Earth 2 has officially launched E2V1 Version 1.0.0 to its first group of over 100 testers, and Elite City is happy to be among them. This pre-alpha version is our second real hands-on experience with the evolving metaverse (the first being during the GDC2024), and it’s already proving to be a breathtaking step forward in digital world-building.
A World of Unparalleled Beauty
From the moment we stepped into E2V1, it was clear that Earth 2 is delivering on its promise of a visually stunning and immersive world. One of the most awe-inspiring moments was standing atop a high vantage point in Elite City’s megacity, overlooking a vast ocean. The dynamic lighting, the shimmering water, and the scale of the environment gave an undeniable sense of depth and realism.
Beyond the coastline, rolling hills, vibrant flowers, and majestic mountain peaks paint an environment that feels alive. Seasonal changes add a whole new layer of realism—flowers bloom in the right season, and we can even control the sun and shift through time, watching the landscape change before our eyes.
In-Platform Tile Purchases
A convenient feature is the ability to purchase tiles directly from within the platform. No longer limited to the website, players can now explore the world in 3D and buy land as they see it. This seamless integration makes land acquisition more intuitive, allowing users to scout the terrain, assess its potential, and make instant decisions about expanding their holdings, or simply buying land for the beauty of the location.
Elite City has been livestreaming its Earth 2 E2V1 world exploration, giving viewers a firsthand look at various locations and their stunning landscapes. The coordinates for any given location are conveniently displayed in the upper left corner of the screen, allowing anyone to pinpoint and visit these spots themselves.
Seamless Exploration & Smooth Performance
E2V1 runs impressively smooth. The entire globe is open for exploration, allowing testers to traverse vast distances seamlessly. Whether navigating through forests, climbing mountains, or crossing open fields, the world feels expansive and rich with potential.
This first released base version does not have any playable elements beyond exploration of the massive globe. However, the team has stated that avatars and mini games will be the next features to be released, after a public launch to the masses of the base version. Each new feature will be battle tested by the initial chosen testers for stability and performance observations before being rolled out to the masses. The avatar and mini games were demoed to the public at the GDC 2024, demonstrating that the tech already exists and that it is simply a matter of rolling it out into E2V1.
Challenges & Areas for Improvement
As with any early release, E2V1 is not without its rough edges. Some water features—particularly where beaches meet the ocean—are currently not perfectly level, creating inconsistencies in the shoreline visuals. The Earth 2 team is aware of this and has made it clear that this is a temporary issue as they prioritize getting content into testers’ hands.
There are also some locations in E2V1 that do not exactly mirror the terrain of Earth – including waterfalls being missing, hills being present and islands showing or not showing. These will hopefully be fixed later on, before structure building begins. However, overall, on a global scale, more has been mirrored correctly than not, in our experience.
Despite these imperfections, the fact that the Earth 2 team pushed forward with a visually breathtaking environment after 4 years of building behind the scenes during a bear market and facing many hurdles, is a testament to their commitment to progress and continued development. Prior to this, many people theorized that the platform did not exist at all and that dev logs and trailers posted by Earth 2 were simply fake renderings rather than a real-time look at E2V1.
Optimizing Display & Resolution for the Best E2V1 Experience
One of the key factors in fully appreciating E2V1’s stunning visuals is adjusting display and resolution settings. These settings can significantly alter what appears on-screen, affecting clarity, detail, and performance.
Higher resolutions, such as 4K, provide crisper textures and more refined details, making landscapes, water reflections, and lighting effects appear more immersive. However, running at maximum resolution requires more processing power, which might impact frame rates on lower-end systems.
Adjusting settings like draw distance, texture quality, and anti-aliasing can also make a difference. A higher draw distance allows you to see further into the horizon, perfect for scouting land or enjoying panoramic views. Lowering it, on the other hand, can boost performance if needed.
For those looking to fine-tune their experience, display settings can impact what’s visible on-screen, such as terrain details, lighting effects, and even how well flags marking owned tiles stand out. Finding the right balance between performance and visual quality ensures you get the best possible exploration experience in Earth 2.
The Impact of 4K Resolution & High Refresh Rate Monitors on FPS in E2V1
Your choice of monitor resolution and refresh rate can dramatically affect your gameplay experience and performance in E2V1. A 4K resolution monitor delivers stunningly crisp visuals, allowing you to appreciate fine details like terrain textures, water reflections, and distant landscapes. However, running a game at 4K requires significantly more GPU power, which can lead to lower FPS (frames per second), especially on hardware that isn’t optimized for ultra-high resolutions.
On the other hand, a high refresh rate monitor (120Hz, 144Hz, or even 240Hz) enhances smoothness and responsiveness, making movement and exploration feel much more fluid. The difference is especially noticeable when panning the camera, traversing large areas, or flying through landscapes. A higher refresh rate reduces motion blur and input lag, creating a more immersive and responsive experience.
However, achieving both 4K resolution and high FPS at the same time requires powerful hardware, including a top-tier GPU and processor. Many players prioritize refresh rate over resolution, opting for 1440p at 144Hz instead of 4K at 60Hz to maintain a balance between visuals and smooth gameplay.
For E2V1, the best experience depends on your hardware setup and personal preference—whether you prioritize visual fidelity or ultra-smooth performance.
Resolution Differences: 1920×1440 vs. 3840×2160 in E2V1
The resolution you choose in E2V1 can significantly impact visual quality, performance, and overall experience. Let’s break down the key differences between 1920×1440 (2K) and 3840×2160 (4K) and how each setting affects gameplay.
1920×1440 (2K) – A Balanced Approach
- Higher FPS: Running at 1920×1440 requires less GPU power, allowing for smoother frame rates (especially useful if paired with a high refresh rate monitor like 144Hz or 240Hz).
- Good Visuals: While not as sharp as 4K, this resolution still offers crisper details compared to 1080p, making it a solid middle-ground.
- Lower Hardware Demand: If you’re not using a top-tier GPU, this resolution helps maintain performance without excessive strain on your system.
- Easier to Maintain Stability: Less pixel rendering means fewer frame drops, which is crucial in large open-world environments like E2V1.
3840×2160 (4K) – Ultra-High Definition, But at a Cost
- Exceptional Clarity: 4K resolution provides sharper textures, finer details, and a more immersive experience, making distant landscapes and small details pop.
- Better for Screens 27” and Larger: On bigger displays, 4K resolution eliminates pixelation, delivering a true-to-life visual experience.
- Higher GPU Load: Running E2V1 at 4K requires a powerful graphics card, and if your system isn’t optimized, you might experience frame rate drops.
- Lower FPS Unless Using High-End Hardware: If your GPU can’t handle 4K at 60+ FPS, the experience might feel sluggish, especially in motion-heavy scenes.
Which One is Better for E2V1?
- For high FPS and smoother gameplay: 1920×1440 is a great choice—it provides good visuals while keeping performance high, especially if using a 144Hz+ monitor.
- For maximum visual fidelity: 4K (3840×2160) is ideal if your system can handle it. The world of E2V1 looks breathtaking at this resolution, but you may need to tweak settings to maintain smooth gameplay.
If you have a 4K monitor, you can experiment with both resolutions and decide whether you prefer ultra-sharp visuals at a lower frame rate or slightly reduced sharpness for a smoother experience.
What is EliteCity in Earth 2 all about?
EliteCity isn’t just another virtual sprawl—it’s a curated space built around luxury and opulence. This focus sets it apart, targeting a niche audience of investors and brands drawn to exclusivity. Its EPLs feature terms like “luxuryvehicles,” “millionaires,” “luxurygifts”, “luxuryclothing” and “eliteclubs,” signaling a premium identity. For investors, this branding aligns with a market segment that prioritizes prestige, which could translate to increased interest and value appreciation over time.
Unlike virtual projects tied to a single platform, Elite City extends its reach beyond Earth 2 into metaverses like Decentraland, Sandbox, Nifty Island, Wilder World, and Otherside. This cross-platform presence diversifies the investment, spreading exposure across multiple ecosystems with distinct user bases and growth patterns. For investors, this means reduced reliance on one platform’s success and access to a broader range of opportunities within the evolving metaverse market.
What’s Next for EliteCity?
With Elite City’s presence in Earth 2 growing, we are actively exploring how to leverage this incredible platform. Whether it’s establishing luxury destinations, collaborating with brands, or creating unique digital experiences or events, E2V1 offers the foundation to build something groundbreaking.
This is just the beginning, and as the world of Earth 2 continues to evolve, Elite City will be evolving as well, to take its place in the metaverse of tomorrow.
Stay tuned for more updates, exclusive footage, and behind-the-scenes insights from inside E2V1.
