8Realms
A browser-based empire builder from caveman to spaceman.
8Realms was a browser-based empire-building massively multiplayer online real-time strategy game developed by Jagex. It was the company's first internally developed MMORTS and its second published MMORTS, following War of Legends.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Jagex
- Released
- Closed Beta; 5 May 2011
- Genre
- MMORTS
- Modes
- Multiplayer
- Platforms
- Browser
Facts from the source article.
History
The closed beta for 8Realms began on 5 May 2011, making it Jagex's first HTML-based game. Access was granted via email invitations and through the game's Facebook page. Jagex shut down 8Realms on 1 July 2012 after the game achieved only 10% of its sales target. CEO Mark Gerhard posted a closure statement on the 8Realms website explaining the decision to withdraw the game, citing a need to focus on growing RuneScape, developing a Transformers MMO, and launching another unannounced game. The statement thanked beta participants and offered double the amount of purchased Gems in WoL-cash as compensation. Players were encouraged to transfer their accounts to War of Legends, a strategy game based on ancient mythology, with the transfer process to be completed before the shutdown date.
Gameplay
The game centered on three aspects: Control, Wealth, and Knowledge. It featured eight ages: Ancient, Classical, Feudal, Renaissance, Imperial, Industrial, Modern, and Future, though Future was not reachable during the closed beta. Players competed in civilization advancement, moving from caveman to spaceman in a manner reminiscent of Sid Meier's Civilization. Advancement to the next age required reaching 100% culture and building a wonder. Culture was earned by completing tasks, capturing luxuries on the map, or through idle population after constructing the Louvre. Tasks were capped at four per day in the beta and first generation, but not in the second generation of VIP games. Resources could become obsolete and be replaced, but never exceeded five resources including gold. They were gathered from internal settlement production or from occupied tiles multiplied by custom houses. Military units required minimal resources to build but had considerable upkeep. Six military types existed: Melee, Ranged, Mounted, Artillery, Vehicle, and Air, each with unique attributes and attack priorities—Artillery had the highest priority, and Air units ignored terrain. Military power was used to conquer resource or luxury tiles and was crucial in the end game. Once a winner was declared, the contest ended and all players restarted in the next server round. The interface had three tabs: one switching between the overworld and settlements, a task tab showing ongoing tasks, and an empire tab displaying resource income, army garrisons, and a tax toggle.
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