Lightning-fast and fiery multiplayer airborne skirmishes: that’s the promise of Century: Age of Ashes, an upcoming free-to-play battler. Its unique selling point is obvious: dragons, fireballs and insane spectacle amidst beautiful vistas.
What is Century: Age of Ashes?
Developed and published by Bordeaux-based, Playwing, the game offers a unique fast-paced and destructive combat experience in three gameplay modes at the time of its launch: a 6v6 team deathmatch mode called Carnage, a last team standing mode named Survival pitting three six-dragon squads against each other with limited respawns, plus Gates of Fire, a variation on the classic capture the flag experience.
Three playable classes were revealed: the support/teamfighter Windguard, the destructive Marauder and the stealthy Phantom.
Century: Age of Ashes was originally slated for an April 2021 release in Early Access – with more classes and gameplay modes promised to come soon thereafter. This date was pushed back after feedback from beta testers – over 250 000 players applied, showing there’s real interest in the dragon combat action – to an unspecified point of time. At this stage, it’s really just the generic-sounding name that’s attracted criticism from the wider community. You can’t really go wrong with a killer setup like this.
Whether the competitive gameplay element is there remains to be seen, but many fans are eagerly awaiting the release of this multiplayer dragon game.
Dragons in eSports?
It’s a testament to the strength of the concept that people are already whispering about the competitive potential of the game, and there’s every chance it will go on to realize it, even at this ridiculously early juncture.
eSports, of course, has become a worldwide phenomenon over the course of the last few years, its growth further accelerated by the pandemic as traditional sporting competitions have ground to a halt. According to Rivalry, one of the eSports betting market leaders, interest in competitive gaming is larger than it has ever been before.
Does Century: Age of Ashes have what it takes to become on eSport? We don’t know enough about the gameplay just yet to be sure, but the spectacle element of the title is certainly unmatched across the board. Fire-breathing dragons swooping down from above to flap their wings in the face of their enemies? No MOBA or shooter can compete with that.
If the gameplay’s skill element is robust enough and the many other necessary aspects are taken care of in a competent way – think spectator tools and tournament frameworks, two things which are often beyond the skills of many designers who harbor dreams of launching an eSport – there’s no reason why this game couldn’t join the pantheon of popular competitive games.
The branding potential is certainly there. Imagine a LAN tournament taking place in a medieval castle, jeering merchants offering eSports betting options in the halls, jesters booing the defeated teams… it would make for quite the broadcast!
The developers themselves have also stated that this is in line with their thinking: “we have this perspective and ambition”, they’re quoted as saying in a recent interview with thegamer.com. Their goal is to keep in-game purchases exclusively cosmetic, ensuring an even playing field for every player on the servers. This is a commendable attitude to have in the age of microtransactions, and if the game can garner a healthy audience, no doubt it’s also the more profitable approach for the long run.
Where can I get Century: Age of Ashes?
Currently, Steam and its Early Access platform is the exclusive host of the game, and though there’s no definite release date just yet, it’s still well-worth keeping an eye on the store page as this is where the devs have previously solicited registrations for their closed betas. Who knows, if you’re keen-eyed enough, you might be among the first people who get a chance to battle with the redesigned dragons of Century: Age of Ashes!
I'm a published author and proud US Army veteran who happens to be a gamer, so I decided to combine the two and love every minute of it! Feel free to contact me with any questions or comments and I'll be sure to get back to you.
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