Shards Online player-driven MMO has multiverse setting governed by same rule-set

Shards Online, the Ultima Online inspired 3D top-down isometric MMO in development at Citadel Studios, will be set in a multiverse. Each will contain its own story, but all will be governed by the same rule-set.

Speaking with Polygon, co-founders Tim Cotten and Derek Brinkmann reiterated that Shards Online will be a player-driven MMO, allowing users to run their own servers and change the world's settings.

Server administrators can also spawn monsters, host live events, modify code, and create in-game items.

"Shards Online is truly the first player-run MMO in the sense that we give the players the ability to run their own servers," said Brinmann. "They're no longer bound to the ideas that the game developers have about the game. When the game launches, you will have access to running your own server and you'll be able to customize that server on many different levels.

"This allows communities to really customize their experience the way they wish to play the game."

As far as the varying worlds were concerned, some will be modeled after high fantasy, steampunk, and even one featuring a colosseum for PvP are just some examples.

"All these worlds have their own stories," Cotten said. "It's a role-playing game, so it's a lot about character development. We have an open-ended system with lots of different skills you can learn, and what worlds you travel to determines what skills you have access to."

Shards Online is in development for PC and an Alpha is expected by the end of the year. Linux and Mac versions are under consideration.