Miner Wars, an MMO for PC and ... XBLA?

by Ben Gilbert on Jul 16th 2009 8:45PM

File this one under the "We couldn't have seen it coming from a mile away" category: Keen Software House announced today its forthcoming game, a space shooter MMO named Miner Wars, for release on PC and Xbox Live Arcade. Yep, that's right folks, an MMO could quite possibly hit the Xbox 360's Live Arcade service before landing on the console proper, as this one's billed for an "Autumn 2009 World Premiere."

Wait, does that mean a fall release? KSH's Marek Rosa told Joystiq, "World premiere means game release, but it's possible we will move this date to Q1/2010, because we don't want to fight with games like Call Of Duty, etc., but the official date right now is Autumn 2009." And will Miner Wars support cross-platform play between the Xbox 360 and PC? Hmmm?

"Cross-platform PC and Xbox is something I would like to have -- there will probably be some compromises, but I will fight for it," Rosa told us. He says since the game is being developed currently using the XNA development tools, a PlayStation 3 port is unlikely, though a 2D iteration of Miner Wars is planned for the PSP and iPhone following the completion of the XBLA/PC game.

[Via Big Download]

Miner Wars

Tags: keen-software-house, Microsoft, miner-wars, mmo, pc, shooter, space, xbla, Xbox-360

Reader Comments (43)

"though a 2D iteration of Miner Wars is planned for the PSP and iPhone following the completion of the XBLA/PC game."

that's... kinda strange...

This does not look that good, I think this should just be for the Xbox Live Arcade...why bother putting this on the PC?

Because it can prove how effective cross-platform gaming could be. Why not have it?

Well that was just my opinion.....I guess I understand what you mean though.

@ whylekat

The problem is that cross-platform gaming doesn't work with MMO's when the platforms include the PC. Unlike on the PC, 360/PS3 game developers have to submit their patches to Microsoft/Sony in order to have it tested before it can be released on the respective consoles. If something is discovered wrong with the patch, it has to be sent back to the developer to be fixed before it can be resubmitted. Basically, the process makes patches take longer to be released than they would normally be if they were just on the PC.

Since MMO's require everyone to be playing the same version, all the patches would have to be delayed until they were ready to be released at the same time. This would result in PC gamers having patches delayed while they were waiting for the console maker to approve the patch. Since MMO's thrive on the ability for the developer to patch the game quickly to fix any bugs, add content, etc the PC gamers would end up going elsewhere since the patches took too long to be released. There are plenty of other MMO's out there for PC gamers wanting to play a game in that genre that don't require that extra time spent between patches.

Unless Sony/Microsoft change the way they handle patches (not that there is necessarily anything wrong with the way they handle them), I don't think you will see a truly successful cross-platform MMO. The PC gamers simply won't sit by and pay for one game where they have to wait for a long time for the patches to come out when there are alternatives out there for them to choose.

@JimboTJones

Nice Research and article! Seriously, that is pretty impressive for just a comment.

Did they use Stephen Hawking for the voiceovers?

Is it just me or is there an ugly mustard stain right next to the xbox tag?

Who approved that fucking title?

Not who but what approved the title. LOL

oh man...I was hoping that it would be like an MMO version of Motherload, the flash game. I love that game its so addictive and fun. Someone should make an arcade version of that

this is fucking awesome, ive been dieing for an mmo (since i never really play them) that could entertain me. i know biowares the old republic will, but an arcade game to hold me over till then would be nice.

Actually for an MMO it makes more sense. 1) It means that a majority of the folk who will download it will do so to a Hard Disk Drive.
2) Also, it means that getting expansions etc. in should be theoretically much easier.
For folks thinking about why PC, if they are developing using XNA, one can automatically generate a PC port without too much of hassle. A majority of the code written in XNA should be cross compatible between a Windows based PC & the Xbox360.

This is a bit off topic, but what happened to Champions Online and Star Trek Online. I haven't heard much about them lately.

star trek got cancelled didnt it? and champions still happening for pc, but for the consoles idk but i hope so

Okay, I checked Cryptic Studios website. Star Trek Online is still being made for PC & consoles. Champions Online is just PC. Sorry, Clinton.

Leroy, if you want to keep up to date on MMOs, I highly recommend Joystiq's sister site Massively.com. They even have RSS feeds broken down by game, so you can subscribe to just the news relating to Champions Online and STO.

i saw this vid on the side yesterday i think. when i saw the title i thought of red faction. then i thought of one of my favorite lines from 'galaxy questionable' 'miners not minors'. i also remembered it's been awhile since i've played decent

pew pew pew.

Lol I'll keep an eye on this some what. It looks like it can be kind of interesting but I'm not going to put no stress over it.

A little late in the dev cycle to still be fighting for major features like cross-platform compat, no?

man idk if that could look anymore boring

Looks like fun :D

All the upbeat music in the world couldn't make that look exciting.

Bah, I take that back. I shouldn't judge it so early.

^
Way to stick to your guns

Some of the in asteroid stuff reminds me of Decent.

Ben Gilbert: English for "Can't remember Final Fantasy XI"

Anyone remember Armada 2 for Dreamcast? Never made it out, but did end up hitting PC as Armada Online. This looks staggeringly similar to that.

To what are you referring, scalleywag?!

Weirdest sound effects I've heard for a space game.

There's no way I'd pay a monthly fee for just that.

Looks like it might be neat...

I think it looks like a Descent clone.

"Crazy Space-Peace militants!"

Wait, what?

In order for an MMO to work a lot of people have to play it. I don't see that happening from what the video showed.

This reminds me of Descent...

God I miss 95.

so uhh...what exactly do you do?

It seems pretty obvious what you do. You fly around space, living the dangerous and exciting life of a space miner. You will have wars with rival space miners. You will be able to sell your payload at the nearest port, and use your money to buy strong drink and cheap women.

Isn't that all obvious from the title?

Attack!

Ok. Let's rock!

(as they fly through a rock)

You should be shot

haha

Man, I was excited about this game until I saw this trailer. I _really_ hope that's a way early build of the game. The ships not projecting light outside, the horrific voice (is that cg voice? Nah, it would sound better), and, hey, way to distinguish the good guys from the bad guys - the ships look all exactly the same!

Minor wars? I thought that was Halo...

Oh min"e"r wars... carry on.

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Miner Wars, an MMO for PC and ... XBLA?

Miner Wars

Reader Comments (43)

Posted: Jul 16th 2009 8:51PM Sly C said

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