Worlds and gods collide in this social-focused MMO.
There’s a significant population of MMO players who always seem to complain that modern games are just too easy. There’s not enough risk and thus not enough reward, the argument goes. Brad McQuaid, the designer behind Everquest and Vanguard, agrees. That’s why he and the other MMO vets behind Visionary Realms Inc. are developing Pantheon: Rise of the Fallen. It’ll have a focus on group gameplay with an active combat system, in a world of colliding realities and pantheons. Development has already started, but it’s looking for a boost from Kickstarter to keep things rolling.
Patheon is advertised as “an MMO developed by gamers who aren’t afraid to target an audience of like-minded gamers.” Essentially, it’s the game they’ve always wanted to make. It’ll have a heavy focus on social elements, both in group combat and “Designed Downtime”, so that players can build social bonds. It also promises to have “challenging and involved” combat. Players can actively block and counter attacks, and they’ll have to plan ahead what spells and abilities to bring with them into combat. Also, death penalties will be “at least similar to Vanguard‘s, and quite possibly more intense.” Perhaps the most interesting new idea is that spells and attacks will drop from bosses, just as loot will. Personally, I can only imagine this in the context of Megaman.
Visionary Realms Inc. is looking for $800k to continue development, with a healthy list of stretch goals to reach. Pantheon looks like a nostalgic throwback to the MMOs of old, but with a new modern spin. However, MMOs are huge development commitments, so it’ll be interesting to see if McQuaid and company can keep it rolling.
Source: Kickstarter
