Specials

Galaxy-News: When and why did you decide do create your first browser game Parsec?

Apocalyptica: The idea to develop browser games came to us while we were still working on ParaWorld. Browser games are excellent games to play during the long work hours and so we developed our own ideas. We started in January 2007.

Galaxy-News: Before founding pixeltamer.net you worked for the games developing company SEK. How far does this change your view point on PBBGs?

Apocalyptica: Coming from the PC games market gives us an edge in multiple areas of development. First, we're accustomed to professional production with schedules, budgets and accurate planning. Second, we strive to bring the look and feel of browser games up to par. Third, with our strong background in optimization we developed a custom server environment specialized in running web games.

Galaxy-News: How long did you guys know about browser games before founding pixeltamer?

Apocalyptica: We have been playing Browsergames for about 2 – 2 ½ years now. Half the firm used to pick out one or the other Browsergame and we played them together. We played Gangwars, Tribal Wars, Travian, Fatal Vortex and Omega Day only to name a few. So yes, we all are proper browsergame fanatics.

Galaxy-News: Do you think you will be able to compete with the "big games" published by major developing companies (e.g. BIGPOINT, GameForge...)?

Apocalyptica: We don't really see the big companies as a thread or something we have to compete against. We believe that if a browsergame is good, it will succeed. The market is huge, so there is still enough room left over for us

Galaxy-News: Please tell us about Parsec.

Apocalyptica: Parsec is a classical space strategy Browsergame with a few new inventions as in the next question. It plays in the years after the War of the Galaxies (8532) where nearly the whole universe was destroyed. In Parsec it's up to you whether you play solo or in an ally. At first you have to choose from two factions. The good Earthbound and the Roamer faction, the third faction, the space pirates, are AI driven and also play a main role in Parsec. You are the commander of your fleets. In time you be able to have more spaceships and more fleets as you level up. As a solo player you have plenty of quests where you can fight against the pirates, craft items for the space stations or look for those rare resources that can be found on some planets. Headhunting and defence against pirates are also there for the taking. For allies the main aim is to take back all the space stations from the enemy faction. This can be done on the weekends where we will be having space station sieges. Allies that own a space station can make extra Bexx (our currency in Parsec) to strengthen their Ally. Parsec is also a game of honour, as we have an honour point system which will give you a title and fame across the universe. There are many more features in Parsec to be discovered…

Galaxy-News: What makes it different from existing PBBGs?

Apocalyptica: Parsec is based on our AJAX technology and as such makes heavy use of modern web development techniques to improve the game interface. This provides better response times, less traffic and more interactivity for the user. On top of that, we have introduced many mmorpg features, like the XP System for instance. It makes for new and interesting gameplay as player can specialize in certain trades.

Galaxy-News: How many people are currently playing and what are your future plans for new features and yourself?

Apocalyptica: Currently we have just under 400 people in the closed beta. Once we release Parsec, we want to introduce special event servers. We are thinking of a Speed-Ally-Server and a Speed-Elite-Server where the top allies or the top players, depending which server is running, will be invited to fight against the best. Outside Parsec we are already working on the concept for our next Browsergame, which again will be very different to Parsec or what is currently on the market. But to that I can’t say anything as of yet.

Galaxy-News: When do you plan to go gold and open the gates to the public?

Apocalyptica: We plan to release Parsec in the beginning of May. We cannot give an exact date yet, as we have to wait and see what the rest of the beta will bring us.

Galaxy-News: Thanks a lot for your time. This is space for additional comments and to say good bye to our readers. Bye and good luck!

Apocalyptica: Thank you too. Looking forward to be seeing some of your readers in Parsec maybe. And gratz to your new Galaxy News international Website.