PC.IGN.com is first out of the gate with a new preview of Empire Earth based on the newly commenced beta test of Stainless Steel Studios' 3D real-time strategy game. The article features their impressions of the graphics engine, the gameplay modes, some of the units and resources, and more, all underlined with a few quotes from the developers and illustrated by over a dozen new screenshots. Here is an excerpt on the multiplayer features:

Currently the multiplayer component will consist of standard 'beat the other guy' style play as well as victories based on the development of wonders. To liven things up a bit players in a multiplayer match will not know with what epoch their opponents are playing until the match has already begun. Players in a multiplayer match are assigned civilization points which they can spend on whatever epoch they choose to play as. The balancing comes from the cost of different epochs. All parties start with the same amount of civ points, anyone can then spend them on whatever they want, but the more advanced you wish to become the more it will cost you.

On top of the slew of handicapping options and other multiplayer standards the game will also feature a global stats ranking system that will be implemented with the title's first patch, so that the beta testers won't immediately start out at the top of the charts.