Playable Worlds
Playable Worlds business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
Stars Reach says it’s ‘an update or so away’ from early access, promises ‘big chonky updates’ in the future
Sandbox MMORPG Stars Reach is nearing its transition from pre-alpha to alpha status, with the developers aiming for early access soon. Key development focuses include server stability, performance improvements, adding more in-game content like loot and clothing, and refining the game's economic loop. Upcoming updates will feature UI tweaks, new crafting stations, city rebuilding, and progress on the Fae race.
Stars Reach has wiped its test servers and treated testers to a brand-new character customization system
Playable Worlds has released a new patch for Stars Reach, introducing a significant character customization system update that allows for detailed customization of species, body type, and appearance. This update is considered an intermediate step, with further enhancements like color options and more variety planned. The patch also includes HUD overhauls, combat tweaks, and a doubled creature count, alongside the announcement that the game's early access period will begin later this summer, preceded by a "Great Wipe" of test servers.
Stars Reach updates character customization, UI, and creatures as it readies for its full wipe
Stars Reach has released an update introducing expanded character customization, UI improvements, and new creatures, with another patch planned to implement a full game wipe. Developer Playable Worlds encourages players to document their current progress before the reset and tune into a Twitch livestream showcasing community builds.
Stars Reach says it’s reached a ‘pivotal moment’ in testing and requires a full wipe
Playable Worlds announced a full data wipe for the test servers of its space sandbox game, Stars Reach, calling it a 'pivotal moment' before early access. This reset is necessary to implement new systems and refine core game mechanics. While an early access release date is not yet finalized, the developers indicated it is planned for this summer.
"You can literally reroute a river into a desert and cause it to bloom": Star Wars Galaxies lead says of his new sandbox MMO Stars Reach
Raph Koster, lead designer of Star Wars Galaxies, discusses his new sandbox MMO, Stars Reach, which features a procedurally generated universe with real-world physics simulations. Players can manipulate the environment by rerouting rivers, freezing water, or electrifying deposits, with the game's core mechanics drawing inspiration from Conway's Game of Life. Koster emphasizes that the advanced physics simulation, enabled by modern computing power, allows for a more immersive and reactive world than previously possible.
Stars Reach adds a lore animatic, addresses stability, and revokes outdated playtest ahead of early access
Playable Worlds has revoked access to an older playtest version of Stars Reach to streamline preparation for its Early Access launch. The studio also released a game update addressing stability, performance, and bug issues, and added a lore animatic for new characters. UI elements for trading, character selection, and menus have also been refined.
Stars Reach talks about its infinite world generation system in its latest video
Playable Worlds detailed the new world generation system for Stars Reach in a recent video, explaining how it uses a library of topologies to create diverse planets. The studio also confirmed that the game is slated for an early access release this summer, with recent updates including chat bubbles and underwater effects.
Stars Reach’s alpha updates with fog, underwater effects, and proper chat bubbles
Playable Worlds has released an alpha update for the upcoming MMO Stars Reach, focusing on stability improvements and visual enhancements. The patch introduces new fog and underwater rendering effects, along with updated chat bubbles and an improved skill UI. The game is slated for early access release this summer.
Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies vet tells me the theme park 'assembly line' MMO just isn't viable anymore, especially as dev costs spike: 'We hit the wall'
Veteran MMO developer Raph Koster believes the 'theme park' style of MMO, popularized by World of Warcraft, is no longer viable due to skyrocketing development costs. Koster, who worked on Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies, argues that the increasing expense of creating static content, coupled with player consumption rates, makes this model unsustainable. He suggests that the genre has become stagnant, with players growing bored and feeling underserved by an industry focused on monetization over innovation.
Make My MMO: Camelot’s early access, Loftia’s beta, Solarpunk’s launch
Several crowdfunded MMOs have seen recent developments, including Camelot Unchained's early access launch, Loftia's upcoming beta, and Solarpunk's official launch. Other titles like AQ Worlds Infinity, Stars Reach, and My Time at Evershine have also provided updates on their development progress and release windows.
Stars Reach's Raph Koster wants the MMO to be as "wiki-resistant" as possible to keep "the magic more alive"
Raph Koster, lead designer of the upcoming MMO Stars Reach, aims to make the game "wiki-resistant" to preserve a sense of discovery and emergent gameplay. He explains that the game's procedural generation and dynamic systems mean players cannot simply look up strategies, fostering a more organic and evolving player experience. Stars Reach is set to enter early access this summer.
Raph Koster MMORPG Stars Reach announces it’s launching into early access this summer
Playable Worlds announced that its MMORPG sandbox Stars Reach will launch into early access this summer. Studio lead Raph Koster confirmed the move to 24/7 server operation and previewed new creatures, updates to the building system, character creation, and weapon mechanics.
Playable Worlds’ Sandbox MMORPG Stars Reach, Led By Ultima Online Designer Raph Koster, Launches into Early Access this Summer
Playable Worlds' science-fantasy MMORPG, Stars Reach, designed by Ultima Online creator Raph Koster, is launching into Steam Early Access this summer for PC. The game features a vast, simulated galaxy where players can explore, build, craft, trade, and engage in combat with a flexible, classless progression system. Early Access will offer multiple planets, resource gathering, combat, and crafting, with additional features like factions and PvP to be added later.
Stars Reach Launches Into Steam Early Access This Summer
Playable Worlds announced that Stars Reach, a science-fantasy sandbox MMORPG from Raph Koster, will launch into Steam Early Access this summer. The game features a persistent universe where player actions shape planets, with a classless progression system and player-driven economy. Three paid Early Access tiers will be available, starting at $29.99.
Stars Reach’s alpha has added a Star Wars Galaxies-esque profile system and waypoint tabs
The latest alpha patch for the MMORPG Stars Reach, developed by Playable Worlds, introduces a new character profile system reminiscent of Star Wars Galaxies. This update also includes waypoint tabs, asset overhauls with a new shader system, and performance optimizations for building tiles.
Unlucky Stars Reach alpha testers may have lost their builds thanks to Before the Frontier bugs
Playable Worlds producer Rodney Haza has apologized to Stars Reach alpha testers for issues encountered during a recent test period, which resulted in the loss of some player builds due to save errors. The team is working to restore major losses and is grateful for player support and understanding as they iterate on the game's systems, including the new Before the Frontier patch features.
Stars Reach’s Before the Frontier test update lands today with stat allocation and item decay
Playable Worlds has released the Before the Frontier update for its MMORPG Stars Reach, introducing stat point allocation for new characters and item decay mechanics. The update also includes an improved paper doll system, a pathfinder tool, and server infrastructure enhancements to prepare for player influx. The studio is releasing features earlier than usual to gather rapid feedback from alpha testers.
Stars Reach explains its roadmap in new video, plans Raph Koster stream this weekend
Playable Worlds has released a new video featuring Raph Koster to explain the development roadmap for the MMORPG Stars Reach. The studio is entering a period of accelerated development and will also host a Twitch stream this Saturday to discuss the game's current state. The company previously experienced layoffs due to funding challenges and paused onboarding new playtesters.
Make My MMO: Loftia’s cozy beta, Book of Travels’ demise
This article provides an update on various crowdfunded MMORPGs, noting that Loftia has entered beta while Book of Travels will sunset its MMO version to become a solo offline game. It also covers the status of other titles like Eldramoor, Camelot Unchained, and Ashes of Creation, alongside crowdfunding efforts for an archive of classic MMORPG drama and a movie about The Guild.
Star’s Reach pauses new tester invites owing to ‘rapid iteration’ of features in its alpha
Playable Worlds has paused new tester invites for its MMORPG Star's Reach due to rapid iteration of features during its alpha phase. The studio cited the need for patience and understanding as they implement systems and features, warning of potential disruptions and temporary server downtime. Existing testers and Kickstarter backers will retain access to intermittent tests.