Underlight

Underlight
Developer(s)	Lyra Studios
Platform(s)	Windows
Release	1998
Genre(s)	Role Playing Game
Mode(s)	Multiplayer

Underlight is a fantasy massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). Underlight was Lyra Studio's first product, launched on Mplayer in 1998.

Gameplay

Underlight focuses on character development and interaction primarily through in-character roleplaying, rather than combat or items (although both exist and have their place). The game gives players the opportunity to shape the world through roleplaying, both in a figurative sense by influencing and manipulating events and in a literal sense, where new arts (the game's version of spells) are introduced and modified, new planes (levels) form, and new rooms appear through the actions of the players. Advancement in the game revolves primarily through interaction with others, where strength (experience) is gained via interaction with others, and arts and orbits (levels) are earned by requesting and completing a variety of tasks from teachers, players who possess the ability to train others in obtaining and strengthening arts. Underlight's setting is a shared dreamstate or consciousness, reached by people who have attained a heightened state of mind through advancement of mental skill and ability rather than physical technology. These people hail from earth-like sections of a world, each surrounded by an impenetrable boundary mist. Gameplay commonly revolves around the interactions of numerous Houses (guilds), each with a different take on the dream they inhabit and their beliefs on many different aspects of the game. There are no non-player characters (NPCs) aside from monsters (or "nightmares".), which provide an outlet for combat when aggressive interaction with players is not feasible.

Demise

In November 2006 Lyra Studios announced the game will be shut down on New Year's Eve 2006 due to a dwindling user base and chronic lack of game staff.

Rebirth

Following the demise of the Lyra run version of Underlight, a license was purchased by an independent group in an effort to continue running the game the game for those of the community who enjoyed the unique atmosphere of the game, but were unable to find a suitable replacement. By the end of 2007, a modest number of players and volunteer gamemasters joined together in a free version of Underlight entitled, "Shades of Truth". Hosted by Ixios Development, the project was maintained for over year before internal conflicts led to an offshoot of the project, hosted on a new server. This offshoot was maintained for several months, before also shutting down. The remnants of the two efforts consolidated once again with Ixios Development hosting the project, beginning at the start of 2009. It continues to be hosted for free at the Underlight: Shades of Truth website.

Critical response

GamesFirst retrospective of Underlight highlighted its unusual setting, potential for social interaction and low system requirements. However, in comparison to more modern MMORPGs, the graphics and playing area seemed poor. Other criticisms included an unfulfilling combat system and lack of depth-adding elements (for example, there was no indication that additional equipment could be found later in the game.) Overall, Underlight was awarded 2 out of 5 stars.

External links

• Underlight
• Original Underlight Web Page
• Underlight: Shades of Truth
• Underlight: Shades of Truth Companion Site