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Earthrise: GDC First Look Interview
Stradden
Managing EditorMember CommonPosts: 6,696
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 SettingEarthrise 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.
Cheers,
Jon Wood
Managing Editor
MMORPG.com
Comments
Wasn't masthead studios in Bulgaria? Check their site...
It all sounds so shiny, like I sound when going for a job interview.
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!
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.
"True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde
"I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
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
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?
Does the madman know he's mad? Does the sane man know he's sane? I wonder which one I am....
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
And that is why...
Conservatives' pessimism is conducive to their happiness in three ways. First, they are rarely surprised -- they are right more often than not about the course of events. Second, when they are wrong they are happy to be so. Third, because pessimistic conservatives put not their faith in princes -- government -- they accept that happiness is a function of fending for oneself. They believe that happiness is an activity -- it is inseparable from the pursuit of happiness.
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
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
Games are all about optimism - or at least getting away from that other thing people call "reality"
Does the madman know he's mad? Does the sane man know he's sane? I wonder which one I am....
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!
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The Sceptics, yes they're special but we've need them to.. I guess.
And if they're put more effort MMORPG.com can create a 'Team Sceptic'
and send them to the Special Olympus.
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.
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.
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.
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
______________________________
The Sceptics, yes they're special but we've need them to.. I guess.
And if they're put more effort MMORPG.com can create a 'Team Sceptic'
and send them to the Special Olympus.
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.
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looks like another dev teams has balls like aventurine (darkfalls dev team) hopefully atleast one of them comes out and is good
Remember Old School Ultima Online