Honor Among Vikings: A Rune Retrospective

The sword I’m holding is taller than I am. With one swing, I chop my opponent’s arm clean off. I then pick up that severed arm and beat him to death with it. It’s just one of many moments in Rune’s multiplayer, a game that pits Viking against Viking in violent combat. Looking back at our many Rune matches, we know that while the game is about violence, it’s also about honor.

For many players, Rune has some rules that form a moral code.

Don’t kill an unarmed player. Don’t jump into a fight you did not start. Don’t kill using Rune powers. And many more…

These rules are not enforced by the game. They’re enforced by the community. On some servers, breaking these rules may get you shunned, or sometimes even banned.

Why such harsh ramifications? Despite all the blood and gore, Rune is often about gentlemanly dueling. This kind of game design is driven by the players themselves, and some of the best experiences happen when players make their own fun.

As we design Rune: Ragnarok, we’re working hard to stay true to principles like this. We’re putting forth a game that we’re not only excited to make, but excited to play. As a game developer, it’s our job to listen to the community and we work hard to give fans a voice in shaping the game.

Not all players appreciate these nuances. Plenty of them are looking for every possible edge to win and would never follow rules like these. But, underneath all the killer instinct and aggression of multiplayer games, the best experiences are still about connecting with people.

In Rune, we realize these rules create sportsmanship and ensure that a fight stays interesting for all players. It’s sometimes more about lively competition than it is about winning at all costs. And like the Norse legends of Valhalla, after the battle is over, everyone can celebrate together - preferably with a stiff drink of mead.