Have you ever wondered what it is like to be in on the ground floor, as it were, with your favourite MMO? To be around when it is in development, through to launch, and then some? Over the last few weeks I've been remembering Anarchy Online in that way. My partner worked for Funcom from October of 2000 until February of 2003. We moved from Canada, to Oslo, so that he could take this "job of a lifetime" and I am still playing the game after 6 years. I got to meet, and hang out with, every one of the people who were instrumental in making that game and I can say, honestly, it was a fantastic time meeting some really super people. Funcom have just, on the 27th of June, celebrated 6 years of Anarchy Credits. 

June 2001

Everyone at Funcom HQ was working mad hours. Their first ever MMO was about to go live, they were trying to get everything ready for the debut of Anarchy Credits.

Wel, Funcom were the first to put a planet-based Sci-Fi MMO out there and they could not have known just how popular it would, or would not, be but they did give it their all to get it out there. Everyone concerned worked hard, coders, graphics people, community team, all were on their toes trying to get this thing out to the fans who had already been filling up the Java chat, hosted by Funcom, and waiting for it with hopes high. During the beta people waited on the e-mail that would say they were accepted,desperate to see this new world.

My first site of beta was a definite Wow moment. My character creation experience left me in awe. The first few steps out into the town of Newland were absolutely frightening! Lightning hit the ground near to where my character stood and that, coupled with the sound of it, scared me, and I love storms in real life. This was so realistic though it was amazing.

Omni-Tek employees would start out in Rome, Neutrals would start their lives in Newland, and Clan supporters would start in Athens.

The Story Line

You see this fellow named Ragnar Tournquist, who was the creator of what has to be their best title to date, The Longest Journey, wrote a book and entitled it Prophet without Honour. From that a lot of the story line for Anarchy Credits was taken.