After 8+ Years Indie MMORPG Ship of Heroes Launches With Day 1 Peak of 100 Players
Ship of Heroes has officially left dry dock and is now live on Steam, giving fans of superhero MMOs a fresh setting to explore. Built by small indie studio Heroic Games, the project has been in development for roughly eight years and positions itself as a spiritual successor to City of Heroes. While launch is an impressive milestone, the game looks quite dated already. It would be passable if it launched in 2003, but for a 2025 launch the game looks lackluster. With an upfront cost of $59.99 and a subscription model, Ship of Heroes is betting on a committed niche community rather than a free-to-play crowd.
The launch arrives at a time when superhero MMOs are scarce. Long-running options like Champions Online and DC Universe Online still operate, but new entries are rare. Its day-one peak of 100 concurrent players on Steam is modest, yet the developers say they are aiming for slow-and-steady growth rather than a blockbuster debut.
Main features at launch:
- An open-world hub on the FHS Justice, a clean and expansive sci-fi city cruising through space.
- Classless power selection that lets players mix magic, tech, and mutant abilities to craft custom heroes.
- PvE content ranging from solo challenges to large-group raids, with options to earn achievements and shape early game meta.
- Side activities like resource harvesting, crafting, and trading for players who prefer economic playstyles.
- No cash shop; monetization is limited to the box price and a recurring subscription.
- Tools for forming large guilds, with the promise that early players can claim leadership roles and leave a lasting mark on the community.
Heroic Games emphasizes community culture as much as gameplay. By charging an entry fee and monthly sub, the studio hopes to ward off bots and griefers, while also ensuring a consistent revenue stream to fund development.
Further reading: Steam store page
