Firefall cinematic shows the Melding's beginning
Marvel at the opening cinematic for Red 5's neato free to play shooter, Firefall.
Firefall has an extensive backstory penned by sci fi author Orson Scott Card; on the game's website, you can browse a series of historical documents explaining the events leading up to the Arclight's launch.
In short: in an attempt to secure access to a substance known as crystite harvested in an Alpha Centauri colony, a faster than light launch attempt is made, but goes disastrously wrong. The resulting space time tear invokes a phenomenon known as the Melding, which renders much of the Earth's surface uninhabitable. Only a few pockets of safe territory remain, but these can be expanded.
An interesting consequence of this is a gameplay system whereby players drive the expansion of playable territory, eventually opening the entire globe.
Firefall comes from a team composed of industry veterans, including Red 5 founder Mark Kern, who was team lead on World of Warcraft. It is in expanding closed beta.
Thanks, Evil Avatar.