The world of MMOs is already huge – and every year more come along. Some games currently in development, however, are flying a bit under the radar. It’s definitely worth taking a look.
That’s why we’re showing you 5 interesting MMOs in development that you may have never heard of.
Corepunk
Developer: Artificial Core
Release: TBA
Website: corepunk.com
This is Corepunk: Those who look at the first images of Corepunk might first think of League of Legends. Visually, the top-down MMORPG feels quite reminiscent of LoL due to its comic-style graphics. There are also hero classes and the fog of war.
But behind the colorful graphics lies an open, post-apocalyptic world between fantasy and cyberpunk, where you must control your heroes. The environments look quite varied: Sometimes you find yourself in snowy mountains, then in a dark forest, or in a glowing city. And there is plenty to do here. You can:
- Complete NPC quests
- Focus on resource gathering
- Hunt monsters
- Craft weapons and armor
- Expand skill trees
You do not have to travel the world of Corepunk alone. There are PvE content like raids and dungeons, and you are allowed to trade with other players. Alternatively, you can also rob them – because PvP elements can be toggled on and off at will. But be careful: If you defeat lower-level players too often, you accumulate karma points until you are considered a criminal. Then you may not enter cities.
When will Corepunk be released? Corepunk is currently in an alpha testing phase. An official release date is still unknown. An open beta is planned for the fourth quarter of 2020. You can also sign up for a closed beta on the official site.
Population Zero
Developer: Enplex Games
Release: 2020
Website: pzoline.com
This is Population Zero: Population Zero is a survival MMO set in space. You play as a colonist who crashes on an alien planet on the way to their actual destination. However, the planet is not a fan of you: Nature throws various monsters at you that you must defeat in the fight for survival.
At the same time, it is also nature that provides you with all necessary items and resources. Because that’s ultimately what it’s about in Population Zero: Exploring the inhospitable biomes, gathering resources, and building bases. The ecosystem should react to your actions. So make sure everything remains in balance.
You don’t have to follow your explorer’s urge alone: You can team up with other players to secure your survival. You can form factions and build joint camps – or go to war against other factions. After all, resources are limited.
When will Population Zero be released? The MMO has been in development since 2018 and aims for a release in 2020. Closed beta phases have already taken place, and you can sign up for additional tests on the official website.
Scavengers
Developer: Midwinter Entertainment
Release: TBA/2020
Website: scavengers.com
This is Scavengers: While you explore an alien planet in Population Zero, Scavengers is the opposite. Here you head to Earth – even though it is hardly recognizable. A meteorite has destroyed the moon, causing the Earth to turn into a frozen post-apocalypse.
Therefore, you live on a space station, which, however, lacks resources. To change that, the eponymous scavengers must regularly descend to Earth – but just farming resources is not that easy.
In Scavengers, you play a tough co-op shooter that combines survival elements with battle royale and hero shooters. In a group of several players, you travel to Earth to gather resources despite all obstacles. But on Earth, you encounter:
- Snowstorms and radiation
- Looters
- Other player-controlled scavenger groups
- Mutants
All these elements hinder your collection of raw materials and samples that are supposed to provide insights into the apocalypse. Therefore, you sometimes need the help of enemy teams – always at risk of them turning against you at any moment. Or vice versa.
When will Scavengers be released? A release for Scavengers is also planned for 2020, but there are currently no official dates. Several playtests have been carried out, and more are likely to follow. At least you can sign up for further tests on the official website.
Seed
Developer: Klang Games
Release: TBA
Website: https://seed-project.io
This is Seed: If you like post-apocalyptic settings but do not want to fight mutated bears or hostile scavengers? Would you rather build something new? Then take a look at Seed.
Seed is unusual not just because of its visuals. Instead of a hero, you take control of up to ten characters who want to build a new civilization. You can assign different tasks to these characters. For example, you can:
- Gather resources
- Grow food
- Explore the world
- Build structures
- Trade
The whole thing feels a bit like Civilization – but you also need to keep an eye on the personal well-being of your characters. Happy heroes work efficiently, while unhappy ones tend to be ineffective. This can go so far that particularly frustrated characters become criminal and end up in jail.
You will also meet other players. As they are also out with ten characters, there can be many interactions. You can cooperate, but you can also compete and fight against each other.
When will Seed be released? No release date for Seed is known yet. However, the game will go into an unusual alpha that will also serve as a prequel to the final game.
A list of games planned for release this year can be found here:
Past Fate
Developer: Icy North Games
Release: TBA
Website: https://icynorthgames.com/past-fate
This is Past Fate: Past Fate is an MMORPG with an open world that drops you quite unprepared into a medieval fantasy world. So unprepared that you actually start from scratch. At the beginning of the game, you search in vain for clothes. After all, you want to build a kingdom.
The developers talk about a massive world that you can explore freely. And not just on foot: you can also go on an exploratory voyage on sailing ships. Additionally, you can hire your own crew – and you can also go recruiting on land.
To support the construction of your kingdom, you can hire mercenaries and attack other players’ lands. At the same time, you can deal with treasure hunting and defend against monsters.
When will Past Fate be released? When Past Fate will be released is still completely open. There is an early access phase, but no release date is available yet. Furthermore, Past Fate currently has it tough: A Kickstarter campaign that ended on December 31 with a goal of €13,800 ended without sufficient supporters. Only €825 could be raised.
Are you looking for even more exciting MMOs? Then find here 7 games that will send you into space: