Peter Molyneux presented a 45-minute demo of Masters of Albion, his latest project from 22Cans, highlighting mechanics reminiscent of Bullfrog and Lionhead classics. The game blends god simulation, city building, and action-adventure elements, with Steam early access planned for April 22. Despite past skepticism, the demo showcased modular building and day-night cycles.
In a recent demo, Peter Molyneux guided attendees through 45 minutes of gameplay for Masters of Albion, developed by 22Cans. The title draws clear influences from Molyneux's earlier works, including Dungeon Keeper, Black & White, and Fable, combining god simulation with management and action elements. Players wield a powerful god hand to zap enemies, lift objects, and accelerate production, while managing resources through city building and business chains. Buildings like farms, mines, and factories are assembled modularly, Lego-style, with options for entrances, roofs, delivery points, housing, and combinations that affect efficiency. Production involves prototyping items such as pies or weapons from ingredients, influenced by a market simulation. Heroes can be possessed for third-person exploration and combat to activate beacons, expanding godly influence over regions. Restored beacons provide rewards like new heroes or building pieces. Daytime allows relaxed building and exploration, while nighttime shifts to tower defense against monster attacks, using heroes or modular turrets equipped with trebuchets or ballistas. Modes include normal with automatic time progression, casual where players control day length, and permadeath. The demo emphasized these systems, though some exploration details remain unclear. The team features art director Mark Healey from Media Molecule, composer Russell Shaw of Fable and Dungeon Keeper, and designer Ian Wright from Fable 2, Black & White 2, and Alien: Isolation. Masters of Albion enters Steam early access on April 22.