''Wizardry Online'' was a

free-to-play Free-to-play (F2P or FtP) video games are games that give players access to a significant portion of their content without paying or do not require paying to continue playing. Free-to-play is distinct from traditional commercial software, which ...

MMORPG developed by Gamepot, Inc, based on the classic ''

Wizardry ''Wizardry'' is a series of role-playing video games, developed by Sir-Tech, that were highly influential in the evolution of modern role-playing video games. The original ''Wizardry'' was a significant influence on early console role-playing ...

'' computer games originally created by

Sir-Tech Sir-Tech Software, Inc. was a video game developer and publisher based in the United States and Canada. History In fall 1979, Sirotech Software was founded by Norman Sirotek, Robert Sirotek and Robert Woodhead. Sirotech Software published ''Info ...

. It was released in January 2013 before being discontinued in July 2014.

Gameplay

Like many

MMORPGs A massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) is a video game that combines aspects of a role-playing video game and a massively multiplayer online game. As in role-playing games (RPGs), the player assumes the role of a character (o ...

, players could create their own characters and explore and advance in an open world with other players that are also connected. A more dangerous addition to the gameplay was the potential for

permanent death Permadeath or permanent death is a game mechanic in both tabletop games and video games in which player characters who lose all of their Health (gaming), health are considered dead and cannot be used anymore. Depending on the situation, this co ...

. The chance of losing your character can be reduced by sacrificing items. ''Wizardry Online'' features five races as well as four classes. Similar to previous Wizardry games, a new character would receive bonus points they can assign to attributes. Each class has a requirement for a number of points in a one or more attributes in order to select that class. Open world

player versus player Player versus player (PvP) is a type of multiplayer interactive conflict within a game between human players. This is often compared to player versus environment (PvE), in which the game itself controls its players' opponents. The terms are mos ...

(PvP) was also featured in the game. Player characters that have been killed could be looted of their belongings by other players. ''Wizardry Online'' used microtransactions to support itself. There was also a limited selection of items available for in-game gold.

Release

In October 2011, an open beta was launched in Japan. In June 2012,

Sony Online Entertainment Daybreak Game Company LLC is an American video game developer based in San Diego. The company was founded in December 1997 as Sony Online Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment, but was spun off to an independent investor in ...

announced that it would publish Wizardry Online outside Japan. The game was released in the United States and Europe on 30 January 2013. The game's servers were shut down on 31 July 2014.

Reception

''Wizardry Online'' received mostly mixed reviews. ''

GameSpot ''GameSpot'' is an American video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information on video games. The site was launched on May 1, 1996, created by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. In addition ...

'' praised the game's interesting combat system and use of permadeath, but criticized the graphics and user interface.

References

{{Wizardry series Role-playing video games Fantasy massively multiplayer online role-playing games Free-to-play video games Massively multiplayer online role-playing games Sony Interactive Entertainment games Video games developed in Japan Windows games Windows-only games Wizardry 2013 video games Inactive massively multiplayer online games