Egosoft
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
|
| Type | GmbH |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1988 |
| Headquarters | Würselen, Germany |
| Key people | Bernd Lehahn, Managing Director |
| Industry | Video game industry |
| Products | Video games |
| Employees | ~20 |
| Website | egosoft.com |
Egosoft is a computer game developer founded in 1988 and based in Würselen, Germany. It become a commercial company in 1990. Its first products were for the Amiga, but it later became a PC game developer.[1]
Egosoft is best known for its X game series[2], a series of space simulator games noted for combining open-ended gameplay, dynamic market-driven economics and compelling storyline.[3] [4] The series began in 1999 with X: Beyond the Frontier. Since then, the series has expanded with two sequels and two standalone expansions; the latest being X3: Terran Conflict in 2008.
Contents |
[edit] Releases
Egosoft has released the following products:
- Hotel Detective (1988) for the Amiga, published by Euroline software.
- Fatal Heritage (1990) for the Amiga, published by FunSoft and Softgold.
- UGH (1992) for the Amiga, Published by Playbyte and Bluebyte.
- Flies Attack on Earth (1993) for Amiga and PC (MS-DOS).
- Imperium Romanum (1996) for MS-DOS.
- X Series
- X: Beyond the Frontier (1999) for Windows.
- X-Tension (2000) for Windows - X: Beyond the Frontier expansion pack.
- X2: The Threat (2003) for Windows and Linux (2006).
- X3: Reunion (2005) for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux (2008).
- X3: Terran Conflict (2008)
- X: Beyond the Frontier (1999) for Windows.
Linux versions of the X Series were developed by Linux Game Publishing. Mac OS X versions were developed by Virtual Programming. Ltd
Several of the X series have been released multiple times in special bundle packs or when a major update to the game was released. Notable releases include:
- X-Gold (2000), which features X: Beyond the Frontier and X-Tension
- X3: Reunion 2.0 (2006), featuring the Bala Gi Research Missions
- X3: Terran Conflict 2.0 (2009), featuring the Aldrin Expansion Missions
- X3-Gold (2009), which features X3: Reunion 2.5 and X3: Terran Conflict 2.0
[edit] Future Releases
In 2000, Egosoft planned a multiplayer Online game called Online Universe or X Online. This project was intended to be "the next step in the evolution of Egosoft's X universe."[5] Egosoft has since released a number of games, yet has given little indication of the progress of this project. In 2003 Egosoft staff were working on a later version - codenamed X2OL - which Egosoft Director Bernd Lehahn described as "our long term goal."[6][7] There is still no official information on the Online Universe, though there has been speculation that X2 and X3's 2007 uplink feature may be a positive spin-off of the project.[8]
[edit] Fan Community
Egosoft has attracted a community of over 300,000 members on their website's forum. Egosoft regularly uses this to provide news, updates and bonus game-related material to its members.
Within the X-Community exist:
- an X-Universe forum, in which members may ask questions, make comments, and share stories or advice about anything related to the X-Universe. Members often use this forum to share guides, maps, tactics, hints, and to discuss possible future developments.
- a Technical Support forum, where members can find on-line assistance for technical problems.
- a Scripting and Modding forum, where members can develop and share game modifications.
- a Creative Universe forum, for X-inspired fan-works such as graphic-art, fan-fiction, desktop-wallpapers, music, and video.
- an Off-Topic forum, for discussion unrelated to the X-Universe.
The forums are aimed at users 13 years old and over. The primary forums are in English and German, though other languages are available.
The community also includes a Developer Network - DevNet - which members may be able to join. However, access to these pages is restricted, and DevNet members are bound by a strict Non-disclosure agreement.
[edit] References
- ^ Michael Madden (2006-08-26). "Egosoft FAQ". Egosoft X-News. Egosoft. http://www.egosoft.com/x/xnews/200608_44NewsSpecial.html#story5. Retrieved 2009-04-25.
- ^ Josh Venning (2006-01-25). "X3 Reunion: New Rolling Demo Tested". AnandTech. AnandTech. http://www.anandtech.com/printarticle.aspx?i=2680. Retrieved 2008-02-11.
- ^ Wrentmore, John (2003-12-12). "X2 - The Threat Review". GameZone (GameZone Online). http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r19207.htm. Retrieved 2008-02-11.
- ^ Reed, Kristan (2005-11-06). "X3: Reunion". EuroGamer (Eurogamer Network Ltd). http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=61555. Retrieved 2008-02-11.
- ^ "ONLINE-UNIVERSE". Online Universe (Official Page). http://www.online-universe.net/44index.htm. Retrieved 2008-02-11.
- ^ Stokky (2003-05-10). "Interview: X2 - The Threat". playfuls.com. http://www.playfuls.com/gamespace_354_preview_2847_Interview_X_The_Threat_Egosoft.html. Retrieved 2008-02-11.
- ^ Presley, Paul (2003-04-19). "PC Preview: X2: The Threat". PC Zone (Future Publishing Limited.). http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=89980. Retrieved 2008-02-11.
- ^ Caesar S. (2008-01-03). "Egosoft updates X3: Reunion, X2: The Threat". QJ.net (Content Holdings, LLC.). http://www.qj.net/Egosoft-updates-X3-Reunion-X2-The-Threat/pg/49/aid/110949. Retrieved 2008-02-11.
|
|||||||||||||||||||
