Neocron
Encyclopedia
Neocron is a 2002 post-apocalyptic
cyberpunk
massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG) developed by Hanover
, Germany
-based software developer Reakktor Media GmbH and published by cdv Software Entertainment. It is considered the first cyberpunk-genre MMORPG, and is designed to integrate elements of first-person shooter
games into an MMORPG. While it has been called a MMO first-person shooter (MMOFPS), most consider it a hybrid of MMORPG and first-person shooter, with the later PlanetSide
being the first MMOFPS. Its 2004 sequel, Neocron 2: Beyond Dome of York, was originally slated to be an expansion pack
and released separately under a new publisher, 10tacle Studios AG.
may be chosen from four distinct classes. Available are genetically engineered super soldiers, ("GenTank"), the slight, yet dexterous and intelligent "Spy", the psionically
focused and physically underpowered "Psi Monk" as well as the "Private Eye" (PE), commonly referred to as a Jack of All Trades
for its ability to use aspects of all the other classes.
Later the player may assign "skill points" (gained from experience) into specific abilities, e.g. Construction, Research, Droning and Rifles. Any character or class can use the most basic forms of these, but to master any one of them requires a large commitment in skill points. Jobs range from the notorious hacker
, who dives into the alternate reality of Hacknet, technicians who research or construct items and (especially) weapons, to the common grunt, who fights alongside his clan for the outposts, spread around the wastelands (Note that jobs are not physically imposed, they are a generalization taken from how you have distributed your skill points in your attributes.)
It takes over three centuries for even the most rudimentary civilization to return. By the mid-26th century two great cities had risen from the ashes, thanks in large part to the "Ceres Project”. Originally an MIT project in the early 21st century aimed at storing every aspect of human knowledge on holodisk, it was eventually taken over by the military in response to the murder of the project leader.
200 years later, both cities are but shadows of their former selves: Neocron is diminished thanks to a succession of coups d'état as well as a mass exodus to Irata III, a colony 80 light years away formed by the missing Chinese colony ship, and Dome of York suffers from losing a devastating war with Neocron.
or not at all revolutionary.
Apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction
Apocalyptic fiction is a sub-genre of science fiction that is concerned with the end of civilization due to a potentially existential catastrophe such as nuclear warfare, pandemic, extraterrestrial attack, impact event, cybernetic revolt, technological singularity, dysgenics, supernatural...
cyberpunk
Cyberpunk
Cyberpunk is a postmodern and science fiction genre noted for its focus on "high tech and low life." The name is a portmanteau of cybernetics and punk, and was originally coined by Bruce Bethke as the title of his short story "Cyberpunk," published in 1983...
massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG) developed by Hanover
Hanover
Hanover or Hannover, on the river Leine, is the capital of the federal state of Lower Saxony , Germany and was once by personal union the family seat of the Hanoverian Kings of Great Britain, under their title as the dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
-based software developer Reakktor Media GmbH and published by cdv Software Entertainment. It is considered the first cyberpunk-genre MMORPG, and is designed to integrate elements of first-person shooter
First-person shooter
First-person shooter is a video game genre that centers the gameplay on gun and projectile weapon-based combat through first-person perspective; i.e., the player experiences the action through the eyes of a protagonist. Generally speaking, the first-person shooter shares common traits with other...
games into an MMORPG. While it has been called a MMO first-person shooter (MMOFPS), most consider it a hybrid of MMORPG and first-person shooter, with the later PlanetSide
PlanetSide
PlanetSide is a massively-multiplayer online first-person-shooter computer game published by Sony Online Entertainment and released on May 20, 2003....
being the first MMOFPS. Its 2004 sequel, Neocron 2: Beyond Dome of York, was originally slated to be an expansion pack
Expansion pack
An expansion pack, expansion set, or supplement is an addition to an existing role-playing game, tabletop game or video game. These add-ons usually add new game areas, weapons, objects, and/or an extended storyline to a complete and already released game...
and released separately under a new publisher, 10tacle Studios AG.
Character development
The player characterPlayer character
A player character or playable character is a character in a video game or role playing game who is controlled or controllable by a player, and is typically a protagonist of the story told in the course of the game. A player character is a persona of the player who controls it. Player characters...
may be chosen from four distinct classes. Available are genetically engineered super soldiers, ("GenTank"), the slight, yet dexterous and intelligent "Spy", the psionically
Psionics
Psionics refers to the practice, study, or psychic ability of using the mind to induce paranormal phenomena. Examples of this include telepathy, telekinesis, and other workings of the outside world through the psyche.-History and terminology:...
focused and physically underpowered "Psi Monk" as well as the "Private Eye" (PE), commonly referred to as a Jack of All Trades
Jack of all trades, master of none
"Jack of all trades, master of none" is a figure of speech used in reference to a person that is competent with many skills but is not necessarily outstanding in any particular one....
for its ability to use aspects of all the other classes.
Later the player may assign "skill points" (gained from experience) into specific abilities, e.g. Construction, Research, Droning and Rifles. Any character or class can use the most basic forms of these, but to master any one of them requires a large commitment in skill points. Jobs range from the notorious hacker
Hacker (computer security)
In computer security and everyday language, a hacker is someone who breaks into computers and computer networks. Hackers may be motivated by a multitude of reasons, including profit, protest, or because of the challenge...
, who dives into the alternate reality of Hacknet, technicians who research or construct items and (especially) weapons, to the common grunt, who fights alongside his clan for the outposts, spread around the wastelands (Note that jobs are not physically imposed, they are a generalization taken from how you have distributed your skill points in your attributes.)
Storyline
The game takes place in a post-apocalyptic 28th century. In the mid-22nd century, tensions rose between an expanded Chinese Empire and a joint European/North American Federation of the Free World. The unexplained apparent destruction of the first Chinese interstellar colony ship results in China launching devastating nuclear strikes with stealth missiles. In retaliation, the President gives the command to counter strike with cold fusion long-range missiles. World War III starts on February 17, 2143; it lasts less than 6 hours.It takes over three centuries for even the most rudimentary civilization to return. By the mid-26th century two great cities had risen from the ashes, thanks in large part to the "Ceres Project”. Originally an MIT project in the early 21st century aimed at storing every aspect of human knowledge on holodisk, it was eventually taken over by the military in response to the murder of the project leader.
Reception
Neocron received generally mixed reviews. While some reviewers praised the first-person shooter style interface as "intuitive" or "innovative", others describe combat in Neocron as being "dull"or not at all revolutionary.