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PS3 SyFy Network MMOG confirmed

  • By Matthew Peters, GameSpot
  • Posted Jul 28, 2009 11:34 am PT

Trion now hiring platform programmers and designer to work on online game that will affect the storyline of a corresponding network TV series.

Last year, Trion World Networks announced it would develop a massively multiplayer online game in conjunction with the then-Sci Fi channel. On June 2 that year, the company also revealed it had acquired a license to develop a PlayStation 3 game and touted the console's online-connectivity capabilities. However, at the time, it was unclear if the upcoming MMOG was bound for Sony's console.

Because

Because "sci-fi" is so 20th century...

Now, though, three new job listings on Trion's Web site appear to confirm the television-based MMOG is indeed coming to the PS3. The developer is looking to hire a "PS3 Senior Programmer," a "PS3 Senior Graphics Programmer," and a "PS3 Interface Designer" to work at its San Diego offices. For the Senior Graphics Programmer listing, the site states the employee "is responsible for developing key rendering systems and technologies for the next generation of server-based gaming to be co-developed with the Sci Fi Channel." (Emphasis added.)

As part of Trion's arrangement with the network--now known simply as SyFy--the game developer will team up with the television channel to create an MMOG that impacts the storyline of a corresponding television show on the network.

"A television show that is on once a week isn't enough. The fans today want the experience to go beyond that," said then-Sci Fi president Dave Howe in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. "For example, we can tell them that there will be an alien invasion at a certain place in the game, at a certain time, and to be there with all their friends and be ready. The outcome depends on them. And then that battle will be part of the universe in the show."

The developer also has other MMOGs in the works. Trion announced earlier it would develop and publish a fantasy-themed massively multiplayer online role-playing game. More recently, in April 2008, the company said it would codevelop a massively multiplayer online real-time strategy title with Petroglyph Games.

53 Comments

  • sescala

    Posted Aug 3, 2009 2:21 pm GMT

    sounds keul

  • dargoan

    Posted Jul 29, 2009 12:14 pm GMT

    I have witness the evolution of the Sci-fi channel since the beginning of the network. Is my personal opinion that the new name and logo are not appealing. I hope they didn't pay a lot of money for it, looks sterile and lack luster. Hopefully their programming won't be like the new logo.

    Have anyone been to a Syfy convention lately?

  • 3D3

    Posted Jul 29, 2009 10:52 am GMT

    Cool

  • Tomboy_666

    Posted Jul 29, 2009 9:07 am GMT

    They probably called it 'Syfy' cuz some idiots pronounce sci-fi as 'sky-fy'. LOL

  • fester420

    Posted Jul 29, 2009 9:03 am GMT

    @Hvac0120

    I'm sorry, but it is spelled "affecting" not "effecting". As for everyone else, please learn good grammar before posting a comment.

  • Hvac0120

    Posted Jul 29, 2009 8:15 am GMT

    I could care less whether it's called Sci-fi or Syfy. Syfy is shorter to spell, so let's pretend I like it for that reason alone.

    As for the game... I'm not sure about Trion. I've never heard of them. I'm skeptical about the quality of the game because of this.

    I am intrigued by the idea of the game effecting a TV show. I think it's a great idea that, if done properly, could be "the next big thing" for both gaming and television.
    _

  • Bodboy466

    Posted Jul 29, 2009 6:55 am GMT

    This IS interesting, I suppose, but it's still a licensed game, under the same time constraints, and so it may very well end up with the same quality. They may want to get a major developer to help them out here, otherwise this could be disasterous.

  • icecream_bowl

    Posted Jul 29, 2009 6:49 am GMT

    ghost hunters ftw

  • majere613

    Posted Jul 29, 2009 6:47 am GMT

    Well. This actually sounds like a genuinely interesting idea, which is a bit of a shock coming from the people who's last big idea was to rename their TV channel to the Polish for syphilis (iirc).
    Hopefully this one will work out a little better

  • scryren

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 11:03 pm GMT

    @steve256x: They changed the spelling so they could trademark it. And I still agree with Penny Arcade on the name change. *shudder*

  • cid_007

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 6:21 pm GMT

    Well this could be interesting. Sci Fi is great, but their new spelling, Syfy is not.

  • Godly_Kongming

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 4:38 pm GMT

    bertm1975.........Sci-Fi had Battlestar..PERIOD. Best directed show ever. If you have never seen it then you dont know what your saying that sci fi didnt have anything good..........But ya Why the frak did they pick up ECW? Yuck

  • jshaas

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 4:30 pm GMT

    @punanisher

    Ah touche... Vader=Metallica hahaha

    I don't really care about the thumbs up or down thing. Good point about the Sega CD.

  • ColdfireTrilogy

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 4:26 pm GMT

    Name annoys me. Looks very dumb on screen and generally just looks ..... dumb. Kind of like how this game will most likely end up.

  • Jhoalot

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 4:09 pm GMT

    OMG the fanboys are burning this new only for a name,a name! is not even a game is a name!

  • steve256x

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 3:46 pm GMT

    You people are idiots for complaining about the SyFy channel name. Say it with me out loud "SyFy" now say "Sci-Fi". Gee I guess they didnt change their name at all did they? They probaly changed it to make it appeal to a larger audience. Some dummys wont have anything to do with something thats "Science-Fiction". Now they'll be to dumb to know they are watching it.

  • DragonessAthena

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 2:31 pm GMT

    There's already a Stargate MMO being made.

  • vidplayer8

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 2:13 pm GMT

    Stargate Universe anyone?

    I hope not, but its the newest show I know for sure that is coming out soon
    btw, i hate the new name.

  • tremor33

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 2:12 pm GMT

    Another MMO? no thanks.

  • bertm1975 posted Jul 28, 2009 2:10 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    bertm1975

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 2:10 pm GMT (hide)

    So PS3 is getting a cheesy, Saturday creature feature MMO game? Or badly acted, so awful Uwe Boll wouldn't touch it game based on one of their film. Really, Sci-Fi/SyFy lost me when they aquired ECW (huh?) and became nothing but horrible film fest and awful show like Flash Gordon. Maybe Sony can venture into a deal with G4 too, make some Cops or Cheaters or whatever non-gaming show they have now.

  • SalarianChemist

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 2:05 pm GMT

    lol

    I think it's hilarious that ps3fanboys actually said they smelled the hand of Microsoft paying Sci-Fi channel to change their name to SyFy channel.

    Sorry, but companies like Microsoft, Nintendo, IBM, and HP are not responsible for everything that goes wrong in the world of the Sony...even if you consider Sci-Fi channel changing its logo to SyFy for a video game.

    Besides, with this much outcry from television viewers, I bet it won't be too long before we see commercials saying that the Sci-Fi channel has returned.

  • shii666

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 2:04 pm GMT

    I think this is a pretty cool idea, but what will happen when the show ends?

  • fester420

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 2:02 pm GMT

    It seems there are more comments about the television network's name change than the actual story.

  • totaleklypse

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 1:59 pm GMT

    mtv went mainstream now there is no music even on the channel lol. so my theory will be syfy will just end up a place where reality shows involving trekkies are played 24/7. within a few years of that it will be nothing but those shows as repeats with a dash of Sliders or something.

  • ZombieKingX

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 1:57 pm GMT

    Hmmmm.. not sure how well this would do simply because of how many MMOs are already coming out. I'll keep an eye on it of course, but yeah I agree with most when they say "SyFy? Wtf?". I'm gonna take a guess and say that it might be a Stargate MMO.

  • Pwnd56

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 1:56 pm GMT

    dang right, yixingtpot!

    Ok, now fanboys may be offended

  • Pwnd56

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 1:54 pm GMT

    While the name change is so retarded that i laughed out loud when i first saw it,
    this game sounds like a cool, new approach to create better community games than the x360.
    Fanboys, dont be offended!

  • M8ingSeezun

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 1:54 pm GMT

    From Sci-Fi to SyFy = quite possibly the dumbest most insecure pathetic way to make a network "feel better" about themselves.
    I mean seriously, they did that because of fear of being labeled as "geeky, dysfunctional (who isn't?), and antisocial." This logo change even furthers the stereotype. Dumb-sses.

  • Drake004

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 1:40 pm GMT

    but don't ever believe that a PC will ever Fall way side of a console just because its too hard and Expensive to upgrade. look at all the Games you have and add up the cost for 3 or 4 of them form either 360 or PS3, or even the Wii, New games range from $45.00 to $60.00 each what you spent on 3 games just bought a new 3D Video Card and some more ram, plus the Graphical Updates for PC are not Available for the Console, the Video cards in the Consoles will burn out and can not be replaced with out buying a new Console, the NES is a Dinosaur the Atari 2600 is a Fossil, SNES is Ancient, Dreamcast was dead before it hit the water, and PS and Xbox was just the Precursors to new technology, think before you Bash people because with all the hype all the systems still have its Flaws, and you can't count it out till its actually dead, I know a lot Of WoW users who would naw your arm off for bashing a PC, oh and if you want to make fun of me or try to nail me for anything try something other than my grammer or spelling, because thats just weak and small minded.

  • Drake004

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 1:40 pm GMT

    I now realize that the Idiocracy of most of these comments specially the ones with the negative context overly forced sense of doom before the project has even launched makes me think that those who now dislike SyFy channel are the ones who didn't want it to change because its becoming mainstream, and if this is the case then maybe you should possibly stop watching TV and go back to the VHS and Beta Max's because your basically saying you don't want them to become progressive and change to be more viewer friendly, you want all us gamer and SciFi geeks to be closeted and shunned for all time, Consoles have a place just as the Computer does too, and the Expense of Upgrades only depends on the actual components and requirements you are looking for for a specific game or for use, upgrading is actually easier than you think, but if your too lazy to actually use your brain and read instruction and follow them and rather have it done for you, then continue to rely on the more skilled and intellectually talented to do so and leave you behind. I doubt anyone who actually works on computers for a living or even has a degree in computer sciences would disagree, in 2 to 3 years there will be another console out and there goes another $300-$400 spent on the console, because it can't be upgraded with a simple part or update, if your so lazy then Buy a Mac, they simple and are easy to use,

  • GenkaiSIX

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 1:32 pm GMT

    Too bad Farscape isn't still on, I could see that playing out as an MMO easily.

  • Commisar123

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 1:32 pm GMT

    If its for a new Firefly or Battlestar show I'm buying a PS3

  • SalarianChemist

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 1:31 pm GMT

    This sounds pretty neat for gaming and future game concepts.

    But, there is something my friends and I have been discussing for about three weeks now:

    We really hate it that the Sci-Fi channel has changed their logo to the SyFy channel.

    This new SyFy logo is the dumbest thing my friends and I have ever seen. The commercial for this logo says "Imagine Greater." In my opinion, they need to keep on imagining! If the SyFy channel thinks that people like their new logo, it is only in their "imagination."

    The logo I loved best was the one for the Sci-Fi-HD with a big eliptical logo ring around the side. It really did make you feel like you were part of the High-Definition era watching the Sci-Fi channel. SyFy just doesn't do that for me.

  • GoldenRamoth

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 1:30 pm GMT

    I just want to say how much I hate the new name for Sci-fi Channel. I refuse to call it "SyFy" what a retarded thing to do.

    ---------------

    Amen.

    hopefully the game will be fun for all, even though i don't have a PS3.

  • alexkn64

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 1:25 pm GMT

    I just want to say how much I hate the new name for Sci-fi Channel. I refuse to call it "SyFy" what a retarded thing to do.

    ...Anyways, this seems to be Sony's answer to 1 vs 100. Developing their own interactive game.

  • GatCloudX

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 1:20 pm GMT

    i think how they changed the name from sci-fi to syfy is rediculous and stupid

  • punanisher

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 1:15 pm GMT

    @jshaas
    Darth Vader > Metallica
    For the record, it was not me who gave you that thumbs down. Yeah, this idea for a game/tv show is excellent in theory, but so was the Sega CD.

  • Zoomer30

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 1:07 pm GMT

    I think console gaming is alive and well, the Wii is a niche and if they dont find a few more tricks they will be left in the dust. And the Wii does fill a need: There are more KIDS on diabetic medications now then there were ADULTS 30-40 years ago. Anything to get that old heart rate about 20 will help the kids (also cutting 3-4 thousand cals a day would not hurt.)

    The thing that is dying is PC gaming. The PC is a dinosuar, too expensive to keep up, and its such a hassle to upgrade.

  • Zoomer30

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 1:04 pm GMT

    MST3k We could bash movies in this mmo

    I have no idea. Sounds a little iffy but I think as the years go by games, TV and the Internet will do a sorta technological mind-meld and almost be come one.

  • Godly_Kongming

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 12:54 pm GMT

    If they linked this with an amazing show like Battlestar it mite work......but now Battlestar is over. What does SciFi even have anymore? Maybe it could work with the new Stargate Universe?

  • yixingtpot

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 12:54 pm GMT

    console gaming is dying thanks to Wii60, Sony is the last hope to save this generation from idiot HaloMarioWiifit morons.

  • Inconnux

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 12:51 pm GMT

    interesting concept, hopefully they can pull it off. This would also help with the lagging sales of the PS3.

  • jshaas

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 12:48 pm GMT

    I think punanisher hit the nail on the head here. It is a really cool idea... with some big hurdles to overcome to be a success.



    Metallica>Megadeth

  • azaiarnyi

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 12:26 pm GMT

    Wow, just wow... Scifi actually used to be good.

  • punanisher

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 12:21 pm GMT

    This is kind of a sweet idea. 2 problems come to mind though. The first is a time zone issue. People in game from one part of the world spoiling the TV show crap for those who live in an area it hasn't aired yet. The other is the fact that this would require making a good tv show and maintaining a good game at the same time. Not a very likely scenario considering most mmo's are nothing spectacular and most tv shows are garbage.

  • bubnux

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 12:18 pm GMT

    Intersesting concept.

  • warrner11

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 12:13 pm GMT

    who ever came up with "syfy" should burn

  • Regisland posted Jul 28, 2009 12:12 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    Regisland

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 12:12 pm GMT (hide)

    the funny part? xbox has better online and most online games are going 4 ps3 lol

  • xaos

    Posted Jul 28, 2009 12:08 pm GMT

    I throw up a little in my mouth every time I see "SyFy"

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