It’s been a few weeks since the Fallen Earth community had to deal with its latest round of layoffs. Former State of the Game pen Dave “Archangel” Haydysch was one of the three let go, leaving the job to Marie “Aro Sei” Croall, whom we spoke with at PAX. The first topic of her new face-of-the-company career involves Sector 4, and where the hell it is.

It turns out that the development of Sector 4 was put on the back burner for the much-discussed combat revamp and balance tweaks that have filled the last few patches. Those changes being completed – testing to commence this week – Sector 4 is again returning to the spotlight. The new sector will add another 5 levels to the level cap, and deliver new recipes, gear and consumables.

In the immediate future, players will see a laundry list of changes heading to the PTS, then the live servers:

• Physical combat changes. The devs are specifically looking for feedback on damage and the mitigation of it.
• Dodge mitigation being retuned, again.
• NPC range, reload and weapon damage tweaks.
• Faction skills and Mutations to be tested after combat is fine tuned.
• New lighting and terrain changes incoming. I love how the game gets prettier each six months or so.
• Further improvements to the tutorial, including tooltip changes, extended combat and a more streamlined delivery.
• Black Friday celebration – FREE AMMO for Blood Sports participants. To those that don’t play Fallen Earth, ammo consumption/creation is a huge drain on resources.

Should all of this go according to plans, December will be marked with just as many changes to completely different aspects of the MMOFPS. During the holiday season the developers are going to focus on “different high-end group content/world boss mechanics, improvements to the serendipity system, new recipes and encounter areas as well as continuing to work on balancing Progress Towns.”

Oh, and let’s not forget the wonderful community events. Fallen Earth will be home to “several in-game contests as well as introducing our Rally mission series and giving out presents” during the season of giving.

I’ve spent a good deal of time in a multitude of virtual worlds over the years. My most recent infatuation is one that many readers are fond of, World of Warcraft. But my enjoyment of the title waned over the past few months, and I began to look to other games – some new, some old and some I was already a part of – to fill in the void. While it’s hard to compare apples to apples in the messy MMOG sector, there’s one thing that is easy to judge objectively, the community surrounding a title. For most niche titles, the community is a beautiful relationship between players, developers, fan sites and media. Not an unmanageable Roman-sized empire that Blizzard Entertainment has ended up having to deal with.

Fallen Earth has been a champion of community relations long before I become a member. In fact, reports of a helpful newbie channel and constant chatter from developers and GMs was a big deciding factor to subscribing. I knew I’d be behind the eight ball in knowledge, joining the game late as I did and completely alone in doing so. While I’ve known the developers from trade shows for some time, I’m glad to report that the in-game community relations are as superb as the out of game support. The creators even lead near-weekly Trivia contests, participate in live events on a routine basis and pimp out player-led events all the time.

Global Agenda is another game I’ve sunk a lot of time in during my break. It to has a fantastic community, even if just to mess with. The general chat isn’t all that useful – you’ll find guild or agency conversations far more informative – but what GA lacks in universal language is made up by Hi-Rez Studios’ dedication to the game. From official to unofficial forums, blogs and fansites, the company absorbs all comments, and supports anyone that discusses the MMOG. For example, Sandstorm and its outdoor universe, a community request that the devs brought to life. Devs are constantly popping up in Dome City – HiRezStew – just to chat, and the community has no qualms with the developers having fun or breaking the fourth wall by dropping boss mobs in the sanctuary city. They participated in our community event last week, and now the developers are going to be melt faces in the Challenge Tournament starting this month.

I’m not a psychologist, but when developers go this extra mile, when they mingle and play beside those that enjoy their world, it hooks me that much more. So what if it’s a niche title, if it’s not as massive a universe or as well polished. It’s one that I’m more than a number in a spreadsheet, or at least, that’s how I am made to feel by the community.

Blizzard should not be given a pass because it has a product with 12 million members. With that many paying subscribers, which we know turns into ridiculous profits, the company could afford to hire a crew of hands-on GMs for each realm. It just chooses not to. Just like it chooses not to have a very organized way to disseminate information or keep its forums from being troll heaven (RealID would have helped). The Community Site Preview shows that Blizzard looking to remedy a few of the issues.

Interested in checking the aforementioned communities out? Here’s a code for 30% off Global Agenda – GACOUITZKOOPA06302. It’s first come, first serve, but I have more so drop me a line if it gets used. I’ll randomly gift a commenter with a code for 30 free days of Fallen Earth, so leave a topical comment for your chance to win.

Vroooooom!

Clearly, getting an obscene amount of bodies in the PTS is producer Dave Haydysch’s overall goal for the just released October State of the Game.  The monthly statement touches upon little outside of content heading to the PTS. This includes the first major revamp to the combat system and testing of new tech to improve the visuals.

Dave is so adamant about getting people on the PTS that he’s offering a ton of free crap and toys to those that “Help…in the development of the game.” The developer has created a branch of NPCs to help facilitate the process.  Facilitating is just a synonym for free; free money, high-end armor, AP, even free levels will be readily available from these new NPCs. He’s quick to point out that the entire game needs to be re-tested, not just the high level content, to be sure the combat changes are correct during the leveling process.

We’ve discussed the next patch before, so head to the interview or official post if you want further details.  It’s nice to hear that the game will be changing mechanically and visually for the better.  And right before Halloween too!

I’ll one up Haydysch and his “crazy” NPCs. I will randomly choose someone that leaves a comment with a valid e-mail address on this post and award them a free digital copy of Fallen Earth, complete with 30 days of free play.

Quick update: I’ll be taking names until the end of Sunday, October 17. Be sure to frequent our Contest Page for the status of all contests, past, present and upcoming.

My, my, they grow so fast don’t they.  Just last year, I remember almost going to a focus group for Fallen Earth only to have my friend go to it instead.  He reported generally good things, but hated the tutorial – it used to give you uber powers, like a high level character, only to take them away.  I’ve kept my finger on the title ever since, logging in occasionally to see what’s going on.  Boy has it grown.

From visual face lifts, combat revamps, technology improvements, content patches and even a mobile application, Fallen Earth has seen more improvements and changes in a year than some titles do in their entire lifespan.  The news has not always been good, but Icarus Studios continues to drive forward as it approaches the one-year anniversary for Fallen Earth.  To celebrate, the company will be holding a party straight out of Hollywood.  The festivities cannot be held to a single day or location.  Subscribers will be showered with gifts from today, Wednesday, September 15 until September 22.  Increase your chances at earning FE swag by following them on Twitter and that Facebook thing.  Full details on all the shenanigans here.

With all eyes on Fallen Earth and its celebration, Icarus Studios decided to release the Premium Mobile Application.  The new app expands upon the free Fallen Earth Companion App that we saw at PAX East 2010.  Basically, the premium application allows players to interact with the universe, instead of just viewing it.  Purchasers of the $9.99 piece of software will be able to receive and mail attachments, work the Auction House, and initiate and complete crafting.  It’s a one-time fee.

Dave Haydysch released the latest State of the Game to finish the triple threat.  Stay tuned for our interview with Marie Croall from PAX Prime 2010 to get some eye-candy to go along with the State of the Game discussion.