Massively http://massively.joystiq.com Massively http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://massively.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Massively http://massively.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Masthead Studios addresses player questions about Earthrise]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/13/masthead-studios-addresses-player-questions-about-earthrise/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/13/masthead-studios-addresses-player-questions-about-earthrise/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/01/13/masthead-studios-addresses-player-questions-about-earthrise/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Ah Earthrise, you keep dropping tiny breadcrumbs of game info for us each week. We hoard these little morsels and keep them in a jar, slowly trying to piece it all together. This week is no different and Earthrise developers Masthead Studios addressed questions from the playerbase on a few different topics.

The main thing they discussed is how the game's tutorial will allow players to experiment with skills. In RP-terms, players in the tutorial will make use of "mnemonic adaptation kits" which imprint memories. The Masthead devs state, "Simply put, it lets you test drive certain skills - such as using weapons, crafting, etc. - before you dedicate yourself to development of those skills." Those kits, however, can't be used outside of the cloning facility and won't make their way into the game beyond the tutorial zone.

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MassivelyMasthead Studios addresses player questions about Earthrise originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 13 Jan 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bulgariacriminal-karmaearthrisegame-mechanicsgearmasthead-studiosnew-titlespost-apocalypticqotwsci-fiskillssofiatutorialWed, 13 Jan 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Leading a life of crime in Earthrise]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/28/leading-a-life-of-crime-in-earthrise/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/28/leading-a-life-of-crime-in-earthrise/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/28/leading-a-life-of-crime-in-earthrise/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Today's post-holiday Question of the Week for Earthrise concerns the game mechanics of being (and killing) criminals in the post-apocalyptic MMO. Players who opt to become felons will build up "Criminal Karma", what seems to be a sort of quantified notoriety. From what the developers are saying, it seems that going outlaw won't be a trivial choice, given such characters will be kill-on-sight in the more secure regions of Enterra island. Also, it may be difficult to wipe the slate clean if a character has a shady past.

According to Moll, the Earthrise Community Manager: "Criminals cannot clear their records, nor do they generate additional Karma by killing other criminals in safe zones." She adds that criminals who hunt down other criminals won't do so to repair their faction standings, rather there may be a good chance of obtaining loot by taking out a fellow wrongdoer. However, beyond such scenarios where 'evil fights evil', Earthrise's law-abiding citizens will have incentives for killing the criminals of Enterra; successfully knocking off criminal players will garner them extra Contribution rewards (faction standing).

Continue reading Leading a life of crime in Earthrise

MassivelyLeading a life of crime in Earthrise originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Players having more input or control over the games they play is an interesting direction some MMO companies are taking. While not every company will establish something structured as EVE Online has with the Council of Stellar Management or (as Massively reader Se7en pointed out yesterday) Star Wars Galaxies has with its Galactic Senate, the simple fact that game developers are making efforts to allow more player input is encouraging. Masthead Studios is a newcomer to the MMO scene with Earthrise, a far future post-apocalyptic title, but already they're showing an interest in getting player feedback as they develop the game. The devs at Masthead will now have a "Community Consensus" on the Earthrise forums which brings up key issues with the game's design, to learn how players feel about these aspects of the title.

It's not clear yet exactly how much input the players will really have on Earthrise but if the devs are willing to listen to the playerbase, we'd say this is a step in the right direction. The first Community Consensus deals with an issue that will likely be hotly debated -- adding additional incentive for player killing, with greater benefits at higher levels of notoriety.

Continue reading Earthrise developers seeking player input

MassivelyEarthrise developers seeking player input originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>communitycommunity-consensuscommunity-managercriminalcriminal-karmaearthrisegame-mechanicsinsurancemasthead-studiosmollnew-titlesnotorietyoutlawpkplayer-killerpost-apocalypticsci-fiThu, 01 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST