The new MMO Seed may not be on many players’ radar, but investors certainly are. They see great potential in the MMO and have already invested nearly 38 million dollars into the game.
What is Seed? The MMO offers somewhat unconventional gameplay. Your task is to colonize a planet alongside other players. However, you do not play as a single person, but rather manage a group of settlers. Similar to The Sims, you take care of these individuals, ensuring they are well and that everyone is engaged in meaningful tasks.
Even when you are not at the computer, your settlers continue to work without you. However, you must check on them regularly. If their needs are not met, the mood of the characters can decline, resulting in decreased efficiency.
The different kind of MMO
What makes the game special? Seed aims to mix elements of MMORPGs with simulation. It is an innovative gameplay concept that features from successful games like The Sims and also city-building games like Settlers as well as Civilization and MMORPGs, combining them into something new.
- For example, PvP plays a role when two settlements clash
- You need to build structures
- Take care of the settlers
- Gather resources
- Craft items
- Look after food
- And sell goods
That’s why the project is doing well: The Berlin-based development studio Klang has managed to raise nearly 38 million dollars from investors. Klang studio was founded in Iceland but then moved to Berlin.
- Initially, Klang received 5 million dollars from a fund by “Makers Fund”
- Subsequently, another 8.95 million dollars were added from investors
- Now, another 22.3 million dollars have been contributed by Lego Ventures
- The company Novator Partners is also on board as an investor
In total, 37.42 million dollars have now been raised from investors.
What does Lego think about the game? It’s interesting that a large company like Lego invests in the German studio. Alexis Horowitz-Burdick, head of Lego Ventures, said: “Lego Ventures is excited to support Klang in pushing the boundaries of what MMOs can be. We believe in the team and the vision and look forward to accompanying them on this journey.”
Investors see great potential
Why are so many investing in Seed? There are several reasons why the MMO is so interesting.
- The industry is currently waiting for the “next big thing” in the online gaming space, the “WoW of today”
- Seed simply mixes many elements from successful games into something new that could work well
- Seed could become a game that motivates players for a very long time
- Building games are popular, The Sims remain successful, and online games are easy to monetize
- Seed is a game that targets a very broad audience, from children to adults; both women and men (as well as of course “Diverse”) could be interested
- Graphically, it offers a stylized look that creates its own atmosphere and, similar to the comic style of World of Warcraft, does not “age” quickly
- With Birgir Ragnarsson, former chairman of EVE Online’s developer studio CCP Games, an experienced veteran in the online sector is on board
- The MMO utilizes SpatialOS technology, which could play a significant role in the future of the genre
- According to investors, the Klang studio brings everything one could wish for: impressive technology, a coherent vision of a product, an experienced team, and a convincing prototype
When will the game be released? Currently, Seed does not have a release date yet. We will probably not be playing it until 2020.
