The development of the upcoming MMORPG/RTS hybrid, Lords Online, was influenced from the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons ruleset, IGG said in a press release on Thursday. The free-to-play, browser-based game is the next slated to join IGG's hefty lineup of micro-transaction MMOs, which enters its Alpha testing phase any day now. As we reported earlier this summer, Lords Online "is an elaborate SLG game that is set in a medieval style land that is in constant conflict," according to IGG. "It features administrative controls, alliance building and hero-nurturing systems blended with classic AD&D rules."

IGG finally expanded on the connection to the "classic AD&D rules" it mentioned in last summer's press release, explaining the influence is tied to the AD&D "Lord mode" adventures. IGG says this aspect is what sets it apart from traditional strategy or RTS games; in Lords Online, players can recruit heroes to fight alongside their characters. The Lords Online "Hero Attributes" also draw inspiration from the AD&D ruleset; heroes have skills and abilities based on the classic "Strength," "Agility" and "Intellect" attributes. Those hero attributes will improve over time as heroes progress in the game, depending on what they learn.

Check out the full press release after the jump, and stay tuned to our Lords Online portal site for upcoming news and announcements about the upcoming MMO.

AD&D Rules Influenced Lords Online Design

IGG’s forthcoming Lords Online browser-based strategy game combines a number of RPG elements to achieve a unique balance. Among the key elements are a number of rules based on standards established in the legendary Advanced Dungeons and Dragons system.

Gamers across Europe and North America have long admired the AD&D rules, and any new game incorporating similar conventions can count on players having a certain amount of instant familiarity and comfort without having to learn completely new ways of doing things. In fact, the imaginary worlds, creatures, civilizations, and swords and sorcery combat detailed in AD&D have had a lasting impact not only on games but also Western culture.

In Lords Online, players have two map-based modes of play: Lord mode and Hero mode. AD&D rules have their greatest impact on Lord mode adventures, which include elements not generally found in traditional strategy games. Using Lord mode, players can recruit heroes to fight alongside their main character, allowing for unique teams built to take advantage of cooperative strategies and diverse classes.

Hero attributes are also strongly influenced by AD&D rules. Each hero has skills and abilities based on their three basic attributes: Strength, Agility and Intellect. As heroes grow, what they learn directly affects their attributes and effectiveness.

AD&D influences are also found in the system Lords Online follows for improving a character’s equipment. As players collect better gear by completing quests in Hero mode, they can then improve what they’ve acquired to make their characters more formidable. The developers based equipment attributes on AD&D guidelines, so players can easily interpret how their gear stats affect a character’s performance in battle.

Even if players have never been exposed to AD&D rules, by using a proven blueprint as a starting point the developers have built a solid foundation for an exciting and entertaining fantasy adventure.