Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning unveiled

By Wesley Yin-Poole Published 20 July, 2010

38 Studios' first game gets Comic-Con reveal.

EA has taken the lid off of 38 Studios' PC, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 RPG Project Mercury, and confirmed it's final title is Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning.

Reckoning is described as an "epic, open world role-playing game set in Amalur, a mysterious and magical new fantasy world".

It's single-player only, and "sets players on a heroic journey to unlock the mysteries" of said open world.

Amalur is created by author R. A. Salvatore (Forgotten Realms). Spawn creator Todd McFarlane is handling the art side of things. And Ken Rolston, lead designer of Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind and Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and current lead designer at 38 Studios subsidiary Big Huge Games, is in charge.

"Reckoning brings a new level of intense action combat to the RPG genre," continues the official blurb. It'll be out "in fall 2011".

"Reckoning is a great representation of how a team of incredibly talented and creative people with expertise in different areas can come together and complement each other so well," said 38 Studios CEO Jen MacLean.

"We are thrilled to be developing an open-world RPG under the leadership of one of the greatest RPG designers in the industry, with creative direction by one of the most iconic artists of our time, set in a rich universe imagined by one of the top fantasy genre authors in the world. We can't wait to share the first details of this universe we have been so dedicated to building over the past few years."

"In Reckoning, we started with Bob and Todd's exceptional Kingdoms of Amalur game setting and imagery," said Rolston.

"On that foundation we built the open-world exploration, vast narrative and character customisation fans expect from the best RPGs. And we've added something new that we've always wanted from the genre - a fast-paced, graphically stimulating action combat experience with fluid control and immersive, discoverable gameplay fans haven't seen before in other fantasy RPGs."

38 Studios is the outfit established by American baseball player Curt Schilling. The team will host a panel on the game this Thursday at Comic-Con in San Diego.

Picture of Wesley.

About Wesley Yin-Poole

Wesley is Eurogamer's news editor. He likes news, interviews, and more news. He also likes Street Fighter more than anyone can get him to shut up about it.

Read more articles from Wesley by visiting the Wesley Yin-Poole archive page.

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Comments (11) Latest comment 2 years ago

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  • richarddavies #1 2 years ago

    Did I read this right? Is this being made by a team fronted by an american baseball player? Can't wait........

  • sonicyoda #2 2 years ago

    "Current lead designer at 38 Studios subsidiary Big Huge Games, is in charge."

    Big Huge Games?!? Where can I apply for a job there?

  • Raznilof #3 2 years ago

    Let's hope that means they bring Jeremy Soule back on board!

  • Amblin #4 2 years ago

    The last time i saw these names together was Ultima Online 2. What happened to that game.......oh yeah! It died stillborn.

    Another fantasy game?

    WTF?

    I don't care who makes it or what it will supposedly deliver. Make something memorable.

    Salvatore might be a good writer but that doesn't translate into a great game just because he created D&D's favorite Drow.

    Other genres other than fantasy existed and continue to exist despite WoW....

    As for 38 Studios, the Copernicus project had to be bailed out. I do not predict a great outcome for this game.

    Indeed it seems they realised too late that the best way to make an mmo is the blizz way.

    Make awesome SP and MP games and build a reputation. Then make an mmo with a dev team well versed in making games.

    You don't jump straight into mmo development and blow millions only to find you're in way over your head with a newly formed team. The biggest reason indy devs die is this. Biting off more than you can chew.

    Sorry folks but this is a triple heart bypass for a studio in deep shit.

    Stargate Universe redux. Try and make a game from the resources you have from your failing mmo and make something that you can market or close up shop.

    Rant off. =/



    Edited by 3 at 20/07/10 @ 15:08

  • xenoss #5 2 years ago

    @Amblin

    Did they say this is an MMO? What do you mean with that remark? A past failed attempt?

    I'd be happy for another open world fantasy rpg, because Oblivion wasn't good for me. I hope they make a good 1 with this.

  • Amblin #6 2 years ago

    @xenoss

    Simple 38 studios first game was the MMO Copernicus. It floundered. They get bailed out. It is still in dev but going nowhere fast it seems.

    Now the 'first' game from 38 studios is Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning? I smell desperation on the studios part to make a profit from a doomed venture.

    As for KoAR, good luck to all involved. Personally I doubt it will be any good. Infact I doubt it will make it to release.
    Edited by 1 at 20/07/10 @ 15:14

  • KilgoreTroutXL #7 2 years ago

    Curt Schilling has left his mark on the game, in that it will be crammed with copenhagen tins, all armor will be made out of copenhagen tobacco, women will be referred to as "copenhagen", all monsters will chew copenhagen, the game's legal tender will not be gold but "copenhagenos", the rivers will flow with copenhagen, everything bleeds copenhagen, and everyone's socks are bloody (with copenhagen).

  • Xboxfanuk #8 2 years ago

    I have high hopes for this game. I hope this gets away from hack n slash and uses an Everquest type combat system and I would love to see racial cities like in EQ.

  • Xboxfanuk #9 2 years ago

    In fact can someone make a single player everquest on 360!

  • Virtualwon #10 2 years ago

    @Amblin

    Dude for someone with so much to say you should get your facts right.

    First, 38 Studios is still working on Copernicus the MMORPG it has always been working on since day one and is still working on. They actively started working on the game in 2007 its only been 3 years. Given that most MMORPG take 5 years to create they are still well within the standard time frame for development.

    Second, 38 Studios has not been bailed out. 38 Studios bought Big Huge Games from THQ and this is the studio that is working on the RPG Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning led by Ken Rolston while 38 Studios continues working on Copernicus.

    38 Studios has a great team of experienced game developers and are doing all the right things and I expect good things from both the RPG and the MMO. I have no reason not to unless you would care to back up your dribble with some kind of credible information?
    Edited by 3 at 21/07/10 @ 17:28

  • taurus82 #11 2 years ago

    Todd McFarlane!! count me in!!