Amazon Game Studios’ New World Preview
New World is the first major release by Amazon's video game development team, Amazon Games (formerly Amazon Game Studios). The studio’s earlier offerings included the canceled team brawler, Breakaway, and a discontinued hero shooter, Crucible. However, with the New World game, Amazon Games is hoping to break new ground in the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) genre.
Let’s take a look at what makes New World stand out and what the future holds for this highly anticipated game.
What is New World?
New World is an MMORPG designed to be constantly changing through in-game actions by the player base. The game is driven by player-run guilds, known as “Companies,” and features both player vs enemy (PvE) events and huge 50v50 player vs player (PvP) battles.
Players can conquer and claim different territories for their Companies. These actions impact various aspects of the game world, including where players can travel without harm and the region’s local economy. Prices may be lower for you if you took over a part of the open world, or they may be higher if you’re in enemy lands.
A more action-driven approach to MMORPGs
New World seeks to be an MMORPG that puts an emphasis on action, which is why its combat and tactics are closer to traditional action RPGs. However, there’s also the collaboration and social aspects of a traditional MMO with the Company aspect.
Companies can run their own forts and settlements with up to 100 like-minded players. And each Company is run by a Governor (leader) and a Consul (second-in-command).
With different Companies and lands to conquer, the game world is dictated by player actions. But there’s also more traditional action to enjoy on Expeditions. These are dungeon crawls with up to 5 players, during which you’ll fight unique bosses and acquire special loot.
What about solo gamers?
If you’re not interested in the social aspects of New World, there’s still plenty of gameplay to enjoy. You can play much of the game solo by completing quests within the main storyline. You can also play other PvE content solo, including side quests and fighting mobs of enemies to gain experience.
What is the premise of New World?
The game takes place on a fictional island in the Atlantic Ocean known as Aeternum Island (also referred to as the Eternal Isle). It’s set in a medieval-like time period, which is reflected in the art style.
As you start to play New World, you’ll soon learn that Aeternum Island is overrun by the Corrupted. The Corrupted are the main enemy type in the game, and you’ll continually suppress their advances into territories.
Those territories are known as Corrupted Breaches, and they spawn every 30 minutes within the game world. You’ll need to team up with other players in your Company to stop these breaches by protecting your territory's settlement and fort. If you fail to do so, the Corrupted take control of the territory, which you’ll need to conquer again.
How does combat work in New World?
Unlike other MMORPGs such as Final Fantasy XIV and World of Warcraft (WoW), New World uses a timing-based action combat system instead of the typical MMO auto-attack battle system.
This gives the game a more tactical feel, because you can dodge, attack, and use special abilities in real time. In that sense, it plays more like a traditional action RPG, such as The Witcher 3.
You’ll use a combination of offensive, defensive, and ability-based tactics to beat your opponents, and both you and your enemies have stamina bars that drain based on your actions.
Combat is influenced by different armor types, too. You may move more slowly or have more stamina depending on whether your armor is light or heavy. Plus, you can take advantage of critical hits by backstabbing and headshotting enemies.
What are the New World player classes?
New World doesn’t have player classes. Similar to the Fallout and Elder Scrolls series, you become proficient in different weapons and abilities based on points you receive when you level up.
To reach the next level tier, you’ll need to complete quests, fight enemies, and participate in PvP and PvE events. Also, you will increase your proficiency in weapon types, abilities, and crafting skills based on how you use them.
New World also emphasizes its crafting systems. You receive skills in crafting magical items, armor, ranged and melee weapons, building items for your home, and precious jewels. After you gather materials in the game world and craft them, you can sell these items to other players for a profit.
As of this publish, New World allows players to level up to level 60. Once you reach the limit, you can participate in endgame content, which includes a PvP mode called Outpost Rush.
What factions exist in New World?
New World has 3 factions, and you’ll join one once you reach level 10. These factions don’t offer different quests – this may change – but they do offer faction-specific gear. They also provide access to different Companies associated with each faction.
The New World faction options are:
- Marauders: A ruthless military force bent on establishing a free nation where anyone with the strength to do so can prosper and profit.
- Syndicate: A secretive organization of boundless guile and intellect in search of forbidden knowledge.
- Covenant: A fanatical order that has charged itself with cleansing the land of heretics and defilers.
After joining a faction, you can’t switch to another until 120 days. Choose wisely!
Does New World have beta testing?
New World’s closed beta access is over. It launched on July 20, 2021 and ended on August 2, 2021. The closed beta was only available to those who had pre-ordered the title, as well as a select number of players who signed up through a lottery system.
When is New World’s release date?
After several delays, New World is slated to launch on September 28, 2021. The delays gave Amazon Games some additional time to fix bugs reported by players during the closed beta.
Does New World have a monthly subscription?
New World does not use the monthly subscription model, which is typical of other MMOs. Instead, New World is available for a one-time purchase of $39.99 for the regular edition, or $49.99 for the deluxe edition which includes special cosmetic items.
However, Amazon plans to support the game after its launch with paid expansions, which have yet to be announced, as well as in-game purchases for cosmetics.
What are New World’s PC requirements?
New World boasts excellent graphics, which means you’ll need a higher-tier PC to play it. To get the most out of your experience, we have two recommendations based on how you like to play.
If you’re a PC gamer who prefers mobility, the HP Victus laptop is a strong mid-range option at a nice price.
And if you’re more of a desktop gamer, the HP OMEN 25L desktop PC is a great choice with powerful specs.
Depending on how you customize your PC – pay close attention to graphics card, processor, and RAM – you’ll be able to play New World at or above the recommended system requirements.
Minimum system requirements
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit
- Processor: Intel® Core™ i5-2400 / AMD CPU with 4 physical cores at 3 GHz or better
- Memory: 8GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 670 2GB / AMD Radeon R9 280 or better
- DirectX: Version 12
- Network: Broadband internet connection
- Storage: 35GB available space
Recommended system requirements
- OS: Windows 10 64-bit
- Processor: Intel Core i7-2600K / AMD Ryzen 5 1400 or better
- Memory: 16GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 / AMD Radeon R9 390X or better
- DirectX: Version 12
- Network: Broadband internet connection
- Storage: 35GB available space
Summary
With New World, Amazon Games’ goal is to bridge MMORPG and action-RPG mechanics. It leans heavily into both action-heavy gameplay and a constantly shifting territory-based game world led by player-led Companies. The end result is a social and dynamic atmosphere that Amazon hopes will intrigue players for years to come.
It’s impossible to gauge whether New World will be successful in the long run, but Amazon Games is delivering an innovative approach to a somewhat-tired genre. The game has the makings of a great MMO and if it receives continued support, Amazon may have a hit on its hands that could rival the likes of WoW and FFXIV.
About the Author: Daniel Horowitz is a contributing writer for HP Tech Takes. Daniel is a New York-based author and has written for publications such as USA Today, Digital Trends, Unwinnable Magazine, and many other media outlets.
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