After years of anticipation, the beta test for Tabula Rasa is here! And now it's open to ALL FilePlanet users, not just subscribers. Everyone can get a sneak peek at Richard Garriott's vision for the future of MMO gaming. Get your key and join us online:


Once you're signed up for the beta, you'll have to download and install the client. That's where this guide comes in: while you're downloading and getting set up, we'll give you some pointers about what to expect in the game world.

Creating Your Character

It all starts here, where you'll create your first character. The interface to tweak your appearance is fairly straightforward (keep in mind that this is a beta -- anything is subject to change before release!), but I should call out special attention to your character's last name.


In Tabula Rasa, ALL of your characters will share the same last name. This helps players recognize one another no matter who they're playing. It's especially important later on, when you start cloning your characters in order to experiment with different development paths!

You can tinker around with your face, headgear, and the color of your armor. The "all armor" selector allows you to choose a single coordinated outfit of whatever color you want, or you can be experimental and change the look and color of each individual piece of equipment. Once you've got your "look," go ahead and click "Accept."

...and that's it! What a minute, what about picking your class? Unlike most online RPGs, Tabula Rasa doesn't lock you into a pre-defined class from the outset. It's all about choices. After you get a few levels of gameplay under your belt, you'll be able to start specializing your character, based on how you want to play.

Even then, you can always go back and "clone" your character at any point in your development, so you can explore different training options. Right now, all you've got to do is create your character's look and start playing!

NEXT PAGE: Getting a Feel for the World...