Managing Editor Jon Wood recently spoke with the guys from Masthead Studios, the company developing the post-apocalyptic MMORPG Earthrise. In the interview, they talk about advancement, setting, PvP and more!

 

The Setting

Earthrise is an appropriate title, as the game takes place at a time when the world was nearly wiped out and the few remnants of humanity that still exist either exist in a “utopian” society or live in a and work for a rebel distopia.

As the Masthead guys were explaining the game to me, they described it as a kind of post-apocalyptic world, but were careful to point out that while everyone, upon hearing post-apocalyptic, thinks of Mad Max. That’s a comparison that the guys tell me is inaccurate. While this game still takes place in a post-apocalyptic world, George and Nikolay said that we should think more of the movie Minority Report than Mad Max.

“The game,” they said, “just isn’t that dark.” Instead, the team is trying to present a setting that isn’t artificially dark or light, instead the Belgium-based team is focusing on a more realistic look. “People are tired of stylization,” said George. “We’re trying to make it as realistic as possible.”

 

Read it all here.

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Belgium-based team is focusing on a more realistic look

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Wasn't masthead studios in Bulgaria? Check their site...

It all sounds so shiny, like I sound when going for a job interview.

Originally posted by Lyolyo

 

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Belgium-based team is focusing on a more realistic look

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Wasn't masthead studios in Bulgaria? Check their site...

 

Yes it's in Bulgaria.

The idea fo freedom of choice between factions combined with true skill-based system, dynamic PvP and flexible crafting is one of the best so far. And Masthead truly want to give the players what they want.

Of all the games im following this is the one I am most interested in.

EARTHRISE FTW!

All i have to say is AEON FLUX anyone

We've seen a few of these companies popping up claiming they're making a 'world class' MMORPG.   So far none of them have managed it, as evidenced by the train wrecks of those games that failed in 2007.    We'll have to see if there are going to be any repeats.

The whole system is exactly like EVE (without spaceships and such)

EVE= No levels, just skills--- There are four races, ancestry lines, and jobs that set up your attributes differently...  but don't effect anything else (all skills are learnable)

           PVP in "high security" areas-> Police come and take you out for killing other players..

I personally enjoy this system much more than cookie-cutter mmo's. I'll have to follow this one!

Originally posted by SoulPoppin

The whole system is exactly like EVE (without spaceships and such)

EVE= No levels, just skills--- There are four races, ancestry lines, and jobs that set up your attributes differently...  but don't effect anything else (all skills are learnable)

           PVP in "high security" areas-> Police come and take you out for killing other players..

 

I personally enjoy this system much more than cookie-cutter mmo's. I'll have to follow this one!

No matter how hard I try not to go down the path, all I think about when I read about this game is Darkfall. (with a SCI-FI twist).  Well, nice to see at least two companies are working on skill based games, one day we may actually get to play a new one.

I am beyond excitement when i think about a classless level-less game system!  THANK GOD a company is breaking the lame mmo treadmill mold. Finally! a Skill-based system!

Synthia makes me think of "The Sixth Day", and the one area humans can survive in makes me think of "Ultraviolet"s SETTING - not the plot :D I've never seen Minority Report though...

I like skill based advancement for starters - looks like the only other MMO on my to-watch list though, up there next to TCoS

EDIT: Forgot about Aeon Flux - that kind of encompasses both of those ideas, doesn't it?

Originally posted by steuss

I am beyond excitement when i think about a classless level-less game system!  THANK GOD a company is breaking the lame mmo treadmill mold. Finally! a Skill-based system!

It's just SOE that ruined such an awesome skill based system and dumbed it down to level-based console poo with NGE :(

That being said, the game is still in the very early phases of development. The guys tell us that they are developing both the game and the engine at the same time and that they are working toward launching a technical alpha in the near future.

Caution Flag

Originally posted by Guillermo197

 

Originally posted by steuss

I am beyond excitement when i think about a classless level-less game system!  THANK GOD a company is breaking the lame mmo treadmill mold. Finally! a Skill-based system!

Ehmm sorry to break your mold. Star Wars Galaxies Pre-NGE was fully skill-based! You had complete freedom back then in SWG. That's why it was such an awesome game back then.

 

It's just SOE that ruined such an awesome skill based system and dumbed it down to level-based console poo with NGE :(

you hit it right on the head my friend. it was exactly what i was going to point out.  you could be rebel or imperial, but still be in guilds that were either faction, and there was no level system just skill trees in different classes. the good ol days...

"...the game’s advancement is skill based rather than level based. There are no levels and no classes, only skills that allow the player to advance in his or her own way."
Did..did, I hear correctly?  Huzzah for not following the crowd! 

"That being said, the game is still in the very early phases of development."

See you in 2012

Originally posted by SonofSeth

It all sounds so shiny, like I sound when going for a job interview.

Haha, funny line.  I had similar thoughts.  As a designer, you can say anything you want about what the game is going to be like while it's "in early phases" of delevopment.  Two years from now, the quote will be...

"we tried to implement <insert incredible concept here> as we promised, but couldn't get it to work the way we envisioned it.  We had to scrap it and redesign the current system in the game as it stands".

Good article mmorpg.com. Cant wait to read more info about this game

Don't be pessimistic till more details are released - the more support for good ideas and contributions early on, the harder they'll try to put said ideas in to the concrete game :)

Besides, pessimism is for real life :D Games are all about optimism - or at least getting away from that other thing people call "reality"

Im really excited for this one!

Like Kyleran said, it's reminds me of Darkfall. But with sci-fi theme.

This one can be big!

Originally posted by steuss

I am beyond excitement when i think about a classless level-less game system!  THANK GOD a company is breaking the lame mmo treadmill mold. Finally! a Skill-based system!

Finally? there is already one in developement if u forgot. Darkfall. And what i have been read about earthrise... seems that they do many same things.

Originally posted by Dracus

That being said, the game is still in the very early phases of development. The guys tell us that they are developing both the game and the engine at the same time and that they are working toward launching a technical alpha in the near future.

Caution Flag

I agree. Unknown devs trying to make a game is hard enough, but to have to make an engine plus the game is really stacking the odds against them. Doesn't mean they can't do it, but it'll take alot longer than devs using a proven game engine. Will wait and see how this one goes before getting too excited. Does look interesting if they pull it off, though.

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Originally posted by Seggallion
Like Kyleran said, it's reminds me of Darkfall. But with sci-fi theme.
This one can be big!

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OOOO OUCH!!! ya thats kinda insulting this awsome game right from the get go, comparing it to a game with 2001 graphics. The difference between THIS game and DF is alot of things such as:

-Will actually be released..

-The Devs of DF "supposedly" have more of a completed game at this point, yet they didnt even go to the convention which would have scored them some attention and possibly a publisher (not the best ones...but one nonetheless) EARTHRISE Devs went to the Convention, had a blast, and even gave us some news and a couple awsome screenshots...but they arent jerking our chains and they are keeping us updated every step of the way.

I could keep going but in the end its nothing compared to DF, cuz its just better...plain and simple.

And to the one guy that mentioned the old SWG...well ya it WAS skill based...not anymore... Earthrise is going to take that idea and actually run with it and not have to worry about some crappy NGE so called enhancement.

Originally posted by gamerman98

 

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Originally posted by Seggallion
Like Kyleran said, it's reminds me of Darkfall. But with sci-fi theme.
This one can be big!

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OOOO OUCH!!! ya thats kinda insulting this awsome game right from the get go, comparing it to a game with 2001 graphics. The difference between THIS game and DF is alot of things such as:

-Will actually be released..

-The Devs of DF "supposedly" have more of a completed game at this point, yet they didnt even go to the convention which would have scored them some attention and possibly a publisher (not the best ones...but one nonetheless) EARTHRISE Devs went to the Convention, had a blast, and even gave us some news. Sure they dont have alot to show right now...but they arent jerking our chains and they are keeping us updated every step of the way.

I could keep going but in the end its nothing compared to DF, cuz its just better...plain and simple.

And to the one guy that mentioned the old SWG...well ya it WAS skill based...not anymore... Earthrise is going to take that idea and actually run with it and not have to worry about some crappy NGE so called enhancement.

Well I really don't see you point here. Your arguments are very poor. You might not see some similarity with other games, but we do. We don't say that it's bad or sucks. We acctually are open minded and wish that this game will come out.

 * 2001Graphics, Ok here you failed.

* Conventions - Darkfall devs have been on convantions.

* Publishers - They have publishers that are willing to publish their game.

* Nothing compared to DF/SWG - If you are in such denial I guess nothing can change you opinion.

* Your statement against others post are just trolling.

Here you have Tasos (DF Dev) at one gameconvention

Originally posted by Kyleran

 

Originally posted by SoulPoppin

The whole system is exactly like EVE (without spaceships and such)

EVE= No levels, just skills--- There are four races, ancestry lines, and jobs that set up your attributes differently...  but don't effect anything else (all skills are learnable)

           PVP in "high security" areas-> Police come and take you out for killing other players..

 

I personally enjoy this system much more than cookie-cutter mmo's. I'll have to follow this one!

 

No matter how hard I try not to go down the path, all I think about when I read about this game is Darkfall. (with a SCI-FI twist).  Well, nice to see at least two companies are working on skill based games, one day we may actually get to play a new one.

 

 

You also need to take a look at W.E.L.L. online too! That one is also skill based! Here's the link www.Wellonline.com

Sigh.  It sounded really promising... right up to the point where it said open PvP. 

I have never played any game (including EVE Online) where open PvP works.  Every single time, it devolves into gank squads (maybe fun) and gankees (definitely not fun) unless you join one of the big PvP guilds.  Why do devs insist on open PvP in far too many games? 

I guess this is another mostly promising game I won't be playing.