Earthrise Announced

Bulgaria-based Masthead Studios sent out a press release this morning announcing development of Earthrise, a new post-apocalyptic MMORPG set in the distant future.

Masthead Studios Unveils the Post-Apocalyptic World

Independent developers to release their debut title Earthrise

January 23, 2008 Sofia, Bulgaria Masthead Studios, the innovative independent game development studio based in Bulgaria, is proud to announce its debut MMO Earth-rise, a post-apocalyptic science fiction title slated to release in 2009.

In the aftermath of a catastrophic third world war, Earth lies in ruin, and mankind is all but extinct. In a small corner of the world a new society has risen in the years following, populated mostly by the clones of those stored in a massive DNA database compiled at the end of the war. A corporate government has created a seemingly Utopian civilization, but its heavy-handed control over society, its resources, and even life itself has forced a substantial opposition. These rival factions accuse the government of crimes against humanity in its rampant willingness to abuse the cloning process to its own gain. It is at this crossroads that players will find themselves: fight as a champion of the new world order, or take up arms with Noir, the shadow government sworn to overthrow the totalitarian rule.

Masthead has employed its own engine to craft the stunning graphics and atmosphere in the game, as well as to handle its dynamic combat mechanics. Explore the diverse and sprawling capital city of Sal Vitas and surrounding unclaimed territories. Fight with advanced PvP mechanics featuring customizable power armor, huge mechanized exoskeletons, and an arsenal of weapons to control contested lands and their resources. Influence the market-based economy by working for the corporate world or trading on the black market, all based in immense and highly customized crafting and offline play systems. Players will shape the society in the beginning of a new mankind; or they will create their own dystopia.

(This will change the way we play sci-fi MMOs,) said Atanas Atanasov, CEO of Mast-head Studios. (Our team is creating a game that will introduce the next innovative approach to the genre, and we feel to MMOs themselves. We based the game in a vision of society’s future, where the technology and economics of today have ensured an unavoidable cataclysm. Earthrise won’t be just an MMO, but an experience in a new, never-before-imagined post-apocalyptic world.)

Further information, initial concept art, game lore and a growing community around Earthrise are now available at www.play-earthrise.com.

About Earthrise

Earthrise is Masthead Studios’ post apocalyptic science fiction MMORPG set in the distant future.

In the aftermath of the Third World War, mankind has managed to survive and build a new society: the prosperous city of Sal Vitas. In a time where technological advances in cloning and quantum engineering have created an immortal human race, rule by a unified government rewards law-abiding citizens. But be-neath this seemingly peaceful Utopia lays social unrest and political uprising. Armed factions fight for power within the new system and a rebellion has begun with the shadow government Noir.

Explore Earth in its post-apocalyptic future, forging your own path amid the new world conflict. Featuring a unique skill-based advancement system and player-driven economy, as well as extensive, calculated PvP combat, Earthrise gives you the choice to make a difference in Sal Vitas. Whichever side you believe to be righteous, your actions will echo throughout the game world. Read more about Earthrise at www.play-earthrise.com.

About Masthead Studios

Masthead Studios is an independent game development studio focusing on innovative, next-generation MMORPGs. Integrating its own proprietary engine technology, the company is currently developing its first title, Earthrise, the post-apocalyptic, sci-fi MMORPG to be launched in 2009. Masthead is located in the emerging technology hub of Sofia, Bulgaria, enabling the studio to recruit local and international talent. For more information please visit www.mastheadstudios.com.