Jumpgate: Evolution is a new space piloting MMO under development by Netdevil set for release in Spring 2009. The Colorodo-based developer was also responsible for the recently closed MMO Auto Assault and the still-kicking Jumpgate: The Reconstruction Initiative. The game will be action-based like their other titles, perhaps potentially providing some significant competition for the more relaxed RPG-style EVE. The new Jumpgate will be a sequel to the previous game, but it's likely to have different fundamental gameplay elements than their previous entry. The development team has stated that they're looking to implement a more accessible arcade-style flight model that won't be so intimidating to new players.
Many of those who tried out the original Jumpgate back in 2001 had their first experience of being crashing into the side of a space station while trying to dock inside it. It's not certain what exactly the new game will consist of, but PvP and PvE combat have both been confirmed, as has a more conventional MMO style leveling system. The old game primarily allowed you to fly fighters and other small craft, but it's possible that Evolution will allow you to fly larger craft.
There will also be a susbstantial economic simulation component to the game, much like in the previous one. In the original Jumpgate, part of the challenge of conducting trade was that you had to move large amounts of cargo from one place to another using very heavy ships. It simulated mass accurately, making it incredibly hard to steer and accelerate these space-trucks. As there are still few details released about Evolution, it's unknown whether they'll keep that often frustrating mechanic.
The original Jumpgate had trouble attracting and maintaining a large player base for a number of reasons. The flight mechanics were challenging, as mentioned earlier, but the mission structure was also very boring. You had to conduct thousands of highly repetitive delivery and kill missions through the same stretches of boring and nearly identical space for hours on end, and that process wasn't ameliorated until many months after the game's initial release - long after the initial rush of players had been turned off to what it had to offer. The PvP was intense, however, and a welcome piece of space-based action during a long dry spell in the genre.
With the upcoming release of Evolution, it's looking like those of us that have been hankering for another game like Elite, Freespace and Wing Commander might be getting a break when it eventually comes out.