After 10 years of development: Creator of the cult game RuneScape introduces new MMORPG set to launch on Steam in 2024

If the clever mind behind RuneScape is working on a new MMORPG for Steam, we can expect an exciting representative of the genre. We will reveal what is currently known about Andrew Gower’s new project.

What kind of MMORPG is it? Brighter Shores will be an online role-playing game with a Free2Play model, expected to be released in the 3rd quarter of 2024 on Steam. The developers of the indie studio Fen Research are focusing on a fantasy setting, a nostalgic isometric look, and a point-and-click control scheme.

The key features of Brighter Shores are as follows:

• There will be three playable classes (Cryoknight, Hammermage, and Guardian).
• A large number of professions are planned, such as Fisher, Cook, Miner, Lumberjack, Alchemist, Smith, Merchant, and more.  
• The MMORPG is expected to be constantly expanded, with story content in an episodic format. Each new episode will bring not only quests but also new professions and regions.

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The Free2Play MMORPG aims to fund itself through a premium pass, through which you can unlock advantages such as player-to-player trading, name changes, exclusive armor dyes, and unique character names. However, some gameplay content is also expected to be part of the premium access.

Here you can see the only gameplay trailer so far for Brighter Shores:

Who is behind Brighter Shores? Fen Research is the indie studio founded in 2010 by Andrew Gower. The award-winning MMORPG veteran was the lead developer of RuneScape at Jagex for a long time, a genre old-timer that has set various records over the decades (such as for the most updates or the largest number of registered players).

For more than ten years, the team has been working on Brighter Shores (via PC Gamer). Andrew Gower commented on his current project as follows:

The development of this game has been a true labor of love. At times, it felt like an insurmountably ambitious task, so it’s amazing that it’s finally turning out the way I hoped it would. I can’t wait to see the world filled with players enjoying what we have created.

Andrew Gower at MMOs.com

The MeinMMO team will keep an eye on Brighter Shores and keep you updated as soon as new details are available. What is your first impression of Brighter Shores? Are you looking forward to the retro MMORPG? Let us know in the comments!

By the way: A 14-year-old MMORPG is now turning into a Soulslike on Steam