Giant Bomb News

Project Mercury Is Now Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

38 Studios has finally announced a name for one of its two titles.

38 Studios' and Big Huge Games' mysterious "Project Mercury" will remain largely mysterious until San Diego Comic-Con, but the powers that be have at least revealed its name and a release window. It's now called Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning and it'll hit store shelves at some point in Fall 2011 for the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC.

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is an open-world RPG with a focus on fluid combat. While we won't know if it'll deliver on that just yet, it's plain that 38 Studios has the right kind of lead talent to support the endeavor. Ken Rolston, the lead designer behind the last two Elder Scrolls releases, is at the helm of Amalur. He's being joined by the brush of Todd McFarlane and the pen of fantasy writer R.A. Salvatore


 This is a professional recreation of what this game won't be like.
 This is a professional recreation of what this game won't be like.
In a statement, Rolston said, "In Reckoning, we started with Bob and Todd's exceptional Kingdoms of Amalur game setting and imagery. On that foundation we built the open-world exploration, vast narrative, and character customization fans expect from the best RPGs." 

"And we've added something new that we've always wanted from the genre--a fast-paced, graphically stimulation action combat experience with fluid control and immersive, discoverable gameplay fans haven't seen before in other fantasy RPGs," Rolston added.

No other details were given this morning. A panel for the game, consisting of studio owner Curt "Bloody Sock" Schilling, Todd McFarlane, R.A. Salvatore, and Ken Rolston will be hosted at Comic Con.  According to the press release, attendees of this panel "will be among the first to see the world debut" of the game's trailer. Punch and pie at the panel remain unconfirmed, but a collectible poster designed by McFarlane will be distributed during.      
lil_cheekson July 20, 2010 at 7:37 a.m.
this is kinda neat!
SmoovLTon July 20, 2010 at 7:38 a.m.

Fluid combat huh????  We'll see about that!
armaan8014on July 20, 2010 at 7:41 a.m.
I'm keeping my eye out for this now!
Cypheron July 20, 2010 at 7:41 a.m.
You know, Brad, you could NOT include a shitty, pointless image in the news. That'd work just fine.
JJWeathermanon July 20, 2010 at 7:41 a.m.
RIIIIIIICH GAAAALLLLUUUUP!!!!
RagingLionon July 20, 2010 at 7:41 a.m.
Well those sentiments are exciting if they can be borne out in the final game.  I might even buy it!  But there's a long way to go first and a lot to prove in the meantime.
Cincaidon July 20, 2010 at 7:41 a.m.
Haha, I read it as "Kingdom of Amature"
leviathanon July 20, 2010 at 7:41 a.m.
hope the combat is better than it was in oblivion.
DanielJWon July 20, 2010 at 7:42 a.m.
Looking forward to Rich Gallup's lazy ass finally putting something out. :D
NoXiouson July 20, 2010 at 7:42 a.m.
The gore looks amazing, this could beat Dragon Age in terms of blood!
Woodwateron July 20, 2010 at 7:44 a.m.
If the game is half as good as the star power behind those names it'll be a masterpiece.
Cronoon July 20, 2010 at 7:47 a.m.
I thought they were making an MMO?
TwoLineson July 20, 2010 at 7:49 a.m.
That sun is NOT happy about Mr. Stickman killing that poor fellow over there.
Philvaon July 20, 2010 at 7:50 a.m.
FireSketchon July 20, 2010 at 7:51 a.m.
Of course, as soon as the Bombcast hits later we'll have more exclusive details, exclusively for Giant Bomb, exclusively.
A_Wet_Shamwow is online on July 20, 2010 at 7:52 a.m.
i was hoping for Lincoln force
CharlesSurgeon July 20, 2010 at 7:53 a.m.
Sounds good!
HeadNodShyon July 20, 2010 at 7:54 a.m.
Sounds promising?
BigChiefon July 20, 2010 at 7:54 a.m.
I dunno, there's still time for polish of course, but I'm just not feeling that screenshot. Maybe it's the cell shading.
dubios451on July 20, 2010 at 7:56 a.m.
I take back anything disparaging I ever thought about Mr. Nicholson, that picture is pure gold.

Dig Deeper into Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is an open-world singleplayer RPG with combo-based action and the trappings of an MMORPG. Reckoning is set in Amalur, the same setting as 38 Studios' planned MMO codenamed "Copernicus."

US Release Date: Feb. 7, 2012

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