Software:Legends of Aria
Legends of Aria or LoA (formerly Shards Online) is a fantasy-based indie MMORPG. The game was released in beta in 2014, early-access in 2019, and a full release in 2020. It was developed by Citadel Studios Inc., a gaming company founded by Derek Brinkmann, who previously lead development of Ultima Online.[1][2] In 2022, the game announced plans to shift to a blockchain game, with the introduction of a cryptocurrency and NFTs.
Gameplay
The game is available in English and is free-to-play with options to buy "Packages," such as the Citizen Pack that allows building houses, shops, and gives extra bank slots in the game. LoA is based on a 3D isometric view.[3]
There are limited tutorials and missions in the game. The story is not predetermined, and the players can develop different skills at a limit of 600 points. There are many ways to play the game, including full-loot Player versus Player combat.[4][5][6]
History
LoA was developed in eight years by Citadel Studios, which was led by Derek Brinkmann, the lead developer of Ultima Online. In February 2019, an in-game store was added.[7]
Originally named Shards Online, the game's early-access version was launched in August 2019. The release-version was launched almost a year later, in July 2020. The first DLC was released in March 2021. The game was formerly launched from a Kickstarter campaign and originally named Shards Online.[4][8][9]
In 2021, Justin Olivetti writing for Massively Overpowered said "It's no secret that Citadel Studio’s Kickstarted Legends of Aria has wallowed in near-niche obscurity since its summer 2020 launch." In addition to licensing-out the game's Shard engine to another game, CODEX, the company announced plans to update the engine and add several new features.[10]
On February 23, 2022, the game posted on its official Twitter account that LoA was soon to integrate blockchain in its system, making the game a free-to-play and play-to-earn MMO. It will use ARIA Tokens as a cryptocurrency and game characters as NFTs. The game's whitepaper describes an overhaul of the game, with plans for improved graphics, a new camera angle, and new content such as boats, in-game poker, and a new world.[11][12] This relaunch of the game is to be published and owned by Reaper Games, a joint-venture between the founder of Citadel Studios and cryptocurrency entrepreneur Joseph Rubin.[13][14]
Reception
PC Gamer called it Ultima Online's "Spiritual Successor" in 2017,[15] and MMORPG.com rated it 60 out of 100 in 2020.[16][17]
The game won the "Best Indie MMO" award at Pax East in 2014 and 2017.[18][19]
References
- ↑ "Ultima Online vets aim for emergent MMO gameplay with Legends of Aria". May 26, 2017. https://venturebeat.com/2017/05/26/ultima-online-vets-aim-for-emergent-mmo-gameplay-with-legends-of-aria/.
- ↑ "Former Ultima Online developers working on MMO that offers 'unparalleled freedom'". 29 March 2014. https://www.polygon.com/2014/3/29/5559608/shards-citadel-studios.
- ↑ Marasigan, Marc (February 16, 2022). "Legends Of Aria Is Being Upgraded To A AAA Game With Blockchain Elements". https://mmos.com/news/legends-of-aria-is-being-upgraded-to-a-aaa-game-with-blockchain-elements.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Royce, Bree (15 February 2022). "Legends of Aria's new owner discusses the revamp, Classic, and blockchain implementation | Massively Overpowered". https://massivelyop.com/2022/02/15/legends-of-arias-new-owner-discusses-the-revamp-classic-and-blockchain-implementation/.
- ↑ "Legends of Aria Download and Reviews (2022)". https://www.mmobomb.com/review/legends-of-aria.
- ↑ "Legends of Aria Comprehensive Impressions". 14 December 2018. https://www.mmorpg.com/previews/legends-of-aria-comprehensive-impressions-2000107995.
- ↑ "Legends of Aria - Navigating Updates & Controversy is All in a Day's Work". February 6, 2019. https://www.mmorpg.com/interviews/legends-of-aria-navigating-updates-and-controversy-is-all-in-a-days-work-2000108122.
- ↑ "Legends of Aria, the MMO formerly known as Shards Online, hits Early Access in August". July 23, 2019. https://www.pcgamer.com/uk/legends-of-aria-the-mmo-formerly-known-as-shards-online-hits-early-access-in-august/.
- ↑ McGarrett, Steven (June 8, 2016). "Citadel Studios' Shards Online making a push for Steam". https://www.gamezone.com/news/citadel-studios-shards-online-making-a-push-for-steam-3440201/.
- ↑ Olivetti, Justin (23 October 2021). "Legends of Aria announces 'Aria 2.0' successor with a new game engine | Massively Overpowered". https://massivelyop.com/2021/10/23/legends-of-aria-announces-aria-2-0-successor-with-a-new-game-engine/.
- ↑ "The Game - Whitepaper". https://whitepaper.legendsofaria.com/the-game.
- ↑ "The Casino - Whitepaper". https://whitepaper.legendsofaria.com/the-game/the-casino.
- ↑ "Reaper Games CEO Joseph Rubin Explains Why Legends Of Aria's Future Is Blockchain". 6 June 2022. https://www.mmobomb.com/interview-reapers-games-ceo-joseph-rubin-explains-why-legends-of-aria-future-blockchain.
- ↑ "The Team - Whitepaper". https://whitepaper.legendsofaria.com/the-team.
- ↑ "My tortured quest to become the bunny whisperer in Ultima Online's spiritual successor". January 19, 2017. https://www.pcgamer.com/my-tortured-quest-to-become-the-bunny-whisperer-in-ultima-onlines-spiritual-successor/.
- ↑ "Legends of Aria Review". July 28, 2020. https://www.mmorpg.com/reviews/legends-of-aria-review-2000118915.
- ↑ "Legends of Aria". https://www.metacritic.com/game/legends-of-aria/critic-reviews/?platform=pc.
- ↑ "The PAX East 2014 Awards". April 17, 2014. https://www.mmorpg.com/awards/the-pax-east-2014-awards-2000103115.
- ↑ Royce, Bree (17 March 2017). "Massively OP's PAX East 2017 awards and best-in-show reader vote | Massively Overpowered". https://massivelyop.com/2017/03/17/massively-ops-pax-east-2017-awards-and-best-in-show-reader-vote/.
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