love the new version of PG

Unity is a great development tool, and Google are going to include the unity player with new versions of chrome. It's good to hear you have some programmers working on it. I really liked the look of the flash client, especially the user spaces preview you showed a while back.
Keep us informed of how things are going

Stu

[PortGalaxy]

I've put the flash version online, might as well keep it up for everyone to check out while we work on the Unity one.