Ashes of Creation: A Self-Proclaimed Old-School Take on Modern MMORPGs

In 2017, Ashes of Creation launched a highly successful Kickstarter campaign that raised $3.27 million, a testament to the game's potential and dedication from its community. Developed by Intrepid Studios, this massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) promised an "old-school take" on the modern MMORPG genre.

The Game's Premise

Ashes of Creation is set in a vast, open world where players can explore, craft, and engage in combat. The game takes place in a fantasy realm, where various factions vie for power and survival. Players create their own characters, choosing from different classes, skills, and abilities to shape their experience.

The Kickstarter Campaign

The Ashes of Creation Kickstarter campaign was launched on September 15, 2017, with an initial goal of $500,000. However, the project quickly gained momentum, surpassing its goal multiple times. The game's developers, Intrepid Studios, aimed to create a game that would appeal to fans of traditional MMORPGs, while also incorporating modern features and technologies.

Alpha Testing

After the successful Kickstarter campaign, Ashes of Creation entered alpha testing in 2018. During this phase, players were able to test various aspects of the game, including its combat mechanics, character progression, and world-building. The alpha test provided valuable feedback from the community, which helped shape the game's development.

Key Features

Ashes of Creation promises an immersive gaming experience with several key features:

• Open World: Explore a vast, open world filled with diverse landscapes, climates, and biomes.
• Complex Combat System: Engage in dynamic combat with a variety of skills, abilities, and playstyles.
• Character Progression: Develop your character through a deep crafting system, skill tree, and experience points.
• Factions: Join one of several factions, each with its own agenda, culture, and storyline.

Community Reception

The Ashes of Creation community has been overwhelmingly positive about the game's development and direction. Players have praised the game's attention to detail, engaging gameplay mechanics, and immersive world-building. The game's developers have also been transparent about their progress, regularly updating the community on new features, changes, and challenges.

Challenges and Controversies

Despite its success, Ashes of Creation has faced several challenges and controversies:

• Technical Issues: Early alpha tests were marred by technical issues, including server problems and lag.
• Scope Creep: The game's scope has expanded significantly since its initial announcement, leading to concerns about the final product's quality and completion date.
• Development Team Changes: There have been changes within the development team, which has raised questions about the game's stability and direction.

Conclusion

Ashes of Creation is an ambitious MMORPG that promises to deliver an immersive gaming experience. With its self-proclaimed "old-school take" on modern MMORPGs, the game aims to appeal to fans of traditional gameplay mechanics while incorporating modern features and technologies. Despite some challenges and controversies, the game's community remains dedicated, and the developers continue to work tirelessly to bring this vision to life.

Update: Current Status

As of my knowledge cutoff in December 2023, Ashes of Creation is still in development, with a planned launch window of 2024. The game's developers have provided regular updates on new features, changes, and challenges, ensuring that the community remains informed and engaged.

Recommendation

If you're a fan of traditional MMORPGs or are looking for a challenging gaming experience, Ashes of Creation is definitely worth keeping an eye on. With its engaging gameplay mechanics, immersive world-building, and dedicated community, this game has the potential to become a classic in the MMORPG genre.

Final Thoughts

Ashes of Creation's success story serves as a testament to the power of crowdfunding and community engagement. The game's developers have demonstrated a commitment to creating a high-quality gaming experience that appeals to fans of traditional MMORPGs. As we wait for the game's launch, it will be exciting to see how Ashes of Creation continues to evolve and shape the MMORPG genre.