On October 28, South Korean developer Shabo Planet unveiled a trailer for their new game, Dark Farm. This title aims to merge the excitement of extraction gameplay and battle royale mechanics with a fantasy setting, featuring large-scale competition among 100 to 200 players on an expansive map.

A Unique Blend of Genres

The developers describe Dark Farm as capturing the essence of MMORPGs in 30-minute matches. It combines elements of open-world extraction and battle royale, offering players a fresh take on familiar genres. Matches take place on an 8km x 8km map where players farm resources, fight monsters, and loot treasure. Players can also eliminate opponents to steal their gear, but dying means losing all collected items—unless stored in a "safe inventory" or insured.

Customizable Combat

Inspired by the Dark Souls series, Dark Farm emphasizes customizable combat. Players can equip weapons and skills to create unique playstyles, with combo systems allowing for engaging boss fights and PvP action. The game aims to balance accessibility for mobile platforms while retaining satisfying mechanics.

Traversal and Escape Mechanics

Players can traverse the map by riding horses or using teleporters to reach key areas. A "magnetic field" system gradually reduces playable space, forcing players toward escape points. Escape options include "towers," where players risk ambushes, and procedurally generated dungeons with treasure, bosses, and alternative exit routes.

Additional Features

Dark Farm enhances gameplay with trading systems like an auction house and a card-based wagering mini-game. Players can also team up using "keys" to tackle dungeons featuring challenging bosses.

Release Plans

Dark Farm will conduct its first Steam test in 2024, with a full release scheduled for late 2025. For more updates, visit the official website.