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Chris Jones Gaming - The Ultimate Universe - and Chris Jones Media

Gaming Evolution

15 years ago we delivered a downloadable product that went viral, the beginning of our Gaming Evolution.

I was interviewed recently regarding that successful undertaking. A link to the interview follows..

It was dream for a long time to launch a digital marketing agency.

As early as 1993, before ‘Chris Jones Media’ existed, I was building websites for real estate agents, and had a side business with on-site computer consulting, taking care of software issues for customers in their own home.

This continued while I was involved in PC Gaming, modifying existing games, in the science fiction genre, with improved graphics, sound effects, and gameplay.

This evolved into leading a team of about 20 people on a mission to completely transform a particular PC Game into something much better than it was.

I was interviewed in March 2023 about this game modification by some fans of our ‘mod’. In this interview I talk about organizing teams, accomplishing goals and becoming sought after.

See it here:  https://lnkd.in/g5nWJf2Z

Our modification of a #startrek pc game garnered many thousands of downloads and is still downloaded to this day.

I mention my gaming days because of the challenges involved in coordinating people from around the world in different time zones and with conflicting personalities.

Along the way I developed a deep understanding of what consumers need and want, and how to communicate with them effectively.

This, coupled with being in Radio Broadcasting and Face to Face sales in various industries, led to a deep understanding of consumer pain points, and the methods to take care of them.

This is my Gaming Evolution.

Because of that, I formed Chris Jones Media. Initially I was building Websites – and later added Voice and Video Creation services, along with business advice.

Over the past year, with a few collaborations and work hiccups I came to understand true teamwork and it became apparent that my long held dream can be done: I have built a digital agency at chrisjonesmedia.com. That is my ‘Gaming Evolution’.

My experiences in the gaming industry set me up for what is happening today. As Sir Patrick Stewart said more than once, “Make It So”!

Chris Jones Gaming

Make A Game

At one point Chris Jones Gaming was considering making a game. This was about 15 years ago when we were modifying Star Trek games.

It hasn’t happened, but who is to say it won’t happen. If we were to do that, here’s a bit of what’s involved.

Making a science fiction game involves a lot of stuff, as you might know, including:

  1. Concept development: Developing the game concept, which involves creating the storyline, characters and their interaction with each other, and the setting. This is the foundation upon which the game will be built, where it starts.
  2. Game engine selection: The game engine is the software framework that is used to create the game. Popular game engines used for science fiction games include Unreal Engine, Unity, and CryEngine.
  3. Art and design: Once the game engine is selected, the next step is to create the game’s art and design elements, including 3D models, textures, animations, and user interface.
  4. Programming: The game’s mechanics, features, and interactions are created through programming, using languages such as C++, C#, and Python. I have a few people in mind for this.
  5. Sound and music: Sound and music play a crucial role in immersing players in the game’s world. Game developers must create or license appropriate sound effects and music tracks that fit the game’s theme and mood. I have someone in mind for this.
  6. Testing and debugging: As the game is being developed, it must be tested and debugged to ensure that it is functioning as intended. This involves identifying and fixing bugs, balancing gameplay mechanics, and optimizing performance. This is one of my favorite parts of the process.
  7. Distribution and marketing: Once the game is complete, it must be brought to the gamers of the world. This involves distribution channels, like digital storefronts or physical distribution, and marketing the game through various channels to attract players and fans.

To Make a Game, that is popular, involves quite a lot – and the talent needed isn’t going to work for free. Getting it done involves many different skills and areas of expertise. The author, Chris Jones, is working on all of that. I have talent in mind.

Stay tuned.

I have talked about this before -the fact that I’m bringing it up again means I have not, and will not, drop the idea. Full transparency – I’ve done nothing but think about making a game since I wrote the last article about making a game.

Make a Game - Chris Jones Gaming
Chris Jones Gaming SciFi
The Right Timing

Sci-Fi Short Story close to release

Updating this post I’d like to say that the short story is close to release.

I’m quite proud of this.

Here is a small blurb from it.

“What Just Happened? Just then the intercom in the Captain’s quarters beeped. Dane responded with “Briggs here, what is it?” His First officer, second in command, came on and said, Happy Birthday, Sir. The Crew would like to wish you a Happy Birthday in person. There’s a cake with your name on it in the lounge”.

Watch for updates here.

Cover illustration by Olsie.

As for the game I mention in that previous post, it is still in concept stage, based on the final edits of the short story.

Update Sept 19, 2022 – The Short Story has been released on Amazon – Click this!!!

Chris Jones Gaming

Let’s Make a Game

Chris Jones Gaming was founded in Late 2006 by Chris Jones and Mindwipe. Chris Jones had been a well known member of the Star Trek Gaming Community for a number of years, modding games in the Starfleet Command series and 2002’s Star Trek: Bridge Commander.

It wasn’t long before Modders who’d known him in the past joined Chris Jones Gaming and began work on the Ultimate Universe Mod for 2006’s Star Trek: Legacy.

The team grew to a respectable size and the Ultimate Universe Demo was released just four months later. Over the next four years, the Ultimate Universe Mod and Chris Jones Gaming continued to grow, releasing expansion packs to the mod in between the feature installs, which were named Ultimate Universe Version 1.0 and Ultimate Universe Version 2.0, as well as attracting some of the brightest talents from other communities, their scratch-built models reaching professional standards.

The Ultimate Universe Mod is one of our proudest achievements. Through its various incarnations, it has been downloaded many thousands of times from various websites, in our own way greatly expanding and extending the life of Star Trek: Legacy beyond what would have been its natural life.

What’s Next? We are alive and well here – and are in the discussion stages for creating a brand new game! (as of June 4, 2022).

so.. Let’s Make a Game!

Chris Jones Gaming Let's Make a Game
Chris Jones Gaming SciFi

We are going to make a game

I feel the beginning of a month is a good time to announce something like this.

We are going to make a game.

Chris Jones Gaming is going to make a game.

What kind of Game?

Science Fiction – or SciFi.

We got the look..

I have a short story that will be published soon – I’ve been saying that for a while – but it is happening.

It will for sure be a PC Game, and we’ll discuss Console versions.

Update Sept 19, 2022 – The Short Story has been released on Amazon – Click this!!!

Heading up The Ultimate Universe Mod starting in 2007 was a fantastic experience, and I believe it to be the time right to create something brand new.

There’ll be more on this as it progresses.

Excited for the Future!

Star Trek Legacy - Ultimate Universe

The Ultimate Borg

What made the ‘Ultimate Universe‘ much more fun?

This did.

Stardate 2007

I was leading a team of extremely talented individuals who were dedicated to making the 2006 PC version of Star Trek: Legacy into something much more than it was.

We were lucky enough to obtain actual visuals of the Borg used in the movie Star Trek: First Contact.

This was the result.

This video is one of highest viewed videos on my YouTube Gaming Channel.

A foreboding shadow looms over the horizon, as the most lethal enemy known to the Federation makes its debut in this installment of the Ultimate Universe Mod for Star Trek: Legacy.

The Borg have returned in all their horrific glory as a fully functional and challenging opponent to even the most daring of Legacy Captains. Play historical battles involving the Borg with new enemy tactics and a new model.

Complimenting the historical missions derived from material you’ve previously seen in the series, a new and disturbing view of the future will showcase all new and original missions involving the Ultimate Universe’s canon offering…the Ultimate Borg.

Prepare yourself, for a Borg like you’ve never seen before. The Ultimate Borg. A collaborative effort from Derek Chester (the Legacy campaign story author), Mindwipe, and Moonraker.

This was released late spring 2007. The video shows off the actual First Contact Cube, and is my favorite Ultimate Universe video of 2007.

Lots of Battle footage from Derek Chester and myself. I am VERY proud of this production by Phillip Morris. Kudos, my friend.

Kim and Ken Jones with Playstation T-Shirts

Does Chris Jones Still Game?

Backstory: From December 2006 until December 2008 I coordinated a team of 7-20 people (varied from month to month) in the extensive modification of an online computer video game known as Star Trek: Legacy.

This required top notch people skills in handling different talents, skill sets, and personalities from people across the world via the Internet. Our project was released in October 2007, and still, in 2022, gets several downloads a day.

I stepped down from the top position in December 2008, but continue to this day (2022) as a consultant. Our project, known as The Ultimate Universe, has garnered Tens of Thousands of downloads, and is a success story. ‘Chris Jones Gaming’ is ongoing with gaming industry news of the day.

Does Chris Jones Still Game? Moving Forward, I would very much like to ‘Make a Game’.

Would it be Science Fiction? Likely Yes.

I keep saying there’s more news coming on my gaming exploits. Once a Gamer, always a Gamer.

Safe to say there is more to come from Chris Jones Gaming.

Virtual Reality is alive and well!

Golf Club: Wasteland

This is no ordinary golfing game: it’s a surrealist post-apocalyptic golfing game.

You walk and jetpack your way around the remainders of life on earth as you play ball.

To be released on September 3 by the publisher Demagog Studio on Steam.

The story of Earth’s last hurrah is told from multiple points of view, building as the game progresses.

The Game has 3 different modes, from casual to expert.

The art style has a dream-like vibe, with the haziness and destruction of the background fitting perfectly with the depopulated planet that used to be our own

From the Steam Page

Chess variations II: Alternate rules and situations

Hostage Chess:

Any piece taken by you becomes your piece. You can then drop onto your side of the board in any free location, at any point in time.

Difficulty: Just above average chess; 5.5/10. The difficulty is now in placement and knowing gthe consequences of losing a piece.

Fun: 10/10!!! Rub salt in your enemies wounds by using what they lost. Adds an additional boost to eating and really reinforces the consequences of losing pieces.

Edits to be made: Have an extra set of pieces set aside for use.

Dark/Fog of War Chess:

Your opponent’s moves and pieces are not visible. Pawns, who’s movement may be blocked by a piece will be informed that a move forward is an illegal move- on this point some variety is seen on informing players, as some versions have an umpire who can decide on whether they announce what piece has moved or where it may be moved to.

Difficulty: Extreme: this style of game play requires knowledge of common moves and tactics. It works best for people who know how to play, and play well. 10/10.

Fun: If you like puzzle games and riddles, and deductive reasoning, this is the variation for you. If you love battleship, this is perfect.

Edits to be made: For an in-person game, this version would require 3 boards (you, opponent, 3rd party) and an umpire (to decide legality of moves).

Omega Chess:

Two pieces are added: The Wizard moves 1,3 or 3,1. It’s placed in the corners of the board, starting just off it. The Champion can either jump 2 diagonally, or move up to 2 horizontally or vertically, reminiscent of Chaturanga.

Difficulty: With a larger board and two new pieces, I feel the difficulty will be found in learning and adapting to the new pieces over anything else. 6/10.

Fun: Yeehaw WIZARDS!!!!!!! The names of the new pieces and the added gameplay gives this version a 7.5/10.

Edits to be made: 10×10 board, 4 additional pieces per side (2 wizards, 2 champions)

Cannibal Chess:

Difficulty: Definitely on the higher end: Remembering all the pieces that were eaten, and by whom, and doing so for your opponent as well is hard. A good way to train one’s memory!

Fun: Perfect opportunity for obnoxious munching noises during gameplay. 10/10.

Edits to be made: None to the board or pieces themselves. I would recommend marking the figures with some sort of symbol and then writing out which ate what on a sheet of paper.

by Abby Zarakovich

Vivid Knight

This Upcoming game on Steam has all the cuteness of a mobile game paired with the dungeon crawl adventures found in early MMOs.

Vivid Knight fits its name and reunites the modern gatcha with it’s fantasy-based ancestor (the MUD).

It’s character designs (varied and colorful as the name implies) works well with the graphics that accompany the randomly-generated dungeons that are the base of the game.

Mixing and matching the crystals that represent characters let you fight mobs and move through the dungeon, moving your party and the story along.

Vivid Knight’s building on the respected genre of dungeon crawler may revive the fun that nerds in ages past have enjoyed for themselves, and bring the 8-bit style of game into a new era.

Overall Aesthetic: The gems and art style are cute, with good color choices!

Gameplay: As someone who like randomized dungeons, this is one that drew my eye: I like how some rooms are optional, and if you don’t want to do something, a whole bunch of room types have option to not engage.

from the game’s Steam page
Gaming News and the Ultimate Universe