Citizen Zero was a planned PC based MMORPG which was developed by Australian game developer Microforte to showcase Bigworld Technology, its middleware MMORPG development platform. Though highly publicised, the ambitious project has had a troubled development history. Though it still appears as a coming title on the official Xbox website [821], no new announcements on the project have been made since 2004, so it is now considered by most to be stalled indefinitely [822].

Game Storylines

Two quite different storylines were announced for the game. The initial concept, announced in 2000, appeared to emphasise role playing and storyline, and promised a storytelling system that would improve upon the formulaic quest structure of current MMORPGs such as EverQuest. The second, announced in 2004, shifted the emphasis to action and combat and more traditional MMORPG elements. This new storyline coincided with the announcement that the game would now be an Xbox exclusive title. Had it succeeded, the game would have been the first ever MMORPG exclusive to Xbox.

2000 Storyline

You awake on the mysterious prison planet of Neo-Eden. You have no memories of your previous life, yet you are told that you have committed a serious crime. However, the prison planet on which you reside has been cut off from Earth and lain dormant for a decade. Following a period of anarchy, a peaceful society has grown. Soon, you realise that you are a `zero' - a select group of citizens with special powers, who join elite clans to exploit their special abilities.

Some speculated that this scenario was partially insipred by the convict history of Australia, in which the game was developed.

2004 Storyline

The planet is now renamed Typhron, and the game occurs immediately after the planet has only just been cut off from the Earth. A revised list of clans was also released, and descriptions of the game shifted from MMORPG to `persistent online shooter' [823]

External links

IGN Citizen Zero preview (2000 storyline)

Official Citizen Zero website

IGN's Citizen Zero Vault