In this comprehensive interview with Bigpoint Games CTO Jan Wergin, we ask all the Battlestar Galactica Online questions that we didn't have time to cover at E3

Gamers caught their first glimpse of the upcoming Battlestar Galactica Online (BSG Online) earlier this month at E3, when developer Bigpoint Games released the MMO's first teaser trailer and showcased some early, in-game footage. Inspired by the SyFy Channel's "re-imagined" Battlestar Galactica TV series from producers Ronald D. Moore and David Eick, Bigpoint is developing the free-to-play, browser-based MMO with the Unity game engine. Since ZAM didn't have time to talk about BSG Online with the developers at E3, we decided to pursue a more comprehensive Q&A instead. This week we talk to Bigpoint Games CTO Jan Wergin from the company's headquarters in Germany, where it reigns supreme as the country's largest games portal (and one of the top three in the world).

In this interview we get a heap of detailed answers about the upcoming Battlestar Galactica MMO from Wergin, who says the free-to-play, browser based game couldn't be in better hands. Wergin confirms that series producers Moore and Eick were both involved in the MMO's development, and explains why some of the most cynical fans were impressed with Bigpoint's use of the Unity game engine. We learn more about the MMO's third-person "avatar mode" and the full range of PvP and PvE gameplay available for both "Human" and "Cylon" factions. Finally, Wergin describes BSG Online's micro-transaction revenue model (if you can buy it, you can earn it for free) and drops a few hints about more details that might be announced next month at Comic Con in San Diego. If you're a fan of Battlestar Galactica, this is one interview you don't want to miss; check out ZAM's full Q&A after the jump!

ZAM: How was the idea for a Battlestar Galactica MMO born as a concept, and later green-lighted for development?

Jan Wergin: The collaboration between NBCU, Syfy and Bigpoint began right around the time of the investment by Peacock Equity Fund and GMT. When these deals happen, it makes sense to find synergies and opportunities to leverage each other's strengths, so we were allowed to look at NBCU's top IP and decide what kind of licensing opportunities made sense to Bigpoint. When we realized that Battlestar Galactica was one of the top IPs available, we jumped at the chance to develop within this rich universe that has been so lovingly recreated by Moore and Syfy. Browser-based MMOGs are Bigpoint's specialty and we knew that this universe could be richly interpreted as an MMOG because of the nature of the action in the TV series, which is primarily space-based combat and the tension created by two factions (Cylon-Human), one struggling to survive against incredible odds and the other which is hunting down its only remaining threat in the galaxy. The process of NBCU's investment and this collaboration was nearly simultaneous. 

ZAM: Was it an obvious choice to base the MMO on Ronald D. Moore's re-imagined series, as opposed to the original TV show?

Wergin: The reimagined TV series by Moore is some of the best TV of all time and we at Bigpoint are huge fans. The fans want to see a reflection of his masterful creative work in the game so we are determined to give them what they want. If some fans also want to see us pay homage to the original series, then I encourage them to sign up on our Battlestar Galactica website, play the game and tell us how they would like to see Bigpoint introduce some classic content into the game. That's the benefit of being browser-based, we can listen to the fan's feedback and if Syfy approves, then we can implement content that addresses the demand of the fanbase.

ZAM: Are either of the show's producers—Ronald Moore or David Eick—serving as consultants, or in any way a part of the MMO's development? 

Wergin: Bigpoint's creative teams have been working hand in hand with Universal Cable Productions and Syfy to make sure that we honor this IP and its fans with our best effort. Moore and his creative team have been involved and have personally approved the elements of the game and how we market it, including the well received trailer we debuted during E3 Expo.

ZAM: Can you tell us about anyone else from the TV show that is involved in BSG Online? Will any of the original actors be providing voice work?

Wergin: We are hoping to announce more details about talent involvement at Comic Con in San Diego.

ZAM: Is original series composer and musician Bear McCreary involved with the MMO's music in any way? If not, did SyFy license any of the TV soundtrack for BSG Online?

Wergin: He is involved in the game soundtrack and we have licensed the compositions from the show to insure that gamers are fully immersed in a Battlestar Galactica experience as soon as they log on.

ZAM: BSG Online was announced as a "browser-based MMO," developed using the popular Unity 3D graphics engine. It's a powerful engine compared to something like Flash, but is it advanced enough to provide the immersive, 3D demands of an MMO?

Wergin: Absolutely! It's unfortunate that we didn't connect at E3, because we decided to show it early to the games media to show exactly how robust the Unity engine is and how far browser-based games have come.  The screens that accompany this interview are pulled directly from the game with no after-effects, these are high-quality graphics, compelling and deep gameplay that surprised many of our most cynical friends in the media. Fans of the show and fans of MMOs in general have every incentive to play Battlestar Galactica Online when it is released this winter, because it is totally free and will work in any major browser including Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer.

ZAM: How is the "persistent world" that defines an MMO represented in BSG Online?

Wergin: Bigpoint takes all of its creative cues from the mythos of the Battlestar Universe, so all of the tension and atmosphere is IP correct. The explorable universe seems infinite, but will have touch-points to major plot points from the show and players will feel like they are on the same journey.

ZAM: We've heard BSG Online will feature both "third-person avatar" and "ship combat" gameplay modes. Can you give us an example scenario of each gameplay type(specifically the avatar gameplay, since we've already seen video of ship combat)?

Wergin: At E3 Expo we demonstrated a technical demo of Battlestar Galactica Online that proved the strength of the Unity engine and proved that Bigpoint is on the right creative path for the game. Most of the action that is currently in development will be space-based combat, but there will be an out-of-ship experience that we will be announcing at a later date. All that we can confirm right now is that players will have a fully customizable avatar and there will be a portion of the game for those avatars.

ZAM: SyFy's recent BSG series had a distinct story, with a beginning, middle and end. When will the MMO pick up from Season 2 of the TV show, and what is the primary story arc that will drive the MMO?

Wergin: We are taking our creative inspiration from Season 2 because it was when the tension between Cylons and Humans was at its pinnacle. Battlestar Galactica Online is an addictive experience within the Battlestar Universe. It's not meant to faithfully recreate exact episodes from the show or place the gamer in the role of "new guy" in the fleet, as that would break the narrative of the show. Battlestar Galactica Online is an extension of the story and designed to capture all of the battles and moments that occurred in between episodes, when the only thing that mattered was the fleet's survival or destruction.