War What is it Good For? New MMOs Thats What

Posted by Stropp on January 24, 2008

Someone pushed the button labeled Do Not Push.

That started the chain of events that led to World War Three.

Now the Earth lies in ruins, mankind has been spanked, and the corporations are still telling us what to do. There’s a rebellion in progress, and criminal factions to deal with, or join. And to top it off, we now have to fight all sorts of hideous mutant beasties. 

This is the premise of Earthrise a new MMO game announced by Bulgarian developer Masthead Studios. At least WWIII is good for something.

Masthead have already put up the Earthrise website. Here’s the overview.

Earthrise is a post apocalyptic science fiction MMORPG set in the distant future.
In the aftermath of the Third World War, mankind has managed to survive and build a new society: the prosperous city of Sal Vitas. Cloning, nanotechnology and quantum engineering are part of a new reality. Thanks to these technological advances, the human species has become immortal; each individual’s consciousness is stored in a data vault, ready to be uploaded into a cloned body as necessary. New energy sources have been discovered. There is a unified government that takes good care of those citizens who abide by its strict laws. Paradise, it appears, might really have come to Earth, and the people have embraced it.

But not everything is as perfect as it appears. By exercising full control over the cloning process, Sal Vitas’ government decides who will live and who will not, playing the role of God on Earth. Insurgent forces have accused the city’s rulers of crimes against humanity. Armed factions fight for resources and power within the new system. And from the waves of discontent, a rebellion has fomented and formed a shadow government: Noir.

Featuring a unique skill-based advancement system and player-driven economy, as well as extensive, meaningful player-vs.-player combat, Earthrise gives you innumerable choices to forge your destiny. Whether you’re a noble soldier in the raging conflict between the Utopia and the rebellion, a criminal hiding from the law or a world-renowned engineer whose power extends into intricate trade and politics, your actions will echo throughout the game world.

From what I’ve seen so far this looks like it will be a very interesting game. The feature list looked familiar though. Nanotech, robotic companions, skill based, three factions; one corporate, one rebel, one neutral/criminal, pvp security zones, and deep crafting. Hmmm. What other SciFi MMO does this remind you of?

Why Anarchy Online of course.

That’s not to say it’s a bad thing. AO, was a very rich game with lots of possibilities. I shouldn’t say ‘was’ though, since it’s still going strong and in line for a major engine upgrade in the near future.

Earthrise will be a subscription based game and according to their FAQ will cost the same as comparable games. There’s no hard date for the release yet, but the website is saying that it will be sometime in 2009. Early or late, no idea at this stage.

Earthrise will join Huxley, Fallen Earth, and the ellusive Fallout Online in the Post Apocalyptic MMO game market.

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