Atlas (video game)

Atlas is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) developed by Grapeshot Games and published by Studio Wildcard, the developers of Ark: Survival Evolved. It was released in early access on Steam in December 2018.

Gameplay:

Atlas is a pirate-themed survival game set in a vast, persistent open world. Players begin by customizing their character and choosing a starting region. The core gameplay revolves around exploration, resource gathering, crafting, building, combat, and ship management. Players can claim islands, establish settlements, and engage in trade and warfare with other players and factions.

Key Features:

• Vast Open World: Atlas boasts a massive world map consisting of hundreds of islands and diverse biomes, ranging from tropical paradises to icy wastelands.
• Naval Warfare: Ship construction and naval combat are central to the game. Players can build a variety of ships, from small rafts to massive galleons, and equip them with cannons and other weapons.
• Territorial Control: Players can claim islands and establish their own territories, defending them from other players and NPC factions.
• Character Progression: A skill-based character progression system allows players to specialize in various roles, such as seafaring, crafting, or combat.
• Creature Taming: While not as prominent as in Ark: Survival Evolved, players can still tame and utilize certain creatures in Atlas.
• Dynamic Weather and Events: The game features a dynamic weather system and random events that can impact gameplay.
• MMO Structure: Thousands of players can populate a single world, fostering large-scale social interactions, alliances, and conflicts.

Development and Reception:

Atlas was initially met with considerable hype due to its scale and ambition. However, the early access launch was marred by numerous technical issues, server instability, and gameplay imbalances. The game has received mixed reviews, with criticisms often focused on its performance, bugs, and the perception that it shares many similarities with Ark: Survival Evolved. Despite these challenges, the developers have continued to release updates and improvements to the game.