{tag [PC]}

SAGA is a new Massively-Multiplayer Online Real-time Strategy (MMORTS) game from Wahoo Studios. The development team has been led for over a year by veteran programmer Dallan Christensen, best known for his role as lead programmer on Starcraft: Brood War.

The game seems to be shaping up nicely, not only graphically but with a rich backstory as well. That's one of the things I like in a game is a rich backstory because at times I need a reason to continue on the quest and a reason to fight and sink hours into a game.

Aside from the story and the graphics (see the shots below or their site for more images) there is also a new twist in the game in the form of collectible, upgradable armies. Sounds like Warhammer 40,000 meets Yu-Gi-Oh the CCG yeah?

You can play as one of five factions each with their own races, powers and buildings and based on either war, machinery, light, nature or magic. Since it's an RTS you of course must gain land and resources by conquering ground and utilizing those resources properly to reinforce your position. The game boasts more than 100 troop types with thousands of add-ons in the form of weapons, armors and upgrades. Tired of just having 10 buildings to choose from? Well the creators say there are 100 in this game, I can't even imagine what I would do with 100 types of buildings...maybe create a space travelling planet destroyer, if I could I mean.

Of course being a persistent world you can gather up allies to join in the fight for fortune and glory and manage the hundreds of scenarios get advance your people and your name, not to mention grabbing all the booty you can get your armored mitts on.

“It’s been a challenge, but the concept has huge potential,” says Dallan, “we’re blazing a lot of trails, doing a lot of things that have never been done before in the RTS genre. But at this point we’re pretty much there—we’ve succeeded in delivering the SAGA game design we set out to achieve.”

Saga is a persistent world RTS in an epic fantasy setting. Players collect troops, build armies, conquer new lands and build up kingdoms, complete with resource collection, city building and peasant management. Saga’s features include massive armies, multiplayer questing, an auction house for trading troops and spells, guild wars and espionage.

Saga has no subscription fees. Players pay as little or as much as they decide, by purchasing ‘booster packs’ of random troops and spells, which are traded and customized to create the strategic army of choice for each player.

SAGA is actively recruiting alpha testers for their upcoming closed alpha test, to begin shortly. Check website for details. Yes, as always I already signed up for the test. I always do before I tell you guys about it because I want IN!

Here are some screenshots, cool even though they are small.