Endless Ages

Endless Ages
Basic Information
Type(s)	Video Game
Developer(s)	Avaria Corporation
Publisher(s)	SummitSoft Entertainment
Status(es)	Released
License(s)	Digital Motion Entertainment
Perspective	First-person
Setting	Fantasy
Genre(s)	MMOFPS, MMORPG
Input	Keyboard, Mouse
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows
General Features
Technical Information
GameEngine(s)	Aura
Main Credits
Designer(s)	Aaron Boucher, Justin Gonzalez, DJ Cassel
International Release
Microsoft Windows July 1, 2003
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Endless Ages was a computer game of the massively multiplayer online first person shooting genre with elements of role play, such as character classes, quests, an auction system-based economy and a player-versus-player combat system. When released for Beta (see: software versioning) in the Spring of 2001 it was the first multiplayer online game to merge first person shooting and role-play. The game had its full commercial release on July 1, 2003.

Originally developed and owned by Aaron Boucher and his independent Avaria Corporation, the game was sold as part of a game engine licensure agreement with Rapid Reality Studios, a now defunct game developer who tried to improve it by creating a sequel named Phylon. The sequel did not have a very good reception, and in July 2007 the game went off-line. In May 2008 a former Endless Ages player and an investor, doing business as Digital Motion Entertainment, acquired the rights to the game and re-released it in something similar to its Gold (see: software versioning, master recording) version, calling it Endless Ages Reborn.

Current status

The principals of Digital Motion Entertainment were Jason Lee Chambless and Brandon James Brophy.

On May 5, 2009 Chambless posted an advertisement to sell Endless Ages on his personal blog. Information at the official United States Copyright office shows that Brandon Brophy is the rightful owner of the name Endless Ages.

To fairly illustrate the aim of Brophy and Chambless' goal in starting their new company it is helpful to see how they themselves described their endeavor:

"Digital Motion Entertainment LLC (DME Games) is a Sacramento, California based online game hosting and development firm co-founded by Jason Lee and Brandon Brophy. Our main focus is on the acquisition of once popular MMORPG games that were taken off-line. We then look to the Players for improvements, and revive them. DME hosts and operates various MMORPG websites and forums that allow players to recommend enhancements and suggestions to personalize and customize the game to the Players’ interests. Our motto is: "Give them more than they expect, and they will keep coming back."

Back-story

File:Blackmarket.jpg

A Player-killer zone in the video game Endless Ages

Endless Ages takes place after you die—on the afterlife planet Iia (EYE-uh), a world where all beings from all worlds, places and time end up. Because a few minutes on Iia is the same as hundreds of years in our time weapons, architecture, magic, technology, and even creatures that have been extinct to the world now coexist.

Unlike most MMOs, Endless Ages doesn't have a cohesive, fully articulated back-story. The game lore basically is about the four races; human male and female, amphibians and bloblics all vying independently of each other for control of the various worlds against the monsters, known as "mobs". This taken together with the fact user interfaces are awkward and that many bugs have gone unrepaired since its release might lead one to conclude that the designers rushed this game to market unfinished.

Worlds

One of the main features of Endless Ages is the vast amount of land which can be explored by the user. Many worlds exist, and all differ from each other. The worlds vary from being large islands, to treacherous caves, labyrinths and many more. There are also sub-worlds; small zones with a few dangerous and rare creatures.

Most worlds have protected areas. In such areas, players cannot harm other players. They also cannot loot another player's possessions. In previous versions there were some buildable areas, where users could purchase and build their own houses. Houses allow users to place items in storage as well as placing some items for sale. The houses effectively form user-created towns, and market areas. The current licensee has been unable to restore the player owned-house feature.

Races

File:Blackmarket5.jpg

A Human Female, one of four races to inhabit the planet Iia

When a player creates a new character, he has the choice of four races. Human male and female, Amphibians and Bloblic. The model of each race is user-customizable. Each race also has different skills and abilities. Amphibians for example are small and comparably weak, but their weakness is balanced out with great speed and dodge shots.

Amphibian

As a race that implements the regimen of nature, Amphibians live in the tranquility of a natural habitat, building temporary domiciles which blend into trees or caves. They are suspicious beings to a fault and are very well at hiding from view. As a race that implements the regiment of nature, other creatures within the realm are inevitably drawn to them as friends or guardians. They have the ability to dominate the minds of different creatures while devising a methodical connection with them. Above all others, Amphibians are stealthy and elusive. Standing at an average of 3 feet, they can easily evade stronger enemies and have a unique talent for eluding attention.

Female

The female possesses majestic, beauty and gracious talent, however take heed not to underestimate these beings. Deriving from the planet Earth, the female gender seeks an imperial state of existence. They retain great knowledge in Crafting skills and Magical Arts due to an extensive training. Unpredictable in their ventures, these individuals are acutely intelligent and incredibly swift. They are known for prolonged endurance and a forceful nature. Heroic in a sense, females are versatile and steady in all traditions. The average height is 5.5 feet and weight of 125 pounds.

Male

This generation of humanity is robust and well educated, originating from the planet earth. The males you find in this realm are of high caliber, physically and mentally. Geared for war, they are elite and accelerate in the development of Engineering skills, which can be used in Melee Arts. Conquering kingdoms of war, victory lies within these natural born leaders. They are clever in political affairs and exploit human principles on an intellectual level. The average male stands at a height of 6.5 and weighs about 200 pounds.

Bloblic

The Bloblic race is the most antagonistic of all inhabitants within the Omnir Galaxy. They reign with immoral vitality and utmost greed in their home world, Malia. The sheer mention of the Bloblics sends fear through all those who are against this species. Bloblics are known as mercenaries by trade. They are astute in developing weapons of mass destruction and gain skill quite rapidly. These marauders are focused combatants that fight at frantic paces and are not very graceful to observe. Due to their size and nature, these beings can sustain more injury than any other race. They are hulking figures to gaze at, standing at an average of 12.3 feet and weighing approximately 1200 pounds.

Skills

Endless Ages has a wide variety of skills. The different races will also find certain skills easier or harder to master. For example, Bloblics are greatly disadvantaged in hiding, unlike the Amphibians.

External links

• Official Endless Ages site: http://www.endlessages.com
• Molok got it right = http://www.mmorpg.com/discussion2.cfm/post/1937153
• IGN review
• GameZone review
• Gamers Hell review
• Gamespot news articles
• Reviews on Metacritic