Stargate Worlds
Unreleased MMORPG based on Stargate SG-1.
Stargate Worlds (SGW) was a planned massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) for Microsoft Windows that never saw release. Development was handled by Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment (CME) alongside Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), with FireSky slated to publish it. The game drew its setting from the military sci-fi series Stargate SG-1, centering on the ancient device known as the Stargate.
In 2006, CME and MGM jointly announced a video game set in the Stargate universe. FireSky confirmed its involvement in 2008. On March 25, 2010, FireSky announced on its website that CME had entered receivership, halting production. No release date was ever disclosed before cancellation. The licensing agreement between CME and MGM expired on November 16, 2010, and the servers for the related Stargate: Resistance shut down on January 15, 2011. By 2012, development was confirmed canceled, with at least two investor lawsuits filed against former CME chairman and CEO Gary Whiting and other executives.
Development began in February 2006, when CME and MGM announced work on the MMORPG. Later that year, CME released concept art and revealed the use of Unreal Engine 3—the first public showing of computer-generated art for the game. In November 2006, CME stated the project had moved from pre-production into full production, releasing new images to mark the milestone. Stargate SG-1 co-creator Brad Wright served as a creative consultant, and developer Chris Klug noted that the universe's "breadth of content" made game creation straightforward. Progress slowed significantly due to the Great Recession of 2007. FireSky partnered with Convergys Corporation to provide customer support, aiming to deliver the "best" gaming experience "ever." In 2009, Wright expressed doubts about the game's release in a GateWorld interview, though a FireSky marketing manager insisted development continued and that financial arrangements were being made. Closed beta registration opened for those 18 and older, with participants chosen randomly. On February 12, 2010, CME filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, putting development on hold, and the project was ultimately canceled.
The game was set in the early seasons of Stargate SG-1, before the Atlantis expedition and the Ori story arc. It would have explored the Furling, a race mentioned but unseen in the show.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Stargate Worlds
- Developer
- Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment
- Publisher
- FireSky
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 3
- Released
- Cancelled
- Genre
- MMORPG
- Modes
- Multiplayer
- Platforms
- Microsoft Windows
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
CME and MGM announced in February 2006 that work had begun on Stargate Worlds. CME released concept art in late 2006 and announced the use of Unreal Engine 3. In November 2006, the game moved from pre-production to production. Showrunners of Stargate SG-1, including co-creator Brad Wright, served as creative consultants. Development slowed due to the Great Recession of 2007. FireSky struck a deal with Convergys Corporation for customer support. In 2009, Wright expressed doubts about the game's release, though FireSky's marketing manager stated it was still in development. Registrations for a closed beta were accepted for those aged 18 and over. On February 12, 2010, CME filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy with development on hold. The project was cancelled. The license agreement between CME and MGM expired on November 16, 2010, and related servers shut down on January 15, 2011. In 2012, it was reported that development was cancelled with investor lawsuits filed against former executives.
Reader's Guide
Stargate Worlds was significant as an ambitious attempt to bring the Stargate SG-1 universe into the MMORPG genre, but it never reached release. Its development was marked by financial difficulties, including the Great Recession and CME's bankruptcy filing. The game would have explored the Furling race and featured playable races such as Tau'ri, Goa'uld, Jaffa, and Asgard. Archetypes included Archaeologist, Asgard, Goa'uld, Jaffa, Scientist, and Soldier, each with unique abilities and specialization trees. The game's cancellation left a gap in Stargate gaming, with only a few other titles released. Its legacy is as a cautionary tale of overambitious game development and the impact of economic downturns on the industry.
Did You Know?
- The game would have explored the Furling, a race mentioned but unseen in the show, though no official canon or developer statements described them as a single entity stretching across time.
- Playable races were confirmed as Tau'ri, Goa'uld, and Jaffa; the Asgard were not intended as a playable race but may have appeared as non-player characters (NPCs).
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