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Atanas Atanasov: We are currently testing an alternative method of character advancement, which we plan to implement if it works out well. One thing is certain, that characters in Earthrise will not gain levels, but improve in skills and statistics. Skill values will range from 1 to 100. The higher the value the more options will open for the player. I can give you an update on our final decision later this year.

Atanas: If I must describe PvP in Earthrise with one word – it is “freedom”. In most popular MMORPG titles you are limited to attacking players from the opposite faction or players from a guild that you are at war with. Earthrise will give freedom to the players to attack anyone they want to in most areas, not without consequences however.

There will be some high security areas in Earthrise, where guards will attack on sight everyone else who tries to attack another player. People, who don’t want to engage in PvP will feel secure in these zones. At the same time, the most dangerous parts of the island will feature free for all PvP.

Atanas: Combat in Earthrise will be as close to FPS/TPS as possible, though we are still working on the fine details of the implementation. The game will require a certain level of player skill in movement and targeting that is becoming increasingly popular trend in current wave of MMOs. Still, not every action will have the same requirements. Some actions will require proper targeting of the opponent, while others will require only having it in sight and then there will be actions that can be executed even if the player doesn’t have its target in sight but within range.

Atanas: The number 100 indicates total skills, abilities and tactics available at launch. While many of them are combat oriented, a sizable amount will cover crafting and social aspects for each character. The three types of game elements – skills, abilities and tactics, are closely related to each other and will allow for numerous possibilities for customization of the character.

Tactics are the key to customization – these meta-enhancements will be compatible with wide variety of abilities and will change their effects to suit player’s style of play.

Players with similar skills may have a completely different style of fighting thanks to enhancing them with tactics. For example when two players have the skill to shoot with laser pistol, the first may add additional damage to it, while the second - faster reloading time or more accuracy. This brings an element of surprise to the game. You never know what your opponent has prepared for you.

Atanas: In terms of landmass, Enterra island stands somewhere in the middle if you compare it to all MMOs on the market. It is large enough to fit lots of different zones, but not as large as to feel empty. The time it takes to cross the island depends on the means of transportation of the player with various vehicles available to him.

Atanas: The mechanized exoskeletons in Earthrise will be the smaller brethren of the anime-inspired mecha, about 10 feet in size. Exoskeletons will be similar to vehicles in many ways, but will allow for limited, specialized combat abilities. We will publish concept art of the exosuits very soon on our official web site.

Atanas: Skill-based games are one of the most difficult to balance and we realize that. We are using both analytical and gameplay methods for balancing the game on its many levels. One thing we hope to accomplish is limiting the typical to the genre “power creep”, where each next tier of abilities or equipment overshadows the previous in raw power and statistics and creates an artificial rift between players, and then providing high-level characters with wider variety of abilities, effects and conditions they can put to use in various situations. Player skill will become an important factor because equipment will not render it meaningless. The swift David would take the sleeping Goliath anytime.

Atanas: First and foremost, the biggest change from other MMOs is the shift of most item customization authority from the player who owns it to the designer and manufacturer who creates it. This small but important change transforms crafters from nameless laborers who are rarely rewarded to truly, powerful, influential and sought after designers as long as they can provide truly unique items with the exact combination of qualities and enhancements that would help players in certain situations. To further make designers unique, item designs will provide only temporary market advantage, so designers will always have to compete among each other, find new enhancements and experiment with new combinations to support their product lines. No matter how far fetched a direct comparison might be, we want to create a virtual market that rewards and motivates crafters in the same way such as creation-centric virtual worlds like Second Life and There.

Atanas: The Earthrise project has been in development for 2 years. We think the game will bring some fresh air to the MMO community as a whole. Players will find a lot of features that have been missing in the mainstream MMO titles for the past six or seven years. At the same time Earthrise will offer some innovative gameplay that we believe is the future in MMO gaming.

Atanas: I would like to thank you for the interview and wish fast leveling and lots of exceptional items to the readers.

Does a ground-based, mech-filled, science-fiction game sound right up your alley? Are you interested in Earthrise's take on PvP? Let us know on the forums!