The space MMO Dual Universe plans to take the next step towards release with a beta in summer. The developers provided insight into their plans.
When does the beta start? According to developer statements, the Dual Universe beta will launch on August 27. This aligns with the roadmap that outlines the individual release steps. Meanwhile, the release of the main game is planned for 2021.
Another large-scale space MMO had originally planned a beta release for summer: The mammoth project Star Citizen was supposed to send its star-studded single-player campaign “Squadron 42” into beta this summer. However, as has often been the case with Star Citizen, there were delays.
In this regard, Dual Universe – which has been in development for four years so far – seems to differ from Star Citizen. Generally, the space MMO is said to have little in common with Star Citizen.
Space Minecraft? What’s in Dual Universe
Dual Universe offers a lot of freedom: As J.C. Baillie from Novaquark, the driving force behind Dual Universe, explained in an interview with “GameSpot”, Dual Universe differs in many respects from other space MMOs like EVE Online or Star Citizen.
There may be similarities – it is an MMORPG in space, with many planets – but according to Baillie, that’s where the comparisons stop. The key to Dual Universe is as follows:
All players play at the same time in the same world. I’m talking about potentially millions of people sharing the same world.
Through this single, persistent, and ever-present reality, players create their own space civilization. According to Baillie, it has never been done on this scale before. Players are expected to be completely free to mine resources on the planet – theoretically, you could even mine entire moons. With that, you can create whatever you want. For example:
- Spaceships
- Space stations
- Entire cities
Baillie compares the game more to Minecraft than to Star Citizen – although the graphics are, of course, completely different.
Additionally, there is a completely free market where you can sell your creations and resources. Or you can acquire what you lack. This is how an economy is supposed to emerge that drives the game.
The market allows specialization. We don’t expect everyone to play every aspect of the game. You can be a pirate flying ships, destroying other ships, stealing new stuff, and earning your money that way. Maybe you don’t like building ships – that’s why you can buy them on the market.
Then again, you can team up with other specialized players to create new works: “It will be hard to gather materials from the ground all by yourself and get them to your mothership. It’s like in the real world, no one builds an iPhone alone. You buy what you can’t get.” The price is determined by supply and demand.
Testing the Beta – How to Participate
A different game for everyone: In the end, every player should go their own way, says Baillie: “Maybe you want to be rich. Maybe you want power, maybe you want to be feared. Maybe you just want to be alone and build beautiful things. It’s up to you to find your path. “
You can start testing this as early as summer. The beta launches on August 27 and is free for alpha backers. New players in the beta will have to pay a monthly fee of $6.99. This is also how much the game will cost after the official release.
There will also be discounted packages for multiple months:
- 3 months – $20.97
- 6 months – $38.45
- 12 months – $69.90
In addition to the monthly fees, some microtransactions for cosmetics are planned, but only after the official release.
Are you looking for more space MMOs to try out? Then in 2020, besides Dual Universe and Star Citizen, there’s plenty of food for you. Here, you can find some MMO alternatives if you feel drawn to space.
