Ember Sword is a new MMORPG that recalls old classics like Ultima Online and RuneScape. However, the technology is very modern, as the game relies on blockchain and cryptocurrencies. Now the so-called Land Rush starts in the game, where users can secure a place to build. However, this costs a lot of money and reminds some of Chronicles of Elyria.
What kind of game is it? Ember Sword is a sandbox MMORPG in development, where you enjoy the freedom to chart your own course in the colorful game world:
- It is played in ISO perspective, and the world features a very colorful graphic style
- There are no classes; players develop through various skills
- Crafting plays an important role
- The economy of the game world is driven by the players
- There will be PvP in the open world
Ember Sword is set to be Free2Play and will completely forgo loot boxes and pay-to-win. Instead, it aims to enable players to truly own an item through blockchain. The cosmetic aspect can then be sold to other players through their own shop.
We first reported on Ember Sword in 2018: MMORPG Ember Sword announced as a modern Ultima Online. You can get a first glimpse from this teaser trailer by the developers:
What is the Land Rush about? An important aspect of the new MMORPG is owning land. There you can build a house or establish a shop where you sell things.
This land is now being sold for sometimes extremely high amounts of cryptocurrency and under time pressure. Meanwhile, the release of the game is still not in sight. The game is currently said to be in a pre-alpha stage.
High amounts and good reasons for plots
What does a plot cost in Ember Sword? Ember Sword offers plots in several variations:
- A regular plot costs about 32.30 Euros – There are 5,657 of these
- A settlement plot costs about 323 Euros – There are 223 of these
- 4 city plots in a package cost about 6,750 Euros – There are 14 of these
- 16 city plots in a package cost about 67,500 Euros – There are 4 of these
These plot prices are already the reduced version, as the Land Rush is currently on sale. Normally, the price is supposed to be double, up to 135,000 dollars.
However, these plots are not paid for in regular currency and via bank transfer or PayPal, but in the cryptocurrency USDC. This currency is pegged to the dollar exchange rate and is considered a “stable cryptocurrency” that is supposed to enable fee-free trading.
It is also noticeable that you have to fill out an application form if you want to buy one of the plots. In it, you have to explain why you want to become the owner of such a plot. Only after confirmation by the developers is the purchase then possible.
Why should one buy a plot? According to the developers, plot owners will participate in 50% of the sales taxes in the respective areas.
If someone buys items worth 100 Euros in the shop, it is said that 7% shop fees will be charged, that is, 7 Euros. 3.50 Euros of this go to the developers, 3.50 Euros to plot owners, with a further division for global owners and the direct landowner, as this image explains:
You can read the complete math behind this system in a blog post (via Ember Sword).
How long does the Land Rush run? It will still run until July 31. On August 16, interested parties will learn whether they can actually buy their plot.
Those who invest in an MMORPG in advance can lose a lot
What should one consider with such purchase actions? There are recurring MMORPGs that finance themselves through crowdfunding before release, whether through Kickstarter or through the sale of virtual items that do not even exist yet. But this does not always end well, and there is a risk of losing all your money.
A prominent negative example is Chronicles of Elyria, an MMORPG in which the player’s character was supposed to age and die. For a personal kingdom in the game, players could spend up to 10,000 dollars in advance, even though it was not even in the alpha stage. Over time, more and more virtual items and even a completely virtual Advent calendar for 95 dollars was sold.
However, in 2020 the CEO first announced the end for the MMORPG and fired all employees. However, when players demanded their money back, he backtracked and said that he now wanted to finish the game alone. You can learn more about the story here:
MMORPG has only one employee left but is expected to be released anyway
