In a recent press release, publisher Bigpoint unveiled new details about Battlestar Galactica Online's player characters, missions and ship classes

Shortly after the Battlestar Galactica Online official teaser trailer was released at E3 last month, ZAM got in touch with publisher Bigpoint Games to learn more about the upcoming MMO in one of the most extensive Q&As to date. We were able to confirm several important facts about the free-to-play MMO from Bigpoint CTO Jan Wergin, including some behind-the-scenes production details (Ronald D. Moore and David Eick were both involved in the development process, among other Battlestar alumni like series composer Bear McCreary). However, when it came to specific gameplay details, Wergin remained relatively tight-lipped, promising that more info would be released at this year's Comic Con in San Diego (currently underway until July 25). In press release issued yesterday, Bigpoint summarizes a few of the Battlestar Galactica Online gameplay details being unveiled this weekend at the convention.

Bigpoint confirms that new players will have the opportunity to create a pilot belonging to either the Human or Cylon faction, capable of developing their character "into a skilled and experienced officer capable of using the most advanced combat systems and commanding the largest and most powerful ships," according to the release. Characters will be fully customizable and represented by an in-game avatar, earning experience points to gain higher ranks and new skills. The release also announces two mission types that will be available; "Story Missions" and "Assignments." Story missions drive the ongoing plot and are gradually unlocked as players progress through the ranks, rewarding them with XP, resources and ship systems. Players obtain daily Assignments missions by talking to important characters at their home fleets, or performing "Duties," which are part of Battlestar Galactica Online's achievement system.

Finally, Bigpoint announces new details about ship classes and ship customization. The MMO will feature several playable ship classes, divided into three "tiers," depending on the size of the ships and their role in the fleet. Tiers consist of small, medium and large, while roles are distinguished by Offensive, Defensive and Command classes. "Each ship class has a specific number of slots for Ship Systems, which are items that grant ships abilities and bonuses when installed," the release states. "There are four general categories of ship systems (Weapon, Hull, Engine and Computer) and three sizes (small, medium and large)." Players begin with small ships, but collect resources and gain XP to requisition larger vessels (multiple ships can also be obtained, allowing players to pilot different classes). "The different combinations of ship class and systems determine what a character can do in combat, and their skills determine how well they can do it, allowing for a huge variety of different playstyles and combat roles," the release states. "Each standard ship can be upgraded into an elite version of its class. The upgraded versions of each ship class will have additional system slots, stronger and more durable hulls, and visual customization options."

Battlestar Galactica Online will launch later this fall at SyFy.com. Read the full press release after the jump, and check out ZAM's BSG Online portal site for more news and information.

Robust Avatar and Ship Customization, PVE and PVP Quest System and Exciting Tactical Space Combat Anchor the Free-To-Play MMOG

Game Launches Exclusively This Fall At Syfy.com

San Francisco, July 22, 2010 – The global market leader in browser-based massively multiplayer online  games (MMOG), Bigpoint, (http://www.bigpoint.net/) today revealed new details regarding the upcoming Battlestar Galactica Online. Developed by Artplant (http://artplant.no), a Norwegian development studio specializing in MMO games and published by Bigpoint, Battlestar Galactica Online will be one of the most ambitious browser-based games ever developed, featuring next-generation graphics and compelling MMO gameplay yet to be seen in a high-quality free-to-play, download-free browser-based game. Battlestar Galactica Online is licensed through Universal Partnerships & Licensing, on behalf of the NBC Universal Television Consumer Products Group. The game will launch exclusively at Syfy.com this fall.

"Bigpoint's goal is to raise expectations on what can be achieved in a browser-based game," explains Heiko Hubertz, CEO and founder of Bigpoint . "Battlestar Galactica Online is the perfect license to help us elevate the consumer's understanding of this genre of gaming and reach gamers who have never tried a free-to-play game."

"Syfy's Battlestar Galactica TV series is a rich universe for Bigpoint to mold into an exciting MMOG experience," explains Jan Wergin, CTO of Bigpoint . "We've partnered with the creative forces behind the hit show to ensure the authenticity of our game design and identify story and character elements that Bigpoint can add to the Battlestar Galactica mythology."

Building upon a strong showing at this year's E3 Expo in Los Angeles, Bigpoint is sharing more details about Battlestar Galactica Online's player customization, leveling and quest features based upon the hit TV series:

Player Avatar Customization, XP and Ranks:

Players in Battlestar Galactica Online take on the role of a pilot in their chosen faction's military - either a 'nugget' recently recruited from the human civilian fleet or a recently generated Cylon 'pilot mind'. From these humble beginnings, players can develop their character into a skilled and experienced officer capable of using the most advanced combat systems and commanding the largest and most powerful ships. Upon starting the game the player will be able to fully customize their avatar. This avatar will be used for the out of ship gameplay experience and in their respective faction's homebase. A primary form of character progression in Battlestar Galactica Online is through the accumulation of experience points (XP). Characters earn XP by performing various in-game actions, and these XP are used to determine the character's rank and to train Skills. There will be 20 ranks available at launch for Battlestar Galactica Online.

Player Missions:

There are two types of missions in Battlestar Galactica Online - Story Missions and Assignments. Each faction has a series of Story Missions that introduce players to the game and gradually reveal their role in the struggle between Humans and Cylons. Characters will unlock access to story missions at specific ranks, and may accept them by talking to the military leader of their fleet. Story missions are designed to reveal to the player key plot points in the conflict, reward players with XP, resources and occasionally ship systems.

In addition, characters can receive daily Assignments by talking to important characters at their home fleets, or perform Duties. Assignments present the character with a specific task to complete, such as defeating a certain number of enemy players in combat or harvesting a certain amount of resources, and reward them with XP and resources. Duties are part of Battlestar Galactica Online's achievement system. Completed Duties will reward the player with XP rewards and titles. Each title has a small bonus associated with it, and characters may choose a single 'active' title from all those that they have unlocked.

Ship Classes and Customization:

Each faction in Battlestar Galactica Online has several playable ship classes, divided into three 'tiers' by size (small, medium and large) and role (Offensive, Defensive and Command). Each ship class has a specific number of slots for Ship Systems, which are items that grant ships abilities and bonuses when installed. There are four general categories of ship systems (Weapon, Hull, Engine and Computer) and three sizes (small, medium and large). In addition, most systems have several levels of increasing in power and effectiveness. Characters begin the game with a small ship, but by collecting enough resources can requisition additional ships, and by earning enough XP can qualify to command larger vessels. Eventually, a character can own several ships of different classes. By allocating XP, characters can train the skills required to use additional types and higher levels of ship systems, which can be requisitioned with resources. Battlestar Galactica Online is designed to promote flexibility and freedom of choice for its players and will not forced players into flying particular types or sizes of ship, but there will be advantages for certain types of ships depending on the quest and gameplay situation.

The different combinations of ship class and systems determine what a character can do in combat, and their skills determine how well they can do it, allowing for a huge variety of different playstyles and combat roles. Each standard ship can be upgraded into an elite version of its class. The upgraded versions of each ship class will have additional system slots, stronger and more durable hulls, and visual customization options.

About Battlestar Galactica Online

Players will be able to choose to play as cylons or humans in a constant struggle to control the universe or just survive its perils. A blend of tactical space combat, exploration, and mission-based gameplay will provide a diverse experience. The dramatic missions will define the game's overall storyline, enabling the player to delve into mysteries of the Battlestar universe. Battlestar Galactica Online will create a new standard for web games, with beautiful graphics and innovative game mechanics bringing a new level of game play to browser based MMOG. Assets from the television production will be integrated into the game to deliver an even more authentic experience. For more information on the game please visit - http://www.bgo.bigpoint.com.