What is Etherea: Dark Genesis?

Etherea: Dark Genesis is a new type of MMORPG, massively multiplayer online role playing game, that is being launched from a small time developing company.

What does that exactly mean?

It means that the most of the developers are gamers just like you and that there will be no corporate level problems.  The game will be made for the love and the fun of making and playing it and not made to make money.  In terms it's kind of an "underground" type production.

Will that mean a lesser quality game?

Of course not, in a way it could even be considered a better quality game than you are used to.  The developers are not going to stay away from the community in the mystical way most do in popular AAA MMO's.  The developers will be interacting personally with the players and listening closely to what the players want.  Also, without a large corporation supplying huge funding to the game we do not have to live up to that business and try to push less popular things just for the sake of making money, we don't have to rush production, and in short we can make the best game possible without the normal worries.

Well how much will Etherea: Dark Genesis cost to buy and how much for a monthly subscription fee?

Etherea: Dark Genesis will be a free download and will have a set monthly fee to play.  The exact cost has yet to be worked out but rest assured we are making this game not for a profit and the monthly fee will be for the sole purpose of funding the servers and and future expenses of the game.

When will Etherea: Dark Genesis be launched?

The release date is not known as it's pretty early in production but we are focusing on a 3rd to 4th quarter 2006 release.

What genre is Etherea: Dark Genesis?

Etherea: Dark Genesis is a fantasy based MMORPG which takes place in the world of Etherea.  Etherea is home to the mainland, Etherea, and the four homelands of the races (each race will have it's own homeland/island).  It won't be the normal hack and slash MMORPG though, Etherea: Dark Genesis will mix the great qualities of many popular MMO's including, but not limited to, a great pvp and pve system and a player run economy.

Player Run Economy?

Yes, this is where the players make just about all the trade goods in the game.  There will be crafting professions, full professions not subclasses like many MMO's, like Weapon Smiths and Alchemists.  Players that play these professions are allowed to make and sell different goods that are used on an every day basis.  Besides some special loot weapons and armour sets just about every weapon and armour piece in the game will be made and sold by players.

All this sounds great, what now?

The best thing to do pre-launch is get to know everyone on the forums and talk about the game, found under the community link on the homepage. Testing will begin later in development and we will send an announcement out on the forums when we are ready to accept testers.