When Amazon Game Studios announced it was making three new games in 2016, many were excited. But the road of development has been tough on Amazon, and of those three games, only one is actively being worked on – New World.
New World is Amazon’s take on the popular MMORPG genre and it’s full of all the things you’d expect: factions, touring parties, settlements, a comprehensive levelling system, and engaging combat. But while Amazon has certainly used some of the more traditional systems in MMORPGs, it’s also tried its hand at innovating new mechanics through its diverse world, full of fantasy and magic.
But the road of development hasn’t been easy going for Amazon. New World has been delayed twice so far, the last time after alpha testing provided the team with lots to think about. This shouldn’t be seen as a negative – Amazon has clearly learned from Crucible, the MOBA/third-person shooter hybrid that it canned – meaning players should get the chance to play New World as intended – with polished systems that’ll keep you coming back for more time and time again.
With that in mind, here’s everything you need to know about New World, including its release date, gameplay, beta, price, and more.
New World release date
When is New World coming out? After a handful of delays, Amazon has confirmed the New World release date is set for August 31, 2021.
New World Price
Most MMO’s are subscription-based these days, but Amazon is ignoring that trend with this game. The standard version of the game New World costs $39.99 / £34.99 and the deluxe version costs $49.99 / £43.99.
The standard edition will give you access to the closed beta, Isabella’s amulet, a unique title, a fist bump emote, and a Guild crest set. The deluxe edition will give you access to all the above, plus Woodsman armour and hatchet skins, a Mastiff house pet, a rock, paper, scissors emote, and a digital art book.
You can preorder your edition here.
New World beta
If you’re looking on getting your hands on New World ahead of its release date, you’re in luck – Amazon’s holding a closed beta in late July.
The New World beta is set to take place from July 20 and it’ll be open to everyone who has pre-ordered the game from either Amazon or Steam.
If you don’t fancy dropping a wedge of cash on the game straight away, you can register to be a New World beta tester on the official site. If successful, you’ll be able to play the New World beta for free without a down payment.
While the beta will give you a closer look at the game and how it all plays out, it’s worth noting that progress will not carry over to the full release in late August.
New World gameplay
Since New World has been delayed, we’ve had a few glimpses at its development over the last few months. The MMORPG is set in the mid-1600s and players are expected to colonize a fictional land called Aeternum Island which is based on colonial America.
Players will be expected to compete for territories over a period of time, levelling up their character in the process. As players earn more experience and master more weapons, they’ll have to overcome difference challenges in Aeternum, some of which might require you to team up with friends online.
To do that, players can join Guilds – or as they’re known in New World, companies – allowing you to develop chunks of the landscape into big towns. Through this process, players will be able to purchase houses, which act as fast travel points, but beware: settlements can be attacked by rival companies.
There are also countless expeditions to experience in New World. These are quests that will provide unique bits of gear, like armour and weapons, for you and your friends to use.
Expeditions will also drop you crafting materials, which are vital to progress in New World. The game’s crafting system is fairly comprehensive with the following skills to master:
- Weaponsmithing
- Armoring
- Jewelcrafting
- Engineering
- Logging
- Harvesting
- Smelting
- Stonecutting
- Woodworking
- Leatherworking
- Weaving
Outside of skill mastery, players also have the chance to take part in PvP via an in-game faction system. There’s also New World Wars, which are 50v50 skirmishes on a set part of the map.
New World factions
There are currently three factions in New World. These are:
- Marauders
- Syndicate
- Covenant
Currently players can only pick a faction once they reach level ten.
That’s everything we know so far about New World. We’re sure we’re going to see some of the biggest streamers pick it up on launch, so if you’re keen to get in on the hype, get your preorder in now.