Wizardry Reboot Gets MMORPG in 2012 Too
Looks like the Wizardry franchise is returning to the PC after all in the shape of a hefty MMORPG next year.
Back in March, we reported that the Wizardry franchise was returning after a 10-year hiatus. The disappointing aspect about the report was that the new installment would arrive this Spring only on the PlayStation Network. Called Wizardry: Labyrinth of Lost Souls, it wouldn't be anything like the classic PC games that put Wizardry on the map, offering up instead Anime/Manga-style characters rather than the traditional designs conjured up by artists here in the States
Now there's good news to accompany the bad: Wizardry is returning to the PC. In fact, it will be a full-blown MMORPG from Gamepot Inc. Called Wizardry Online, the Japanese language version is currently in the testing phase of development, with an exclusive private beta planned for June 2011. The MMORPG is expected to launch over in Japan this summer and will be published, distributed and operated by Gamepot with additional content periodically provided by Japanese game studio and Wizardry Online developer, Headlock. The MMORPG will also launched in Europe and North America sometime in 2012.
"A revival of the legendary Wizardry titles, Wizardry Online is the next-generation incarnation of a series that has been called the godfather of the role-playing game (RPG) genre," Gamepot said in a press release. "Wizardry first came to computers in the early 1980s, and the popularity of its "Dungeons & Dragons"-style gameplay led to the creation of countless sequels, spin-offs and collections across multiple platforms."
Obviously Wizardry Online is taking the franchise in a new direction by incorporating multiplayer-based party play and player versus player (PvP) combat. However, the game also promises to maintain the classic style that the series is known for as well as permanent death, meaning that characters won't be returned to bind points with a loss of XP or/and gold. Instead, player characters will be removed from the game upon dying, "creating a more immersive experience."
"Wizardry Online hearkens back to the original allure of the groundbreaking Wizardry RPG series, but brings an updated flare for modern gamers," said Shuhei Ueda, president of Gamepot. "Now, for the first time ever, players around the world can step into the impressive action and captivating lore of this world in a free-to-play, online format. We're confident the return to hardcore role-playing elements will be a shot in the arm for gamers looking for a new challenge in the genre."
Expect more to be revealed throughout the year. If possible, we'll sneak inside the beta and take a few screenshots. In the meantime, enjoy a handful of official screens below and the debut trailer, seen below.
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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alidan "Back in March, we reported that the Wizardry franchise was returning after a 10-year hiatus. The disappointing aspect about the report was that the new installment would arrive this Spring only on the PlayStation Network. Called Wizardry: Labyrinth of Lost Souls, it wouldn't be anything like the classic PC games that put Wizardry on the map, offering up instead Anime/Manga-style characters rather than the traditional designs conjured up by artists here in the States"Reply
um, yea. i just looked up game play for wizardy (pc) and ps3... it seams that you are only pi$$y about it becuse it uses an anime art style, WHICH DOESN'T DEFINE A GAME. game play wise, the games look almost the same (besides generation games in hardware)
than you go on about how the mmo brings hope... while you were bashing the art of the psn one, and complaining about game play (which looks the SAME to my eyes) and than an mmo incarnation wont have the same game play, and some how you aren't complaining about the art style even though it looks like an anime in 3d (minus cell shading)
at least be consistent in complaining... -
jhansonxi If I can't do 2000+ points of damage to a 4-point undead kobold with a Zilwan spell then it's not Wizardry.Reply -
dalethepcman Replyas well as permanent death
Hurray, lag will now permanently kill you!
Yeah thanks for bringing permadeath to the franchise as well. -
fulle The character models look pretty disappointing. Reminds me of a rip off of something Square would have created, only, being a cheap knock-off and all, losing a good deal of artistic flavor. Look at those little Taru wannabe guys... I mean, wow! that's some pretty lame character model work!Reply