Anarchy Online - Alien Invasion, which launched at the end of August. The expansion pack represents a new direction in terms of the game's evolution. As the title makes clear, the core theme this time is a threat from space. An unexpected attack on Rubi-Ka has occasioned a planet-wide call to arms. Whether aligned with the Omni-Tek Corporation, the rebel clans or neutral, citizens are forced to defend themselves and their communities against hordes of interlopers possessing superior technology, with part of the action involving taking the fight to the intruders by boarding their spaceships. Another notable feature encompasses the ability for player groups to build organization headquarters, houses and even entire towns. A new line of flying vehicles has been added, along with lots of weapons, armor, clothes, quests, perks and more. 

As a bit of background, Rubi-Ka is the source of an extremely valuable element, Notum. Some 30,000 years in the future, the two above-named factions are battling for control of the world. A year ago, a portal to the Shadowlands opened. Via a series of quests, humankind learned its true birthplace. At the seeming end of an epic adventure, a vile beast was slain. No one really knew what would happen next.

As a newbie, you begin Alien Invasion aboard a station orbiting Rubi-Ka. A DNA Construction Area allows you to choose among four different breeds for your character - Solitus, Opifex, Nanomage and Atrox. You can customize your height, build, facial details et al, and select from 14 different professions. To assist in the latter, information is available as to which are easier and harder to play for any given breed. A change in the starting process is that you no longer have to choose clan or Omni; instead, you're a neutral colonist. If you have the Shadowlands expansion, you can start in the Jobe research area, away from the invader threat, but most will probably want to check out the aliens in the new arrival area, the ICC shuttleport.

Actually, the theme becomes evident on your way there. Your transport comes under attack, and is shot down while landing. Upon leaving you ship, you can obtain some initial equipment, and NPCs are around to teach you the basics of aspects like combat, tradeskills and grouping. A few small, optional may be undertaken to get a taste of what Alien Invasion is about, and you can gain a first level. What you can't do is save your character at a reclaim terminal; this is presumably to encourage you to get out into Rubi-Ka as soon as you feel comfortable. The starport has recruitment representatives from all three factions. Picking one sends you off to its starting city.