The announcement trailer for the pre-alpha game Population Zero was released this week. The game, which almost looks like a mash-up between Fortnite and No Man’s Sky, is a work in progress from Russian development studio EnplexGames. The game takes place on the less-than-hospitable alien planet of Kepler. According to the trailer, over 100 players will be tasked with colonizing the savage planet filled with hostile alien creatures (as well as both friendly and enemy players). Team up with your friends to form factions and guilds, build a base, and fight with rival players for control of territory and resources.
Population Zero is labeled a survival MMO, but in addition to just fighting for a place under the sun (or perhaps suns?), the game promises “narrative storytelling.” According to the game’s website, “You are one of the colonists from the lost ship… You have to solve many mysteries about the past, present and even the future of this planet.” The game will feature single player experience, as highlighted by an almost hour-long stream of gameplay from streamer ZiggyD.
Already the jokes are flying that the game will be “No Man’s Battle Royale” due to the nature of the extraterrestrial setting and a heavy emphasis in partying up and building essentially a giant fort. The trailer stresses, however, that the world is handcrafted, greatly differing from the procedurally generated planetary landscapes of No Man’s Sky. While the game seems to be similar to No Man’s Sky in terms of harvesting materials on the planet in order to create different items and structures, it doesn’t seem like there is any kind of “Battle Royale” mode. Though, with the game still in pre-alpha, a lot can change before a full release.
Players can subscribe to news about the game on the website, and become a primary candidate for inclusion of their upcoming Alpha test. Firm dates for the beginning and end of such test have not yet been released. You can check out the Pre-Alpha announcement trailer below.