From the Toysit archive
Earth 2160
Explore Earth 2160’s science-fiction units, landscapes and construction screen, then design a modular Mars postcard town.
The play at a glance
Small machines in a wide future world
A pale river curves between green banks while mechanical units gather at its edges. Earth 2160’s first retained image offers a broad view of its science-fiction setting; the second fills the scene with aircraft, ground units and bright beams. The PC strategy game combines places to explore with machines whose parts can be selected on a construction screen.
A machine assembled from choices
The construction window gives a vehicle a shape before it enters the wider scene. The manual shows a basic model surrounded by choices for armor, engine, weapons and other equipment. The player can name the design and turn its model to look from different sides. Research and production buildings determine which components are available.
That makes the game’s design process visible: select a base, consider the available parts, and see the resulting machine. Around the main view, separate controls lead to mission goals, research, production and a minimap. The broad landscape and the small construction window serve different purposes, and the player moves between them.
A world with several kinds of machinery
The preserved announcement introduces the Eurasian Dynasty, Lunar Corporation, United Civilized States and an alien group. Their systems have different rules; for example, the manual distinguishes the research tree used by the human factions from alien development. Its Virtual Agents are hired game characters, some with special abilities related to construction or research.
Look at the different scales in the two original images: small figures on the ground, larger vehicles, and craft above them. That contrast offers a useful starting point for imagining what a machine does and how it fits into its surroundings.
Design a modular Mars postcard town
Try this original paper activity with a habitat drawn on a postcard-sized rectangle. Make three separate module cards: a solar array, a greenhouse and an observatory. Give each a simple picture and a sentence about its job.
- Choose two modules and place them beside the habitat. Draw paths connecting them.
- Invent a visitor who needs something: fresh food, a place to study the sky or power for a workshop.
- Exchange one module and explain how the town’s daily routine changes.
- On the reverse, write a postcard beginning, “Today our little Mars town…”
These peaceful habitat modules are an invitation to invent a setting, rather than instructions for Earth 2160’s construction system.
The historical record
Original Toysit coverage
The complete earlier product account and commentary are preserved below as historical coverage.
State of the art visuals and lighting, multiplayer capabilities, and customization features comprising over 100 hours of gameplay
Midway Games was granted United States and Canadian publishing rights for Earth 2160, the highly-anticipated sequel in the top-selling and critically-acclaimed Earth series of real-time strategy titles. The game will be released this November for the PC.
Developed by Reality Pump Studios, Earth 2160 sees conflict arise as the remnants of the Eurasian Dynasty, Lunar Corporation, and United Civilized States terraform Mars following Earth's end. As the civilizations independently rebuild, a group of alien renegades is awakened from suspended animation. The groups must either struggle it out or band together as they try and survive the new alien threat.
"The Earth series is known for combining solid RTS gameplay with a compelling story, and Earth 2160 continues that tradition while adding state of the art visuals and lighting, multiplayer capabilities and a vast number of customization features comprising more than 100 hours of gameplay," said Steve Allison of Midway. "Titles like Earth 2160 that innovate while delivering a gripping gameplay experience are key parts of Midway's growth strategy as the company's publishing portfolio continues to expand."
Earth 2160 takes advantage of cutting-edge pixel and vertex shaders, giving the game a look and feel that is well ahead of other RTS titles running on more traditional graphics engines. With volumetric shading and high-dynamic range lighting, Earth 2160's graphics bring a new level of detail to the RTS genre.
In addition to standard RTS features such as resource acquisition, base building and destruction of enemy bases, Earth 2160 also allows players to play adventure-style missions. Modular construction allows players to customize buildings and units, creating virtually limitless options for players. Virtual Agents are available to assist the player in specific tasks or to act as managers dealing with construction, resources or research; letting the player concentrate on other aspects of the game for an experience tailored to the individual gamer's style.
Midway Games develops and publishes interactive entertainment software for major video game systems and personal computers.
Reality Pump Studios developed Earth 2160.
Sources and editorial notes
The publisher-hosted manual supports the interface, vehicle construction, research and Virtual Agent descriptions. Selected text and two diagrams were reviewed. Available parts and systems depend on faction and progress; the archive’s “virtually limitless” and 100-hour language remains attributed promotion. The August 2005 regional announcement and projected November date are preserved independently of later store metadata. Current compatibility and network services were not tested.
- Original Toysit image — Existing same-site image reviewed and retained unchanged.
- Earth 2160 manual — Publisher-hosted manual: PDF 28, 31–32, 37–38 and 57 reviewed in text; game-screen and construction diagrams on PDF 28 and 31 visually reviewed. These selected sections support the new description.
- Original Toysit coverage — Complete historical account retained, including its original claims and wording.
Images and descriptions are retained as historical material. How Toysit covers toys.
Created for Toysit by Tabbloza — the artwork in our header.