About Glitch
What is Glitch?
Glitch is a massively-multiplayer game, playable in the browser and built in the spirit of the web. It is currently in development and will launch late in 2010. Private alpha is beginning shortly and a public beta period will begin this summer.
When can I play?
The game will launch by the end of 2010. If you want to get in early, sign up on the home page to get into one of our tests.
What's different?
For starters, it's all one big world. Which means everyone is playing the same game and anyone's actions have the ability to affect every other player in the game. It also involves very little war, moats, spaceships, wizards, mafiosos, or tapestries. Also: we have egg plants. Egg plants make it very different.
Why is it called "Glitch"?
It's called Glitch because in the far-distant and totally-perfect future, the world starts becoming less and less probable, things fall apart, the center cannot hold, and there occurs what comes to be called the "glitch" — a grave danger of disemprobablization.
This results in a time-traveling effort at saving the future, going back into the minds of eleven great giants walking sacred paths on a barren asteroid who sing and think and hum the world into existence and ... you know what? You'll probably just have to wait and play the game :)
What will it look like?
We comb the internet every single day looking for fresh and original visual styles. The look varies as you travel around the world, from psychedelia to surrealism, Japanese cutesie to hypersaturated pixel art, classic cartoon to contemporary mixed media. We love awesome illustration and animation and part of our mission is to find the best of the best and bring it to a wider audience. Check out some examples of artwork on the downloads and art page.
OK. But the avatars in the trailer look kind of lame. What's up?
Yeah, they do. Those are placeholders, an early prototype we're using for testing. The real avatar system is in development and you'll be able to create a character that looks far, far awesomer by the time we launch.
What is the technology behind the game?
Glitch is built in an entirely new and different way for a game. The back end (java at the lowest level, with game logic scripted in Javascript) is designed for maximum flexibility and ease of deployment. That means we'll be able to push new content — new items, new places, new characters — on a daily basis. It also means that we'll have lots of APIs with which the game can be expanded and extended.
What kinds of things can I kill in the game?
Your time! The game is mostly non-violent and you don't spend your time fighting people (except maybe those who have the nerve to vie with you for economic, political or religious superiority). It's more of a collaborative simulation where the direction the world takes emerges out of the collective action of the players, rather than by a single person acting like a god.
How can I follow along?
We'll have a blog soon enough. In the meantime, follow us on Twitter @playglitch.
What are the system requirements?
A web browser with Flash installed, on pretty much any computer purchased in the last few years.
Can I play with my friends?
Of course. We'll make it easy for you to find them. And since it is all one big world, there are no worries about who is on what server.
How much does this thing cost?
Glitch is free to play. Some game items will be purchasable and there will be premium accounts available by subscription. We want to make sure anyone can play the game, and also make it easy for anyone to give us money, should they be so inclined.
Who is making Glitch?
Glitch is a product of Tiny Speck, Inc.
Can I help make Glitch?
Yes, we're hiring. Come help us make Glitch. We're looking for the best of the best to pitch in. Check our jobs page to see if we're in need of your talents.
I am a writer and want more information. Who do I talk to?
Direct inquires to press@glitch.com or 415-298-0416
