All Things Trion Worlds E3 2010
Ah, Trion Worlds. The booth I was inexplicably assigned to at this year’s E3 2010. I say “inexplicably” because my editor was so careful in choosing our private showings that I was surprised that he picked a company that so often focuses on MMOs, a genre I don’t particularly care for. Regardless, I was determined to do my job. Even as my blood boiled at the sight of the walking male fan service they call “booth babes”, who were busy looking bored and whispering in each other’s ears all up and down the Trion floor. It was difficult to not be irritated by them. The woman at the Rift display was somewhat relevant, as she was dressed as a character in the game, however, the icy blonde in the End of Nations area was completely unnecessary, as there aren’t any females in the game that I know of (women, apparently, aren’t appreciated in military uniform until it happens to be a costume). I felt like snarkily asking if the games were for girls, too, seeing as how the advertising would suggest otherwise, but I was on Tanooki’s time, not my own. It was no time for being antagonistic.
It’s really a shame, you know? The Rift: Planes of Telara display was flashy and interesting enough all on it’s own without having to put a half naked booth babe in the mix. The games were worth the time it took to demo them. From a female perspective, there is no need for any gender-specific marketing on their part. It just seemed so alienating and unnecessary to me. I wonder how marginalized it made their female employees (one of whom showed me Rift: Planes of Telara) feel.
Anyway. On to the games. I was privy to two private showings at Trion, one of End of Nations, and the other Rift: Planes of Telara.
Going into End of Nations, I wasn’t sure what to expect, given that I completely lack an interest in both real time strategy and MMOs. However, I managed to walk away from the demonstration feeling as though I’d gained a real interest, a monumental feat given that I am set in my ways and generally dislike new things.
End of Nations takes place during a period of unrest following an economic collapse in the not too distant future, 21st century. In the wake of anarchy, a regime emerges to bring order–the Order of Nations. As autonomy and sovereignty is crushed under the Order’s heel, factions of rebels and resistance rise up against them to bring their destructive rule to an end.
One of the first real time strategy massive multiplayer online games, End of Nations allows players to take on the Order either solo or with friends. Watch the world map change as the power balance shifts, battle by battle, victory or defeat. You and you friend will be able to jump into any of thousands of battles at any given time, 24 hours a day, building your units and munitions supplies as you craft and conquer new technology from your headquarters. Highly customizable, you’ll be able to easily mark your legions with specific color schemes and decals to create a distinctive look for your army (which was shown off to Jason and me with a particularly hideous combination of marigold and fuschia).
One of the major featured experiences of the game focuses on your ascension as Commander. You’ll choose a Commander class and obtain unique corresponding attacks, gaining new and more powerful abilities (including some awesome super weapons) as you rise in rank. In fact, one of the super weapons we were given a sneak peek at, a firey air raid that caused me to burst into peals of laughter like a comic book villain on happy gas.
Visually, End of Nations is better than I would expect for this type of game. They definitely made the graphics a priority, and it showed. I complimented the look of the fire as it rained down on my enemies during the air raid, and our demonstrator proudly told me it’d taken ten tries to get it right. Well, the work paid off. It looked fantastic. And the masterful execution of both MMO and RTS is to be applauded. Even the most anti social of player will be tempted by this game. It has the potential to make MMORTS a household abbreviation.
End of Nations does not yet have a release date, but I’m told it will likely come out in 2011. Click on the screen shot below to hit up the gallery I uploaded over at The Tanooki.
Unlike End of Nations, Trion Worlds’ Rift: Planes of Telara is strictly MMORPG. The game takes place in the titular Telara, a world thrown into chaos. Intersecting planes threaten to tear the land apart as invading forces make use of the resulting portals to wreak havoc. These rifts are the focus of your adventure, as you defend your home from the evil that pours from the gaps between planar dimensions. Choose between two factions: the Guardians, the oath bound traditionalists, and the Defiant, who seek to usher in a new age through the revival of long dead technologies.
Now, onto the hands-on experience.
Like its Trion Worlds brethren End of Nations, Rift: Planes of Telara is well put together for a game so far from release. When watching Rift, the words “visually stunning” came to mind. I spent most of the demo simply marveling at their creativity and use of color. Now, I’m not really an MMO girl, I’ll say that right off. Between the demonstrator’s rapid speed delivery, and the various made up names that are so characteristic of sci-fi/adventure based fiction, it was a little hard to keep up on some of the plot details. But if I were to pick a game based on the visual experience alone (something I’ve actually been known to do), I would definitely be inspired to pick up Rift.
The character and class customization was nothing short of impressive with its range of colors and features, including a face-customization wheel that will morph the facial features with the move of a mouse. The rifts themselves are awe-inspiring in their explosive range of color and intricate details. Wandering the fields of Telara feels like a virtual vacation. You know, ‘cept for all the invading forces and destructive interplanetary portals and stuff.
The beauty must be seen to be believed, so I encourage you to check out their official site. Rift: Planes of Telara does not yet have a release window, and I’m told the monthly subscription will be priced competitively in comparison with other MMOs (“between ten and fifteen dollars”). Don’t miss the screen shots, available by clicking the image below.
