Seed (computer game)
Encyclopedia
Seed was a massively multiplayer online role-playing game
(MMORPG) developed by Runestone Game Development. Aiming for a radically different experience than most other games in the genre, the game focused on character interaction and politics to the extent that combat was entirely removed from the design.
Beta testing started on February 1, 2006. Open beta testing started on April 25, 2006. The game was released to the public on May 2, 2006.
As of September 28, 2006, Runestone decided to file a bankruptcy petition to the court of Aarhus, Denmark. A public statement http://www.seedthegame.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3606 explained that the lack of money was caused by failing to achieve a partnership deal with publishers and MMO companies.
and Mars
, humanity was looking to spread far across the universe. The creation of ram scoop propulsion
made this dream a reality.
Five seed ships were built, each a kilometer long and populated with machinery designed to terraform a suitable planet. Humans would not ride along for the journey; instead, DNA
codes, sperm
, and eggs
were carried along in cryocooler
s to be hatched by the TAU computers at the appropriate time.
The TAU computers also carried a wealth of human knowledge. This was the subject of a long and heated debate on what should be included. Finally, it was decided to make the colonies idealist societies; therefore, references to war
s and violence
were not included.
After searching the universe for several years, the first suitable planet
was spotted near the star Beta Hydri
24.4 light years from the Sun. Probes indicated that the planet had an atmosphere
, water and living micro organisms. It was to be the destination of the first seed ship.
However, something went wrong and suddenly the colony has found itself on a planet that has not been terraformed, as was the plan, and without contact to earth.
, they are able to travel vast distances across the universe. The ship's primary purpose is to find a habitable planet
, and to terraform it as necessary for human life. These massive ships are a kilometer in length and carry all the machinery needed to start a colony on a new planet.
TAU : The Terraforming Assistance Unit is the central AI of the colony.
Ring : The "guilds" or "clans" of seed.
MMORPG
Massively multiplayer online role-playing game is a genre of role-playing video games in which a very large number of players interact with one another within a virtual game world....
(MMORPG) developed by Runestone Game Development. Aiming for a radically different experience than most other games in the genre, the game focused on character interaction and politics to the extent that combat was entirely removed from the design.
Beta testing started on February 1, 2006. Open beta testing started on April 25, 2006. The game was released to the public on May 2, 2006.
As of September 28, 2006, Runestone decided to file a bankruptcy petition to the court of Aarhus, Denmark. A public statement http://www.seedthegame.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3606 explained that the lack of money was caused by failing to achieve a partnership deal with publishers and MMO companies.
Story
Having successfully colonized the MoonMoon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
and Mars
Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance...
, humanity was looking to spread far across the universe. The creation of ram scoop propulsion
Bussard ramjet
The Bussard ramjet is a theoretical method of spacecraft propulsion proposed in 1960 by the physicist Robert W. Bussard, popularized by Larry Niven in his Known Space series of books, and referred to by Carl Sagan in the television series and book Cosmos....
made this dream a reality.
Five seed ships were built, each a kilometer long and populated with machinery designed to terraform a suitable planet. Humans would not ride along for the journey; instead, DNA
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid is a nucleic acid that contains the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms . The DNA segments that carry this genetic information are called genes, but other DNA sequences have structural purposes, or are involved in...
codes, sperm
Spermatozoon
A spermatozoon is a motile sperm cell, or moving form of the haploid cell that is the male gamete. A spermatozoon joins an ovum to form a zygote...
, and eggs
Ovum
An ovum is a haploid female reproductive cell or gamete. Both animals and embryophytes have ova. The term ovule is used for the young ovum of an animal, as well as the plant structure that carries the female gametophyte and egg cell and develops into a seed after fertilization...
were carried along in cryocooler
Cryocooler
Cryocoolers are the devices used to reach cryogenic temperatures by cycling certain gases.A cryostat is likely to be used to reach and/or maintain similar conditions or keep some environment in cryogenic stasis...
s to be hatched by the TAU computers at the appropriate time.
The TAU computers also carried a wealth of human knowledge. This was the subject of a long and heated debate on what should be included. Finally, it was decided to make the colonies idealist societies; therefore, references to war
War
War is a state of organized, armed, and often prolonged conflict carried on between states, nations, or other parties typified by extreme aggression, social disruption, and usually high mortality. War should be understood as an actual, intentional and widespread armed conflict between political...
s and violence
Violence
Violence is the use of physical force to apply a state to others contrary to their wishes. violence, while often a stand-alone issue, is often the culmination of other kinds of conflict, e.g...
were not included.
After searching the universe for several years, the first suitable planet
Planet
A planet is a celestial body orbiting a star or stellar remnant that is massive enough to be rounded by its own gravity, is not massive enough to cause thermonuclear fusion, and has cleared its neighbouring region of planetesimals.The term planet is ancient, with ties to history, science,...
was spotted near the star Beta Hydri
Beta Hydri
Beta Hydri is a star in the constellation Hydrus. It is about 24.4 light years away from Earth. It is larger and slightly more massive than the Sun....
24.4 light years from the Sun. Probes indicated that the planet had an atmosphere
Atmosphere
An atmosphere is a layer of gases that may surround a material body of sufficient mass, and that is held in place by the gravity of the body. An atmosphere may be retained for a longer duration, if the gravity is high and the atmosphere's temperature is low...
, water and living micro organisms. It was to be the destination of the first seed ship.
However, something went wrong and suddenly the colony has found itself on a planet that has not been terraformed, as was the plan, and without contact to earth.
Gameplay
Players were colonists and instead of doing combat in the traditional sense the game focused on politics and manual labor. Players politically fought for sectors of the station which could then be equipped to provide services to other players. Using tools the player could manufacture new technology as well as repair parts of the station that were slowly degrading. Letting too many failing systems in the station rendered machinery unavailable until players repaired them.Technology
Seed ships : Seeds ships use the latest technology Earth has to offer. Employing ram scoop propulsionBussard ramjet
The Bussard ramjet is a theoretical method of spacecraft propulsion proposed in 1960 by the physicist Robert W. Bussard, popularized by Larry Niven in his Known Space series of books, and referred to by Carl Sagan in the television series and book Cosmos....
, they are able to travel vast distances across the universe. The ship's primary purpose is to find a habitable planet
Planetary habitability
Planetary habitability is the measure of a planet's or a natural satellite's potential to sustain life. Life may develop directly on a planet or satellite or be transferred to it from another body, a theoretical process known as panspermia...
, and to terraform it as necessary for human life. These massive ships are a kilometer in length and carry all the machinery needed to start a colony on a new planet.
TAU : The Terraforming Assistance Unit is the central AI of the colony.
Ring : The "guilds" or "clans" of seed.