Like many MMORPGs, players can create their own character and explore and advance in an open world with other players that are also connected. A player may create a character using a variety of class/race/attribute combinations found commonly in most MMORPGs. A more dangerous addition to the gameplay is the potential for permanent death also known as permadeath. Upon character death, players have a chance of losing their character forever. The chance of losing your character can be reduced by sacrificing items. Wizardry Online features five races, and gnome ) as well as four classes. Similar to previous Wizardry games, a new character will receive a random number of bonus points they can assign to attributes. Each class has a requirement for a number of points in a one or more attributes in order to select that class. Throughout the game, characters will be able to change their class. Open worldplayer versus player is also a large part of the game. Players can attack any other player in town or in dungeons at any time and the same permadeath consequences also apply should a player fall victim to a PvP death. Player characters that have been slain can be looted of their belongings by other players. Wizardry Online uses microtransactions to support itself; players can access premium items through the Royal Shop where the currency for items is Station Cash. There is also a very limited selection of items available in the store for high amounts of in-game gold.
Release
In October 2011open beta was launched in Japan. In June 2012, Sony Online Entertainment announced that it would publish Wizardry Online outside Japan. Closed beta testing began 29 October 2012. The game was released in the US and EU on 30 January 2013. On 24 January 2014, Sony Online Entertainment announced it will be shutting down the servers on 31 July 2014. On 31 July 2014, at 9:00 PM, the US and EU servers were officially shut down. The game websites for these regions now redirect to Sony Online Entertainment.
Reception
Wizardry Online received mostly mixed reviews. Brittany Vincent from GameSpot praised the game's interesting combat system and use of permadeath, but criticized the graphics and user interface.
Private Server
Wizardry Online has an open source project in the works that will bring the game it's very first private server, which can be found at https://www.wizardry-online.com/
