Earth Eternal

Earth Eternal
File:EeLogo-BigBlackBG.jpg
Developer(s)	Sparkplay Media
Publisher(s)	Sparkplay Media
Engine	Ogre
Platform(s)	Windows XP, Vista
Release	2009
Genre(s)	MMORPG
Mode(s)	User chooses between browser-based or download

Earth Eternal is a graphical MMORPG developed and published by Sparkplay Media, which is owned by Iron Realms Entertainment. It takes place on a fictional Earth in which anthropomorphic animals are the main inhabitants and humans have long since gone extinct. The game is currently set to be released sometime in 2009 and seems to be following the mold of RuneScape and Achaea. The game will be free to play with additional pay-for-bonuses. Player-vs-environment quest-completing will differ from RuneScape and Achaea, Dreams of Divine Lands in that it will be a 3D environment, with quality greater than that seen in RuneScape. The developers have stated that some Player-vs-Player combat system will be implemented, although its form has not yet been finalized. The game will be playable in a browser or via a client download, on Windows XP or Vista, it will not be playable on Mac OS at launch.

File:ScreenshotBremen.jpg

Screenshot of Bremen town

Current status

In July 2007, Earth Eternal released two early map designs, neither of which were used as the final map of the game. It was stated that neither map is the one players will be playing on, as some history from the game has yet to be released which is expected to lead to a final map of the game world; as such, the first map is from around chapter 3 of the history and the second map is from around chapter 20 of the history with the subsequent map changes that take place in the history that is still not released

As of September 2007, approximately 39 chapters of the history have been released, along with 32 anthropomorphic models of what players will look like (16 male, 16 female).

File:Groupshot.jpg

Questing party at night in Bremen town

In addition, the classes have been tentatively released, with 4 possible classes: Warrior, Mage, Sneak and Druid. The players will choose one of the four as a primary class, followed later in the game by a secondary class and possibly a tertiary class at a later point in the players advancement.

On February 2, 2009, Sparkplay Media released a new website. The new website has improved features and more information than the older website, as well as new videos and information.

The game will be free-to-play, with the option of players to purchase things in-game with real money to advance faster; though everything a paying-player can buy is obtainable by a free-player, essentially making paying a faster way to level up, obtain items and advance in the game. Additionally, it has been stated by Matt Mihaly that most of the game will not have loading zones, but rather be contiguous for most of the map, the exception being some far-flung areas of the map and underground areas.

Tentative classes

What is presented here is the basic, conceptual models that the final game may or may not implement. There currently is no evidence that these classes are the final classes in the game, nor is there any evidence the implementation of these classes won't differ from what is presented here, but this is what has been talked about on the Earth Eternal forums by the game's designer, Matt Mihaly.

Additionally, it has been stated that 1) there will be no level cap, that Players can theoretically gain infinite levels, 2) Players will not lose experience from dying in the game. Lastly, the game developers have stated that a Player starts out as a single class, but as they level up, they will be able to learn two additional classes. What this means is that a Warrior will be able to learn skills of a Mage and a Sneak eventually. Though since they didn't start out as a Mage or Sneak, they won't be able to learn all the skills that a Player who started in those classes can learn.

Knight

• The Warrior is the primary up-close damage giver for the duration of combat. Others can do more damage up-close in the short term but none can tank like he can and still deal out large amounts of damage.
• The Warrior can help control an NPC's aggro (ie how likely an NPC is to attack a particular member in a group. Not that relevant if the Warrior is solo'ing.)
• The Warrior gains an extra bar called Battlelust that is similar to Achaea's Kaido or WoW's Rage. As he takes damage in combat, he gains Battlelust.
• Battlelust powers special abilities.
• The Warrior can use multiple types of weapons and multiple grips (single handed, two-handed, dual-wielding) and can use one of three 'styles' with any type of weapon. Styles enhance all weapon abilities via passive buffs.

Mage

• The Mage is a long-range damage doer, vulnerable up close to physical attacks. His spells generate lots of aggro.
• The Mage gets 1 to 4 new bars, called Mana.
• The mage chooses a specialty element first and later, a secondary element specialty and tertiary element specialty (but never a fourth). This decision is reversible but at a major xp cost. Each normal spell provides W, X, Y, and Z mana. So, for instance, a spell might give:

o 10 Fire mana o 0 Water mana o 5 Earth mana o 2 Air mana

• If your specialty was Earth you'd gain 5 Earth mana. If you had a secondary Fire specialty you'd get 10/2 (since you get less for secondary) Fire Mana.
• Mana powers Overspells which are special abilities that often work in concert with or at the same time as normal spells.
• Overspells are often aligned to an element, and if you have that element as your primary the cost for using it will be reduced. The cost will also be reduced, but less, if that element is your secondary or tertiary.
• Most Overspells require simply one mana type, but some require 2, and a few require 3.

Druid

• Druid is a secondary damage giver, primary buff-giver, and healer.
• As combat goes on, occasionally gets instant-use ability to heal itself.
• The archetype most dependent on summoning other creatures.
• Druids gain two bars: Life and Death, each of which must be 'focused on their melee weapon (staff, trident, or spear).
• They fill Life by healing others or being healed.
• They fill Death by doing damage to enemies.
• Only one can be active in the staff at a time, and switching halves both bars.
• There's an ability to convert death energy into life energy (for solo'ing).

Rogue

• The most damaging class up-close for a short period of time. Can't keep it up.
• The second-least able to absorb damage.
• A little trickier to play as it depends on positioning as compared to the enemy.
• Sneaks depend on being able to sneak up behind an enemy for maximum effectiveness. Continuing to be behind an enemy is also ideal.
• Sneaks gain a 'Stalking' ability that comes with Stalking points as shown by a Stalking bar. If the monster detects the Sneak, the Sneak loses all Stalking points and begins battle without them. The Sneak wants to start the battle in order to keep his accumulated Stalking points, so it's kind of betting how long you can Stalk (Stalking is less likely to be detected when you're physically behind the target) without being detected.

Groves

Groves are player-specific areas, unique to each player in the world. Groves are expected to provide a respite from the game world, a place separate from any world map; a place where the player can either be alone and in complete safety or a place to invite friends to hang out with while online. Each player will be able to choose from a number of different Groves, and will be able to modify the terrain, making mountains, valleys, lakes, etc as they wish. Each Player will be provided a basic Grove free of any charges, additions or amenities such as furniture, etc to the Groves will likely cost credits, which may be bought with game money or real money (it has not been said which).

Clans

Players will have the ability to both join and form clans, or guilds as they wish, though creating them will cost some in-game money. Any Player may create a clan if they wish. Additionally, each clan will have its own Grove, though it is unclear if the Grove will be free, or if the new clan must pay for it. No clans will be created by NPC's, it will be up to the players to create them.

Criticisms

Earth Eternal has been criticized for potentially attracting furry fans due to being an anthropomorphic game, which supposedly could lead to cybersex in game. Additionally, the game has been criticized as having low-grade models that look poor in comparison to other MMORPGs such as World of Warcraft.

The response to this has been Earth Eternal is intended to rival Runescape, both in target audience and scope and the anthropomorphic models were chosen to appeal to such an audience which includes children. As such, Earth Eternal is expected to be monitored both by moderators and its own players for inappropriate content that may or may not accompany the anthropomorphic models; Sparkplay Media has also stated in response on their blog that mature content in any form will not be allowed.

External links

• Earth Eternal homepage
• Earth Eternal at IGN
• Earth Eternal at Ten Ton Hammer