As the planet called Irth evolved out of the primeval darkness, quite a large number of intelligent species emerged. All but one remained disorganized and scattered, which ultimately allowed the humans to achieve a position of dominance. When a virulent plague struck, the non-humans, who were somehow more susceptible, fled the open air, seeking safety in seclusion. Although the pestilence and its dire results have long since passed into the realm of folk tales and myths, the fear it engendered long ago has not subsided, and they continue to hide. However, the surface is far from devoid of life. Creatures of many kinds roam its plains, prowl its forests and lurk in its marshes. Most are aggressive by nature, which means even taking a few steps outside the sheltering walls of the cities and towns can lead to mortal danger.

Magic Hat Software's Irth Online is a fantasy-themed persistent state project said to emphasize role-playing and allowing players to determine their own in-game experience. Officially announced late last month, although it has been on our radar for some time, it's currently in closed beta and targeted to launch in the second quarter of this year. The setting is one in which a fragile peace exists among three civilizations, the northern Arcadians, swamp-dwelling Morbus and tropical Mezoteks. Features likely to interest players who prefer open-ended virtual worlds include a free-form storyline and a skill system in which characters can learn any ability without racial or class-based restrictions. After the announced Q2 target launch date made us particularly eager to know more, Lead Programmer Dennis Robinson collaborated with Developers Alan Chipura and Tony Pungitore to answer the second half of our questions.