Chronicles of Elyria Review
Pros
- Ambitious Concepts: The game attempts to break new ground in several areas.
- Implemented character ageing process
- Unique Building System: An innovative approach to in-game construction.
- Emphasis on Strategy: Encourages strategic thinking in PvP.
Cons
- Poor Execution: Many features are underdeveloped or flawed.
- Frustrating Realism: Realistic mechanics often hinder enjoyment.
- Outdated Graphics: Visuals fail to meet modern standards.
Chronicles of Elyria is an ambitious and intriguing game that has captured the attention of many MMORPG fans. Though promising in concept, the game’s development has been marked by delays, financial struggles, legal battles, and much more.
- Game developer: Soulbound Studios
- Game publisher: Soulbound Studios
- Release Date: Unreleased (as of date)
- Platforms: PC
- Official website: https://chroniclesofelyria.com/
- Genre: Hardcore sandbox MMORPG
Chronicles of Elyria is an ambitious and intriguing game that has captured the attention of many MMORPG fans. Though promising in concept, the game’s development has been marked by delays, financial struggles, legal battles, and much more. This article will explore the rollercoaster journey of Chronicles of Elyria from its initial success to its current state, aiming for a release in 2024.
Chronicles of Elyria’s story began in 2016 when it was announced as a planned massively multiplayer online role-playing game for Microsoft Windows. Soulbound Studios took charge of the game’s development, raising an initial $1.3 million on Kickstarter. The studio then further raised an additional $7.7 million via their website and multiple webstore special events.
The initial development showed promising progress, surpassing their Kickstarter goal of $900,000 by raising $1.36 million. Yet, behind the scenes, the development was filled with obstacles, including the need to refactor the mechanics of alpha versions of the game and a major setback in dropping SpatialOS as their backend software.
The game was initially set for release in December 2017. However, the date was pushed back multiple times, and by 2019 the game was still unreleased. A special virtual land auction event called “Settlers of Elyria” was launched in March 2020, followed by a pre-alpha demo showcasing parkour mechanics.
In a shocking turn of events, Soulbound Studios announced the closure of the studio, complete staff layoffs, and an indefinite hiatus of the project in March 2020. While a subsequent statement from the studio clarified they would pursue continuing the project, the news was met with concern and disappointment from backers.
The studio’s closure and perceived lack of progress led to hundreds of backers organizing legal action. Within days, hundreds of filed complaints had reached the attorney general of Washington. In April 2020, a class action lawsuit was filed, seeking damages for alleged breach of contract and other violations. However, the lawsuit was eventually dismissed in October 2022.
In December 2020, Soulbound Studios released a video titled “Inside Chronicles of Elyria – Episode 1,” shedding light on the current state and future of the company and the game. The video explained that the revenue was properly spent on development and announced that the game was continuing active development.
As of October 2022, Chronicles of Elyria has been marked for release sometime in 2024. The game’s journey through development has been nothing short of tumultuous, filled with anticipation, setbacks, legal battles, and resurgence.