Neocron

Neocron
Neocron
Developer(s)	Reakktor
Publisher(s)	CDV Software (Neocron 1), 10tacle Studios AG (Neocron 2)
Platform(s)	Windows
Release	September 9, 2002
Genre(s)	MMORPG
Mode(s)	Massive Multiplayer

Neocron is commonly thought of as the one of world's first Cyberpunk MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game). It features action-oriented combat, similar to first-person shooters in a 3D environment.

Neocron and its sequel Neocron 2 were developed by Reakktor, an entertainment software company based in Germany.

Character development

The player character may be chosen from four distinct classes. Available are genetically engineered super soldiers, ("GenTank"), the slight, yet dextrous and intelligent "Spy", the psionically(magic) focused and physically underpowered "Psi Monk" as well as the "Private Eye", 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, 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 generalisation taken from how you have distributed your skill points in your attributes)..

Game History

The game takes place in a post-apocalyptic 28th century. In the mid 22nd century, tensions are rising between an expanded Chinese Empire, and a joint European/North American Federation of the Free World. The unexplained destruction of the Chinese' first interstellar colony ship results in China launching devastating nuclear strike with stealth missiles. Before all major Federation cities cease to exist, the President gives the command to counter strike with Cold Fusion long distance missiles. World War 3 started on February 17th 2143, it lasted less then 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",which was initially an MIT project (it was later taken over by the military in response to the project leader being murdered) in the early 21st century, aimed at storing every aspect of human knowledge on holodisk.

200 years later, and both cities are but shadows of their former selves, Neocron thanks to a succession of coups d'etat and a mass exodus to Irata III, a colony 80 light years away formed by the disappeared Chinese colony ship and Dome of York suffers from losing a devastating war with Neocron.

Patches, Content and Bugs

Neocron 1 suffered from slow patches, lack of new content and game-destroying bugs. Neocron 2 still suffers from several of the same bugs (infinite sync screen, and fatal run-time error, to name but two) and many of its features promised for retail are still missing. Players have also seen the "Theme Week" feature fall by the wayside, a feature that was introduced in response to players' complaints over NC1's lack of bugfixes, balancing and content.

A balancing project is currently underway, although many players have already lost faith in the developers. The unique feature of this project is that the developers are looking for community input on these proposed changes.

Emulation

The emulation scene of Neocron is in its early stages, with slow development. There are at least three different Neocron emulators; NeoX and TinNS, which attempt to emulate Neocron 1, and Irata, which attempts to emulate Neocron 2. None of the emulators are fully functional yet.

Reviews and Awards

Neocron 1:

Winner of RPG Vault's "Debut Game of the Year", 2002.

Winner of Emil award for "Most Interactive Product of CeBIT" at CeBIT, March 20, 2002. CeBIT was the world's largest computer fair at the time.

Runner up in RPGDot's "Best of E3 2002" - Best Sci-Fi RPG.

The Adrenaline Vault 80%

Computer Games Mag 80%

Computer Gaming World 40%

Gameguru Mania 82%

GamerGod 66%

GameSpot 66%

GameSpy 71%

IGN 65%

PC Gamer 60%

PC Game World 60%

TechTV 40%

Neocron 2:

PCFormat 68%

PCGamer May 2005 58%

PCZone UK June 2005 24%

External links

Official Websites

Resource Sites

Tech Haven Network - Official Neocron 2 International Fansite - Latest Neocron news, Neocron 2 resource site, Rares database, and discussion forums.
Neocron 2 Onlinewelten - Official Neocron 2 German Fansite - Latest Neocron news, Neocron 2 resource site, and discussion forums.
NeocronNetwork - The biggest German Neocron 2 site
neoTerm An English Neocron fan site. (possibly outdated)