right|thumb|Screenshot of Chaos Zone Cosmic Rift is a massively multiplayer video game designed by Jeff Peterson. It is based in a science fiction universe wherein players fly space ships from an overhead view, in a variety of gaming zones each with a different objective.
History
editThis game is part of the Station Pass package offered by Sony Online Entertainment, which also includes Infantry and Tanarus. Gameplay is comparable to 1997's Virgin Interactive Entertainment game Subspace, also written by Petersen. (Subspace remains available in a freeware flavor known as Continuum).
Cosmic Rift was released to an open beta in April 2001, which lasted until May 2002. From this point forward players were required to pay a monthly fee to gain full access to any of the Station Pass games, with limited capability permitted to non-subscribers.
The largest draw for subscribers was the 4 on 4 league which sustained the generally low popularity of the game until August 2004, when this league completed its sixth and final season. The remaining subscribers lingered for approximately one year playing only in the Rift Ball league (see zone description below) until August 2005. Since the end of this league, the population for Cosmic Rift has been essentially non-existent.
On May 23rd, 2007, it has been announced that the Station Pass games (i.e. Cosmic Rift, Infantry, and Tanarus) will become completely free as of June 26th, 2007.[1] A map editor for both Cosmic Rift and Infantry are also being worked on in hopes to have them publicly released by the time the three Station Pass games are made free.[2] This announcement has prompted a steep increase in the game's population.
Gaming Zones
editCurrent Zones
edit- Chaos Zone - Free for all or team play to be the last person alive in a King of the Hill type game.
- CRPL - The Cosmic Rift Players League, organized four on four matches with a limited number of lives for each player.
- Dueling Zone - One on one duels, with two on two or free for all play permitted. Subscriber play only.
- Rift Ball - Two teams compete in a format similar to soccer, the objective is the score goals with a Rift Ball that is passed between ships. Combat is permitted to gain control of the ball. Guests are allowed to play in this zone.
- Rogue Trader - An RPG based game where the objective is to earn money via gathering minerals, and destroying enemy ships. The money can be used to purchase improvements to one's ship that remain persistent across multiple sessions.
- Seek and Destroy - One player possesses a flag, and the opposing players must attempt to destroy this particular ship which then moves control of the flag to the killer. Victory goes to the team which holds the flag for a set period of time.
- Super Fortress - Eight flags, randomly distributed across the map must be gathered by the team and held for a set period of time.
Past Zones
edit- Alpha Zone - Team or solo free for all with no objective but to destroy any enemy ships, intended for beginners.
- Conquest - Players and teams must gain control of a base and defend it, while simultaneously attempting to overwhelm the bases of opposing teams.
- CRBL - The Cosmic Rift Ball League, league rift ball games.
- CR Scrimmage Server - Practice four on four matches.
- Total War - Two teams face against each other to destroy the opposing team's base. The player can gain power cores from killing opponents which they can use to purchase auto-turrets or multi-man vehicles. Guests are allowed to play in this zone.
- Speed Zone - Objective is to destroy as many enemy ships possible in a limited time frame.
- Star Wars Galaxies Event - This zone was used for an event in which the Star Wars Galaxies developers fought CR players.
Ships
editAll ships can use a Repulsor to repel enemies and projectiles, ECM to view cloaked and stealthed ships, and Stealth to hide from the radar.
Terran
editThe Terran race's specials include a MIRV missile launcher, Ripper field, and Shard Mine. Terran ships can also take advantage of a special ECM device which regains energy faster.
- Asp - Terran Fighter: The Asp is armed with a mass driver and plasma pulse bomb. The pulse bomb has a sever EMP effect, stopping it's target from recharging energy.
- Excelsior - Terran Heavy Fighter: The Excelsior is armed with a dual mass driver and fusion missle launcher. It is very fast and has a high top speed making the Excelsior a useful interceptor.
- Ravager - Terran Fighter Bomber: This craft is armed with a meson cannon and meson energy bomb. It is rugged and very reliable.
- Hornet - Terran Superiority Fighter: The Hornet is highly maneuverable and well armed with a mass driver and fusion missile launcher.
- Defender - Terran Guardian: The Defender is armed with a Dual MIRV Launcher, Fusion Cannon, and Laser Cannon. This ship was available via a pod that randomly spawned in the zone but is no longer available in the game.
Skithzar
editThe Skithzar race's specials include a BioShrapnel Bomb, Skithzar Cluster Mines and BioBurst.
- Skithist - Skithzar Heavy Fighter: The 'Skithzar Warrior' is armed with a dual energy cannon and an energy bomb launcher.
- Mastakith - Skithzar Superiority Fighter: 'Nimble Wing' describes this fighter well. It is exceptionally maneuverable and armed with an energy cannon and energy bomb launcher.
- Tarthist - Skithzar Fighter: The'Cunning Hunter' is very maneuverable and fires an energy bomb that bounces off of solid objects. It is also armed with an energy cannon.
- Kragath - Skithzar Heavy Bomber: The 'Fat Hunter' is a powerful bomber. It is armed with an energy cannon and a heavy energy bomb launcher which fires a projectile with an extended proximity effect range.
- Armakith - The Armakith is the Skithzar two-man ship. It is equipped with the BioTear Bomb and the BioSpread cannon. The gunner can utilize the BioPlague Gun and BioField Mine.
- Barrage - Skithzar Capital Ship: Holds four gunners. Often called the "peener" due to it's similarity to the phallus.
Grazi
editGrazi specials include the Moltor ClusterBomb, Mega Moltor Mine, and Cluster Burst.
- Rak'kir - Grazi Attack Fighter: The 'Dragon's Heart' is the standard Grazi attack fighter. It is armed with an energy cannon and high velocity, gravatic propelled energy bomb.
- Rip'per - Grazi Superiority Fighter: The 'Jagged Dagger' is exceptionally maneuverable. It is armed with an energy cannon and an energy bomb launcher.
- Zap'pir - Grazi Fighter Bomber: The 'Molten Heart' is armed with an energy cannon and a very high yield energy bomb.
- Zag'gir - Grazi Fighter: The 'Cutting Scythe' is an apt name for this sleek Grazi Fighter. It is armed with a special multi-fire energy cannon and an energy bomb launcher.
- Daggir - The Daggir is the Grazi multi-pilot ship. It has the power to ejaculate frequently.
- Shrike - The Shrike is the four-man ship equipped with the Twin GBomb, HSD-Cannon, and Cyclone OMG mine.
Null
editNull specials include a Phase Bomb, Warp Field Generator, and Graviton Mine.
- A09 - The A09 is the only known ship of the Null race except for the Reaver. It is the only ship with cloaking ability.
- Reaver - Null Guardian: Equipped with the Reaver Cannon and Phase Beam which could fire through walls.
Arachnae
editThe Arachnae specials include the Mega Plasm Web Bomb, Multi Plasm Web, and Scythe Mine. These ships require atleast 10,000 points to play with.
- Warp Spinner - This Arachnae is a devious and sneaky fighter. Using the unusual Reflex Scythe and its superior manueverability this Arachnae is one all pilots should be wary of.
- Void Weaver - The Void Weaver is a devastating heavy fighter class Arachnae that uses dual Energy Stingers and agility to frightening effect against all enemies.
- Night Hunter - The Night Hunter is a very feared adversary for all the great races. Tough and agile, it is equipped with a powerful Radiation Bomb and Radiation Mine combination.
- Dark Widow - The Dark Widow was the first Arachnae encountered, and it was only a harbinger of what was to come. Nimble and powerfully armed, this fighter class Arachnae is a match for any opponent.