Cosmic Rift | |
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Publisher(s) | Sony Online Entertainment |
Distributor(s) | Sony Online Entertainment |
Designer(s) | Jeff Petersen |
Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
Release date(s) |
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Genre(s) | Action |
Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
Cosmic Rift is a two-dimensional massively multiplayer video game designed by lead programmer Jeff Petersen. It is based in a science fiction universe wherein players can fly from an overhead view one of 13 spaceships[1], each with their own strengths and unique weapons, in a variety of gaming zones each with a different objective.[2]
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Cosmic Rift is provided as part of the Station Pass package offered by Sony Online Entertainment, which also includes Infantry and Tanarus. Its gameplay is comparable to Virgin Interactive Entertainment's Subspace, another two-dimensional space shooter written by Jeff Petersen prior to joining Sony's team. Today, Subspace remains available in a freeware flavor known as Continuum.
Cosmic Rift was released as 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.
One of the largest draws for subscribers was the 4 on 4 league which sustained the generally low popularity of the game until August 2004, when the 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 Cosmic Rift's player base had been essentially non-existent.
On May 23rd, 2007, it was announced that the Station Pass games would become completely free as of June 26th, 2007.[3] A map editor[4] for both Cosmic Rift and Infantry were also being worked on in hopes to have them publicly released by the time the three Station Pass games are made free.[5] This announcement had initially prompted an increase in the population of the game's servers. Despite these efforts, however, the game's population still remains largely insubstantial.
Cosmic Rift (C 2011) is also the title of a science-fiction novel by J.P. Osterman.JPOsterman (talk) 00:55, 17 October 2011 (UTC)