The German development studio Klang Games is currently working on a sandbox MMO that aims to revolutionize the MMO landscape. The studio employs special techniques and intends to simulate the future of humanity. The first dev update was released on May 28.
What kind of game is it? Seed is a sandbox MMO that mixes elements from MMORPGs with features from games like The Sims or Civilization. Players are to colonize the Earth-like planet “Avesta” and build their own colonies.
- You control not a single character but a group of 10 settlers who settle on the planet Avesta.
- A thriving colony is to emerge, and you are part of the society consisting of groups of many other players.
- You assign tasks to each of your settlers and ensure that their needs are met. For example, by mining resources and crafting, you participate in the economic system.
- The goal is to simulate the “future of humanity”.
- NPCs have needs, thoughts, and behaviors.
- Players can decide how to interact with others. Will they work together or fight over resources?
Who are the developers? Behind the game is the Berlin-based development studio Klang Games, founded by former developers from large and well-known companies. The founders previously worked on games like EVE Online and Dust 514 and thus bring a wealth of experience. The studio was originally founded in Iceland and later moved to Berlin.
The ambitious MMO has been in development since early 2016 and has raised over 37 million US dollars for the project (via klang-games.com).
According to the developers, the latest and most innovative technologies are being utilized for the MMO. Seed is based on the “wonder technology” SpatialOS.
Klang Games has now released the first dev update for the game. (via seed-project.io)
How they plan to simulate the future of humanity and thinking NPCs
This is the focus of the first dev update: In the post, the developers emphasize that Seed aims to simulate a version of future humanity. Therefore, it is important to include the individual aspects of people. Who are they? What drives them? What do they need?
The dev update focuses mainly on the role of the thoughts of each settler.
This is how thoughts work in Seed: The thoughts of the settlers can also be described with status effects. They help the player understand the needs of the NPCs. If an NPC is hungry, he will think that he is hungry.
If he is lonely, he will think: ‘I feel all alone.’ These thoughts are an indication that you should change certain aspects so that your settlers are well.
For each individual NPC, vital things are therefore simulated:
- Food
- Sleep
- Hygiene
- Social
- Leisure
- Thoughts
One of the biggest challenges for developers will be to make the whole thing realistic. ‘Real thoughts’ are endless and change constantly. How should this be simulated in a game? Klang Games wants to address these questions in the next update.
When will Seed be released? Currently, there is no fixed release date for the MMO.
Can you try Seed yet? Not directly. Since the end of 2019, there has been an unusual closed alpha for Seed – Seed Pioneers. Unlike usual, players could not test the game, but play the backstory of Seed.
Can you still participate? You can sign up for Seed Pioneers through the official website when new players are sought as alpha testers. Here is the link to register: seed-pioneers.io
