1C Company has announced its first MMO project today, titled Royal Quest, it's being developed by Katauri Interactive, the same team behind King's Bounty. Set in the world of Aura, the new MMO is scheduled for release in Spring 2012.
Royal Quest may be the company's first MMO, but that hasn't stopped them pumping a load of features in. There's a long list of different monsters players will be able to battle, using "elements" that will make combat much more balanced, instead of having one all mighty powerful sword, you'll need to choose one to combat the element in question, fire against cold for instance.
Pets will also be in, which can fight and loot alongside you, castle combat and PvPvE, which has you battling both AI and player at the same time.
Dmitry Gusarov, Katauri Interactive's director said: "The present market is full of projects with massive world distances and unhurried battles. We consider Royal Quest a nice adrenaline injection to the market and it will allow players to act as real heroes."
Here's the official blurb:
Royal Questis a new massively multiplayer online role-playing game. The fantasy world of Royal Quest is called Aura. It's the world full of magic, technology and alchemy. Aura is under imminent danger by dark alchemists willing to capture highly rare and precious elenium mineral with many unique features. The King is in search for courageous heroes to banish the invaders once and forever. As a reward he promises titles, castles and adjacent estates.
The King has put out the call in search of courageous heroes to banish the invaders once and forever. As a reward he promises titles, castles and riches.
Those of you who would like to become a lord and obtain their own castle will have to pass through many deadly challenges. The player will have to overcome the inhabitants of dark forests and endless deserts, underground dwellers and sea monsters, geometers, orcs, demons and legions of the undead.
The immense world comprises more than 100 locations providing unlimited gameplay.
The PvE mode gives opportunities such as investigating dangerous dungeons, treasure hunting, and fighting against bosses. And you can destroy barrels just like in the good old days!
The PvP mode is available in specific territories where you can fight against mobs or other players. Everyone can conquer and own a castle and its surrounding areas. It can be tiny castles with cozy gardens for a couple of friends, or even large castles with dungeons or mines to suit whole guilds.
First screens, art and more info is available on the game's official sites, here and here.
