Iceberg Interactive to Publish Earthrise

Earthrise developer Masthead Studios kicked out a press release this morning announcing that they've inked a deal with Iceberg Interactive to publish their post-apocalyptic sci-fi MMORPG early next year. The details:
Iceberg Interactive Announces Publishing Agreement for Much-Anticipated MMORPG Earthrise

HAARLEM, The Netherlands and SOPHIA, Bulgaria December 20, 2010 Premier video games publisher Iceberg Interactive and innovative independent game developer Masthead Studios are thrilled to announce their pan-European publishing agreement for the PC game Earthrise, a post-apocalyptic science fiction MMORPG set in the distant future.

(When we first laid eyes on Masthead Studios' marvellous artwork for Earthrise, we were immediately convinced that this was a great title for us to add depth and diversity to our already promising MMO line-up. We set course on the MMO-sea earlier this year, we have been enjoying the journey so far, and think Earthrise will appeal to many MMO gamers out there.) says Erik Schreuder, CEO at Iceberg Interactive.

(We are excited to partner with Iceberg Interactive for publishing and distribution of Earthrise in Europe,) said Atanas Atanasov, producer of Earthrise and director of MastheadStudios.  (We are confident that the Iceberg team is truly dedicated to the commercial success of Earthrise, bringing our unique and compelling sandbox style gameplay to their established MMO fan base and we can't wait for players to experience the world of Enterra first hand!)

Iceberg Interactive will be bringing the English-language version of Earthrise to European retail in February 2011 and has promised exclusive extra content for boxed version buyers.  Plans on localized versions will be revealed at a later stage.

About Earthrise

At the end of the 21st century, the continuing exhaustion of Earth's resources sparked a furious struggle for dominance, ultimately leading to all-out conflict. Billions perished as the Final Wars raged across the globe.

As nations crumbled and civil society was in its death throes, one of the super-nations that actually started the conflict devised a plan to win the war by simply outliving its rivals.  This resulted in the creation of The Continoma Project a massive, self-sufficient mind database capable of storing the memories and thoughts of humans. The leaders of the super-nation that created Continoma ensured their entry within the database and brought with them the seeds of what they believed was a thriving community of docile and loyal citizens.

Humanity outside Continoma Project all but destroyed itself the great societies that once warred amongst themselves were reduced to nomadic tribes and eventually regressed to primal existence or simply died out, long before the irradiated and polluted world became habitable again. While life on Earth was going through its most dramatic extinction and adaptation, the Librarium a nearly-indestructible fortress tended by artificial intelligence and robots kept the dormant sentience of humanity's chosen safe for the future.

Players find themselves immersed is a continuing power struggle between the leaders behind the Continoma Project, called the Continoma, and the Noir, an armed resistance group formed by a former Continoma leader.  Their continuous struggle has weakened them considerably and even as they remain the two most powerful forces on Enterra, they depend much on the other smaller organizations for their survival and victory on the island.

Featuring a unique skill-based advancement system and player-driven economy, as well as extensive, meaningful player-vs.-player combat, Earthrise gives players innumerable choices to forge their destiny through its open, sandbox-style game mechanics. Whether a noble soldier in the raging conflict between the Utopia and the rebellion, a criminal hiding from the law, or a world-renowned engineer whose power extends into intricate trade and politics, players' actions will echo throughout the game world.

Features

    * Unique sandbox environment, allowing players' actions to influence the entire game world.
    * Distinctive, high-tech post-apocalyptic setting.
    * Sophisticated Player versus Player (PvP) mechanics.
    * Dynamic third-person combat featuring dynamic targeting, customizable power armor and hundreds of high-tech weapons.
    * Deep crafting mechanics that allow players to design and manufacture unique items from customizable blueprints and raw resources.
    * Friendly to casual players, with challenges designed for the hardcore audience.

About Masthead Studios

Masthead Studios is an independent game development studio focusing on innovative, next-generation MMORPGs. The company is currently developing Earthrise, a next-generation post-apocalyptic, sci-fi MMORPG, integrating its own proprietary engine technology that is specifically designed to handle dynamic, persistent online worlds while providing top-notch graphics and realistic physics.  Masthead Studios is located in the emerging technology hub of Sofia, Bulgaria, enabling the studio to leverage local and international talent. For more information please visit  www.mastheadstudios.com.

About Iceberg Interactive

Iceberg Interactive is a premier videogame publisher set to make a splash in the interactive entertainment industry. The company is staffed with a mix of industry veterans and upcoming young talent, has offices in key locations across Europe and has established relevant partnerships all over the globe, both for direct downloads and retail releases. Hence why Iceberg is a great alternative for developers looking to bring their products to a worldwide audience. Iceberg focuses foremost on PC gaming and is among the market leaders for the following niche genres for PC: simulators, adventure and MMO/action games. For more information visit www.iceberg-interactive.com to keep up with the latest breaking news.