7MMO
Moderator
PC gaming isn't short of multiplayer fantasy adventures these days, but there is still something alluring about the idea of playing Skyrim with pals. Some mods have facilitated small-scale Skyrim multiplayer in the past, like the cooperative mod Skyrim Together. But Aurbis goes several step further, converting Bethesda's RPG into a persistent online roleplaying server—essentially a Skyrim MMO in all but name.
According to its ModDB page, Aurbis transforms Skyrim's solo adventure into "a persistent world where player actions create lasting consequences", snythesising Skyrim's existing experience with a bunch of multiplayer and MMO-like systems. It's designed with roleplaying in mind, though the mod's creators stress that RP is not mandatory, and players can focus on other elements like cooperative dungeon runs or PvP play if they so choose.
The list of changes and additions to Aurbis is impressive, running from character creation outward. The retooled character builder is designed to let avatars "develop over time instead of becoming powerful immediately", though it also lets players start with vampirism or lycanthropy for roleplaying purposes.
Those roles are heavily defined by the player's choice of Birthsign, which affects how efficiently skills develop. Crafting professions are supported by a player-driven economy that factors in bank accounts, property ownership and player-created quests, while activities like combat are designed to be dangerous and reward "preparation, equipment, specialisation and teamwork."
(Image credit: Bethesda, Aurbis team)
Alongside these changes are entirely new, multiplayer specific systems. Players can form their own groups called Cohorts, designed to act as a "strong foundation for MMO-style social gameplay". This ranges from establishing parties and guilds to aligning yourself with Skyrim's existing factions, combining "familiar Skyrim content with custom multiplayer mechanics".
The list doesn't end there, either. There are more nuanced survival systems, complex horse management, MMO style death penalties, and much more. There's even a fully-fledged language and literacy system whereby players "do not automatically understand every conversation or know every location", so mastering language and literacy can provide a genuine roleplaying advantage.
It sounds wild, and this only represents an early access release. If you fancy investigating Aurbis, all you need is a legitimate copy of Skyrim that's downgraded to version 1.6.1170. The beta is invite-only, but a session key is listed on the ModDB page that should grant you access, while Aurbis has a custom launcher that downloads and maintains all required mods.
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Best PC games: Our all-time favorites
Free PC games: Freebie fest
Best FPS games: Finest gunplay
Best RPGs: Grand adventures
Best co-op games: Better together
Continue reading...
According to its ModDB page, Aurbis transforms Skyrim's solo adventure into "a persistent world where player actions create lasting consequences", snythesising Skyrim's existing experience with a bunch of multiplayer and MMO-like systems. It's designed with roleplaying in mind, though the mod's creators stress that RP is not mandatory, and players can focus on other elements like cooperative dungeon runs or PvP play if they so choose.
The list of changes and additions to Aurbis is impressive, running from character creation outward. The retooled character builder is designed to let avatars "develop over time instead of becoming powerful immediately", though it also lets players start with vampirism or lycanthropy for roleplaying purposes.
Those roles are heavily defined by the player's choice of Birthsign, which affects how efficiently skills develop. Crafting professions are supported by a player-driven economy that factors in bank accounts, property ownership and player-created quests, while activities like combat are designed to be dangerous and reward "preparation, equipment, specialisation and teamwork."
(Image credit: Bethesda, Aurbis team)
Alongside these changes are entirely new, multiplayer specific systems. Players can form their own groups called Cohorts, designed to act as a "strong foundation for MMO-style social gameplay". This ranges from establishing parties and guilds to aligning yourself with Skyrim's existing factions, combining "familiar Skyrim content with custom multiplayer mechanics".
The list doesn't end there, either. There are more nuanced survival systems, complex horse management, MMO style death penalties, and much more. There's even a fully-fledged language and literacy system whereby players "do not automatically understand every conversation or know every location", so mastering language and literacy can provide a genuine roleplaying advantage.
It sounds wild, and this only represents an early access release. If you fancy investigating Aurbis, all you need is a legitimate copy of Skyrim that's downgraded to version 1.6.1170. The beta is invite-only, but a session key is listed on the ModDB page that should grant you access, while Aurbis has a custom launcher that downloads and maintains all required mods.
2026 games: All the upcoming games
Best PC games: Our all-time favorites
Free PC games: Freebie fest
Best FPS games: Finest gunplay
Best RPGs: Grand adventures
Best co-op games: Better together
Continue reading...
