Earthrise

SOFIA, BULGARIA – October 12, 2010 - Masthead Studios, a leading independent developer of MMOs, today released new screenshots depicting creatures featured in Earthrise, its post-apocalyptic, sci-fi MMORPG launching in Q4 2010.

In Earthrise, a few hundred years after the Final Wars raged, the first group of survivors called the Pioneers faced mutated, man-eating plants and animals, as well as aggressive descendants from the last naturally-born humans. The Pioneers were only able to carve out a living on an island called Enterra, and it was here that they founded Sal Vitas, City of Salvation, where Continoma leaders formed a new government - an engineered social and political regime of utopian proportions that promised to erase the painful memory of the past. There are hundreds of unique creatures featured in Earthrise, and they thrive in the diverse landscapes and environments present on the island of Enterra.

The Burzuns are voracious beasts that evolved into top predators on Enterra. They are natural survivors and their ability to adapt resulted from enduring the cohabitation and struggle for resources amongst other creatures on the island. The Burzun species poses a dire threat to lone travelers and explorers, eating almost everything and seemingly having no natural enemies. Given the right circumstances, they breed at remarkable rates, and if left undaunted, the Burzuns can overrun the entire area, making it difficult for travelling and transportation unless players are in well-protected caravans.

Hunting in packs or alone, the beast always shows remarkable resilience and startling aggression in combat. The Burzun is a diehard and will ignore even the most severe wounds until its body is forced to fail due to loss of blood or a much-needed limb. The key to its successful adaptation strategy is the vicious temper it demonstrates, always trying to track and kill its adversary, even if it has to pursue him for miles. Thus, many explorers avoid all Burzun encounters.

The Leapers are nasty ape-like mutants that inhabit terrain all over Enterra, particularly jungles or the canyons of the island. The Leapers are quick and vicious predators that usually rely on ambush tactics, leaping out from cover onto the backs of their unsuspecting prey – hence their name. The Leapers always dwell in packs, and the entire group can swarm on an unsuspecting victim in a matter of seconds.

Like most species on Enterra, Leapers are remarkably adaptive and have notoriously proven to be challenging to exterminate. They also tend to be obnoxiously vengeful, and if a member is killed, the entire pack often sets out to hunt down the killer. The Leapers are also cunning hunters with complex social structure. In combat, Leapers can be extremely dangerous due to their agility and the force hidden in their knotty limbs - used in wide, raging swipes of their sharp claws.

The Leapers and the Burzuns are only two of the hundreds of creatures and mutants that players will encounter when they enter the world of Earthrise later this year.

Earthrise is a post-apocalyptic, sci-fi MMORPG set in the distant future. Featuring a unique skill-based advancement system and player-driven economy, as well as extensive, meaningful player-vs.-player combat, Earthrise gives players countless options to forge their destiny through its sandbox-style game mechanics. Whether a noble soldier in the raging conflict between the Continoma and the Noir, 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. Visit www.play-earthrise.com to learn more.

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.

PR Contact:

Amanda Griffin

ClearImage (for Masthead Studios)

amanda.griffin@clearimagepr.com

919.863.2393 ext. 216

Fansite Contact:

Elisa Murciano

Themis Media (for Earthrise)

emurciano@themis-media.com

©2010 Masthead Studios. All rights reserved.