Ten Ton Hammer - Taking MMO Gamers to the Next Level!

by Garrett Fuller, Industry Relations

The design of MMOGs has come a long way over the years. With more instancing and small group play, sandbox style games are becoming harder to find. Some of the ones out there are certainly successful. But hope is not lost for those that love playing in the sandbox! A new MMORPG is being developed in Bulgaria by an up-and-coming studio named Masthead Studios, and they hope to go back to this sandbox style of play.

Earthrise hopes to bring the sandbox style of play back into popularity.

The name of the game is Earthrise, and the Ten Ton Hammer staff got a chance to speak with George Petrov and Nikolay Stoyanov from Masthead who are working hard on the game. For starters, the Masthead developers are creating a style of world we can expect; players are safe only in cities. Once you enter into the world players can become targets of monsters, villains, and - most important of all - other players. The post-apocalyptic world is a battle ground where players can fight it out, form their own groups or guilds, and play in a game where they can create their own fun.

The game takes place on one of the last islands left on earth after the events of World War III, a war which has devastated the world. Science has developed an advanced stage of DNA technology that allows cloning. Players will advance through story and quest lines that will take them around the world and allow them to get a good sense of combat. However, the real challenge to the game will be facing down other players in the open world. As it goes in many of these style games, once the battle lines are drawn the player created warfare can become some of the best PvP play ever experienced.

In the post apocalyptic setting, technology still reigns and players will have a chance to craft their own items. Once you get some resources, you’ll be able to start crafting your gear. The development team is working on the possibility of two forms of crafting. The first phase would be the design portion of crafting, where players can map out the designs of weapons and armor. Once the design is complete, the second phase of crafting begins which is manufacturing. Here players actually build the designs that other players have worked up. The system is not fully in place yet, but the team continues to work out ideas. One thing that George explained was that the best items in the game will come from player crafting.

The upcoming MMOG is heading towards the alpha phase of development.

When it comes to combat the team is looking to build very dynamic battles for players. The view of the game is set in third person and works to give players a good view of the field of combat. They really want to enhance skill-based battles. Players should be on an equal field as far as all things go; it is the skill of a player that will make the biggest difference. One thing that will not happen is killing players within the safe haven cities. Players who break these rules will become criminals and not be able to enter these safe zones. This system works similar to the old system used in Ultima Online. Player killers were not allowed near the towns and were hunted as criminals when they got close. Earthrise looks to keep this same style of play to keep players safe within the cities.

Earthrise is definitely a game to keep on the radar. With fast combat and a skill based system, it will have a lot of options for players. The game is nearing its alpha phase of development and the team is shooting for a 2009 release in the U.S. and Europe. Though it is early yet, games that use a sandbox model are always exciting to see.

Earthrise looks to give players a great chance to build their own fun. Looking at the longevity of games such as Ultima Online and EvE Online shows that this style of game still works very well. One thing that George and Nikolay wanted to tell fans is that they are working hard to make a game that they would want to play. As hardcore players themselves they want gamers to know that they are truly putting their hearts in to make a fun and exciting game. Post-apocalypse futuristic combat, open world dangers, a skill based system, and crafting that matters, it seems like Earthrise is certainly a game to watch in the coming months of development. Thanks again to George and Nikolay for taking time to discuss their game and we certainly look forward at what is to come.

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