One Thumb preps iOS MMORPG Highland Warrior for 2011 launch
Are you braveheart?
With the exception of Spacetime Studios's Pocket Legends, the momentum of iOS gaming in 2010 seems to have been for smaller, more casual games rather than not big, persistent universes.
Scottish developer One Thumb Mobile is looking to swim against the current with its game Highland Warrior, however.
A fully featured persistent MMORPG, the game is currently in what it's calling a late prototype stage, with release planned for spring 2011.
MacWarcraftBased in 14th century Scotland, it will drop players into a violent world of fighting clans and Viking attacks.
Character customisation will be a major aspect, with thousands of items, from weapons to armour, available with what the developer promises will be a Diablo-like focus.
Combined with the role playing features covering experience points for levelling up, and stats such as strength, dexterity, stamina, vitality and the like, this means that players will look and play uniquely.
Ensuring gameplay works on a mobile devices, the experience, while set in a large open world, will be designed around small five to ten chunks of activity.
Bonnie prince billySocial aspects such as clans and groups will be supported with in-game chat, and as well as fighting and completing quests other available tasks will include MMOG favourites such as crafting, item trading, and perhaps even bagpipe playing.
Highland Warrior will be a free-to-play game, with monetisation via the usual array of in-app purchases, advertising, and premium subscription options.
Launch devices will be iPhone and iPad, with expansion to Android and other platforms pencilled later in 2011.
You can get an idea of how it should play in the following video.