Ten years in the making, newly announced indie game Brighter Shores will bring a cozy, relaxing atmosphere to the world of MMORPGs. Boasting the instantly recognisable style of game designer Andrew Gower, Brighter Shores promises a smoother, more enjoyable take on the genre thanks to the studio’s brand new Fenforge engine.

True to its name, Brighter Shores is designed to whisk players away to an enchanting world, providing a relaxing respite from daily life. Finding themselves in the peaceful coastal town of Hopeport, players initially take on the role of a town guard. Their role as protector, however, soon expands far beyond the town walls as they learn of a greater threat across the fantastical world of Adothria. Both new and old MMORPG fans are bound to fall in love with the abundance of quirky characters, fascinating foes and captivating locations they’ll encounter on this heroic adventure. 

Breaking from the traditional classes of mage, rogue and warrior, Brighter Shores players will be called upon to choose from three new options: Cryoknight, Hammermage or Guardian. While players will revel in the nostalgia of the diorama art style, they can expect a number of new and exciting twists on the genre. Learn a diverse range of professions, such as Fisher, Forager, Chef, Woodcutter, Miner, Alchemist, Stonemason, Merchant, Blacksmith, and many more!

Over twenty years on from the launch of his genre-defining smash hit RuneScape,  Andrew Gower and his new studio Fen Research have revealed plans for Brighter Shores to launch into Steam Early Access on the 6th November. 

Excited for this upcoming launch, Andrew says:

"Sorry, I am too busy trying to perfect the game to come up with quotes."

After some further cajoling, Andrew says:

"We're releasing Brighter Shores with plenty of features for players to sink their teeth into, but this is just the beginning. We've planned an extensive roadmap of updates to keep our game fresh and exciting for years to come."

With a wealth of experience within the genre, Brighter Shores developer Andrew Gower is very familiar with both MMO charms and flaws. He’s passionate about improving MMORPGs as we know them, reducing the ‘grindy’ gameplay often found in the genre through innovative game design. 

Gower’s indie studio Fen Research has been hard at work behind-the-scenes for over a decade and are excited to now share Brighter Shores with fans and players. Opposed to the onslaught of microtransactions in modern MMOs and free-to-play games, the studio has remained dedicated to providing hours upon hours of content for free. The game will be constantly expanding, with new content being released in an episodic format. Each episode features its own unique side quests, professions and lands, as well as advancing the central story.

An all-inclusive premium pass will also be available for those seeking extra quests, adventures and stories, with regular updates planned beyond Brighter Shores’ release later this year.

Brighter Shores will be free-to-play on PC/Mac (Steam) in Q3 2024.