So Couch Studios has revealed their upcoming free-to-play cross-platform sandbox Massively Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Game (MMORPG), Ember Sword. Promising to re-define the MMORPG genres negative pay-to-win reputation by removing the traditional cash shop, Ember Sword lets players own, control, and evolve the fantasy universe as landowners and acquire scarce cosmetics through PVP and PVE activities as opposed to through lootboxes.
Developer’s Direction with Ember Sword.
“As avid MMORPG players, we grew tired of static “theme-park” universes where we can engage with everything in the world, but never truly change or evolve it, much less own it and the items we’ve gathered within it.”, So Couch Studios founder Mark Phillipe Laursen says, explaining why his team is developing Ember Sword, before he continues:
“Most free-to-play MMORPGs monetize through pay-to-win mechanics and non-transferable cosmetics in an attempt to increase revenue by locking down the cash shop economy. With Ember Sword, we’re putting players in charge of evolving the world and its economy instead, because to us, creating an engaging and fair universe is much more important than heavily monetizing players – opting instead for an optional monthly subscription and marketplace fees”.
Inspiration leads to ambition.
Drawing inspiration from classics like Ultima Online and Runescape, Ember Sword’s classless combat system, open-world PVP, and player-driven economy, promises an engaging and persistent universe where the idea of a player-controlled world is taken one step by letting players own an actual parcel of land in-game, much like Second Life.
“That’s part of what excites us the most; to see what the players will do with the world, how they will play, what sort of groups or factions will evolve, which areas will become popular, and how people will build them and evolve them. It’s fascinating to think about.”, So Couch Studios CMO Sune Blindkilde Thorsen said.
Ember Sword Key Features:
- Cross-Platform: Accessible in a browser or through a desktop client at release, a mobile version is planned for later release.
- Artist Workshop: Release your creativity by designing models, skins, and emotes, the best of which will appear in-game.
- True Ownership and Control: With players evolving the world every day and truly owning their own cosmetic items, Ember Sword is run by the players.
Walk your own path.
Whether you’re a peaceful forager of goods and rares making a name for yourself or a fierce warrior of no alignment, there is a place for you in Ember Sword – a place where peace and war are chosen by the players themselves. A place built by you!
Keen fans who wish to learn more and stay updated on Ember Sword can do so by joining their Discord, Twitter, and Facebook.
