Camelot creators unveil Imperator

Mythic Entertainment, the developer that created the popular online role-playing game Dark Age of Camelot, has announced that it is working on a new online role-playing game code-named Imperator. The game is being developed exclusively by Mythic, and according to the developer, it will be a radical departure from the current generation of online games.

Imperator is set in an alternate future world in which the Roman Empire never collapsed. The Roman Republic now spans numerous planets, and peace has reigned for thousands of years. As the game begins, though, new threats have emerged from beyond the borders of the Republic. The galaxy has become more dangerous, and the Republic has become less stable.

"Mythic has once again proven that we are one of the leading online game developers in the industry," said Mark Jacobs, president of Mythic Entertainment. "The foundation I've laid for Imperator can be summarized in one phrase: The experience defines the player."

According to Mythic, the game will be designed to appeal to players whether they play 10 hours a week or 100 hours a week. It will combine familiar elements with new features to create a game that is very different from current online games both in its gameplay and in its setting, which will combine the architecture and nobility of the Roman Empire with a wide range of creatures and climates found on various planets.

The developer recognizes that Imperator will be competing head-to-head with Star Wars Galaxies, the upcoming sci-fi online role-playing game from Sony Online and LucasArts. "When we first began work on Dark Age of Camelot, everyone in the industry thought we were crazy to compete with EA, Microsoft, and Sony, and that we were doomed to failure. As our success has shown, this was not the case," Jacobs said. "Sony and LucasArts have some of the best people in the industry working on Star Wars Galaxies but so does Mythic and soon they will be focusing on Imperator. We look forward to the challenge; it's going to be fun."

No official release date for Imperator has been announced. We'll post more information about the game as it becomes available.