Vanu Sovereignty:
A highly secretive race. Not much is known at present about them, However, it would seem that their technology is far in advance of the other two races.

As you can see the empires are quite different, and players should be able to pick one that best suits there own whims. This should lead to a massive balance-of-power affair, with players desperately trying to get their empire on top. Very promising. Verant have also hinted that it may be possible to play as a ‘mercenary’ type, with no particular allegiances, although there would be distinct disadvantages for the player who chooses this route (no allies, three empires of enemies, and no home city!).

Character creation in Planetside is a little different too. You can create a character in the normal sense (pick out a face, build, etc.), but your armour and such is unique to the empire that you pledge allegiance to. This doesn’t mean that you can’t customise, but does lend to the whole feeling that you are in an army. Your character doesn’t have a ‘class’ as in most MMORPG style games, he/she will evolve skills dependant on how you play the game or which skill ‘chips’ you implant into them. If you want to become a great sniper, buy the chip and practice! Or if you want to be an all-rounder, try everything, it should work well. Verant hope that the characters will evolve with their players, as you become more skilled at the game, so will your character, therefore progressing up the ranks of his or her army, and gaining new rank insignia on their avatar. A bit of computer bonding, we feel. Another factor that will bring you closer to your character is the fact that you are issued with living quarters, which as your character progresses through the ranks of the empire’s army, will grow accordingly. You start in a dank barrack-style compartment, if you work at it you could end up in a huge penthouse. Smart. Just have to wait and see if it will work out though. There can’t be enough room for everyone to have a huge penthouse, can there? So how will the promotion system actually function?