The first email I received about the Novaquark MMORPG was on September 2, 2016, and it announced the Kickstarter campaign scheduled for September 7. A success one month later: approximately 10 players for a total of $000 million collected! Since then, the steps have been numerous: launch of a pre-alpha for approximately 1 players at the end of 2, a technical test which brings together more than 500 simultaneous players on the same planet in March 2018, a second alpha in July 30, a ultimate alpha in January 000, a beta in August 2019. These are also major features announced little by little, such as space stations in March 2019, PvP in June 2020, an updated avatar in July 2020, asteroids in August 2020. ..
All this to arrive at today's launch, Tuesday September 27th. Dual Universe is now playable via Steam, GeForceNow, and the official website of course. It was on this occasion that I was able to participate in a presentation with the Novaquark team.
At its heart, the game remains the same as the one I discovered during its alpha two years ago. A first-person MMORPG. A universe built and managed by the players. A single server, shared by everyone, persistent. A voxel manipulation tool, probably one of the most precise I have ever tested. These are not simple squares here, but complex shapes, with spheres and an interpolation system at the angles.
Player creations are everywhere. With ships, of course! We are in a science fiction game at the same time. But also Star Wars speeder-style vehicles, huge buildings and all kinds of decorations. Entire towns are springing up in certain regions, with dwellings regulated by an urban planning code which ensures a beautiful ensemble. Unexpected things too. Like this huge dragon statue that towers above us when we walk around.
The economy is free. Everything is bought and sold. This gives players the freedom to choose the role they want to fill. It will be enough to compensate the unwanted activities by trade. Some will stay on the ground and settle in a corner. For example, they will be able to manage a factory. Exploit the mining resources of a planet. Let their creative freedom flow to build buildings that will attract visitors.
Players create real marvels of ingenuity by combining voxels, interactive elements (such as doors, elevators, buttons, seats...) and the LUA programming language. On the program, all kinds of unexpected activities such as arcade games and racing games... Of course, the average player will already be happy to succeed in building a ship that takes off. Many elements have to be taken into account (stabilizers, engines, fuel tank, pilots' seat), a challenge in its own right. The laws that govern our reality, air friction and gravity for example, are simulated. If the ship is too heavy, it stays on the ground. If it is asymmetrical, it pitches. Getting something that flies and is stable has kept me busy for a while in the past. I'm sure I haven't improved and designing will take me just as long (although fortunately I'll be able to rely on my saved plans).
The more adventurous will choose to be merchants, selling and transporting products, or simply exploring the galaxy. An area, around the starting planet (Alioth), offers total tranquility. PvP combat is disabled. Beyond this, new opportunities open up for those who like confrontations, whether by becoming a pirate or guaranteeing the protection of trading or exploration vessels. Note that at launch, only two other solar systems are added: Jago & Teoma. The universe will gradually expand, as it did during the beta. All these activities can of course be experienced alone, or in organizations, which sometimes bring together hundreds of players.
It would take too long to describe Dual Universe to you in all its features. These big mining machines that need to be recalibrated. His space travels in first-person view from the ship's cockpit. The best thing is to find out for yourself. What a coincidence (or not): you can get started now via a free trial on Steam!
Don't hesitate to go to our Discord to share your ships, I'm sure you'll do much better than me! Please don't make fun of:
