Underlight
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| Underlight | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Lyra Studios |
| Designer(s) | Brian Jamison, later changed to Brent Phillips |
| Release date(s) | 1998 |
| Genre(s) | Role Playing Game |
| Mode(s) | Multiplayer |
| Rating(s) | NR |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| Media | Download |
| System requirements | Pentium 90MHz CPU, 16Mb RAM, 14.4k Modem or better, 16M SVGA Video Card 640x480, DirectX 6.1 or higher. |
| Input | Keyboard and mouse |
'Underlight (UL)' is a 3D fantasy massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that was released in 1998 by Lyra Studios. The design originally credited Brian Jamison. Later this was changed to Brent Phillips.
To play one has to download the software for free at which point a recurring monthly fee must be paid; a free trial is also available for those who wish to try it out before buying.
Underlight is a role-playing game that focuses more or character development and interaction than combat or items, as is atypical of other games of its genre. All of the people encountered in the game-world are real people, the only non-player characters are some of the monsters.
Underlight introduced several new concepts to MMORPGs. Enforced 'in-character' roleplaying, giving players the power to teach skills to other players, player-driven monsters, and allowing higher powered players to gain experience from subordinates were among the game's many innovations.
Unlike most MMORPGs, Underlight takes place in a shared dream state, not the traditional medieval high fantasy setting. Gameplay revolves around the interactions of numerous guilds, each with a different take on the dream-space they inhabit.
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[edit] Lyra Studios Company Background
Lyra Studios was created by Jamison/Gold Interactive, a web design and product/media integration firm in 1995. The three founding members of the firm were Brian Jamison, Josh Gold, and Brent Phillips. Brent Phillips managed the programming architecture. Brian Jamison headed up creative design, and Josh Gold handled accounting and legal aspects.[citation needed]
Fourth quarter of 1996, Lyra Studios LLC was formed with an investment from GTE Interactive[citation needed] and the first testing level was created. When the GTE Interactive division was cut, Lyra Studios was forced to seek new financing.
Underlight launched as a RPG offering of Mplayer in 1998 and was sold directly through Mplayer's online service.[1] During the first few months the game had in upwards of 15,000 registered players.
Brent Phillips purchased the full creative rights for the company and product. The new team, an almost entirely volunteer effort, moved to their own game servers.
For years Underlight continued relying heavily on volunteers.
[edit] Demise
In November 2006 it was announced the game will be shut down on New Year's Eve 2006 due to a dwindling user base and chronic understaffing.
A statement released by Lyra Studios that announced the shutdown is available on-line. [2]
[edit] Possible Sequels
A sequel to Underlight, Reclamation, has been in the works for several years, promising improved gameplay and better graphics, and also almost entirely developed by volunteers. An alpha to the game was announced in February of 2006.
