Established by an escaped gladiator-slave who became a freedom fighter and brought together the many bands of his brethren scattered across what was once Southern California, the Brotherhood of Mutants is now a force to be reckoned with in that region, a powerful coalition that believes its kind to be the true inheritors of Terranu, the Changed Earth. While the faction's philosophy doesn't hold humans to be universal enemies, most of its members do feel that way implicitly, which only serves to reinforce the distrust for mutants that prevails among much of humankind. Generally lacking in technology but making up for it through natural abilities and ferocity, the Brotherhood's forces have successfully fended off incursions by slaver groups like the Hell Riders and Vagans, and have also held their own against the more scientifically advanced Silics in clashes over resources.


The above-named organizations and others are entangled within a complex web of alliances and hostilities that is a key facet of the setting for Twilight War: After the Fall, a post-apocalyptic massively multiplayer game currently in progress at a Florida-based studio, Smiling Gator Productions. The project attracted a fair amount of attention last week when Valve Software announced it will use the Source engine technology to deliver the graphical aspects of its action-oriented experience. Fortuitously, we had been aware of the title for some time prior, and had already gotten in touch with the developer to see about learning more. As a consequence, we found ourselves in a very good position to secure information on a number of significant elements from Vice President of Development and World Design Lead Kingsley Montgomery, and Vice President of Sales and Marketing Matt Simmons.