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For those of you who don't remember, Earth & Beyond was a space-based MMORPG developed by WestWood Studios after their acquisition by EA in 2002. It was the space MMORPG of the time before Eve Online hit the scene a year later in 2003. Although very similar, E&B was much more limited and streamlined than EVE, a bit of a plus for those who don't like wandering the depths of space for hours on end.

E&B featured 3 playable races and classes (combinations of Terran, Jenquai, & Progen races and Warrior, Explorer, & Trader classes), featured a lvl cap of 150, guilds, epic hunts, a decently sized universe, and later, a shitty attempt a PvP (some soccer game bullshit which clearly showed that EA stopped caring long ago).

To many fans, the game showed a decent amount of promise that was quashed by EA, shutting it down in 2004. Fast forward to 2006, and a group of dedicated fans began working to ressurrect the game, and in 2008, have finally reached a playable alpha stage.

The game is playable, and bugs aside, players can log in, explore, hunt, and buy and sell things with in-game NPCs at this point. Later updates will include missions, factions, bases, guilds, and much more, including things that EA never got into the game (new missions, 3 race/classes: Terran Explorer, Progen Trader, Jenquai Trader, and a lot of new NPCs and missions created by the dev team).

The point at which the server is beyond testing and not subject to frequent wipes is still a ways off, but if any CAGs are interested, I'd like to get the groundwork for a clan going. If you like space MMORPGs, give this a shot, it may or may not be your thing, but I know that having a good community at the start will be a big asset.

Emu Site: http://www.enb-emulator.com
E&B Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earth_%26_Beyond






I'll update the OP to keep a list of CAGs interested in forming the clan. As I mentioned, you can install the game and log into the alpha server now, but the installation process is currently very convoluted (they are working on a simpler install), and there isn't much we can work on as a clan until the testing is over (aside from getting basics down).

~HotShotX

So is it the exact same game, or did the fans re-make it from the ground up? Did EA give them permission to use their source code or whatever for this?

I never played it, but I had a friend who beta tested E&B a long time ago. I'll definitely let him know about this, he may want to give it a shot to see how it stacks up to the original.

Originally Posted by redline So is it the exact same game, or did the fans re-make it from the ground up? Did EA give them permission to use their source code or whatever for this? I never played it, but I had a friend who beta tested E&B a long time ago. I'll definitely let him know about this, he may want to give it a shot to see how it stacks up to the original.

The basework is the same game, sectors and systems will also remain the same for navigation, as well as the majority of NPCs, Missions, and Mobs. But beyond that, everything will be new. Think of it as a community-created expansion pack for the original game.

As for permission, the emulator group did try many times to purchase the rights to the game, but EA refuses to sell and continues to sit on it, despite killing the game years ago. I think they've gotten support from a couple of WestWood Studios developers, but nothing official along the lines of approval or cease and desist have been issued to date.

~HotShotX

I knew it, I saw your other thread and I figured, it was B&E. But you said in that thread that it died in 2002, it was actually 2004. As you already mentioned in this thread.

Anyway, that game needed help balancing out the classes. I mean, you would end up with a group of explorer dudes making parties of people just to get exploring XP. I thought that it was cool just not a balanced aspect.

In any case, I am gonna have to check this out. I have been checking the emulator progress every couple of months since the game went of line. Guess they finally got it. I might have to try and check it out.

Wow, I was kind of hoping more CAGs would jump in on this :(

~HotShotX

meh, I would but I remember the game being extremely shallow and not much fun after a few days worth of play

Ah.... memories.

My first MMO. I might be tempted to jump on this, if only for the sentimental value. I'll check it out maybe this weekend when I have more time.

Wow that is so cool, I loved playing this back in the day and it was one of my first MMO games I played. I read all my gaming textbooks for class and they always talk about this game lol, why'd EA shut it down! :( This is sweet, will have to check it out tonight.

edit: On second thought installing it is very complicated so I'll pass.

Open Stress Test 3 has just started. It might be worth checking out for those of you who remember this game.