Andrew Gower Returns to MMORPGs with Brighter Shores

Andrew Gower, the renowned creator of RuneScape, has been working on a new project for several years. His new game, Brighter Shores, marks his return to the MMORPG genre, where he initially made his mark. Gower's journey back to MMORPGs began with his plan to develop an off-the-shelf game engine, known as FenForge. Gower's passion for creating game engines is evident, as he mentions that he enjoys making engines more than making games. He recognized the competitive nature of the gaming industry and saw an opportunity to create a high-quality game engine that could fill a niche in the market. However, to promote and sell the engine, Gower needed a game that could demonstrate its capabilities. As a result, Fen Research, Gower's development studio, started working on a game that would utilize the FenForge technology. The project, initially called 'Chasm game,' was a real-time strategy settlement building title with simulation elements. Although the game was never completed, many of its assets were repurposed for Brighter Shores. Gower's decision to return to MMORPGs was influenced by the feedback he received from fans and fellow gamers, who expressed their desire to see him create another game in the genre. With Brighter Shores, Gower aimed to apply the knowledge and experience he gained from working on RuneScape to create a new and improved MMORPG. The game's design is reminiscent of RuneScape, with a British medieval fantasy setting, a variety of skills to level up, and a rock-paper-scissors-style combat triangle system. However, Gower's approach to game design has evolved over the years, and he now emphasizes forward planning and careful consideration of the game's mechanics and consequences. Brighter Shores is designed to cater to players with limited time, featuring passive abilities that allow characters to continue grinding even when the player is not actively playing. This design philosophy is a response to the changing needs of gamers, who may not have as much free time as they used to. The game has received a Mostly Positive user rating on Steam, and its launch has also served as a successful advertisement for the FenForge engine. Gower and his team are now focused on building out Brighter Shores, with plans to eventually sell the FenForge engine as an off-the-shelf product in the future.