Misplaced Pages

Earth & Beyond: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 02:38, 14 January 2006 edit62.190.230.183 (talk) →Factions← Previous edit Latest revision as of 15:10, 21 November 2024 edit undo78.3.46.84 (talk)No edit summaryTags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit 
(519 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Redirect|Earth and Beyond|the series of Doctor Who audios|Earth and Beyond (Doctor Who)}}
{| cellpadding=2 cellspacing=2 align=right width=256px style="font-family: verdana, sans-serif; padding: 6px; margin: 0 0 1em 1em; font-size: 10px; background-color: #f7f8ff; border:1px solid #8888aa;"
{{Redirect|Progen|the single by The Shamen|Move Any Mountain}}
|- style=background:#ccccff
{{Infobox video game
| align=center colspan=2|<font size="2">'''''Earth & Beyond'''''</font>
| image = E&BBox.jpg
|-
| developer = ]<ref name="GSpotAjami">{{Cite web |last=Ajami |first=Amer |date=2001-03-05 |title=Earth and Beyond unveiled |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/earth-and-beyond-unveiled/1100-2692721/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608203437/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/earth-and-beyond-unveiled/1100-2692721/ |archive-date=2021-06-08 |access-date=2017-04-09 |website=] |language=en}}</ref>
| align=center colspan=2|<!-- insert image here -->
| publisher = ]
|- style=background:#ccccff
| designer = ] <br /> ] <br /> ]
| style=width:80px|]:
| ] | producer = ]
| artist = Jerry O'Flaherty
|-
| composer = ] <br /> ]
|]:
| released = {{vgrelease|NA|24 September 2002<ref name=GSpotCalvert/>|UK|4 October 2002<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bramwell |first=Tom |date=September 30, 2002 |title=''Earth & Beyond'' hidden by EA |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/article-46763 |access-date=July 17, 2024 |website=]}}</ref>}}
| ]
| genre = ]
|- style=background:#ccccff
| modes = ]
|Release date:
| ], ] | platforms = ]
| engine = ]
|-
}}
|]:
| ]
|- style=background:#ccccff
|Game modes:
| ]
|-
|] rating:
| Teen
|- style=background:#ccccff
|] rating:
| 11+
|-
|Platform:
| ]
|- style=background:#ccccff
|Media:
| ]
|-
|System requirements:
| ] ], 128MB ], ] access, ]
|- style=background:#ccccff
|Input:
| ], ]
|}
'''''Earth & Beyond''''' is a ] ] game developed by ] and published by ]. The game was released on ], ] in the ]. EA shutdown E&B on ], ], ending the paid subscription service that allowed players to play.


'''''Earth & Beyond''''' was a ] ] (MMORPG) developed by ] and published by ] (EA). The game was released in September 2002 in the United States. EA shut down ''Earth & Beyond'' on 22 September 2004. It was the last game developed by Westwood Studios.
== Game universe ==
It is not known what year it is set in exactly, but that it is some time around the 2175 AD. It features three races: the ], ] and ]. The Progen are a genetically altered and advanced race. The Jenquai are philosophers that seek eternal life. The Terrans are the original humans. Each of the three races is decended from the human race on ], in essence they are all human. The game's storyline takes place in the ]. The Progen, Terran and Jenquai are all uneasy of each other, but still manage to live together in peace. The Terrans are known for their extremely large corporations, such as InfinitiCorp and GetCo. InfinitiCorp is the manufacturer of the intersystem and intersector warp gates. The warp gates were originally created by the mysterious Ancients, a enigmatic and hyper-advanced race who had all but disappeared.
=== The Warp Gates ===
Originally, a Progen freighter was travelling on a trade run near ], when his reactor exploded and sent him flying into a nearby asteroid field. As a result of this, a nearby ] exploded and revealed the gate of Akeron.


==History==
When you flew into the gate, you would be almost instantly transported to the Aragoth system (this did not happen in the game anymore because of ]). The finding of this gate led to many things, both good and bad.
Development for ''Earth and Beyond'' – originally designated as ''Project G'' – began in 1997.<ref name=GSpotAjami/> By 2001, Westwood had created content for over 100 sectors of playable space.<ref name=GSpotAjami/> Public beta for the game began on 9 March 2002, allowing up to 100,000 new players to roam the sectors and test content.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Trey |date=2002-05-09 |title=Earth and Beyond Online beta test to grow |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/earth-and-beyond-online-beta-test-to-grow/1100-2864944/ |access-date=2017-04-09 |website=]}}</ref> The finished game was launched on September 24 the same year. It was initially shipped in limited quantities to retailers to allow for smooth experience as new players sign on to the servers.<ref name="GSpotCalvert">{{Cite web |last=Calvert |first=Justin |date=September 13, 2002|title=''Earth & Beyond'' goes gold |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/earth-and-beyond-goes-gold/1100-2880188/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513094231/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/earth-and-beyond-goes-gold/1100-2880188/ |archive-date=May 13, 2021|access-date=April 9, 2017|website=] |language=en}}</ref> In January 2003, the main story line and accompanying events began. This required all players to download a patch and wait for servers to be upgraded. This was the first of regular monthly story driven updates designed to gradually change the game environment as the plot unfolded.<ref name="GSpotParker">{{Cite web |last=Parker |first=Sam |date=2003-01-23 |title=Earth & Beyond's story starting soon |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/earth-and-beyonds-story-starting-soon/1100-2909527/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170523035649/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/earth-and-beyonds-story-starting-soon/1100-2909527/ |archive-date=2017-05-23 |access-date=2017-04-09 |website=] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Parker |first=Sam |date=2002-10-21 |title=First monthly Earth & Beyond Update |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/first-monthly-earth-and-beyond-update/1100-2895258/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513103246/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/first-monthly-earth-and-beyond-update/1100-2895258/ |archive-date=2021-05-13 |access-date=2017-04-09 |website=] |language=en}}</ref> In June that year, players met a new race called the Vrix. This was a substantial update to the online universe, adding many more missions for higher level players and improving the intelligence of all ]s in the game.<ref name=GSpotParker/>
* The loss of several explorer vessels investigating the new Aragoth system,
* The start of the Gate war
* Infiniticorp gained the ability to make other gates
* Lag while playing the game (everyone uses Akeron's gate to get to Aragoth)
* Other insignificant things


==Plot==
=== Home planets of the three races ===
''Earth & Beyond'' was set some time around AD 2575. It featured three races: the Progen, Jenquai and Terran. The Progen were a genetically-altered and advanced race. The Jenquai were philosophers who sought eternal life. The Terrans were the original humans. Each of the three races had descended from the human race on Earth. The game's storyline took place in the ]. The Progen, Terran and Jenquai were all uneasy of each other, but still managed to live together in peace. The Terrans were known for their extremely large corporations, such as Infiniti Corp. and GetCo. Infiniti Corp. was the manufacturer of the inter-system and inter-sector warp gates. The warp gates were originally created by the mysterious Ancients, an enigmatic and hyper-advanced race who had all but disappeared.
The home planets of all three races is really Earth, but when long range space travel first became available, each race went to a separate planet. The Terrans stayed on Earth, the Jenquai moved to ] and the Progen went to ].


After two centuries of conflict, Humankind's three races – the Progen, Terrans and Jenquai – had achieved an uneasy balance of power by dividing known space between them. The Terrans claimed Earth, headquarters to their massive trade corporations. The genetically engineered Progen, bred for perfection, commanded the wastes of Mars. The Jenquai, ever seeking knowledge, created great space stations to orbit the moons of Jupiter. Peace was shattered when the first stargate, an ancient artifact built by an unknown people, was discovered. Coveting its secrets for their own, the Jenquai hid the Gate from the other races, but their efforts were in vain; within months, a spy employed by the Terran conglomerate InfinitiCorp revealed the Gate's existence to the outraged Terrans and Progen. Humanity was suddenly thrust into conflict, an epic battle over control of the Gate.
=== The language of the V'rix ===
In the Aragoth system, suddenly after the Progen opened up another recently discovered ancient gate, ancient artifacts about the V'rix appeared. Two large Maelstroms appeared in Jenquai and Progen sectors. Alien life forms started appearing all over the galaxy, small bat-like creatures poured out of the Maelstroms. The Aliens would fly around sectors in random patterns, when a comm signal was opened to an alien craft, it would simply reply in a language like this: (Note: this is not the actual text message they would reply with)
H2LL4,3'M1N1L32N


The three races fought a devastating nine-year war, dubbed the Gate War, using weapons far deadlier than any previously conceived. Millions of lives were lost, and millions more would have perished had the Terrans not surprised their foes with a sudden cease-fire proposal. After months of negotiations, the three civilizations agreed to share the Gate, and declared an uneasy peace, but InfinitiCorp had plans of its own. Under utmost secrecy, its scientists had reverse-engineered the Gate's technology, and within a few years the mighty conglomerate announced to the astonished worlds the genesis of the Infinitigate.
It was first believed to be a mathematical form of communication, until the language was decoded.


Fifty years have passed since the invention of the Infinitigate. Progen, Jenquai and Terrans alike have thrived, spreading their civilizations across a dozen star systems, exploiting their riches. Though the races are at peace, acrimony remains. Tension and distrust govern galactic relations and every citizen fears the day when the spectre of war again raises its shadow.
=== Decoding the language ===


==Gameplay==
H2LL4,3'M1N1L32N
''Earth and Beyond'' was played by controlling either a humanoid or spaceship ] in the ]. Each ], or Universe, consisted of 12 main star systems. Each system contained multiple sectors. Warp gates were used to travel from sector to sector, and system to system.


Players created a character by choosing one of the three races, and one of three professions: Warrior, Trader or Explorer. Characters gained three types of experience: Combat experience was gained through fighting and completing combat jobs (being incapacitated resulted in "EXP Debt" and the character would only receive half of the normal experience until the debt was repaid), Trade experience was gained from selling loot, by building items and by taking trade jobs, and Exploration experience was gained from visiting navigation points and exploration jobs. In general each system had a number of "nav points". Visiting a nav point for the first time gave a certain amount of exploration experience. After a nav point was visited, it appeared on the "radar" when the player was in the system.
* There are English punctuation marks
* There are Roman-style characters
* Numbers are used in seemingly random places


Player's ships were constructed from a reactor, shield and engine. Optionally, a ship could have weapons or other devices that may ] or debuff other ships. Ship equipment could be reverse-engineered, rebuilt and enhanced. Player-made items could have better stats than dropped or purchased items, depending on the skill of the builder.
To decode the language, you will need to use a chart like this one, that lists the vowels.
|A1|
E2|
I3|
O4|
U5|


There were several varieties of boss spawns: Some were activated after a certain number of lower level monsters were killed, while others were time-based. For example, the Crystal Daeva, which produced valuable loot, had a spawn time of 72 hours. Nearly all bosses carried valuable and rare loot, which could be sold for significant amounts of cash on the in-game market.
There are five vowels in the English language, if you replaced them with
numbers, in the sentence <tt> Hello, I'm an alien</TT> you would get
H2LL4,3'M1N1L32N.


Some sectors had areas where "Invasions" were staged. Sectors like Aragoth Prime contained a heavily defended Red Dragon base that was surrounded by multiple layers of defense turrets, carriers, battle cruisers, and frigates. Invasions often involved a multitude of clans joined to attack the base and a huge battle would ensue.
Note:
* The Aliens do not use spaces.


===New player zones===
==Playable professions==
Each race/class combination had its own starting sector. When a new character first logged onto the server they automatically appeared in the appropriate sector to begin the tutorial. The tutorial guided players through the basics of navigation, exploration, combat, and trade. Once the first set of missions was complete, the tutorial guided the player to a warp gate connected to their race's home planetary sector.
There are three races (as mentioned above) and three professions:
Warrior, Explorer and Trader. Not all combinations are available for play.
The following professions are available:


===Jenquai Warrior=== ===Leveling up===
The maximum level in ''Earth and Beyond'' was 150. It could take many months, even a year for casual players to reach the summit. To ''level'', a player must gain experience. Each successive level required more and more experience points. There were three types of activities that reward experience points.
"Ninja". Jenquai warriors rely on stealth. Their weapons of choice
are beams, weapons with the shortest rang.


Exploration experience was the first type players saw after leaving their starting sector. Exploration experience is awarded by traveling to ''undiscovered'' navigation points on the map. The amount of experience gained from each Nav Point was capped, so lower level players received the most benefit from exploring the universe.
===Jenquai Explorer===
Explorers are very difficult to play solo. This class has the thinnest hull
and the fewest (three) weapon mounts. Conversely, they have six device mounts.


Combat experience was awarded by engaging ] in the game environment and defeating them. The amount of experience gained from each encounter was based on the player's level and the level of the NPC that was killed.
The JE class has some unique abilities in the game:
* Open wormhole.
* Build reactor.


When a player destroyed an enemy NPC, ] was dropped. Players could pick up this loot and sell it to NPC vendors for Trade experience. Players could also earn Trade experience by ''learning'' how to build their own components and items.
===Progen Warrior===
The ultimate tank, slow and loud. Huge hull, powerful shields. Hull damage control
skill reduces damage


==Cancellation==
===Progen Sentinel===
] closed ''Earth and Beyond'' servers on 22 September 2004 (known as the ''Earth and Beyond Sunset'').<ref>{{Cite web |last=Calvert |first=Justin |date=2004-03-17 |title=The end of Earth & Beyond is nigh |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-end-of-earth-and-beyond-is-nigh/1100-6091609/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615110706/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-end-of-earth-and-beyond-is-nigh/1100-6091609/ |archive-date=2021-06-15 |access-date=2017-04-09 |website=] |language=en}}</ref>
The most under-used class.


==Reception==
===Terran Enforcer===
{{Video game reviews
Long-range artillery. Second only to the Progen Warrior in hull strength, the Enforcer
| MC = 82/100<ref name="MC">{{Cite web |title=Earth & Beyond for PC Reviews |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/earth-and-beyond/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608205439/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/earth-beyond |archive-date=2021-06-08 |access-date=2017-04-09 |website=] |language=en}}</ref>
benefits from fast engines (fastest warrior class) and long-range missile weapons.
| CGW = {{Rating|3.5|5}}<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=del Sol |first=Arcadian |date=February 2003 |title=Earth & Beyond |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_223.pdf |url-status=live |magazine=] |issue=223 |pages=72–73 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204230243/http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_223.pdf |archive-date=2022-02-04 |access-date=2017-04-10 |lang=en}}</ref>
These last two attributes make the class ideal for ].
| GI = 9.25/10<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=December 2002 |title=Earth & Beyond |magazine=] |issue=116 |page=146 |issn=1067-6392 |oclc=870151871 |lang=en}}</ref>
| GamePro = {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref>{{Cite magazine |author=Dunjin Master |date=2002-10-18 |title=Earth and Beyond Review for PC on GamePro.com |url=http://gamepro.com/computer/pc/games/reviews/26706.shtml |url-status=dead |magazine=] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050212120230/http://gamepro.com/computer/pc/games/reviews/26706.shtml |archive-date=2005-02-12 |access-date=2017-04-10}}</ref>
| GameRev = B+<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ferris |first=Duke |date=October 2002 |title=Earth & Beyond Review |url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/earth-beyond |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210507095005/https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/33039-earth-beyond-review |archive-date=2021-05-07 |access-date=2017-04-09 |publisher=] |language=en}}</ref>
| GSpot = 6.9/10<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dulin |first=Ron |date=2002-10-10 |title=Earth & Beyond Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/earth-and-beyond-review/1900-2885136/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608203437/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/earth-and-beyond-review/1900-2885136/ |archive-date=2021-06-08 |access-date=2017-04-09 |website=] |language=en}}</ref>
| GSpy = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=McConnaughy |first=Tim |date=2002-10-16 |title=GameSpy: Earth & Beyond |url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/earth-beyond/549503p1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608203437/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/earth-beyond/549503p1.html |archive-date=2021-06-08 |access-date=2017-04-10 |website=] |language=en}}</ref>
| GameZone = 8/10<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lafferty |first=Michael |date=2002-10-15 |title=Earth & Beyond Online Review |url=http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r18277.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322012707/http://pc.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r18277.htm |archive-date=2009-03-22 |access-date=2017-04-10 |publisher=GameZone |language=en}}</ref>
| IGN = 8.8/10<ref>{{Cite web |last=Conrad |first=Jeremy |date=2002-10-14 |title=Earth and Beyond Review |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2002/10/14/earth-and-beyond-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190512065858/https://www.ign.com/articles/2002/10/14/earth-and-beyond-review |archive-date=2019-05-12 |access-date=2017-04-09 |website=] |language=en}}</ref>
| PCGUS = 80%<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Klett |first=Steve |date=2002-12-25 |title=Earth & Beyond |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/07/earth_beyond.html |url-status=dead |journal=] |page=92 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060315140808/http://www.pcgamer.com/archives/2005/07/earth_beyond.html |archive-date=2006-03-15 |access-date=2017-04-10}}</ref>
| XPlay = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Jonah |date=2002-09-27 |title='Earth & Beyond' (PC) Review |url=http://www.techtv.com/extendedplay/reviews/story/0,24330,3400510,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030212085518/http://www.techtv.com/extendedplay/reviews/story/0,24330,3400510,00.html |archive-date=2003-02-12 |access-date=2017-04-10 |publisher=]}}</ref>
| rev1 = '']''
| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{Cite news |last=Saltzman |first=Marc |date=2002-12-10 |title=Action, intrigue propel holiday game releases |work=] |url=http://cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/121002_holiday.html |url-status=dead |access-date=2017-04-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103105702/http://cincinnati.com/freetime/games/reviews/121002_holiday.html |archive-date=2007-11-03}}</ref>
| rev2 = '']''
| rev2Score = A−<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Brooks |first=Mark |date=2002-10-25 |title=Earth & Beyond |url=http://ew.com/article/2002/10/25/earth-beyond/ |url-status=live |magazine=] |issue=679 |page=83 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608203441/https://ew.com/article/2002/10/25/earth-beyond/ |archive-date=2021-06-08 |access-date=2017-04-09}}</ref>
}}


At the time of its release, the game received "favorable" reviews according to the ] website ].<ref name=MC/>
===Terran Trader===
Despite its name, a TT is must-have in any hunting group, due to its in-flight
repair ability and shield recharging.


''Earth & Beyond'' was a nominee for '']''{{'}}s "2002 Best Massively Multiplayer Game" award, which ultimately went to '']''.<ref name=pcgamerusawards2003>{{Cite journal |date=March 2003 |title=The Ninth Annual ''PC Gamer'' Awards |journal=] |volume=10 |pages=48–50, 54, 58, 60, 66, 68, 70 |issn=1080-4471 |oclc=1229169030 |number=3 |language=en}}</ref> It was a runner-up for '']''{{'}}s 2002 "Most Disappointing Game on PC" award, losing to '']''.<ref name="bestworst2002">{{Cite web |date=2002-12-30 |title=''GameSpot''{{'}}s Best and Worst of 2002 |url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030207155400/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/bestof2002/ |archive-date=2003-02-07 |website=] |language=en}}</ref>
==Factions==
In EnB, every player and most NPCs belong to a faction. Some factions get along well,
some less well and some don't get along at all.


==References==
A player's standing with a faction is a numerical value
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
* -2000 or below: red. Mob attacks on sight.
* {{moby game|id=/windows/earth-beyond}}
* -1999 to +1999: yellow. Neutral, won't attack until provoked.
* +2000 and above: green. Friendly.


{{Westwood Studios}}
Here's a list of factions (incomplete):


{{SAGE engine games}}
* Centuriata Warriors (Progen Warriors)
* Sabine Explorers (Progen Sentinels)
* Collegia Traders (Progen traders, NPC only)
* EarthCorps Warriors (Terran W.)
* InfinitiCorp Traders (Terran T.)
* Hyperia Explorers (Terran explorers, NPC only)
* Shinwa Warriors (Jenquai W.)
* Sha'ha'dem Explorers (Jenquai E.)
* Sharim Traders (Jenquai traders, NPC only)
* The Red Dragon (abbreviated RD). Pirates. Hate any form of authority.
* Bogeril. A loose collection of early settlers in the Alpha Centurai system. Bogeril are renowned for their ingenuity and tinkering abilities.
* Anseria. Violent Psionics, they hate InfinitiCorp.
* V'rix. Mysterious aliens. Apart from the Mordana, they hate everyone and attack on sight. The feeling is mutual.
* Mordana
* Glenn Commission. The Glenn Commission is the neutral government of Beta Hydri.
* Good Earth Trading Company. Although competitors of InfinitiCorp, their faction standing is neutral.


{{Authority control}}
Every time a player kills a ], their standing with the victim's faction decreases,
and their standing with other factions that hate the victim increases. For example, killing Red Dragons
decreases Red Dragon faction, but increases (in a smaller measure) Centuriata and EarthCorps faction,
because these factions hate each other.


{{DEFAULTSORT:Earth and Beyond}}
The Red Dragon are a special case. Although players start with a large negative RD faction,
]
getting friendly with them is desirable because this allows acces to the Smugglers Run system,
]
which is an excellent shortcut between far-flung places in the galaxy. Also, the Red Dragon leader
offers some missions with large experience awards once a player's RD standing is green (+2000 or greater).

There are two "well-known" methods of increasing a player's standing with the Red Dragons:
* Killing Chavez. The Chavez are pirates who dislike Red Dragon, and the NPCs can sometimes
be seen fighting each other. The Chavez don't have their own faction so there is no
* Killing one's own faction. A Progen Warrior can go and hunt Centuriata NPCs,
taking care not to reduce the Centuriata standing below +2000, because he'd get
kicked out of the faction and won't be able to land on Centuriata-owned stations.

Here's the algorithm for getting better RD faction:

# Kill some NPCs of your own faction (e.g. Centuriata) until your standing approaches +2000
# Run lots of trade, explore or combat jobs sponsored by the Centuriata, until faction increases.
# Lather, rinse, repeat.

==Cancellation==
Rumors of the game's cancellation became prevalent in early 2004. EA confirmed the suspicions in March 2004 by announcing that ''Earth & Beyond'' was to be discontinued the following September, stating that it would refocus on other projects. E&B never became very popular, reporting close to 40,000 subscribers early and later showing continually lesser numbers. Not surprisingly after the March statement, the figures saw their most dramatic decline.

== External links ==
*
*

== Spawned Projects ==

]
] ]
] ]
]
]
]

]
==Community==
]
Today Earth & Beyond's community still keeps in contact through the forums of and . The latter forum is an ongoing community project by various E&B fans to develop a new E&B-style game, to be known as Beyond Earth Online.
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 15:10, 21 November 2024

"Earth and Beyond" redirects here. For the series of Doctor Who audios, see Earth and Beyond (Doctor Who). "Progen" redirects here. For the single by The Shamen, see Move Any Mountain. 2002 video game
Earth & Beyond
Developer(s)Westwood Studios
Publisher(s)Electronic Arts
Producer(s)Eric Wang
Designer(s)Brett Sperry
Louis Castle
Jim Walls
Artist(s)Jerry O'Flaherty
Composer(s)Frank Klepacki
David Arkenstone
EngineW3D (Westwood 3D) engine
Platform(s)Windows
Release
  • NA: 24 September 2002
  • UK: 4 October 2002
Genre(s)Massively multiplayer online role-playing game
Mode(s)Multiplayer

Earth & Beyond was a science fiction massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed by Westwood Studios and published by Electronic Arts (EA). The game was released in September 2002 in the United States. EA shut down Earth & Beyond on 22 September 2004. It was the last game developed by Westwood Studios.

History

Development for Earth and Beyond – originally designated as Project G – began in 1997. By 2001, Westwood had created content for over 100 sectors of playable space. Public beta for the game began on 9 March 2002, allowing up to 100,000 new players to roam the sectors and test content. The finished game was launched on September 24 the same year. It was initially shipped in limited quantities to retailers to allow for smooth experience as new players sign on to the servers. In January 2003, the main story line and accompanying events began. This required all players to download a patch and wait for servers to be upgraded. This was the first of regular monthly story driven updates designed to gradually change the game environment as the plot unfolded. In June that year, players met a new race called the Vrix. This was a substantial update to the online universe, adding many more missions for higher level players and improving the intelligence of all NPCs in the game.

Plot

Earth & Beyond was set some time around AD 2575. It featured three races: the Progen, Jenquai and Terran. The Progen were a genetically-altered and advanced race. The Jenquai were philosophers who sought eternal life. The Terrans were the original humans. Each of the three races had descended from the human race on Earth. The game's storyline took place in the Milky Way Galaxy. The Progen, Terran and Jenquai were all uneasy of each other, but still managed to live together in peace. The Terrans were known for their extremely large corporations, such as Infiniti Corp. and GetCo. Infiniti Corp. was the manufacturer of the inter-system and inter-sector warp gates. The warp gates were originally created by the mysterious Ancients, an enigmatic and hyper-advanced race who had all but disappeared.

After two centuries of conflict, Humankind's three races – the Progen, Terrans and Jenquai – had achieved an uneasy balance of power by dividing known space between them. The Terrans claimed Earth, headquarters to their massive trade corporations. The genetically engineered Progen, bred for perfection, commanded the wastes of Mars. The Jenquai, ever seeking knowledge, created great space stations to orbit the moons of Jupiter. Peace was shattered when the first stargate, an ancient artifact built by an unknown people, was discovered. Coveting its secrets for their own, the Jenquai hid the Gate from the other races, but their efforts were in vain; within months, a spy employed by the Terran conglomerate InfinitiCorp revealed the Gate's existence to the outraged Terrans and Progen. Humanity was suddenly thrust into conflict, an epic battle over control of the Gate.

The three races fought a devastating nine-year war, dubbed the Gate War, using weapons far deadlier than any previously conceived. Millions of lives were lost, and millions more would have perished had the Terrans not surprised their foes with a sudden cease-fire proposal. After months of negotiations, the three civilizations agreed to share the Gate, and declared an uneasy peace, but InfinitiCorp had plans of its own. Under utmost secrecy, its scientists had reverse-engineered the Gate's technology, and within a few years the mighty conglomerate announced to the astonished worlds the genesis of the Infinitigate.

Fifty years have passed since the invention of the Infinitigate. Progen, Jenquai and Terrans alike have thrived, spreading their civilizations across a dozen star systems, exploiting their riches. Though the races are at peace, acrimony remains. Tension and distrust govern galactic relations and every citizen fears the day when the spectre of war again raises its shadow.

Gameplay

Earth and Beyond was played by controlling either a humanoid or spaceship avatar in the third-person. Each game server, or Universe, consisted of 12 main star systems. Each system contained multiple sectors. Warp gates were used to travel from sector to sector, and system to system.

Players created a character by choosing one of the three races, and one of three professions: Warrior, Trader or Explorer. Characters gained three types of experience: Combat experience was gained through fighting and completing combat jobs (being incapacitated resulted in "EXP Debt" and the character would only receive half of the normal experience until the debt was repaid), Trade experience was gained from selling loot, by building items and by taking trade jobs, and Exploration experience was gained from visiting navigation points and exploration jobs. In general each system had a number of "nav points". Visiting a nav point for the first time gave a certain amount of exploration experience. After a nav point was visited, it appeared on the "radar" when the player was in the system.

Player's ships were constructed from a reactor, shield and engine. Optionally, a ship could have weapons or other devices that may buff or debuff other ships. Ship equipment could be reverse-engineered, rebuilt and enhanced. Player-made items could have better stats than dropped or purchased items, depending on the skill of the builder.

There were several varieties of boss spawns: Some were activated after a certain number of lower level monsters were killed, while others were time-based. For example, the Crystal Daeva, which produced valuable loot, had a spawn time of 72 hours. Nearly all bosses carried valuable and rare loot, which could be sold for significant amounts of cash on the in-game market.

Some sectors had areas where "Invasions" were staged. Sectors like Aragoth Prime contained a heavily defended Red Dragon base that was surrounded by multiple layers of defense turrets, carriers, battle cruisers, and frigates. Invasions often involved a multitude of clans joined to attack the base and a huge battle would ensue.

New player zones

Each race/class combination had its own starting sector. When a new character first logged onto the server they automatically appeared in the appropriate sector to begin the tutorial. The tutorial guided players through the basics of navigation, exploration, combat, and trade. Once the first set of missions was complete, the tutorial guided the player to a warp gate connected to their race's home planetary sector.

Leveling up

The maximum level in Earth and Beyond was 150. It could take many months, even a year for casual players to reach the summit. To level, a player must gain experience. Each successive level required more and more experience points. There were three types of activities that reward experience points.

Exploration experience was the first type players saw after leaving their starting sector. Exploration experience is awarded by traveling to undiscovered navigation points on the map. The amount of experience gained from each Nav Point was capped, so lower level players received the most benefit from exploring the universe.

Combat experience was awarded by engaging NPCs in the game environment and defeating them. The amount of experience gained from each encounter was based on the player's level and the level of the NPC that was killed.

When a player destroyed an enemy NPC, loot was dropped. Players could pick up this loot and sell it to NPC vendors for Trade experience. Players could also earn Trade experience by learning how to build their own components and items.

Cancellation

Electronic Arts closed Earth and Beyond servers on 22 September 2004 (known as the Earth and Beyond Sunset).

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic82/100
Review scores
PublicationScore
Computer Gaming World
Game Informer9.25/10
GamePro
GameRevolutionB+
GameSpot6.9/10
GameSpy
GameZone8/10
IGN8.8/10
PC Gamer (US)80%
X-Play
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Entertainment WeeklyA−

At the time of its release, the game received "favorable" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.

Earth & Beyond was a nominee for PC Gamer US's "2002 Best Massively Multiplayer Game" award, which ultimately went to Asheron's Call 2: Fallen Kings. It was a runner-up for GameSpot's 2002 "Most Disappointing Game on PC" award, losing to Civilization III: Play the World.

References

  1. Bramwell, Tom (September 30, 2002). "Earth & Beyond hidden by EA". Eurogamer. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  2. ^ Calvert, Justin (September 13, 2002). "Earth & Beyond goes gold". GameSpot. Archived from the original on May 13, 2021. Retrieved April 9, 2017.
  3. ^ Ajami, Amer (2001-03-05). "Earth and Beyond unveiled". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2021-06-08. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  4. Walker, Trey (2002-05-09). "Earth and Beyond Online beta test to grow [date mislabeled as 2006-05-17]". GameSpot. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  5. ^ Parker, Sam (2003-01-23). "Earth & Beyond's story starting soon". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2017-05-23. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  6. Parker, Sam (2002-10-21). "First monthly Earth & Beyond Update". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2021-05-13. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  7. Calvert, Justin (2004-03-17). "The end of Earth & Beyond is nigh". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2021-06-15. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  8. ^ "Earth & Beyond for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 2021-06-08. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  9. del Sol, Arcadian (February 2003). "Earth & Beyond" (PDF). Computer Gaming World. No. 223. pp. 72–73. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2022-02-04. Retrieved 2017-04-10.
  10. "Earth & Beyond". Game Informer. No. 116. December 2002. p. 146. ISSN 1067-6392. OCLC 870151871.
  11. Dunjin Master (2002-10-18). "Earth and Beyond Review for PC on GamePro.com". GamePro. Archived from the original on 2005-02-12. Retrieved 2017-04-10.
  12. Ferris, Duke (October 2002). "Earth & Beyond Review". Game Revolution. Archived from the original on 2021-05-07. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  13. Dulin, Ron (2002-10-10). "Earth & Beyond Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2021-06-08. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  14. McConnaughy, Tim (2002-10-16). "GameSpy: Earth & Beyond". GameSpy. Archived from the original on 2021-06-08. Retrieved 2017-04-10.
  15. Lafferty, Michael (2002-10-15). "Earth & Beyond Online [sic] Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on 2009-03-22. Retrieved 2017-04-10.
  16. Conrad, Jeremy (2002-10-14). "Earth and Beyond Review". IGN. Archived from the original on 2019-05-12. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  17. Klett, Steve (2002-12-25). "Earth & Beyond". PC Gamer: 92. Archived from the original on 2006-03-15. Retrieved 2017-04-10.
  18. Jackson, Jonah (2002-09-27). "'Earth & Beyond' (PC) Review". X-Play. Archived from the original on 2003-02-12. Retrieved 2017-04-10.
  19. Saltzman, Marc (2002-12-10). "Action, intrigue propel holiday game releases". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Archived from the original on 2007-11-03. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  20. Brooks, Mark (2002-10-25). "Earth & Beyond". Entertainment Weekly. No. 679. p. 83. Archived from the original on 2021-06-08. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  21. "The Ninth Annual PC Gamer Awards". PC Gamer US. 10 (3): 48–50, 54, 58, 60, 66, 68, 70. March 2003. ISSN 1080-4471. OCLC 1229169030.
  22. "GameSpot's Best and Worst of 2002". GameSpot. 2002-12-30. Archived from the original on 2003-02-07.

External links

Westwood Studios
BattleTech series
Command & Conquer series
Dune series
Dungeons & Dragons
Lands of Lore series
Fables and Fiends series
Other games
People
Related articles
Games using W3D / SAGE engine
C&C1
C&C2 Voxel
W3D
SAGE
SAGE 2.0
Categories: