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[Earthrise releases vehicle patch, reactivates old accounts]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/21/earthrise-releases-vehicle-patch-reactivates-old-accounts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/21/earthrise-releases-vehicle-patch-reactivates-old-accounts/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/10/21/earthrise-releases-vehicle-patch-reactivates-old-accounts/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Masthead Studios has just informed us of the latest patch for Earthrise. There's good news for former players too, as the company is re-upping all inactive accounts for a free 14-day trial period.

The patch itself includes new vehicles that can be obtained via quest lines, player crafters, or in-game vendors. The mounts are called hoovers, and when coupled with Earthrise's physics model, they allow players to perform drifts, jumps, and various stunts. Speed is a major factor as well, and Masthead says that explorers will appreciate the new vehicles when checking out the various nooks and crannies across the world of Enterra.

Finally, the patch includes "large numbers of strong monsters" designed to provide more of a challenge for PvE players as well as provide greater loot rewards. You can learn more about Earthrise at the game's official website. Also, don't forget to check out the new vehicle concept art in our gallery.

Gallery: Earthrise



[Source: Masthead press release]

MassivelyEarthrise releases vehicle patch, reactivates old accounts originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>earthriseenterragalleryhoovermastheadmasthead-studiosmountspatchespress-releasepvesandboxsci-fiscreenshotsvehiclesFri, 21 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Huge Earthrise patch brings major combat tweaks, bug fixes]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/12/huge-earthrise-patch-brings-major-combat-tweaks-bug-fixes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/12/huge-earthrise-patch-brings-major-combat-tweaks-bug-fixes/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/05/12/huge-earthrise-patch-brings-major-combat-tweaks-bug-fixes/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

There are patches and then there are patches, and the most recent Earthrise update was definitely the latter. Masthead Studios has dropped approximately one gigabyte worth of changes on the world of Enterra thanks to the 18143 patch, and if the preliminary discussion thread is any indication, players seem to be happy with the tweaks.

Many of the changes are found in the game's combat engine, with adjustments to core and special weapon damage as well as weapon ranges and substantial updates for assault rifles, precision rifles, flamers, melee weapons, and shotguns. AI line-of-sight issues have also been fixed, and several UI and party-related bugs have been squashed.

There's also an interesting blurb in the patch notes regarding territorial warfare. Specifically, the notes say that "all bases and the environment around them are complete and standing by." While Masthead hasn't publicly confirmed that Earthrise's warfare system is complete and ready for prime time, it's encouraging to see some official progress.

MassivelyHuge Earthrise patch brings major combat tweaks, bug fixes originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 May 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1814318143-patchearthriseenterramastheadmasthead-studiospatchpatch-notespatchessandboxsci-fiterritorial-controlterritorial-warfareupdateupdatesweapon-changesweapon-damageweapon-rangesThu, 12 May 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Masthead releases two-month Earthrise roadmap]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/31/masthead-releases-two-month-earthrise-roadmap/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/31/masthead-releases-two-month-earthrise-roadmap/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/03/31/masthead-releases-two-month-earthrise-roadmap/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

It's been nearly two months since the launch of Earthrise, and Masthead Studios is moving forward with long-term development plans for the sci-fi sandbox MMORPG. In a press release this morning, the Bulgaria-based dev team laid out a list of new features planned for integration in April and May.

Citizens of Enterra will be getting some direction in the form of minimap quest hint indicators, alleviating the confusion that often results when searching for various objectives. Earthrise crafters will be able to produce paint that can be used on armor, weapons, and vehicles, and guild diplomacy mechanics will give leaders the ability to both declare war and cultivate allies.

As a result of the February Choose Your Game Feature voting, resurrection mechanics will be coming to Earthrise, and player parties will also be able to share battle points and karma from defeated enemies. Finally, various technical and performance-related tweaks are in the offing, including customizable chat windows, a friends/ignore list, AI improvements, and shadow enhancements.

MassivelyMasthead releases two-month Earthrise roadmap originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chatchat-functionalitychat-windowchoose-your-game-featurecraftingcustomizationearthriseenterrafriends-listignore-listmastheadmasthead-studiosminimappaintperformance-tweakspress-releasequest-hintsresurrectionsandboxsci-fiThu, 31 Mar 2011 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The P-word: Earthrise first impressions]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/the-p-word-earthrise-first-impressions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/the-p-word-earthrise-first-impressions/http://massively.joystiq.com/2011/02/11/the-p-word-earthrise-first-impressions/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

Prior to taking the plunge with Masthead Studios' new Earthrise MMORPG, ask yourself the following questions: Do you have patience? Do you like to read? If the answer to either one of those questions is no -- regardless of whether you consider yourself a sandbox fan -- the game's current incarnation probably isn't for you.

Earthrise is a post-apocalyptic sci-fi MMORPG featuring two human factions struggling to rebuild in the aftermath of a third world war. In this distant, dystopian future, nanotech, quantum engineering, and cloning are commonplace technologies, and that's a good thing for you since you'll be dying. A lot.

If you're pre-disposed to sandboxes, excited by complexity, and not averse to a little ganking, the game might just tickle your fancy despite its rough-around-the-edges presentation and sub-par performance. We previewed the game a few weeks back over livestream, but today we add to that with a full hands-on with the game post-launch. Join me after the cut for my first impressions after 10-plus hours of gameplay.

Gallery: Earthrise

Continue reading The P-word: Earthrise first impressions

MassivelyThe P-word: Earthrise first impressions originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zomg it's a sci-fi sandbox! You'll have to forgive our somewhat subjective enthusiasm on this one, as it's an increasingly rare occasion when we're able to announce the launch of something other than a themepark with classical fantasy elements. Yes, Earthrise is here to (hopefully) save the day for the sandbox die-hards in the audience, and Masthead Studio's skill-based title is available for purchase in both a retail edition (which features a poster and map) and a digital download from Direct2Drive (which comes with exclusive Overdrive armor).

"Our team has channeled years of dedication and hard work into Earthrise, and we are thrilled for those fans who have been following us this entire time, as well as those who are just now checking us out, to experience the world of Enterra. We are already working on updates and expansion packs to be integrated within the next few months, and are excited to continue to develop and enhance the world," says Masthead producer Atanas Atanasov.

As of press time, the server has not come up, and a couple of us have been unable to enter our activation keys into the account page on the Earthrise website. Fear not though, as we've got plenty for you to do while you're waiting impatiently to check out the world of Enterra. Join us after the break for a launch-day roundup of all the recent Earthrise news, interviews, and videos to get yourself up to speed and ready for action.

Continue reading Earthrise launch day arrives, sandbox title available for purchase

MassivelyEarthrise launch day arrives, sandbox title available for purchase originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 04 Feb 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Atanas-Atanasovdigital-downloadearthriseenterrafeaturedgalleriesgallerylaunchlaunch-daylaunch-day-round-uplaunchesmastheadmasthead-studiosoverdrive-armorretail-boxretail-releaseround-uproundupsandboxsci-fiscreenshotsFri, 04 Feb 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Earthrise dev diary highlights West Horizon lore]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/19/earthrise-dev-diary-highlights-west-horizon-lore/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/19/earthrise-dev-diary-highlights-west-horizon-lore/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/19/earthrise-dev-diary-highlights-west-horizon-lore/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Ready for more sci-fi lore, courtesy of the Earthrise dev team? If so, head over to MPOGD.com and check out the latest journal entry for the sci-fi MMORPG. Like the previous two installments, the piece focuses on the history of a particular location in the world of Enterra, and this time around that location is the West Horizon.

The West Horizon is a name given to a section of inhospitable coastline by the region's original settlers. The area was home to various strains of mutant wildlife as well as toxic chemicals washed ashore by ocean currents. Over time, the pioneers terraformed West Horizon and eventually all of the nearby Sal Vitas Valley. The tranquility didn't last long however, as West Horizon soon came to host a Continoma-sponsored compound built to house the human test subjects from a secret government project.

West Horizon also features a mysterious sect alternately referred to as the Alpha Principle and the Sisterhood (due to having exclusively female members). This secretive group reportedly believes that humanity must purge itself of all physical and mental taints, and has achieved a kind of immortality via a scientific process known as Crystomatrix.

Check out the rest of the lore-centric details at MPOGD.com, and don't forget our previous Earthrise coverage that you may have missed.

MassivelyEarthrise dev diary highlights West Horizon lore originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alpha-principlecrystomatrixdev-diarydev-journaldiaryearthriseenterraenterra-islandloremastheadmasthead-studiosthe-west-horizonwest-horizonTue, 19 Oct 2010 10:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Earthrise devs detail The Arcology]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/05/earthrise-devs-detail-the-arcology/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/05/earthrise-devs-detail-the-arcology/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/10/05/earthrise-devs-detail-the-arcology/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

MPOGD is back with another Earthrise developer journal, focused again on the sci-fi sandbox's seemingly substantial reservoir of lore and backstory. This time around, readers are treated to a brief history of The Arcology, a terraforming project begun by Continoma (one of Earthrise's major factions) at a point prior to the game's timeline.

As gamers log into the world of Enterra for the first time, they'll discover that The Arcology now lies ruined and overrun with mutants and other unsavory predators looking to take a bite out of unwary clones and their allies. The research compound, located in the northern Atlas mountains, originally hosted a large variety of plants, animals, and organisms from the far corners of Enterra prior to its destruction in a cataclysmic event known colloquially as the "Backlash."

Read all the grisly details over at MPOGD, and also be on the lookout for a new interview with the Masthead dev team coming soon, exclusively on Massively.

MassivelyEarthrise devs detail The Arcology originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backlashcontinomadev-diarydev-journalearthriseenterraenterra-islandenvironmental-damageloremastheadmasthead-studiosnoirthe-arcologyTue, 05 Oct 2010 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Earthrise devs detail Autonomy]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/23/earthrise-devs-detail-autonomy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/23/earthrise-devs-detail-autonomy/http://massively.joystiq.com/2010/09/23/earthrise-devs-detail-autonomy/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

'Tis the season for Earthrise dev diaries, apparently, as MPOGD.com has surfaced with yet another one from the increasingly vocal developers at Masthead Studios. This time around, the focus is on the sci-fi sandbox game's lore as opposed to its skills and equipment, and the new piece delves deep into the who, what, when, where, and how of a place called Autonomy.

This strangely-named section of Enterra functions as a sort of smuggler's haven, or as the article puts it, "a place of crime and corruption where castaways rot in their own sins." At first blush, it sounds a bit like a darker, danker Mos Eisley or Nar Shaddaa, albeit it with a mutant-infested penal colony known as The Nest lending a bit more dread to the general atmosphere.

Check out the original article as well as our gallery below.

Gallery: Earthrise


MassivelyEarthrise devs detail Autonomy originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 23 Sep 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autonomydev-diarydev-journalearthriseenterragalleryloremastheadmasthead-studiospenal-colonyscreenshotsthe-nestThu, 23 Sep 2010 16:00:00 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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>contributioncontribution-rewardscrimecriminal-karmacriminalsearthriseenterrafaction-standingsfactionsgame-mechanicskarmamasthead-studiosmollnew-titlesnotorietypost-apocalypticqotwsci-fiMon, 28 Dec 2009 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[City building in Earthrise to allow autonomy for guilds]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/08/city-building-in-earthrise-to-allow-autonomy-for-guilds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/08/city-building-in-earthrise-to-allow-autonomy-for-guilds/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/08/city-building-in-earthrise-to-allow-autonomy-for-guilds/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,


One of the games we're looking forward to playing next year is Earthrise, a post-apocalyptic MMO currently in development at Masthead Studios. At launch, Earthrise will offer guilds a wide selection of buildings and facilities that can be built within their controlled territory. Masthead Studios has bigger plans for city building and Territorial Conquest game mechanics post-launch, though. Long term goals for this aspect of guild-level gameplay include expanding options for guilds to become less beholden to the major NPC factions (and the cities of Continoma and Noir).

Specifically, Masthead Studios would like for players to establish administrative buildings, which will provide some of the conveniences and features generally found only in NPC-held cities. According to the Earthrise devs, "Administrative buildings will remove the requirement to visit cities even further by providing access to Market, Warehouses and more from inside the Guild owned territories."

Continue reading City building in Earthrise to allow autonomy for guilds

MassivelyCity building in Earthrise to allow autonomy for guilds originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city-buildingcontinomaearthriseenterraenterra-islandfactionsguild-citiesguildsmasthead-studiosnew-titlesnoirnpc-citiesplayer-housingpost-apocalypticpost-apocalytpicqotwsandboxsci-fiterritorial-conquestterritorial-controlTue, 08 Dec 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Niche roles for small guilds in Earthrise]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/03/niche-roles-for-small-guilds-in-earthrise/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/03/niche-roles-for-small-guilds-in-earthrise/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/12/03/niche-roles-for-small-guilds-in-earthrise/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Earthrise is an upcoming post-apocalyptic/sci-fi MMO from Masthead Studios that we've been keeping an eye on. As a sandbox MMO, Earthrise takes place on a single but vast island called Enterra. This means finite territory and ultimately a trigger for conflict between guilds. Given there's strength in numbers, it stands to reason that collective action taken by large guilds could allow them to become political and economic powerhouses in the game. But what about smaller guilds? Will Earthrise have niches for small to medium-sized guilds or will they always be in the shadow of the larger player entities?

This won't be a game where only the largest guilds can succeed, according to Moll, the Earthrise Community Manager. She explains that while territorial conquest will not be an endeavor best suited to small guilds, much less solo players, these smaller groups will be able to tap into a steady stream of resources and income. One way is to provide services to the playerbase and even the larger guilds.

Continue reading Niche roles for small guilds in Earthrise

MassivelyNiche roles for small guilds in Earthrise originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The latest Earthrise Question of the Week is all about quests in the upcoming post-apocalyptic MMO. "Central to the PvE experience, quests in Earthrise are designed to help introduce the players to the tense cultural and political scene that shapes the two conflicting factions fighting for control over the island of Enterra," explains Moll, the game's Community Manager.

There are faction-specific quests unique to either Continoma or Noir, but Earthrise's game mechanics will let players defect to a rival faction to experience another walk of life on Enterra island. Switching allegiances will not be a trivial matter, however, and the consequences a player assumes for doing so will limit how often most characters defect.

Continue reading The rewards of faction loyalty in Earthrise

MassivelyThe rewards of faction loyalty in Earthrise originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Earthrise is an indy-developed science fiction MMO on the way from Masthead Studios in Bulgaria. The developers have stated that Earthrise will be a sandbox game, with a large part of the player experience based on what guilds try to accomplish in the post-apocalyptic setting of Enterra. Given this emphasis on player-driven content, Masthead Studios has been running a Community Consensus over the past few weeks where the devs seek input from Earthrise fans on various aspects of the game's design.

Today Masthead Studios wants to hear what the community thinks about alts. In most MMOs having extra character slots is expected, but alt play in a sandbox game where players will engage in espionage could get out of hand. Would the ability to easily for any player to create a cell of spy alts unbalance the game, or should there be a tight limit on character slots per account?

Continue reading Earthrise developers seeking community input on alts

MassivelyEarthrise developers seeking community input on alts originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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One of the independent MMOs in the works that interests Massively is Earthrise, being developed by Masthead Studios in Bulgaria. We came across an Earthrise interview at OnlineWelten by Anja Gellesch, originally in German but translated into English. Masthead's Lead Game Designer Apostol Apostolov gives a well-worded introduction to the premise of the game and its "post-post-apocalyptic" setting, but there's plenty of details to be found in the interview as well.

He discusses player choice in the game, how some will opt to join a faction while other players remain neutral in the struggle between the technocratic elite Continoma, and the shadowy resistance movement Noir. Apostolov also mentions that there are 20 different zones spread across the game's island setting of Enterra.

Continue reading Earthrise lead game designer on core concepts and game mechanics

MassivelyEarthrise lead game designer on core concepts and game mechanics originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anja-gelleschapostol-apostolovconcession-groundscontinomacraftingearthriseeconomyenterragame-mechanicsguild-vs-guildinterviewsmasthead-studiosnoiroffline-advancementonlineweltenpost-apocalypticpvpresourcessci-fisocial-experienceThu, 03 Sep 2009 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Earthrise mixes zone preview with lore in The Boneyard]]>http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/16/earthrise-mixes-zone-preview-with-lore-in-the-boneyard/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/16/earthrise-mixes-zone-preview-with-lore-in-the-boneyard/http://massively.joystiq.com/2009/08/16/earthrise-mixes-zone-preview-with-lore-in-the-boneyard/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Earthrise is the upcoming post-apocalyptic MMO from Masthead Studios, and a game with a substantial body of lore released already. Masthead Studios had a lore series on IGN in the past, and more recently MMORPG.com has been hosting dev blogs which explain the game's zones and how they are tied in with Earthrise's backstory. The latest dev blog from Masthead Studios is "The Boneyard", and focuses on the game's desert zone.

As with their past combinations of lore releases and zone previews, The Boneyard sets the tone for the game: Humanity was wiped out in World War III. Nuclear and seismic warheads obliterated civilization while nanomachine clouds unleashed bio threats which finished the job.

Continue reading Earthrise mixes zone preview with lore in The Boneyard

MassivelyEarthrise mixes zone preview with lore in The Boneyard originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 16 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Earthrise developers at Masthead Studios are turning out a series of blogs which explains the various zones of the post-apocalyptic setting of Enterra island. These developer journals hosted on MMORPG.com introduce us to the varied terrain and its inhabitants, while framing it all in context of Earthrise's lore. So far they've walked us through the burnt out factories of the Industrial Area, the dangers of the Cascade Mountains, and what happens when mutant ecosystems collide in The Hatchery.

Their latest dev blog focuses on "The Arboretum" which is the refuge of the Nathura Society, largely comprised of scientists who maintain neutrality in the civil war between Enterra's main factions -- Continoma and Noir. The Nathura simply want to be left alone so they can pursue their ideal of engineering a truly symbiotic relationship between humans and the natural world.

Continue reading Earthrise shows off The Arboretum in developer journal

MassivelyEarthrise shows off The Arboretum in developer journal originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 08 Aug 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Although the post-apocalyptic MMO Earthrise is still in development, the game's creators at Masthead Studios take a question from the player base each week and turn it into a mini dev blog. Granted, some of the mechanics as they exist now may very well change before Earthrise launches, but it's still a nice peek into the development of the game.

The latest from Masthead Studios is "Fighting, Factions, and Guards" which explains Earthrise's system of establishing safety near the major cities and greater risk the further you venture from them.

Gallery: Earthrise

Continue reading The interplay between faction standings and PvP in Earthrise

MassivelyThe interplay between faction standings and PvP in Earthrise originally appeared on Massively on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Earthrise is an upcoming MMO where you will play as a survivor of nuclear and biological devastation from the Final Wars, living in humanity's sole refuge, a vast island called Enterra. The latest dev blog hosted at MMORPG.com from the Earthrise developers at Masthead Studios is called 'The Hatchery', which takes the game's lore a step forward. Or rather, it takes a step back to the centuries preceding the human race's rebirth via cloning technology.

In the years that humankind remained dormant in the Librarium (cloning facility), man-made nano-viruses altered the world's ecosystems. As the environment began to regenerate after nuclear annihilation, separate ocean ecosystems slowly emerged. A vast colony organism became dominant and sought to expand its growth to the surface world. As it evolved, it released swarms of spores that traveled through the ocean currents like scouts, which looked for a surface habitat with enough biomass to support the colony's next stage of life. It found Enterra.

Continue reading Earthrise dev blog advances lore with The Hatchery

MassivelyEarthrise dev blog advances lore with The Hatchery originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 02 Aug 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The first MMO we're going to see from independent game developer Masthead Studios is Earthrise, a post-apocalyptic title that's bringing some new things to the table in the sci-fi/post-apocalyptic genre. If you've played games like Fallout 3, the setting of Earthrise will be quite different from what you might be expecting. The game will take place on a sprawling island called Enterra, with regions and environments ranging from lush jungles to futuristic urban centers. Of course Earthrise will have the requisite shattered city environments we'd expect of a post-apocalyptic backdrop, as well.

Masthead Studios recently explained how terrain will impact gameplay, having written about some of the game's man-made environments like the Industrial Area. Now they're ready to discuss more about Enterra's natural environment with the Cascade Mountains, the focus of the latest Masthead Studios dev blog they've written for MMORPG.com.

Continue reading Earthrise dev blog shows off the beauty and horror of the Cascade Mountains

MassivelyEarthrise dev blog shows off the beauty and horror of the Cascade Mountains originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 25 Jul 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Earthrise is the first massively multiplayer online game from Masthead Studios, an independent game developer in Bulgaria. The game has a dystopian setting, a single (but vast) island refuge is all that remains of the human race after the world was bathed in nuclear fire. As expected of a post-apocalyptic MMO, there will be areas of the game that are comprised of blasted out buildings and various gutted structures, but the island setting of Enterra will offer a wide variety of terrain for players to explore and exploit.

Moll, Earthrise's community manager, explains in a recent blog post: "As we developed Earthrise, we made sure that the world is tailored in such a way so it provides different game experiences - the whole island is divided almost equally between plains, hills and mountains."

Continue reading Earthrise devs on how terrain will impact gameplay

MassivelyEarthrise devs on how terrain will impact gameplay originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Earthrise is the upcoming post-apocalyptic MMO from Masthead Studios, a newcomer to the industry. The game's take on the post-apocalyptic genre differs from other titles like Fallen Earth, in that Earthrise takes place in a massive island setting called Enterra, where the highest levels of technology have allowed humanity's technocratic elite to survive. Old habits die hard though. Factions have formed around certain belief systems or goals, often putting them at odds with one another and creating a dystopian society.

Among those factions is the Nathura society. They originally had the high-minded ideal of finding a way for humans to live in harmony with nature. Over time, their collective reasoning devolved. The Nathura came to believe that the only way peaceful co-existence between the species is possible would be to alter humanity, creating a fusion between humans and plants... This did not go down well with the other factions. The Nathura eventually sequestered themselves away in an artificial ecosystem, where they've continued merging technology with living beings, and presumably generating legions of genespliced freaks to attack Earthrise players.

Gallery: Earthrise

Continue reading Earthrise concept art depicts bio engineered lifeforms

MassivelyEarthrise concept art depicts bio engineered lifeforms originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 19 Jul 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Last week we wrote about the upcoming post-apocalyptic MMO Earthrise and how players will be able to use mechas to establish trade and supply routes or, conversely, to hijack them. This brings up another transportation-related question, or several really. How will teleportation work in Earthrise? What limitations will be put on it? Is teleportation accessible to individuals or is it a guild-level ability? The latest Question of the Week entry from the Earthrise devs at Masthead Studios answers these questions and more.

The game's sandbox setting of Enterra is a massive island with many zones. Conventional modes of transportation may not always be the best option for players who need to get from one place to another, hence the developers have included teleportation (travel, not combat) game mechanics, but characters seeking instantaneous travel will need to pay fees for the privilege. There will be two simple types of teleportation -- short range for within zones, and long range, which can be a jump from one end of Enterra to another. The further you travel, the more you pay. Teleporters will be run by NPC factions, available to players aligned with that faction or neutrals, but Earthrise's guilds will also be able to establish their own teleporters.

Continue reading Earthrise developers explain how teleportation will affect gameplay

MassivelyEarthrise developers explain how teleportation will affect gameplay originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Bulgaria-based developer Masthead Studios is hard at work on their first massively multiplayer online game Earthrise, a title that's equal parts sci-fi and post-apocalyptic. Nolvadex from the Italian MMO news site Gamesource spoke with the game's lead technical artist Ed Mattinian about the look of Earthrise.

Mattinian discusses balancing form with function when it comes to how technology is depicted in the game, trying to create a futuristic world that's not simply cold and sterile. He says, "I'd say that technological products have their own beauty to them. It's all about function and how that 'product' -- be it a weapon, a craft, or a teleporter - is designed for its function. That's the beauty that we're looking for."

Continue reading Earthrise lead technical artist Ed Mattinian discusses visual influences

MassivelyEarthrise lead technical artist Ed Mattinian discusses visual influences originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 26 Apr 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The futuristic game Earthrise is one of the upcoming sci-fi massively multiplayer games that we can see on the horizon. It's the first MMO developed by Sofia-based Masthead Studios and features the post-apocalyptic setting of a world divided between utopian idealism and revolution. Massively had a chance to sit down with Masthead Studios CEO Atanas Atanasov at the Game Developers Conference 2009 where he gave us a walkthrough of Earthrise, shedding some light on what this new title may bring to the MMO world.

Gallery: Earthrise

Continue reading GDC09: Massively previews Earthrise

MassivelyGDC09: Massively previews Earthrise originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 29 Mar 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We've been noticing that the post-apocalyptic MMO Earthrise is getting a lot of press these days. The latest piece that's caught our eye is an interview with Masthead Studios CEO Atanas Atanasov conducted by ReviewStash's Daniel Levy. The interview ranges across several topics of interest for potential Earthrise players, but perhaps what's of most interest are Atanasov's comments on combat game mechanics and crafting.

Aiming in Earthrise's combat will be done as with standard shooters, but the weapons available to characters will allow a player to keep a bead on their target. On Earthrise's crafting system, Atanasov says that players will be "capable of infusing Designs into items -- special bonuses and enhancements, or totally separate effects that allow the crafter to customize an item to the needs of his or her customers." Certain crafters may well become influential figures in Earthrise, Atanasov says, known for coming up with powerful item builds.

Continue reading Earthrise interview explains game's crafting and sandbox elements

MassivelyEarthrise interview explains game's crafting and sandbox elements originally appeared on Massively on Sun, 22 Feb 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MMO fans of all things post-apocalyptic are probably eagerly awaiting more info on the in-development game Earthrise. Will it be a breath of fresh air into an industry overwhelmingly dominated by fantasy titles? It's still far too soon to say, but the Earthrise developers, Masthead Studios, have been doing a good job of communicating what their vision for the game is, both in terms of building up a community (pre-beta no less) and actively talking about the title with the gaming press.

The latest bits of info about Earthrise come to us through a Stratics interview with Lead Game Designer Apostol Apostolov. He starts off by succinctly explaining the lore behind the game, but his talk with Stratics also touches upon what he sees as the advantages of using a skill-based advancement system, which tips its hat to Ultima Online. Apostolov also discusses Earthrise's economy, with hints about rewards tied to the offline profession(s) a player chooses. On the subject of the players, Earthrise will have a completely player-run market which could be a boon to crafters.

Continue reading Earthrise lead designer on player-driven economy and crafting unique items

MassivelyEarthrise lead designer on player-driven economy and crafting unique items originally appeared on Massively on Wed, 04 Feb 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Earthrise is a new title that we haven't seen much of thus far beyond screenshots and concept art. Still, it's one that's holding the interest of a small but growing community, waiting to see if the game will offer an experience that's a far cry from a fantasy MMO. In making the game a departure from the fantasy genre, the Earthrise creators at Masthead Studios have been fleshing out the game's lore and relaying it to potential fans through its own newsletters and some media exclusives, at IGN's RPG Vault in particular.

IGN continues its series of Earthrise previews, focusing on the lore of the post-apocalyptic setting. That is to say the old world is dead, wiped out in World War III. Those who weren't part of the Continoma-selected elite are either ash or reduced to slavering mutants prowling Enterra in search of their next meal. The previous piece titled Continoma: The Beginning focused on the corporate entity that rose to power and came to rule what was left of the earth following the near-annihilation of human society. IGN now looks at what happened after the burn in "Continoma: The Rebirth." Check out their piece for the full story on the pioneers of Earthrise who work to rebuild society to utopian standards, and the anarchists who resist the order of this new establishment.

MassivelyEarthrise lore features clash between utopian idealism and anarchy originally appeared on Massively on Mon, 01 Sep 2008 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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More information about the lore of Earthrise has surfaced, giving readers a preview of the post-apocalyptic MMO's setting of Enterra. Although still in a pre-beta stage of development at Masthead Studios, some details were already known about the organizations in Earthrise. The newest information comes from IGN's RPG Vault, which has released their first of three installments on the lore of Earthrise.

The IGN pieces will focus on Continoma, the corporate entity that governs the lives of Enterra's citizens. "Continoma: The Beginning" looks at how the Continoma Project developed into humanity's only viable chance for survival, via genetic rebirth which followed the cataclysmic Third World War. If you're a fan of the lore in your MMOs and sci-fi is your thing, check out the full story over at RPG Vault.

MassivelyAn early look at the lore of Earthrise originally appeared on Massively on Sat, 09 Aug 2008 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Masthead Studios has released the second newsletter for their upcoming sci-fi MMO Earthrise. As with their first newsletter, it's full of hyperlinks to images and audio related to the game, however there are a few new additions this time around. We've read about the game itself in recent months, but until now little has been known about the people behind the scenes who are working to make Earthrise a reality. The newsletter features an introduction to the members of the Earthrise development team at Masthead Studios in the form of a short Q&A for each developer.

Each of the devs discusses what brought them to work on the project, their influences, and what they do at Masthead Studios to further the creation of Earthrise. There's also screenshots of a new area on Enterra called The Nest and a hyperlinked recap of Earthrise's media coverage in the last month. But the real focus of the Earthrise newsletters is on the community, and a number of issues are showcased in the latest iteration.

Continue reading Earthrise newsletter introduces dev team and their influences

MassivelyEarthrise newsletter introduces dev team and their influences originally appeared on Massively on Thu, 12 Jun 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The gang at Masthead Studios recently answered another question from the community about Earthrise. This one is about how the main storyline will effect player development within factions. The answer - for those of you who aren't jaded - may surprise you.

After getting familiar with the game, players can attempt storyline quest arcs that eventually lead to an epic story played out across the whole of Enterra. Completion of these tasks will vary depending on the faction the player is affiliated with. Case in point: some quests might involve a moral dilemma wherein the player must protect a settlement from attacks by mutant bugs... or kill every living person in the settlement. Virtually every quest will have dual options. Players can complete quests in favor of an opposing faction, sacrificing quest rewards for a good reputation. While players can change their allegiances and join different factions, that betrayal will be difficult and won't come without a cost. Plus, factions will have certain requirements that must be met before they welcome you with open arms. Some might not be easy.

The game mechanics for this post-apocalyptic MMO (one of many it seems) sound very intriguing. We can't wait to jump in and go all Mad Max in the world of Earthirse.

MassivelyMore questions arise for Earthrise originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This weeks question for the Earthrise devs asks: what types of quests will be available? Earthrise is geared towards player cooperation and PvP, but the devs aren't neglecting the casual gamers. They still want players to be able to solo through the multiplayer environment and advance their character (notice how thy didn't say "level up") without being forced to play with a group. As such, quests will be plentiful.

Quests will follow a storyline based on the conflict between the Continoma and Noir. Many of these questions will have multiple solutions, allowing players to pick their side - or change it. Some quests will be repeatable (letting players change what they've done in the past), others will not. Players can follow the storyline for as long as they want, stop and pursue any of the numerous randomly generated quests, then come back to the main storyline.

Continue reading Questing around Earthrise

MassivelyQuesting around Earthrise originally appeared on Massively on Fri, 14 Mar 2008 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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