With Atlas, the early access release of a new MMO is just around the corner. Developed by the creators behind ARK Survival Evolved, you will be able to wreak havoc as pirates on the seas. We explain what you need to know for the launch.
Atlas really wants to become “Massively”. Over 40,000 players are to act together in the game thanks to new server technology, fighting monsters, engaging in naval battles, and experiencing many adventures. But what should you pay attention to if you want to join Atlas?
1. Atlas offers PVE and PvP servers
While online games like Fallout 76 often want to put players in PvE and PvP situations without giving them a choice, it is different in Atlas. You decide whether you want to play on a PvE or PvP server.
This is what developers hope for from the PvP server: PvP is actually an important part of Atlas. After all, naval battles between players are expected to be a lot of fun. However, the developers are aware that many players do not want to be forced into PvP. It is challenging to create a system that protects non-PvP players from griefers.
Therefore, Atlas provides the option to choose between PvP and PvE servers.
The team hopes for a similar structure from the PvP world like that of the space MMO EVE Online. Players should take politics into their own hands, creating organizations and empires that fight each other and determine power dynamics through PvP.
It will be possible to conquer territories, create a government, and continuously expand your area through outposts. Of course, you will then encounter other players, which can lead to conflicts and full-blown wars.
Those who do not wish to participate can simply play on the PvE server, exploring the game world and completing quests.
2. Atlas revolves around ships and crews
The online world of the MMO consists mostly of water. To travel from island to island, you need a ship. However, depending on the size of the ship, it is also necessary to hire a crew. This leads to teamwork.
How important ships are: Ships, whether small boats or huge galleons, are built by you. You can even customize the vessels by giving the ship its own name and determining the color and pattern of the sails.
With your boat, you will sail from island to island, which is not without dangers.
Along the way, sea monsters await you that you must fight. On the PvP server, you will encounter other players’ ships, and naval battles may erupt. If you lose, the opposing crew can even capture your ship and add it to their fleet. This puts you back to square one, and you have to build a new boat.
Depending on the size of your ship, it is important that you assemble a crew. Whether you rely on other players or NPCs is your decision. There should only be enough people on the ship to man all stations. For example, every cannon must be operated, and you need a helmsman.
A crew requires a lot of teamwork, which should bond the players together. This makes every sea trip not only fun but also exciting.
3. Build your empire
The vast game world of Atlas invites conquest. Your task is also to claim lands for yourself and establish a base that serves as the seat of your government and acts as an outpost that defines the borders of your empire.
This is how Atlas aligns with ARK: Building bases works similarly to ARK: Survival Evolved. It is important to work together as a team to build a large fortress that can also be defended. Once you have constructed a fortress, you use it as your headquarters.
From the base, you plan raids and conquests. It is important to have as many players in your guild as possible, all of whom have their own ships. Over time, you will possess a large pirate fleet that you send out to accomplish various tasks.
This even includes conquering new islands. To achieve this, you land on the island and start building an outpost there. This way, other players know who owns the island.
If you play on the PvP server, conquest battles will take place. During these battles, other players will attack your outposts and fortifications to destroy them and drive you out. Then the players claim these islands for themselves. This creates a constant struggle for power.
4. Don’t create too strong a bond with your character
Similar to the MMORPG Chronicles of Elyria, you should not get too attached to your character. Because he will age and eventually die. Then you will need to create a new character.
This is how the world becomes alive: The game world of Atlas is supposed to evolve continuously. Not only through political events, such as the rise and fall of empires, but also through the death of characters. Your character ages over time and will inevitably die at some point.
This will initially force you to create a new character. However, there are plans to implement a reproduction system. This means that you will need to find a partner to procreate. If the hero dies, you continue to play with the descendant.
It will even be possible to transfer your stats to your child and essentially continue playing. However, it is currently unclear whether there will be any restrictions on the transfer of stats.
But don’t worry, the system will not be active at launch. The aging of your character is planned as a future update. Just try not to be too disappointed that you will lose your hero someday when aging is introduced in Atlas.
5. Let your creativity run wild
Atlas will support mods. This means you can create your own content or even build your own worlds. The developers provide you with a Dev Kit to implement your ideas.
So many freedoms you enjoy in Atlas: With the Dev Kit, you can host your own servers and create islands, continents, and more. The developers do not want to limit your creativity.
For example, it should be possible to create airships with which you can float above the clouds. You can create new weapons, including machine guns or rocket launchers. Tanks are even possible. You determine what you want to create.
The developers explain that it is essentially possible to create your own MMO with the Dev Kit. You are not limited to one scenario. Do you want to create an MMO set in World War II or a steampunk setting? No problem.
The Dev Kit is integrated into Atlas, and you do not have to pay anything extra for it. Even hosting your own server is currently planned to be free. As a result, we will probably see a lot of interesting player-generated content around Atlas.
Are you looking forward to Atlas? It starts on December 21. Then the pirate MMO will launch on Steam in early access. You can find the exact start time here:
