Yeah, I’m one of “those”. I own every season of Stargate SG-1 on DVD, I’ve seen them all, I watch it in syndication on Sci-Fi, and I wept when Jack O’neill (that’s with 2 L’s) left the show. Did you know there’s a Stargate MMO in the works? Well if you didn’t, Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment is developing Stargate Worlds which is currently still a very long ways off from release. Since the game is so ridiculously far off in production and it’s likely not going to see a release until sometime late 2008 or 2009 I only browse the website a few times a month for updates. This morning happened to be one of those times and right on the front page they have an article on the Goa’uld.
Some guy from MMORPG.com sat down with Keith Cross at E For All and was given all kinds of really cool information regarding the Goa’uld in Stargate Worlds. What’s a Goa’uld you ask? It’s a snake-like parasite that burrows into people’s necks, mouths, chests, or anywhere convenient to attach itself to the brain stem of its host assuming total control. They’re megalomaniacal, self-centered, sarcastic, evil selfish “rat bastards” bent on total domination with a god complex like you’ve never seen. Now do you understand why I like them so much? Stargate Worlds is taking these Goa’uld and expanding upon them like the fans of the series have only ever seen once before (think Bhaal). Instead of the Goa’uld sitting on their throne enslaving planets and bragging about how awesome they are, they’re going to be a new breed of Goa’uld who have learned from their mistakes. In SG:W, the Goal’uld aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty and actually do the work themselves. If you know anything about Bhaal (a Goa’uld) then you know that intelligent and rather cunning Goa’uld can be some of the most deadly. The article goes on to talk about how in SG:W these Goa’uld aren’t simply new in frame of mind but they have a new queen and a new favored architecture and have become 
more individualistic. I can understand the changes.
According to Keith Cross the main story is set in motion by these new Goa’uld. I’m ecstatic; the Goa’uld are really that cool. Dressing up as Egyption or Greek or any type of gods and only caring about yourself would be a spectacular approach to a character in a MMORPG. And yes, you CAN play Goa’uld! Players can be Humans, good or bad; Jaffa, free or loyal; Asgard (heck yeah!), and of course, a Goa’uld. The changes mentioned before were necessary to make the Goa’uld playable and not just NPC’s. I for one can easily accept this new breed of “snake-heads” because to me this is how Bhaal has always been. And guess what? Goa’uld are the main PET CLASS! Haha, how awesome is that?! If you play one you’ll be able to command Jaffa. I’m in nerd heaven right now. It’s not set in stone yet but it’s being said that you play the actual parasite/snake itself and not the humanoid body – So you can SWITCH HOSTS!
So although SG:W is still being developed and far from release, we’re able to see that they are taking the necessary steps to adapt the story into an experience that will truly be epic in MMORPG scale. I’m hoping that this one will see the light of day unlike so many other unlucky MMOs.
I’m surprised. I wouldn’t expect a developer to make a fundamental change like that to a licensed IP for their game, but it sounds like a cool move.
I’m a big fan of the SG: Atlantis series, but I haven’t seen the original SG-1 series yet. I guess I’ll have to do that now.
SG:W? Oh no! How much you want to bet that gets mixed up with SW:G in the occasional forum conversation?
Atlantis has really come into its own over the past season. Now that Carter is with them I’m enjoying it more. I think Atlantis has a lot going for it now. As for it being a fundamental change… well it depends. The Goa’uld were really on their way out and if a new queen is spawning them then I can understand that they would collectively stop being completely blinded by their own “uberness” and turn to a strategy that could work. Bhaal, a Goa’uld who pioneered this way of thinking (in my opinion), is also a huge basis for what they’re doing.
I’m stoked.