Ultima Online Creator Reveals Ambitious Galaxy Sandbox MMO Amid Tough Funding Climate
MMO Pioneer Announces New Sandbox Adventure Renowned MMO designer Raph Koster has unveiled plans for a Kickstarter campaign to fund his latest project, Stars Reach—a “living galaxy sandbox...
MMO Pioneer Announces New Sandbox Adventure
Renowned MMO designer Raph Koster has unveiled plans for a Kickstarter campaign to fund his latest project, Stars Reach—a “living galaxy sandbox MMORPG” he calls the “spiritual sequel to Ultima Online and Star Wars Galaxies.”
A Legendary Track Record
When it comes to MMORPGs, Koster’s credentials speak volumes. He served as creative director for Star Wars Galaxies, the original open-world Star Wars MMO that launched long before Star Wars Outlaws and ran for eight years until 2011. Koster was also the initial creative lead for Ultima Online, the classic fantasy MMORPG that helped define the genre. According to Koster, “This is the game I have wanted to make for nearly thirty years.”
Five Years in the Making
Stars Reach has been under development for half a decade at Playable Worlds, Koster’s own studio, and has so far relied on investor funding. Explaining the decision to look to Kickstarter, Koster remarked on Bluesky, “We’re doing this because the climate for games investment is terrible.” Despite the challenging investment scene, he says the team is now “reasonably close to the finish line” and has been gathering enthusiastic feedback from early testers over the past six months. In Koster’s words, “I haven’t seen feedback this positive since when I did Ultima Online.”
A Vast, Evolving Universe
The appeal of Stars Reach is evident from its ambitious scope. According to its Steam and Kickstarter descriptions, the galaxy is “vast,” and “no two planets are the same.” Players can leave a permanent mark on their surroundings; shared multiplayer environments are “fully persistent, and fully modifiable.” Whether you’re cutting down a tree or erecting a building, your actions can substantially reshape the in-game world.
Craft, Combat, and Political Power
In addition to exploration and survival on various planets, players can engage in crafting, battle alien creatures, or even climb the leadership skill tree. This opens up the possibility of being elected “mayor of a town” or “governor of a world,” showcasing just how expansive and community-driven Stars Reach aims to be. As Koster puts it, “We are true believers in what we are doing.”
Kickstarter Coming Soon
The Kickstarter campaign itself hasn’t launched yet. As highlighted by Massively Overpowered, the team shared in a recent Fireside Chat that the campaign is slated to begin in about a month. In the meantime, those interested can sign up to be notified when the crowdfunding goes live.