Stars Reach, a new sci-fi MMO seeking funding on Kickstarter, has blown past its initial funding goal of $200,000 in less than an hour of being live.
No doubt the pedigree behind Stars Reach is part of the reason for that. The game is coming from studio Playable Worlds, led by Raph Koster, one of the lead creators of MMO classics like Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies.
Stars Reach is putting a heavy emphasis on its sandbox nature, giving players the freedom to shape its galaxy how they see fit. That means it’s up to players to terraform planets, build settlements, form trade empires, genetically engineer alien creatures, or wipe entire planets off the map. The game’s universe is procedurally generated, and players will have the ability to shape it to their liking.
It all sounds a bit like No Man’s Sky, albeit with far more players. There will be spaceships and action-based combat, but much like the more free-form Star Wars Galaxies from which Stars Reach is taking heavy inspiration, combat doesn’t sound like the game’s focus. There will be dozens of professions to choose from, some ideal for combat, but many that aren’t. Its “endgame” sounds like it’s whatever players want it to be, whether it be governing a city or exploring the deep reaches of space. It certainly sounds ambitious, with cities and even a planet’s ecosystem all falling on the shoulders of players to manage.
Unlike some Kickstarter games that seek funding on little more than concept art and a dream, Stars Reach is said to already be fairly far along, having been in development for several years at this point. There have been playable pre-alpha tests for months now, with the goal being for Stars Reach to launch in early access this summer. A full release is tentatively slated to come in the first half of next year. As stated on the Kickstarter page, seeking public funding “isn’t about starting the game–it’s about finishing it, expanding it, and bringing this living galaxy to its full potential.”
Those who want to play during early access will need to support the Kickstarter at the $30 tier or purchase an early access supporter pack when those become available. The full game, however, will be free-to-play with optional microtransactions. Like many free-to-play MMOs, there will be an optional monthly subscription as well, though this one will be required for those looking to build homes on the intergalactic frontier. It’s called the Property Pass, and along with letting players become landowners, it will also grant access to unique cosmetics and other items.
In its first Kickstarter update after surpassing its initial goal, Playable Worlds said it was humbled and grateful for the support.
“This is your victory as much as ours, and we can’t wait to take this journey together,” Playable Worlds’ statement reads. “But the journey isn’t over. The more we raise the faster we can bring this game to market. And the better the game will be.”