In the future, nobody can hear you scream...except for that xenophobic alien race charging at you while your rifle tries to keep them at bay. Thankfully, you aren't alone in this epic alien war, as you'll meet up with both NPCs and living, breathing, human players to affect the tides of war in this massively multiplayer online action game. Recently, Killer Betties got to ask some questions with "The TR Team" - those responsible for the upcoming Tabula Rasa - and here is what they had to say.

1. Tabula rasa refers to the thought that "human beings are born with no innate or built-in mental content, in a word, "blank", and that their entire resource of knowledge is built up gradually from their experiences and sensory perceptions of the outside world." How does the meaning of tabula rasa apply to the game?

In the game players actually have a Tabula Rasa, a “blank slate” that they use to record found logos knowledge. This allows them to create powerful logos abilities based on this found knowledge.

The idea is further explored in the game via ethical parables and choices players make that determine who the players turn out to be since every player begins basically the same. Other games have you make choices about skills or races before you know anything about how those choices will affect your game. Tabula Rasa gives you a chance to make informed choices about your character.

2. What is the central story of Tabula Rasa and where does the player fit into it all?

Tabula Rasa™ is a massively multiplayer online action game that takes you into the heat of battle at the frontlines of an epic war between a xenophobic alien race bent on galactic conquest and the coalition of rebel soldiers who’ve traveled across the galaxy to stop them.

Combining the action of a shooter and the immersion of a role-playing game, Tabula Rasa takes the player on an intergalactic adventure where the individual has an opportunity to significantly impact the pace of battle on a global scale. Players enter the game as rebel soldiers wielding a variety of futuristic weapons, potent demolitions and the mystical power of “Logos.” It is up to each individual to use their stealth, ingenuity and skill to assist a ragtag coalition of rebels in their efforts to stop an enemy known for its intelligence and unyielding determination to enslave the Universe.

3. Character creation is always one of the first things you do in a MMORPG and is vitally important for a player to distinguish themselves from the crowd. How will players be able to distinguish their character from others?

Players will be able to customize their character at the character creation screen by gender, body size, skin tone, hair style and starting armor colors. Once players enter the game, more armor types and styles will be available from NPCs and as loot drops.

4. Unlike many MMORPGs, Tabula Rasa seems to only feature one race – humans. Why was it decided upon to feature only one race?

As mentioned in the first question, the idea of the game is that players start the same at the start and then their informed choices allow them to become whatever they choose. The other reason is that the story is at its core one about saving humanity, something we feel players can more easily identify with than being an alien. It makes the story more visceral for players.

5. It also seems like everyone starts as one class and branch off from there? Could you explain how players go about determining their class and what types of classes there are?

That is correct. TR uses an inverse tree leveling system. Periodically as players level up they will reach a branch point. Players are able to view the entire tree at any time to help them determine which specialties they want to ‘branch’ into. Each branch builds on the previous, so players who move to the ‘soldier’ branch retain all their weapons and ability skills from their previous recruit level.

Classes range from basic recruit to highly specialized classes such as Spy, Medic, Engineer and Grenadier.

6. Usually MMORPGs have their tanks, their in-between classes, and then their magic users. Does Tabula Rasa have a similar situation, where all those classes are there, or is Tabula Rasa going for a more, realistic environment type feel, where things like magic wouldn't be available?

Arthur C. Clark said, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” Tabula Rasa has a range of weapons, tools and abilities including those based on the power of Logos. The game’s story goes into this power and its origins. Every player-character has the ability to acquire logos abilities regardless of class.

7. Tabula Rasa follows some of the staples of MMORGPs, but one difference is the ability to team-up with NPC characters. Why was it decided to allow the user to team with NPC characters and how exactly will that work? Will players be able to issue them commands (and if so how?) or are they more intelligent, freethinking NPCs that will play along side you and act accordingly?

They are freethinking NPCs that play alongside you. They follow your lead.

8. On the website it says, "First person shooter fans who crave a richer gaming experience will appreciate a massively multiplayer game that is reactive to player choices and allows for a broad range of character movement." How will the first person shooter elements merge into the game?

To be clear, TR is not an FPS, but it does have elements of a shooter type game, such as your camera being guided by your weapon reticle and an arsenal of diverse weaponry to choose from. There are also large battlefields of war that are more common in shooters. It’s a unique mix of shooter action and more traditional MMORPG mission elements.

9. What type of combat gameplay are we looking at? Will it be the run and gun of a first person shooter, the click and sit back and attack of a MMORPG, squad based, etc.?

Tabula Rasa is much more action packed and interactive than your average “click once and wait for combat to end” MMO. TR rewards smart combat. Running around madly shooting at your target will be somewhat effective for those who enjoy a good zerg, but players who use positioning, aiming, and strategic combat will be rewarded.

10. What is the level cap of Tabula Rasa?
50

11. Will Tabula Rasa offer any PvP and if so how will it be worked into the gameplay?

PvP should be offered at ship as Clan vs Clan PvP.

12. How will players go about receiving mission objectives? Is there a central place that will order them out, you'll discover them through NPCs throughout your travels, etc.?

You will discover them through your travels via NPCs.

13. Besides hoofing it on foot, are there any other means of travel to get from one destination to the next and if so what?

We have wormhole teleportation of varying magnitudes from local transport to planetary transport. Some transport is handled by AFS dropships.

14. Is Tabula Rasa considering any large in-game events such as "zone events" or any type of invasion scenarios? Things like that? And if so what can players expect?

TR has large battlefields where players and NPCs struggle to take area control points. These control points give players the opportunity to change the tide of battle and unlock content. Expect epic battles!

15. What will players have to look forward to after the game is released and they've spent some time with it? Will constant content being coming out on a regular basis and if so what types of plans are there? Also, what will likely be the distribution method and price point? Free to download, bought through expansion packs, etc.

We will be releasing content regularly for Tabula Rasa. We have not determined the distribution method or price point, if any, at this time.

16. Once the game is bought, will players incur any additional purchase charges, such as a monthly charge to play the game, and if so what will likely be the price?

The game will have a monthly subscription fee however the exact amount of the fee has not been determined at this time.

A special thanks to "The TR Team" for taking the time to answer our questions. Be sure to continue to watch for more Tabula Rasa news.