Fallen Earth at GDC

[Tannhauser]

Fallen Earth, a post-apocalyptic MMORPG under development, made an appearance at the recent Game Developers Conference. This has resulted in some press coverage, including an supposed interview with MMORPG.com, a preview at Ten Ton Hammer, and another preview at Killer Betties. There a few bits of information that might stir interest in this game. The Killer Betties preview hints at a focus on story, an unusual trait in a MMORPG.<blockquote>Story looks to play an important role in Fallen Earth, an area where many MMORPG games fail. Yes, they'll give you a sprinkling of the overall game world, but nothing really definitive when it comes to a complete, beginning to end narrative. In Fallen Earth, however, narrative seems to always drive you forward. You wake up in a tube, get killed by zombies, and yet you are revived just seconds later and aren't dead? You just know after experiencing that you'll want to see what comes next.</blockquote>The Ten Ton Hammer preview also explains about the developer's goals in quest design.<blockquote>Hammock explained that one of their design emphases was to make branched quests, where you don’t have to do the very linear questline with a shady NPC just to get the experience. “If you think he’s going to stab you in the back, you can work through an alternate quest to maybe stab him in the back first.” It’s great in theory, perhaps complicated in implementation, but its storyline nuances like this that, if carried out, will make Fallen Earth a must-play for anyone who cut their RPG teeth on games like Fallout.</blockquote>The branching quests could be quite good, if implemented correctly. Together with a strong narrative, it could make an interestingly different MMORPG.

Links:
"Interview" with MMORPG.com.
Preview at Ten Ton Hammer.
Preview at Killer Betties.
Spotted at Blue's News and FallenEarth.se.

 

[Tannhauser]

By the way, with those of you unhappy with the hairless raider seen here, will be happy to know that Fallen Earth recognizes the need for body hair in a post-apocalyptic environment.

Character creation was interesting. In addition to all the usual sliders you usually get in an RPG, there are lots of fun tattoos to choose from. Facial hair for the gents has two layers, stubble and the actual facial hair. You’ll not only have a number of clothing options to choose from, and just about every item came from an assortment of colors. Wearing a jacket? You can go zipped or unzipped. Ball caps can be worn backwards or forwards. And I guarantee that one thing you will not find in any other RPG is a slider for body hair (girls get bellybutton rings and tats).

 

[Metzer]

wow first ive heard of it. i have looked at the website and i think its a cool idear and the screenies look nice too. i hope it comes out soon im actually really looking forward to it. i have also signed up ti be a beta tester so if i get in and people here dont ill try give u all some reviews and stufff. just one thing i hope it wont cost too much a mounth i alreay play World of Warcraft and i dont know if i can justify paying alot for another MMORPG at the same time

 

[Wooz]

CHOTA

...

Ahahahah.

 

[SuAside]

the screenshot of the girl with the two guns, glasses and piercings looks hilariously bad.

also quite weird is that they cant even be arsed to AA their screenshots...

 

[Metzer]

i dont know why but when i look at the screen shots i get a distinc feeling of Half Life 2. just my opinion.

 

[Tannhauser]

i have also signed up ti be a beta tester so if i get in and people here dont ill try give u all some reviews and stufff.

Usually, beta testers have to assent to a Non-Disclosure Agreement, which means you agree not to reveal anything about the beta before they allow you to test their game.

SuAside, it looks like a budget title, though they are going for realistic graphics for some reason. To me, it would make more sense to go for a more stylized look, which can be carried better.