About RIFT
Adventure in the world of Telara as either a noble Guardian or technomagical Defiant and enter a dynamic fantasy where 8 primal forces battle for control in an ever-changing landscape. Build your own class using the Ascended Soul system and embark on epic conflicts that bring you into the story, taking your RPG experience to new heights of achievement and excitement!
Key features
- Massive Dynamic Battles:
Invasions unfold zone-wide, creating epic conflicts that bring you into the story! Save the world now alongside hundreds of other players or fight to reclaim lands from invading hordes.- 8 Primal Forces:
Creatures from the Air, Earth, Fire, Water, Life, and Death planes battle for control of the world of Telara! Two warring factions—the Guardians and the Defiant—face off against each other and fight extra-planar creatures as they seek to save the world.- Build Your Class:
No other game lets you build your class the way RIFT does. Specialize in a single class or pick and choose abilities from many to create a character uniquely suited to your play style—and have fun while you experiment!- Choose Your Role:
Each character can have up to four different roles, so you can choose different classes for every situation! You might have one for PvP and another for raids; or perhaps you want a high-damage or high-defense build. The choice is yours to mix and match as you see fit!- PvP Combat:
Battle others in exhilarating Player vs. Player combat! Earn PvP ranks, titles, loot, and unique Souls to further enhance your character. Head to cross-server Warfronts and fight others in world PvP.- Full-Featured:
Guilds, dungeons, raids, auctions, crafting, a vibrant economy, Player vs. Player combat, and more!- Deeper Gameplay:
New features like Guild Quests and Artifact Collections enhance your gaming experience by giving you earned achievements that matter.- Highly Accessible HD Graphics:
Play a game that has stunning visuals on virtually any computer, even if your PC isn’t state-of-the-art.
The Rifts of Telara
Mysterious rifts are tearing the world of Telara apart. A powerful magic explosion during the final days of the Shade War has left the veil between Telara and other planar dimensions fractured and torn.
Treacherous and powerful, these rifts occur when another plane of reality intersects with the magical Ward protecting Telara. Rifts create doorways for planar invasion, destroying the lands and people of Telara, but they may also grant otherworldly power to those brave enough to seize it.
Now no part of Telara is truly safe. Invasions can occur anywhere and at any time, and the danger to the world is growing. Two major factions have emerged to save the world of Telara from the rifts: the Guardian and the Defiant. Each faction works in different ways to preserve Telara's future, and both seek to undermine the other.
While little is known about the exact nature of the rifts, Telaran scholars, priests, and historians strive to unlock the mysteries of these massive portals. It is believed that the rifts are being caused by direct attacks on the magical Ward surrounding Telara. Regulos, the dragon god of extinction, seeks to free his imprisoned minions of the Blood Storm trapped deep inside Telara. These attacks weaken the veil and cause planar disruptions that open the destructive rifts across the world.
Often, rifts appear in the world as a tear in the fabric of reality. Powerful magic has been used to study these anomalies, and sometimes they have been opened inadvertently, resulting in great tragedy. But there is still much to learn from these destructive forces. Can riftic power be harnessed by sorcery? Can powerful beings enter the rifts to venture into the deadly planes beyond? How many planes really exist?
With rifts, only one thing is certain — if they are not stopped, the world of Telara will surely end.
Dynamic Layered World
Every player experiences a different adventure in the living, breathing world of Telara. RIFT has all of the traditional quests and deep story arcs you expect from a fantasy MMO role-playing game, but there is unpredictability to life in Telara that guarantees even familiar terrain can offer new dangers and opportunities.
Whether it’s a previously peaceful farm being ravaged by demons, a tranquil forest glen suddenly ripped apart by a violent rift, or merely an unassuming traveling merchant with astounding wares, spontaneous events are taking place all across Telara for you to discover and take part in.
The ebb and flow of activity in Telara is always changing. Thousands of unexpected encounters are occurring at any moment, making every adventure unique — with more being added all the time. And just like in real life, you can revisit favorite haunts to see what's different, adding a novel sense of exploration to even well-trodden ground.
Races
RIFT provides many playable races to choose from. Each race has its own characteristic look, unique racial ability, and distinctive background story. Races also belong to one of two opposing factions, either Guardian or Defiant. Each race will offer players its own set of advantages and disadvantages during gameplay.
Factions
In the final days of the Mathosian civil war, the Ward that protected Telara from planar convergence was severely weakened by a disaster known as the Shade. Since that time, rifts between Telara and the planes have been increasingly devastating the land, and old enemies held at bay by elemental prisons have begun actively clawing their way out.
Telara’s greatest enemy, the death god Regulos, pounds against the outside of the Ward, seeking re-entry into Telara to finish the job he once started. Meanwhile, Telara’s own pantheon of gods has suddenly grown silent, and the world is descending into total chaos.
The people of Telara are now convinced that the end of the world is at hand. In these desperate final days, two major factions have arisen to battle the coming apocalypse: the Guardians and the Defiant. Though each faction wants to save the world, their beliefs and methods differ, and they war upon each other as often as they do other enemies of Telara.
Clash of the immortals
Conflict rages as the Guardians and Defiant fight to control Telara’s destiny. Spear and spell, dagger and faith, the Ascended fight for precious resources, vital territory, or the simple thrill of battle. Arm yourself with knowledge and step onto the battlegrounds of a rift-torn world.
Warfronts
At launch, RIFT will boast four Warfronts, instanced battlegrounds with cross-server queuing where players will meet to destroy each other. Each Warfront is fought over a unique resource or advantage and features innovative mechanics to keep the blood flowing – both in your veins and out of the enemy’s.
PvP Souls
The Ascended Class System lets you build a hero for every situation, and PvP is definitely included. Each Calling gets a special PvP Soul crammed with abilities and bonuses perfect for ruining the other faction’s day.
Rewards
Victory is its own reward, but PvP loot in RIFT is pretty rewarding too. From the moment you first take on the enemy faction, you’ll begin earning currency, loot, and upgrades.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this an MMO?
Yes, RIFT is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) set in a unique fantasy world.
When will RIFT be released?
The official launch date for RIFT is March 1st, 2011 in North America, and March 4th, 2011 in Europe.
Why is RIFT being released on different dates for North America (March 1st) and Europe (March 4th)?
Typical retail release days are Tuesdays in North America and Fridays in Europe.
What are the system requirements for RIFT?
Minimum System Specifications
- Operating system: Windows XP, Vista, or 7
- Processor: Dual Core 2.0 GHz or better
- Memory: 2 GB
- Hard disk space: 15.0 GB available
- Video: Nvidia GeForce FX 5900, ATI/AMD Radeon X300, Intel GMA X4500, or better
- Sound: DirectX 8.1 compliant card
- DirectX®: 9.0c, June 2010 update
- Broadband internet connection
Recommended System Specifications
- Operating system: Windows XP, Vista, or 7
- Processor: Core 2 Duo 2.2 GHz or better
- Memory: 4 GB
- Hard disk space: 15.0 GB available
- Desktop Video: Nvidia GTS 250 or better
- N****ook Video: Nvidia GTX 200M series or better
- Sound: DirectX 8.1 compliant card
- DirectX®: 9.0c, June 2010 update
- Broadband internet connection
What languages will RIFT support?
English, French, and German will be supported at launch.
Which methods of payment are available?
Trion Worlds accepts Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. Game Time Cards will be available at major retailers starting on March 1st.
Gameplay
What races can I play in RIFT?
You can choose from many different races to adventure as in the world of Telara, ranging from the fierce Bahmi to the bold Mathosians. For more information on the races that have been revealed, visit the Races page.
What classes can I play?
You begin the game by choosing one of four callings (Warrior, Cleric, Rogue, or Mage) and then build your perfect class using the Ascended Soul system.
Will there be Player vs. Player combat in RIFT?
RIFT will definitely offer many forms and fashions of Player vs. Player (PvP) combat. More details will be released about our PvP systems and servers in the near future.
Will there be crafting / trade skills in RIFT?
RIFT will feature a robust and comprehensive crafting and gathering system. We will be releasing more details about this important game system in the near future.
Will there be guilds in RIFT?
Absolutely. The game will offer a comprehensive guild system that will be accessible to player organizations both large and small.
Will RIFT have factions?
Yes. The world of Telara is divided politically between two major factions: the Guardians and the Defiant. Both factions seek to save the world from planar destruction, but in very different ways. The factions are engaged in open conflict, and battle frequently, so no cross-faction groups or guilds can exist in RIFT.
by Trion (www.riftgame.com)