Pax Dei Gears Up for Full Launch on October 16
Mainframe Industries, the Finnish development studio behind the fantasy medieval sandbox MMO Pax Dei, has announced that the game will officially exit Early Access and launch its full version on October 16. This comes over a year after its initial, somewhat rocky early access debut last summer.
A Vision from Experienced Developers
Pax Dei is led by Reynir Hardarson, a notable co-creator of the acclaimed EVE Online. His team at Mainframe Industries boasts a wealth of experience, drawing talent from renowned studios such as CCP Games, Blizzard, Ubisoft, and Remedy. The game itself places a strong emphasis on social interaction between players, extending beyond traditional PvP battles and raids to include the vital aspects of building and developing entire settlements.
Much like the early days of Fallout 76, Pax Dei notably lacks NPCs, opting instead for a player-driven world. The game also foregoes a conventional class system. Instead, players shape their roles dynamically, with skills progressing the more they are used – a classic "learn by doing" mechanic.
Addressing Early Access Feedback
The journey through Early Access has not been without its challenges. Currently, Pax Dei holds around 7,000 reviews on Steam, with approximately 60% being positive. However, its initial launch was met with considerable criticism over technical issues, a crafting system many players found to have an aggressive monetization model, and the absence of several promised features. Furthermore, a significant point of contention was the developers' decision to remove the originally announced free PvP mechanics that were meant to be available in all locations.
Recent player sentiment indicates that Mainframe Industries has struggled to fully turn the tide, with recent reviews reflecting a "Mostly Negative" status at 38% positive. An indicator of the title's challenging financial standing is its planned day-one availability on Xbox Game Pass upon full release. Despite these hurdles, the developers remain committed to the game's future, promising additional content and having initial updates already mapped out. For instance, this winter will see the introduction of "Sanctuaries," which are control points that various clans will battle over. Following this, the team intends to add "feudal alliances," allowing clans to formally unite during both wartime and peacetime scenarios.
Launch Details for Global Players
The full release of Pax Dei will commence on October 16 at 18:00 Moscow Time (15:00 UTC) exclusively for PC. It will be available across Steam, Epic Games Store, and the Microsoft Store, though it will not include Russian localization at launch. Leading up to this, Mainframe Industries will transition away from its proprietary launcher on October 1. The game's servers will then be taken offline between October 6 and October 14 to allow for final preparations and polishing ahead of the official launch.
This full release marks a pivotal moment for Pax Dei. While its early access period presented significant obstacles, the developers' continued commitment to content and a Game Pass launch aims to broaden its player base. It will be interesting to see if these efforts, alongside the planned content updates, can redefine player perceptions and establish Pax Dei as a compelling new entry in the MMO sandbox genre.
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