Gods & Heroes: Rome Rising
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This article or section contains information about an unreleased video game. It is likely to contain information of a speculative nature, and the content may change dramatically as more information becomes available. |
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Please help improve this article or section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. This article has been tagged since January 2007. |
| Gods & Heroes | |
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| Developer(s) | Perpetual Entertainment |
| Publisher(s) | Sony Online Entertainment |
| Designer(s) | Stieg Hedlund (Lead Designer) John Mundy (Lead Level Designer) Jake T. Forbes Quest Writer (and many, many more) |
| Engine | Ingot (Perpetual Entertainment's Proprietary Engine) |
| Latest version | N/A |
| Release date(s) | Summer 2007 |
| Genre(s) | MMORPG |
| Mode(s) | Persistent world |
| Rating(s) | TBA |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| Media | DVD |
| System requirements | TBA |
| Input | Keyboard and mouse |
Gods & Heroes: Rome Rising (abbreviated as G&H) is the title of an MMORPG in development by Perpetual Entertainment that was announced on March 9, 2005. The game is set in the legendary world of ancient Rome. For the people of the great Roman Republic, myths and legends were not mere tales, magic was very real, and their fledgling civilization was anything but assured a place in history. Gods & Heroes: Rome Rising aims to let players experience all the intrigue and adventure of this epoch in human history by plunging them headlong into a world where Cyclops, Gorgons, and evil sorcerers roam, the gods are very active – and very jealous – and the barbarians are just outside the gates. The game was originally slated for release in Q4 of 2005 but has been pushed back and is now due for launch sometime in 2007. Sony Online Entertainment [1] was named as the publisher and distributer for the game in North America. Sony Online Entertainment has no hand in the development of the game.
Gods & Heroes: Rome Rising lets you pick from 12 Hero/God combinations and offers an incredible array of options for character customization.
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[edit] Heroes
[edit] Gladiator
Soldiers of fortune, prisoners of war, criminals, slaves – the title of Gladiator applies to any one who steps into the arena. But only those worthy of glory survive. Gladiators who merit such favor from the gods fight their way to the top in a spectacularly bloody and fearless fashion: no trick is too dirty, no enemy too intimidating. Like the Soldier, Gladiators are skilled at up-close combat encounters. Unlike their dutiful counterparts, however, Gladiators know no honor in a fight. They frequently employ entangling and slowing techniques, as well as a variety of other underhanded tactics. While this often gives them the upper hand -- and makes them far more deadly than the Soldier -- their lack of discipline leaves them prone to taking more damage. Because they live for glorious triumph, and losing often means certain death, Gladiators worship the goddess of victory, Fortuna, or the father king of the gods, Jupiter.
[edit] Soldier
The Soldier represents the pinnacle of Roman military might: loyal, courageous, and, above all, disciplined. Soldiers are masters of their bodies and their minds -- as well as a variety of very lethal weaponry. Quick to defend their country and their companions, Soldiers are more than just trained combatants like the Gladiator: they are taught to outmaneuver, outfight, and outlast their foes. Soldiers tend to be very strong and can sustain heavy damage without being taken out of the battle. While Soldiers of Rome are highly-skilled fighters against whom few warriors are capable of competing in one-on-one combat, they are also consummate commanders. They possess the ability to control and inspire their troops like no other Hero can. Soldiers swear allegiance to Mars, the god of war, or Minerva, the goddess of divine wisdom and war.
[edit] Scout
The Scout is the ultimate outdoorsman and the craftiest of killers. Scouts are more at home among the animals in the wilderness than the luxury of Rome. They live to sleep beneath the god’s open skies and can summon food and drink from the bountiful blessings of the land. Scouts excel at luring their prey into deadly traps, but when they find themselves in a combat situation few opponents survive the deadly accuracy of their bows. Because they prefer to strike under the cover of stealth, however, many of the Scouts’ victims never even see the arrow coming before it splits their skull. Scouts are unrelenting and patient, but their greatest asset is their agility and speed, which affects their traveling companions, giving everyone a much-needed boost when moving from one place to another. Scouts pledge their lives to Diana, virginal goddess of the hunt, or Apollo, the god of archery and the sun.
[edit] Nomad
Announced in March of 2007, the Nomad will replace the Rogue for launch. [1] The Nomad is designed as a versatile alternate healing type class, bolstered with additional offensive capabilities; in short, a hybrid DPS/Healing class. Offensively, Nomads have a variety of instant cast spells to supplement normal actions with additional instant damage and added effects. Nomads can use a wide range of weapons and armor (leather and mail) along with some two-handed weapons and shields. Like the Rogue (the class they replace), Nomads can worship Mercury, the messenger god with winged feet, or Nemesis, goddess of divine retribution.
[edit] Priest
The Priest is undyingly loyal to the gods and is in turn favored above all others. Because of their unyielding dedication, in fact, Priests wield the very powers usually reserved only for the gods: Their knowledge of the rites of healing is unsurpassed, and some Priests have even been known to bring their companions back from the dead. With a simple prayer, they can bless those who fight at their side to give them strength, or curse their enemies to weaken them. Even though they aren’t particularly handy with a blade, Priests can call upon the gods to perform miraculous feats more than any other Hero -- which makes them vital to the survival of any group of adventurers that dares wander through Rome and her territories. Priests dedicate their lives to serving Pluto, the grim king of the netherworld, or Juno, the virtuous defender of morality and queen of the gods.
[edit] Mystic
The Mystic is a seeker of arcane knowledge and aspires to live a life dedicated to true spiritual wisdom. Sheer magical force is the Mystic’s weapon of choice. Mystics are not keen on hand-to-hand combat; they attack from a distance, and thus rely on the support of their companions – especially the warrior Heroes – to protect them. They are far from helpless, however, as Mystics can summon unimaginably destructive powers and unleash them on multiple foes at the same time. They are also often known to use a variety of curses upon their enemies to weaken them. At the same time, they possess the ability to heal their companions. Mystics devote themselves to Trevia, the dark goddess of sorcery, or Bacchus, the earth god.
[edit] Rogue (Post-Launch)
The Rogue’s only loyalty is to the gods, but even the gods don’t dare turn their backs on a Rogue when they’re carrying a fat purse. Raised under the scornful eye of the Republic’s burgeoning cities, Rogues’ wits are as sharp as their blades. They are experts at dealing crippling blows to their enemies from the cover of stealth, are masters at creating and administering poisons, and are adept at locating and disarming traps that would leave anyone else severely maimed or – more realistically – dead. Like the Scout, Rogues are fleet of foot and prefer to strike an enemy from the cover of the shadows; but they are more like the Gladiator in their fighting style, since they prefer to fight up-close and personal and are not ashamed to use a dirty trick if it helps them win. Rogues are scions of Mercury, the messenger god with winged feet, or Nemesis, goddess of divine retribution.
The Rogue was replaced by the Nomad for game launch to adjust game balance. According to the Gods and Heroes website, "the Rogue will be sneaking into Rome post launch." [2]
[edit] Gods
[edit] Apollo
Class: The Scout
Symbol: The Bow and the Lyre
Animal: The Lion
The son of Jupiter and the twin brother of Diana, Apollo is the archer-god of medicine and healing, as well as the god of music and poetry. He is the leader of the muses, has dominion over plagues, and grants human oracles their prophetic visions. Romans often refer to him as Apollo Helios because he is the god of light and the sun in addition to his other chief aspects. He drives across the sky in the solar chariot, pulled by a team of fiery white horses. Apollo generally carries a lyre and is always armed with a bow, which he uses to fire plague-inducing arrows upon all who defy him.
Apollo is also called Phoebus (“shining one”), Averruncus (“averter of evil”), Articenens (“carrying the bow”), and Medicus (“the physician”).
[edit] Minerva
Class: The Soldier
Symbol: The Aegis
Animal: The Owl
The daughter of Jupiter and Metis, Minerva is the virgin goddess of wisdom, medicine, crafts, warriors, and war. She invented music and is considered the goddess of commerce, science, and justice, as well. Minerva has ever been the helper of heroes such as Hercules and Odysseus. Legend has it that she sprang from Jupiter’s head fully-grown and armed with her spear. She also wears her mother’s Corinthian helmet and her father’s goatskin breastplate, the Aegis, which is adorned with Medusa’s head. She is usually accompanied by Nike, the goddess of victory, and is attended by an owl.
Minerva is also called Athena Parthenos (“virgin”), “the goddess of a thousand works,” and Glaukopis (“bright-eyed”).
[edit] Bacchus
Class: The Mystic
Symbol: The Grape Vine
Animal: The Panther
One of Jupiter’s illegitimate sons, Bacchus is the Roman god of wine, intoxication, and fertility, as well as agriculture and theater. He is as dichotomous as a coin: he represents uncontrollable passion, debauchery, and intoxication, but also civilization, law, and peace. He is sometimes called "the twice-born" because he was ripped to shreds by the Titans and then remade by Jupiter. Bacchus considers it his divine mission to liberate people from their worldly concerns through the ecstasy of intoxication and madness. He is also the god of cats and savagery, and as such wears a leopard skin and travels in a chariot pulled by panthers.
Bacchus is also called Dionysus Dentrites (“he of the trees”), Bromios (“he of the loud shout”), Sabazius (“the shatterer”), and Eleutherios (“the liberator”).
[edit] Fortuna
Class: The Gladiator
Symbol: The Ball
Animal: The Horse
Fortuna is the goddess of victory and fortune -- both good fortune and bad. She bears such importance in battle that most Roman soldiers have golden statues of her in their quarters. Although Fortuna’s favor is most often sought in the midst of war, she also presides over mankind’s luck in harvests, business endeavors, and travel, as well as human destiny overall. Her symbol is the ball, which can roll unpredictably and in any direction, indicating the fickleness of fate. Fortuna often wears a veil, representing the capriciousness of luck, and is accompanied by Copia, the goddess of abundance.
Fortuna is also called Fortuna Brevis (“fickle fortune”), Fortuna Belli (“fortune of war”), and Fortuna Annonaria (“luck of the harvest”).
[edit] Diana
Class: The Scout
Symbol: The Crescent Moon
Animal: The Stag
The daughter of Jupiter and twin sister of Apollo, Diana is the virgin goddess of the moon, the hunt, wild animals, and the wilderness. She is renowned for her beauty, strength, agility, and hunting skills. Diana is so mindful of her chastity that when the human Actaeon stumbled upon her while she was bathing she transformed him into a deer and caused his own hounds to tear him to pieces. She is often accompanied by a stag and armed with a spear. Diana wears a diadem adorned with her symbol, the crescent moon.
Diana is also called Artemis, Potnia Theron (“mistress of wild animals”), and Agrotera (“the huntress”).
[edit] Juno
Class: The Priest
Symbol: The Distaff
Animal: The Bear
The queen of the gods, Juno is the wife of Jupiter and the mother of Mars and Vulcan. She is the goddess of marriage, the home, childbirth, and the finances of the state. A nymph named Echo was responsible for diverting Juno’s attention away from Jupiter’s extramarital affairs, but when Juno discovered the deception she caused the nymph to only be able to repeat the words of others. Because of her zeal in punishing her husband’s many mistresses, Juno has also become the defender of moral values and generally carries herself with a solemn majesty.
Other names for Juno include Regina (“the queen”), Moneta (“she who warns”), and Bobis (“the large-eyed”).
[edit] Mars
Class: The Soldier
Symbol: The Shield and Spear
Animal: The Wolf
The son of Jupiter and Juno, Mars is the mighty, fearsome god of war. Legend has it that he is the father of Romulus, founder of Rome –- and hence it is believed that all Romans are descendants of Mars. Whereas Minerva, in her role as goddess of war, is known for strategic warfare, Mars is a bloodthirsty warrior willing to fight for little more than the chance to revel in the chaos and din of battle. He rides in a chariot drawn by immortal, fire-breathing stallions that are descended from the horses that pull Apollo’s sun-chariot across the sky. Mars is usually attended by the gods of fear and terror, Phobos and Deimos, and wears armor made of brass.
Mars is also called Mars Albiorix (“warrior king of the world”), Caturix (“king of combat”), and Barrex (“supreme one”).
[edit] Mercury
Class: The Nomad (formerly Rogue)
Symbol: The Caduceus
Animal: The Tortoise
The son of Jupiter and Maia, Mercury is the god of trade, profit, commerce, and travel. He presides over thievery, wrestling, and gymnastic exercise as well -- anything, in fact, that requires skill and dexterity. Mercury is also responsible for leading the souls of the recently-departed to Hades. He can always be seen carrying the caduceus, a wing-topped staff with two snakes twined around it. Apollo gave Mercury the caduceus in exchange for the lyre, which Mercury invented out of a tortoise shell. As Jupiter’s messenger, he wears a winged hat and winged sandals that allow him to travel more swiftly than any of the other gods.
Mercury is also called Dolios (“the schemer”), Diaktoros (“the messenger”), and Psychopompos (“conveyer of souls”).
[edit] Trevia
Class: The Mystic
Symbol: The Key
Animal: The She-Dog
Trevia is the goddess of sorcery and magic and is known as the “Queen of Ghosts” because she guards the border between the human and spirit worlds. Statues of Trevia are kept over the door of every Roman home, as she has the power to prevent evil spirits from doing harm to the home’s occupants. She has three heads – one of a female dog, one of a lion, and one of a serpent – and at any three-way crossroads images of Trevia’s faces watch over travelers. She carries a key to represent her role as the gatekeeper of the spirit world, and also to represent the fact that she can open the doors of arcane knowledge for her devotees.
Trevia is also called Enodia (“goddess of the paths”), Propylaia (“the one before the gate”), and Kleidouchos (“keeper of the keys”).
[edit] Nemesis
Class: The Nomad (formerly Rogue)
Symbol: The Scales
Animal: The Griffin
The daughter of Nyx, goddess of night, Nemesis is the divine spirit of retribution. She is a remorseless, vengeful goddess who is responsible for executing the divine justice of the gods, especially Jupiter’s. In particular, she punishes criminals and those who are vain or too proud – anyone who has anything which they did not earn and therefore do not deserve. Victorious Roman generals are frequently known to offer extensive thanks and worship to her. Nemesis is a winged goddess who carries a measuring rod and a set of scales as symbols of her office. She often rides in a chariot drawn by griffons.
Nemesis is also called Adrasteia (“one from whom there is no escape”), Erinys (“implacable”), and Invidia (“indignation at unmerited advantage”).
[edit] Jupiter
Class: The Gladiator
Symbol: The Thunderbolt
Animal: The Eagle
Jupiter is the patron deity of Rome as well as the supreme leader of the gods; as such, laws, social order, and justice are his domain. He is the father of most of the important Roman gods and many of humanity’s most glorious champions and heroes. Jupiter is the god of the sky and thunder, and is capable of hurtling thunderbolts down to Earth to smite the enemies of his chosen people or anyone who dares to show him disrespect. Though his infidelities –- with goddesses and humans alike -– are well known, he is also a righteous defender of anyone who is victimized unfairly. He is always accompanied by his pet eagle, which, like Jupiter himself, symbolizes strength, courage, and justice.
Jupiter is also called Jupiter Fulgurator (“god-father of the lightning”), Pluvius (“sender of rain”), and Jupiter Optimus Maximus (“best and greatest”).
[edit] Pluto
Class: The Priest
Symbol: The Cornucopia
Animal: The Many-Headed Dog
Pluto is the god of the underworld and ruler of the dead. He is a cruel and unpitying deity who sits on an ebony throne in his subterranean realm and rules the souls of the dead with a stern but just hand. Because precious metals, minerals, and gems come from underground, Pluto is also the god of wealth and riches; hence he often carries a cornucopia. Still, Pluto is a fearsome god, and no Roman in his right mind is in any hurry to meet him. Pluto established himself as a most ferocious combatant in the war between the gods and the Titans that established Jupiter’s right to rule. Pluto possesses a helmet given to him by the Cyclopes, which renders him invisible, and is often accompanied by Cerberus, the many-headed dog that guards the gates to Pluto’s realm.
Pluto is also called Dis Pater (“father of riches”), Orcus, and Clymenus (“notorious”).
[edit] Creatures
Many mythical creatures will be brought to life in Gods & Heroes: Rome Rising. They include, but are not limited to: Automatons, Centaurs, Chimeras, Cyclops, the Furies, Giants, Gorgons, Gryphons, Harpies, Hydra, Maenads, Minotaurs, Nymphs, Satyrs, and Sirens.
[edit] Combat
Gods & Heroes: Rome Rising will utilize a custom animation system that will allow players to perform the most visceral combat moves of any online game to date. As they adventure solo or with their squad, the combat animation system will makes it easy for players to choose moves and command their minions during battle, while still experiencing the most gut-wrenching combat ever.
Every Hero class has their own series of combat moves, each with custom animations designed to give G&H a unique, immersive feel. With the crushing blows of the Gladiator and Soldier, the arcane spells of the Mystic and Priest, and the stealthy attacks of the Rogue and Scout, Gods & Heroes: Rome Rising aims to put the power of the gods in the hands of the player.
