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FACTIONS: Origins of Malu opening early access in 'a couple weeks'
After Origins of Malu got the green light on Steam, developers went to work getting the sci-fantasy sandbox ready to release to players on that platform. All that work is about to come to fruition: Producer Michael Dunham told Massively that the early access release for the game's PvP build is only a couple of weeks away. FACTIONS: Origins of Malu is launching an invite-only closed release to ensure the systems are in check as far as user capacity, client integration, and the like today, February 1st, 2015; the EA will follow shortly after. Dunham anticipates early access to open before the 15th. To learn more about FACTIONS and future plans, read our exclusive interview with Dunham, then check out MassivelyTV on Monday, February 2nd, at 9:00 p.m. EST for a special Stream Team sneak peek of the game with devs.
Massively Interview: Burning Dog on Origin of Malu's do-over
When last we heard of the the indie sandbox Origins of Malu, Burning Dog Media had gone back to the drawing board for a do-over. The studio switched game engines, effectively starting the development process over again (again). But despite what some fans may fear, that isn't nearly as bad as it sounds! In fact, it's rather good news because players will be getting a far better game, and they won't have to wait very long to get it. I sat down with Producer Michael Dunham to talk about the changes and get a look at the progress the team has made.
Origins of Malu's Dunham talks phased release, Unreal 4, and more
So, what's going on with Origins of Malu? Quite a lot, as it turns out. Recall that the sci-fantasy game recently updated its website and hinted at huge upcoming changes. Lead developer Michael Dunham then took to YouTube over the weekend to talk about what's basically a complete revamp of both the game and the development process. The dev team has switched to the Unreal 4 engine as well as DirectX 11, which of course involves plenty of labor, testing, and the like. Dunham also mentions that OOM's original scope was way too big, and even though the team has already spent nearly five years and 60,000 hours on the project, a "much smaller scope for initial release" is driving the current plan. There's a "much, much higher focus" on combat at the moment, Dunham explains, though he says that the end goal is still a skill-based sandbox. You can watch the full devlog after the break.
Some Assembly Required: Kick(start)ing the sandbox genre
Sandbox aficionados are known to reminisce about the "good old days." You know, that time long lost in the past when the greats of open-world play like Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies (pre-NGE of course) enjoyed their heyday. Many a lamentation has also been heard about how things have never been the same, or how nothing has filled that void. Of course, the sandbox never died. In 2012 we started the year off with a guide to games sporting sandbox features to scratch a variety of virtual world itches and we ended with a look at some promising upcoming titles for 2013. With plenty of choices abounding, why are sandbox fans still decrying the lack of a home? It could be because they want one home for everyone to settle in together, basically one game to rule them all. But how realistic is that? Even with the plethora of offerings now, many folks want to play their ideal sandbox, and everyone has their own idea of what the perfect one would be (and conversely, what would kill it). Perhaps the answer, then, is to forget about a single universal home that accommodates the masses and actually create a number of niche games where people find exactly what they are looking for. Wait, that's already happening? Enter Kickstarter.
Origins of Malu secures funding, cancels Kickstarter project
So, forget that whole thing we said yesterday about Origins of Malu's new Kickstarter project. Burning Dog Media has canceled the funding drive less than a day after it began, but the situation isn't as dire as it sounds. In fact it sounds pretty positive, as the indie outfit has secured funding for its sci-fantasy sandbox title and lead developer Michael Dunham has updated the Origins website with an explanation. "We did not want to disappoint anyone. We know this seems like a strange turn of events, but we are learning just how fast the game industry can change. And all I can say is this will give us the ability to deliver what you have been asking and begging for for years," Dunham writes. Burning Dog will refund the pledges of Kickstarter contributors and provide them with a substantial list of in-game bonus items for their trouble.
Some Assembly Required: Revisiting Origins of Malu
Many moons ago when the air just started to cool from summer's heat (aka, last September), Some Assembly Required had the opportunity to talk shop with a new outfit that is developing a promising new sandbox MMORPG, Origins of Malu. And you know me: Sandbox is the magic word! As skeptical as I knew I should be, I still came away from that interview with renewed hope that a game with some of the features for player-generated content could exist again. Back then, Burning Dog Media made the bold statement that it would absolutely release its flagship game in 2012, with a target of early 2012 to boot. But as the first quarter of the year quickly drew to a close with scant information available, it became pretty clear the game is still a ways off. In the realm of games, no news is not necessarily good news... and we definitely hit a drought in news. Now that drought has ended. In our second exclusive interview, we spoke with Michael Dunham, Producer, Jason Mitchell, Senior Developer, and Dave Cruikshank, Art Director, to learn what's been going on behind the scenes and get the scoop on more details about those very features that have sandbox lovers salivating.
New Origins of Malu video highlights story-based sandbox design
We've been looking forward to Origins of Malu for a while now, even though the sci-fantasy sandbox from Burning Dog Media has been kept pretty tightly under wraps. That's starting to change as the company ramps up its presence at various gaming outlets in anticipation of an Origins closed beta in the near future. Electric Playground has what amounts to the first official Origins trailer, and the clip features a good bit of in-game alpha footage as well as brief interview clips and commentary from lead designer Michael Dunham. During the course of the video, you'll get a taste of the world and its backstory, and Dunham describes Malu as a "gigantic network of portals around the universe [that are] linked through inter-dimensions." Dunham also explains a bit about the mechanical philosophy behind Origins, stating that "we wanted to build a story-based sandbox game where the user is able to do what they want to do from the beginning [...] it can't be just a complete free-for-all, but at the same time we don't want railroad tracks," he says. Journey past the cut for the full video.
Some Assembly Required: Diving into details of Origins of Malu with an exclusive interview
"This will be the world's best game ever ever ever!" -Michael Dunham. You tell 'em! Honestly, we have heard it before: MMORPG feature lists that promise what our sandbox-loving hearts desire. Try as we might, we cannot escape those sneaky tendrils of hope that find the chinks in our +10 jaded armor of cynicism as we read about the return of a true virtual where actions have consequences, personal choices dictate gameplay, and individuality is a matter of principle. Sadly, time and time again those hopes are dashed by titles that either cannot deliver on their promises or never even survive until launch. The same is true for the developers at Burning Dog Media; they too have ridden the roller coaster of sandbox dreams and harbored in their hearts a vision of their ultimate game if only they had the wherewithal to produce it. The difference between them and us is... they do! Welcome to issue #6 of Some Assembly Required -- an exclusive interview with Michael Dunham and Dave Cruikshank -- Lead Developer and Art Director of Burning Dog Media, respectively -- who are in the midst of developing the new sci-fi/fantasy MMORPG Origins of Malu. Originally called just Origins (the change was to help avoid confusion with other projects that were cropping up with similar titles), this game previously teased sandbox aficionados with a glimpse at some hope-stirring features. Today, we have the privilege of expounding on "coming soon" and revealing more features that not only are planned but are for the most part implemented. So why should we check out Origins of Malu? And what tantalizing tidbits of sandboxy goodness can we expect? Grab onto that hope and dive past the cut -- if you dare -- to see what Michael and Dave have to share.%Gallery-134056%
Origins website hints at lofty sandbox goals
"Let's face it. MMO companies have found a cookie cutter formula," boasts the new Origins website. "It's time for something new." That something is a sandbox title shrouded in a fair bit of secrecy but bold enough to make some lofty claims as to its genre-changing design. The title is the brainchild of Burning Dog Media, a Canadian development firm founded by Michael Dunham and Dave Cruikshank. While specific gameplay details are left to our fertile imaginations, the newly revealed website does hint at a feature set downloaded directly from the minds of starving sandbox fans everywhere. No classes? Check. The ability to change the game world? Check. A conspicuous lack of scripted boss fights? Check. And would you believe mob AI that stalks players over a period of several days, waiting for the right time to attack? The world itself seems to be a mixture of fantasy and sci-fi, and the Origins website contains its share of screenshots, concept art, and bestiary info. [Thanks to James for the tip!]
