What Kind of MMO is New World? A Deep Dive into Amazon’s Aeternum
New World is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed by Amazon Games Orange County and published by Amazon Games. Launched on September 28, 2021, it places players on the mysterious and supernatural island of Aeternum, a 17th-century-inspired, cursed land. But what kind of MMO is it specifically? At its core, New World is an open-world, sandbox MMO that combines PvP (Player versus Player) and PvE (Player versus Environment) elements, though it was initially conceived as a primarily PvP-focused survival MMO. Unlike traditional MMORPGs with rigid class systems, New World offers a more free-form character progression, allowing players to build their own unique characters through weapon choices, skill trees, and gear combinations. This blend of exploration, combat, crafting, and open-ended progression creates a unique experience that attempts to bridge the gap between classic and modern MMO design. It distinguishes itself with a real-time, skill-based combat system, diverging from the tab-targeting approach common in many other MMORPGs. While its initial release faced criticism, New World has evolved through updates and improvements, aiming to offer a distinctive experience in the competitive MMO landscape.
A Unique Blend of Features
The game sets itself apart by its emphasis on player-driven progression and a more visceral combat experience. Instead of selecting from predefined classes, you tailor your character’s role by choosing the weapons you want to master. Each weapon type comes with its own unique skill tree and abilities, allowing for flexible builds that can adapt to different situations. This system of character development provides both freedom and complexity, giving you the opportunity to experiment with diverse combat roles.
Exploration and Environment
Exploration is a key part of the New World experience. Aeternum is a sprawling island rich in resources, dotted with settlements, ruins, and various points of interest. This vast landscape provides ample opportunities to gather materials for crafting, to discover lore, and to encounter both friendly and hostile creatures. The island’s cursed nature adds a layer of mystery and danger, making each expedition feel like a significant undertaking.
PvP and PvE Elements
While originally conceived as a primarily PvP game, New World now incorporates significant PvE elements. Players can engage in various quests, participate in group-based expeditions and dungeons, and battle hordes of supernatural creatures and corrupted beings. This shift makes the game more accessible to players who prefer a less competitive environment while still offering intense faction-based PvP modes such as Outpost Rush and Territory Wars for those seeking conflict. These modes combine both PvP and PvE aspects, often involving capturing strategic points and holding them against other players.
Crafting and Economy
The crafting system in New World is also notably deep, requiring players to gather materials from across the world and process them into a multitude of items. Players can specialize in skills like mining, skinning, harvesting, logging, fishing, and a variety of crafting disciplines such as weaponsmithing, armoring, engineering, arcana, cooking, and furnishing. This crafting system is the backbone of the game’s player-driven economy, encouraging players to specialize in different trades and engage in active trading with one another.
Frequently Asked Questions About New World
To further clarify what New World offers, here are 15 frequently asked questions:
What is the core gameplay loop in New World?
The core gameplay loop revolves around exploring the world, gathering resources, crafting items, completing quests, and participating in both PvP and PvE activities. Players develop their characters by mastering different weapons and utilizing their unique skill trees.
Is New World a sandbox or theme park MMO?
New World leans more towards a sandbox MMO with its open world and player-driven progression, allowing significant freedom in how you develop your character and engage with the game.
Does New World have traditional classes?
No, New World does not have traditional classes. Instead, your character’s role is determined by the weapons you use and the skill trees you choose to invest in. This gives players the freedom to create customized builds.
Is New World primarily a PvP or PvE game?
New World attempts to balance both. It has both substantial PvP and PvE content, including open-world PvP, faction wars, Outpost Rush modes, quests, dungeons (Expeditions), and challenging world bosses.
What makes the combat system in New World unique?
The combat in New World is real-time and skill-based, moving away from the tab-targeting systems common in many MMORPGs. It requires players to actively aim their attacks and use abilities strategically.
How is character progression handled in New World?
Character progression is tied to weapon choices, skill trees, and gear combinations. Players do not select classes, instead, they build their characters based on the combat styles they prefer.
Is New World beginner-friendly?
New World can be a bit daunting for absolute beginners, due to its vast world and numerous mechanics. However, the game is generally considered more beginner friendly than some other classic RPG-based MMO’s and most players find it easy to pick up.
Can you play New World solo?
Yes, solo play is definitely viable in New World, though the game also supports group play through various activities and modes.
How many players are playing New World?
As of September 2023, the average player count is approximately 11,887 players, according to Steam Charts data.
Is New World free-to-play?
No, New World is not a free-to-play game. It requires a one-time purchase to play.
Do you need a Steam account to play New World?
Yes, you need a Steam account to launch the game.
What is the best starting town in New World?
Everfall is considered one of the best starting locations due to its central location and abundance of resources.
Can you solo bosses in New World?
Yes, it is possible to solo certain bosses in New World, particularly those with specific gear and skill builds designed for self-sustain.
Is it easy to group up with friends in New World?
Yes, forming a group with friends is a simple process. The game has a social interface that allows you to easily invite friends to a party regardless of their location.
How does the crafting system work in New World?
The crafting system is based on gathering resources from the world and using them to craft items. Players can specialize in a variety of crafting skills.
Conclusion
New World, therefore, is a multi-faceted MMO that blends open-world exploration, skill-based combat, a player-driven economy, and both PvP and PvE content. While it has evolved considerably since its original launch, its core premise remains an enticing proposition for those seeking a unique MMORPG experience that moves away from more traditional, class-based designs. The game is an attempt to combine the sandbox freedom of games like Eve Online with the progression of more traditional RPG’s. Whether you’re a fan of crafting, combat, exploration, or social interaction, New World offers a range of activities that could keep you engaged for hours. As it continues to evolve, New World has the potential to become a major player in the MMO landscape, appealing to both casual and hardcore gamers alike.