Imperium Galactic War

Last updated
Imperium Galactic War
Imperium Galactic War Logo.png
Developer(s)
Publisher(s)
Director(s)
  • Mike Wallis
  • Chris Bernert
  • John Balestrieri
  • Mikołaj Marcisz
Writer(s) John Karnay
Platform(s) Browser, Microsoft Windows, macOS
ReleaseFebruary 16, 2013
Genre(s) Massively multiplayer online real-time strategy
Mode(s) Multiplayer

Imperium Galactic War (abbreviated IGW) [1] is a massively multiplayer online real-time strategy game by Vavel Games, originally developed and published by Kabam in 2013. [2] [3] The game runs on a freemium model, and is supported through the use of microtransactions.

Massively multiplayer online real-time strategy game (MMORTS) mixes the genres of real-time strategy and massively multiplayer online games, possibly in the form of web browser-based games, in which a very large number of players interact with one another within a virtual world. Players often assume the role of a general, king, or other type of figurehead leading an army into battle while maintaining the resources needed for such warfare. The titles are often based in a sci-fi or fantasy universe and are distinguished from single or small-scale multiplayer RTSes by the number of players and common use of a persistent world, generally hosted by the game's publisher, which continues to evolve even when the player is offline.

Freemium business model and software licensing scheme in which the basic form of a product is free of charge but additional features requires payment

Freemium, a portmanteau of the words "free" and "premium", is a pricing strategy by which a product or service is provided free of charge, but money (premium) is charged for additional features, services, or virtual (online) or physical (offline) goods. The business model has been in use by the software industry since the 1980s as a licensing scheme. A subset of this model used by the video game industry is called free-to-play.

Microtransactions are a business model where users can purchase virtual goods with micropayments. Microtransactions are often used in free-to-play games to provide a revenue source for the developers. While microtransactions are a staple of the mobile app market, they are also seen on PC software such as Valve Corporation's Steam digital distribution platform, as well as console gaming.

Contents

The premise of the game is simple; players begin by picking which faction they would like to be a part of. There are three factions. The Tyrannar Empire, The Sovereignty, and The Intergalactic Alliance. Whichever decision the player makes, will ultimately effect the way the rest of their game-play looks, feels, and functions. Each player has their own starbase, and fleets they have to upgrade in order to defend themselves from other players, or even attack other players and non-player characters (NPCs). Players can earn experience points and level up by upgrading their fleets and starbase, completing game missions, and engaging in live combat with other players and NPCs.

A starbase is a facility, often in space, used in science fiction works such as Star Trek, Babylon 5, and Firefly. Typically they act as drydocks, battle stations or trading outposts.

A non-player character (NPC), also known as a non-playable character, is any character in a game which is not controlled by a player. In video games, this usually means a character controlled by the computer via algorithmic, predetermined or responsive behavior, but not necessarily true artificial intelligence. In traditional tabletop role-playing games, the term applies to characters controlled by the gamemaster or referee, rather than another player.

An experience point is a unit of measurement used in tabletop role-playing games (RPGs) and role-playing video games to quantify a player character's progression through the game. Experience points are generally awarded for the completion of missions, overcoming obstacles and opponents, and for successful role-playing.

Plot

Development

Original directors, developers, and producers included Mike Wallis, who has worked on titles such as Eve Online , and Chris Bernert, whose titles include games like The Lord of the Rings Online , and Dungeons & Dragons Online . [4] Current directors, developers, and producers include John Balestrieri, who oversaw the original game's development, and is an adviser to international gaming and media companies around the world, and Mikołaj Marcisz. Marcisz is the co-founder of Vavel, and is the adviser to a number of gaming companies, he graduated from the Warsaw School of Film Video Game Development Course. [5]

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<i>The Lord of the Rings Online</i> video game

The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar is a massive multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) for Microsoft Windows and OS X set in a fantasy universe based upon J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth writings, taking place during the time period of The Lord of the Rings. It launched in North America, Australia, Japan, and Europe in 2007. Originally subscription-based, it is free-to-play, with a paid VIP subscription available that provides players various perks.

<i>Dungeons & Dragons Online</i> video game

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Shutdown and revival

The original iteration of the game shut down as of November 4, 2013, within the same year it started. This occurred due to layoffs at the game's original company, Kabam. [6]

On March 31, 2017, Imperium Galactic War was acquired by Vavel Games from AfterShock (formerly Kabam). [7] Vavel's CEO John Balestrieri had been the Tech Director on the project. The game is being developed in order to bring it back to the online, and eventually PC base.

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References

  1. "IGW - Imperium Galactic War Official". Official IGW Facebook Group. Retrieved 2018-07-03.
  2. "Imperium: Galactic War Review - Gamezebo". Gamezebo. 2013-05-28. Retrieved 2018-06-29.
  3. "Imperium Galactic War – Vavel Game Studios". www.vavel.gs. Retrieved 2018-06-29.
  4. "Kabam Austin duo launch mobile MMO studio". MCV. Retrieved 2018-06-29.
  5. "Team – Vavel Game Studios". www.vavel.gs. Retrieved 2018-06-29.
  6. "Kabam shutting down Imperium: Galactic War, lays off game dev team". Polygon. Retrieved 2018-06-28.
  7. "Vavel Games announces Re-Release of Imperium Galactic War – Vavel Game Studios". www.vavel.gs. Retrieved 2018-06-28.