Masthead Studios CEO updates on Earthrise progress
by James Egan 
Nov 23rd 2009 at 6:00PM
Filed under: Sci-fi, Game mechanics, Guilds, Interviews, New titles, PvP, Earthrise
Earthrise fans will still have a bit of a wait ahead of them in terms of getting into open beta, but development and improvements are ongoing through the current closed beta. Masthead Studios CEO Atanas Atanasov was recently interviewed by MMORPG.com's Garrett Fuller, updating Earthrise fans on the game's current status and details of some of the game mechanics of skills and tactics. Noteworthy -- Atanasov discusses why Masthead Studios chose to develop a sandbox MMO and foster a player-driven setting, rather than a more typical game where players move quickly through the content and then wait for the next expansion to release.
"The sense of involvement and power to create and change can invigorate and keep players glued to the game for years to come," says Atanasov. On that topic of sandboxes, the interview also discusses how MMO titles like Ultima Online and EVE Online have been part of the inspiration for Earthrise.
Atanasov also explains some of the challenges of open PvP game design, how he envisions player guilds forming, and the game's reworked combat system. And about that open beta or a release date? Atanasov tells MMORPG.com, "We don't want to rush Earthrise to the market so we are working hard to deliver a game that players will enjoy for years to come."
You can check out the full Earthrise interview with the Masthead Studios CEO over at MMORPG.com.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Brian! said on 10:53PM 11-23-2009
Cheer to sandbox MMOs!!!
I only hope they are working on viable systems for player self-justice. For example, a repeat greifer who prays on other players in a certian area might be able to be "banned" from that area. Maybe the ban is that wandering guards kill him on site or maybe he is transported across the world without means to return for a real life week or something. There are many ways to approach it.
My point is - sandbox MMOs can be really awesome. If you want to open them all up, give the players tools to enforce justice. After all, we load up MMOs full of tools to kill one another. Why not ones to protect and administrate consequences that are meaningful to the offender?
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