German fan site Onlinewelten.com managed to snag an interview with Masthead Studios boss Atanas Atanasov regarding the forthcoming science fiction MMORPG known as Earthrise.
Information on Masthead's post-apocalyptic sci-fi title is hard to come by, and we're always happy to see additional details come to light. The lengthy interview touches on everything from the player-controlled economy, to combat and exploration modes, to grinding.
"Grinding has its advantages and disadvantages," says Atanasov. "Its disadvantages are well known and boil down to repetitiveness that can dumb down a game when left out of control. In Earthrise grinding will be possible, as collecting resources and components from mobs will bring organic material needed for many technologies. Still, it will not dictate that the players must spend time grinding if they don't want to."
Hit the link to read the full interview.
Reader Comments (10)
Posted: Mar 10th 2010 4:48PM Joshua Przygocki said
Hehe, that name is awesome.
Posted: Mar 10th 2010 5:35PM Graill440 said
Total garbage. "Grinding has its advantages and disadvantages" . This is a nother reason we have trash MMO's, thinking like this. I find the old addage "an abused child grows up to be an abuser" this must be the battlecry of developers.
Posted: Mar 10th 2010 9:24PM Laephis said
Everything you do in an MMO is a "grind." Leveling, gathering materials, mining, crafting, daily quests...everything. Some of it is dressed up and candy coated for the masses, but if it's repetitive behavior designed to obtain a reward, it's grinding. The interview is great because he's not afraid to call a spade a spade.
Reply
Posted: Mar 11th 2010 2:38AM Ingrod said
This game have similar mechanics to SWG prior to the space expansion.
Same of the best SWG features will be here too. Player bases with clone to respawn and shuttle to travel, vehicles, player driven crafting economy, skill based progression, etc.
Also you need "grind" to harvest animal resources, same than in SWG
you need hunt beast to find hide, meat and bone for some craft items, in that context grinding is not a bad thing. You hunt cooperating with other players activities, not only for leveling your character.
I expect automated mines and harvestors in this game too.
Reply
Same of the best SWG features will be here too. Player bases with clone to respawn and shuttle to travel, vehicles, player driven crafting economy, skill based progression, etc.
Also you need "grind" to harvest animal resources, same than in SWG
you need hunt beast to find hide, meat and bone for some craft items, in that context grinding is not a bad thing. You hunt cooperating with other players activities, not only for leveling your character.
I expect automated mines and harvestors in this game too.
Posted: Mar 10th 2010 6:05PM SirFenwick said
Remove Leveling and make the game skill based.
Use a skill, it advances.
Use a skill, it advances.
Posted: Mar 10th 2010 6:56PM (Unverified) said
This was an excellent interview with candid answers. I definitely appreciate the developers' free-market approach to the in-game economy.
@Graill - The developer outlined several alternatives to 'grinding'. Besides killing monsters, running quests or meaningful PvP, what do you expect a game to offer?
@YourMother - There are no levels in Earthrise. Per the official FAQ: What is the maximum level one can achieve upon game launch?
There are no character levels in Earthrise. Instead, advancement is purely skill based. Each skill can be improved to its maximum potential and players will reach a peak in their development when they have no more skills to improve on. Future expansions will bring new and expanded skills to allow further character development.
@Graill - The developer outlined several alternatives to 'grinding'. Besides killing monsters, running quests or meaningful PvP, what do you expect a game to offer?
@YourMother - There are no levels in Earthrise. Per the official FAQ: What is the maximum level one can achieve upon game launch?
There are no character levels in Earthrise. Instead, advancement is purely skill based. Each skill can be improved to its maximum potential and players will reach a peak in their development when they have no more skills to improve on. Future expansions will bring new and expanded skills to allow further character development.
Posted: Mar 10th 2010 8:16PM (Unverified) said
I cant wait for this game!!!
Posted: Mar 10th 2010 8:51PM GaaaaaH said
*Selects hair colour*
*Changes colour to red*
Heeeeeey! Wait a sec...
*Changes colour to red*
Heeeeeey! Wait a sec...
Posted: Mar 10th 2010 9:26PM CheesecakeBandit said
Each time I see them talk like this I keep wondering if the audience they want to cater to is actually large enough to support them. The control scheme is not anything special from what I've seen in videos and its style is certainly not inclusive. Don't get me wrong, I certainly don't want this game to fail, I just worry that in trying to set itself apart it will alienate too many players.
Here's hoping I am wrong and that this game is a success.
Here's hoping I am wrong and that this game is a success.







