Gabbin' with Gamercide – Nice Technology

We at Gamercide had a chance to talk to the guys over at Nice Technology about their upcoming free to play MMO, Picaroon.  It's supposed to be a sort of semi-futuristic piratey MMO RTS, but isn't as complicated as it sounds.  Just read on to see what Nice Tech had to say.

Q – Can you give us a brief history of Nice Technology?

Nice Technology was formed in 2009 when it got together with Toby Simpson the developer of AliceServer the MMOG engine (unique, we believe, in having an agent based architecture) to develop the software further and self publish games made with it. Nice Technology has worked on two titles, one Tronji an MMOG for children developed for BBCW and Ragdoll which is currently in beta and Picaroon, an MMORTS, that Nice Technology has developed in just a year which is currently in closed beta.

Q – So what does the title "Picaroon" mean?

Well, we knew that the game was pirateish, theme-wise, but title ideas with the word pirate in just didn't feel right. Then one of our developers pointed out that Picaroon sort of meant the same thing and it sounds much, much cooler, as all words with two 'o's in do. Of course there's also the issue that if we mention pirates in the title, it sets people's expectations to a 17th and 18th century type setting whereas we've deliberately based Picaroon in some suitably grim future to allow us to pick and choose what technology we wish to use and not be limited to cannons, swords and parrots.

Q – What is the point of the game?  Aside from the obligatory pillaging and looting, of course.

The point of the game is simply to score as many points as possible, top the various ranking tables (there will be a number of different tables) and gain experience and rise through the ranks – but more than this have a great deal of fun, planning strategies, plotting, forging alliances and joining in the mayhem. Points are scored by conquering islands, attacking other players, tributing resources to powers that control what remains of the decimated world (in return you get some really powerful units in the end game phase of each round).

Q – What gave you the idea to make a game about futuristic pirates?  Are there any space ninjas in the game?

We chose the theme to give us the creative freedom to combine old and new technologies and weapons in myriad and interesting ways. But currently there are lots of variety of units and buildings on offer and specials, virtual cards, that boost your performance (whether in attack, defence, building, resource gathering etc). There is the excitement of the end game where superships and supersubs (nuclear missile carrying) enter the fray and change the balance of the game. And there are lots of plans for new units including mobile attack and static defence platforms that players have the freedom to create themselves from the various resources on offer.

There are not any space ninjas in the game as far as we're aware, but as you know: if there were, you'd never see them anyway; Ninjas are just that sneaky.

Q – Do you have any plans to release any games on consoles such as the Xbox 360, PS3, or Wii?

We're currently only planning a PC release along with an iPhone and iPad client next year. We're going to be creating totally new ways of playing Picaroon such as quick-fire Skirmish games and long-term persistent games. These new modes appeal to different people and perhaps might create a demand on other platforms which we would be more than delighted to look at.

Q – What in the world is a Tronji?

Tronjis are friendly creatures from another planet that was always happy until their world collided with ours and became less happy! Children enter the world to fix things, help Tronjis and create more happiness.

Q – Can you tell us what your plans for the future are?  Will you devote your time to expanding Picaroon, or will you continue to make new games as you support it?

We're going to be devoting our time to expanding Picaroon for the time being. We've got a packed schedule for the first quarter of next year that adds the new game modes mentioned above and also a whole pile of wonderful new features including customisable units that'll allow for potentially millions of possible combinations. We can't way to see what our players will create! We're also going to bringing Tronji to commercial release and we're looking at something... well, something REALLY special that we're going to work on from mid next year!

Q – Anything else you'd like to add?  Feel free to self-advertise here, that's kind of the point.

The technology that powers Picaroon and Tronji is inspired by biology and it's capable of doing some other really amazing things. We've had prototypes in the past where we've created entire universes in a matter of seconds populated by vast numbers of plants, animals and other such stuff. We're dead proud of what we've achieved with Picaroon and Tronji given that there's just a few of us but this is all just the tip of the iceberg! Perhaps something with space ninjas?

It certainly seems that Nice Technology is determined to live up to their namesake.  Check out some footage of the game below, and go to the Picaroon website and check out the free to play Beta.  The final build of the game will also be free to play, and is planned to be released sometime this winter.