Gods & Heroes: Rome Rising
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| Gods & Heroes: Rome Rising | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Perpetual Entertainment |
| Publisher(s) | Sony Online Entertainment |
| Designer(s) | Stieg Hedlund (Lead Designer); John Mundy (Lead Level Designer); Mike Hines (Art Director) |
| Engine | Proprietary Engine (Server), Proprietary and RenderWare (Client) |
| Version | N/A |
| Platform(s) | PC |
| Release date | Indefinite Hold |
| Genre(s) | MMORPG |
| Mode(s) | Persistent world |
| Rating(s) | TBA |
| Media | DVD |
| System requirements | TBA |
| Input methods | Keyboard and mouse |
Gods & Heroes: Rome Rising (abbreviated as G&H or GnH) was the title of an MMORPG in development by Perpetual Entertainment that was announced on March 9, 2005. The game was set in the world of ancient Rome, and combined historical elements and enemies (Etruscans, Faliscans, etc.) with mythological ones (Cyclops, Gorgons, etc.). Players would select era-appropriate classes including Soldiers, Gladiators and Mystics, each of whom could align themselves with an Olympian God (such as Jupiter or Mars)[1].
The game was originally slated for release in Q4 of 2005, and then pushed again for 2008, but due to the challenge to develop both 'Gods and Heroes' as well as Star Trek Online, the company decided to hold the development indefinitely [2]. The game had been in closed beta since October of 2006[3], but was shut down the day of hold announcement.
Sony Online Entertainment was named as the publisher and distributor for the game in North America[4], but has no hand in the development of the game.
Contents |
[edit] Player Classes
There were six classes of character intended for launch: Soldier, Gladiator, Mystic, Priest, Scout and Nomad (replacing the Rogue for launch, though the Rogue was still scheduled to be a post-launch player class)[5]. Each class could serve one of two gods: Soldiers serve Minerva or Mars; Gladiators serve Fortuna or Jupiter; Scouts serve Diana or Apollo; Nomads serve Nemesis or Mercury; Priests serve Juno or Pluto; and Mystics serve Trevia or Bacchus[6]. Each God or Goddess granted his or her follower unique God Powers that supplemented the character's class abilities.
[edit] Minions
Minions were touted as one of the game's unique features. There were several different ways to collect the more than 130 minions available in the game. You could hire the minions to join your camp for a fee, earn minions as quest rewards, get minion contracts as loot drops or earn their respect by beating them in combat situations. [7] These minions included warriors, ranged attackers, casters, and mythological creatures. These hirelings would have utilized an AI system enabling them to heal you, attack, defend, form up in various formations and learn special moves. In addition, each god made a different mythical minion available to their scions.[8] In addition to the AI, players would have the ability to control all aspects of their minions, such as telling a healer minion to heal a specific player, as well as customizable squad formations. As your level progressed, you gained the ability to control more minions at once, until you had a full squad with four minions. Each party member would be able to bring up to 4 minions with them in a party. There would be challenges, quests, and some instances that would have limitations on the number of minions you would be able to bring along. [9]
[edit] Current Status
The game was undergoing tests as a closed beta test. Only a few people were granted beta keys at the time. Beta keys were given away in random intervals on the official homepage.
However, it was announced that the game's development would be put on indefinite hold, due to the developers shifting their focus to Star Trek Online. Because of the indefinite hold, the beta server was closed.
[edit] Reception
Gods & Heroes: Rome Rising was well-received at 2006's E3, receiving Allakhazam's Best of Show Award[10]; TenTonHammer's Best of Show Award[11]; MMORPG.com's Game of Show and Best Graphics Awards[12]; Stratics' Best Gameplay Award and Game of Show Runner-Up; and GameAmp's Best Gameplay Award[13].
[edit] References
- ^ Perpetual Entertainment G&H info page. Perpetual Entertainment.
- ^ Friends, Romans, Countrymen, Lend me your ears. Perpetual. Retrieved on October 9, 2007.
- ^ Gods & Heroes; Rome Rising Enters Closed Beta. Perpetual Entertainment.
- ^ Official Perpetual Entertainment press release. Perpetual Entertainment.
- ^ Introducing the Nomad....the Rogue is in Hiding. Ten Ton Hammer.
- ^ God Powers page on the Gods & Heroes website. Sony Online Entertainment.
- ^ The minion experience.. Perpetual Entertainment.
- ^ Gods, Heroes, and... Minions?. Ten Ton Hammer.
- ^ The minion experience.. Perpetual Entertainment.
- ^ Allakhazam E3 2006 Best of Show Award. Allakhazam's Magical Realm.
- ^ Gods & Heroes. Ten Ton Hammer.
- ^ E3 2006 Game of the Show: Gods & Heroes, Perpetual Entertainment / SOE. MMORPG.com.
- ^ GameAmp’s 2006 E3 MMORPG Awards. GameAmp.
[edit] External links
[edit] Official
- There is no more official page.
[edit] Articles
- Gamersinfo.net's interview with Lead Designer Stieg Hedlund.
- IGN.com preview and walkthrough of the game.
