Earth and Beyond is a space-based game of exploration, trade, and combat that will mark Westwood Studios first foray into the world of massively multiplayer games.  This preview is based on playing experience with the game, but it is still in beta - so keep in mind that a few of the particulars may change a bit by the time the game hits the market. The game takes place in our corner of the galaxy, but 300 years in the future. Humans have been colonizing other planets in the solar system for some time, and have splintered into three distinct factions: the Terrans, Progen, and Jenqui. Man is not alone, and also shares the stellar neighborhood with a host of planetary and interstellar creatures.

The game focuses on the three paths players in open-ended games enjoy pursuing: trade, combat, and exploration. This focus is evident right from the beginning, as the first choice you’ll need to make as a new player is your character’s race/profession. If you relish the thought of buying low, selling high, and amassing a fortune, then you’ll enjoy being merchant. If you like discovering new sectors and seeing what lies hidden within, the path of the explorer is for you. If flying through space in a heavily armed ship looking for a fight is your idea of fun, then, my friend, you are a warrior.

Since you must choose a race/profession combination, it would probably be best if we took a look at the game’s races at this point. First of all, there are the ubiquitous Terrans. Terrans are profit and expansion focused, and make bureaucracy an art form. They are the game’s best traders and negotiators, and are known for their computer and propulsion skills. Terrans prefer to use missile weapons, so if it’s your style to come in fast and let loose a salvo of missiles before your opponent can even get within weapon range, you will do well as a Terran.

The Progen are descended from the original settlers of Mars, and are the game’s war-like race. They live under a rigid caste system, and are militaristic and ever eager to let loose the dogs of war. At one time they were at war with the Terrans, and now exist in a state of uneasy peace with them. The Progen have been bio-engineered to be warriors, and are physically larger and stronger than the other races. They have advanced shielding technology, and prefer to fight using projectile weapons.

The final race is the evolved and spiritual Jengui. Descended from the original colonists of Jupiter and Saturn, they are interested in their own spiritual evolution and the pursuit of knowledge. As such, the explorer profession is well suited to the Jenqui race. Jenqui ships, like the Jenqui themselves, are physically frail, but benefit from advanced stealth and energy technology developed by Jenqui scientists.

Each of the race/profession choices also comes with its own set of special abilities. These include skills such as the ability to prospect minerals from an asteroid, hack an opponent’s ship’s systems, or give stranded ships a jump-start. These skills will help to further differentiate the experience of playing the same class between different races.

To further aid in your selection of a race/profession, each is rated in seven areas to give you an idea of the strengths and weaknesses of each. These ratings are defense, offense, energy, speed, cargo, scanning, and stealth. It is best to use these ratings as a guide to selecting a race and profession that suits your style of play. If you have trouble deciding on a race/profession at this point, don’t worry; you can have up to five active characters in the game.

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