Sparkplay Media announces open beta testing is now underway for Earth Eternal, their browser-based subscription-free MMORPG. Here's a bit:

"With Earth Eternal, we’re raising the bar for browser-based MMOs, while simultaneously lowering the barriers to entry," said Matt Mihaly, CEO and founder, Sparkplay Media. "We’ve stripped away roadblocks like subscription fees and massive downloads that discourage many people from playing MMO games. At the same time, people are going to be surprised by the sophistication and depth we’re offering in a free-to-play game that runs in the browser.”

Featuring deep, original content, Earth Eternal has a 3D graphical look and feel that is more typical of top tier downloadable MMOs. The game takes place in an expansive world where players will encounter everything from verdant valleys to desert oases to dark, corrupted forests to major cities like Camelot and Heartwood, the tree city. While Earth Eternal is a true browser-based 3D MMO, Sparkplay Media will also offer an optional download. The gameplay experience will be the same whether in the browser or via the downloadable client.