Developer NetDevil and publisher Codemasters have announced that the pre-release beta signups for the upcoming PC space-action MMO Jumpgate Evolution have begun through the game's official website.

Codemasters also provided a new set of screenshots alongside its announcement.

Announced around this time last year, Jumpgate Evolution is NetDevil's update to its long-running MMO Jumpgate with new graphics, AI tweaks, a redesigned user interface and other improvements.

Jumpgate Evolution is expected to debut later this year.

There's a Jumpgate: Evolution Q&A on the Vault Network, asking producer Hermann Peterscheck about NetDevil's updated space MMORPG.

Codemasters has announced it will handle the North American and European publishing duties of NetDevil's PC space-action MMO Jumpgate Evolution. Expected to arrive later this year, the title will be published under the company's Codemasters Online label.

Announced in June 2007, Jumpgate Evolution marks NetDevil's attempt to modernize and update its long-running Jumpgate MMO with new graphics, a new user interface, AI tweaks and other modifications. To provide a visual element to the news, the companies sent along four new screenshots of pretty space things.

"Jumpgate brings something new and fresh to the online persistent space," explained Codemasters Online VP David Solari. "The all-action approach and thrilling, twitch-based space combat really sets it apart from other MMOs in the market and we are very much looking forward to releasing this space epic in late 2008."

RPG Vault has posted the first part of a Jumpgate Evolution Q&A, asking NetDevil's Hermann Peterscheck about the reboot of this space based MMORPG.

MMORPG.com has the recap of a recent Jumpgate Evolution chat where fans were able to ask NetDevil employees about this space-based MMORPG.

The Multiplayer Online Games Directory has been updated with a Jumpgate Evolution preview, chatting with the folks at NetDevil about their planned MMORPG update.

Approaching its sixth year of operation, NetDevil's space-based MMO Jumpgate will soon be receiving a major update. Yesterday the company announced Jumpgate Evolution, which will enhance the original game with a graphics update, advanced AI features, a new user interface, and further improvements to its economic infrastructure.

"The game has undergone a complete graphics overhaul and has been vastly expanded to offer more weapons, and greater focus on PvE targets, making roles more refined in the process," said NetDevil president Scott Brown. "Advanced social aspects of the MMO are available as well, including player-owned stations, complete with controllable economy... Read more