Sphere II Is On Its Way

Game developer Nikita, located in Moscow, is working with the California-based 1C Company on a sequel to Sphere, the first MMO game to come out of Russia.

The original game is grounded in actual quasi-historical events, centering around a Hindu manuscript brought to Constantinople during the 13th century. The manuscript contains instructions on how to create alternate worlds by chanting particular mantras (something that might not have gone over very well in medieval Europe). Eventually, the manuscript makes its way to France, where, during the Black Death of 1348, a monk named Brother Batist decides to use the mantras to create an alternate world into which people can escape the plague.

Sphere II pits vampires against humans, and features other monsters including the golem of Jewish mystic tradition. (For trivia buffs, the golem was a creature that could be created and animated by a particularly righteous rabbi to protect his community from enemies, but it was not truly “alive,” since only the Hebrew God could bestow that particular gift.)

In addition to the two races, the game will have five guilds and 14 schools of magic. Characters advance by accumulating guild bonuses, and can eventually reach the rank of “Race Leader.” Characters reaching that level will actually be able to influence the development and direction of the S2 I universe. The game will contain both combat and strategy elements, enabling a character to conquer new territories and gain control over resources.

Judging from the screenshot, the graphics are of a quality to satisfy the most demanding gamers, although one must wonder how the lovely amazon manages to fight monsters and vampires in spike heels.

Game developer Nikita, located in Moscow, is working with the California-based 1C Company on a sequel to Sphere, the first MMO game to come out of Russia.

The original game is grounded in actual quasi-historical events, centering around a Hindu manuscript brought to Constantinople during the 13th century. The manuscript contains instructions on how to create alternate worlds by chanting particular mantras (something that might not have gone over very well in medieval Europe). Eventually, the manuscript makes its way to France, where, during the Black Death of 1348, a monk named Brother Batist decides to use the mantras to create an alternate world into which people can escape the plague.

Sphere II pits vampires against humans, and features other monsters including the golem of Jewish mystic tradition. (For trivia buffs, the golem was a creature that could be created and animated by a particularly righteous rabbi to protect his community from enemies, but it was not truly “alive,” since only the Hebrew God could bestow that particular gift.)

In addition to the two races, the game will have five guilds and 14 schools of magic. Characters advance by accumulating guild bonuses, and can eventually reach the rank of “Race Leader.” Characters reaching that level will actually be able to influence the development and direction of the S2 I universe. The game will contain both combat and strategy elements, enabling a character to conquer new territories and gain control over resources.

Judging from the screenshot, the graphics are of a quality to satisfy the most demanding gamers, although one must wonder how the lovely amazon manages to fight monsters and vampires in spike heels.