Empires

EMPIRES is an on-chain idle MMO and corporate strategy game set in the Ashes of Mankind universe. Built by Black Ice Studios, the game puts players in the role of Freelancers operating on the industrial world of Ortus, where resources, land, research, manufacturing, and trade form a connected player-driven economy. Players can choose different paths through the ecosystem. They can operate Deployment Bays and autonomous extraction vehicles, prospect land, establish Research Centers, manufacture equipment through Forges, create Corporations, or participate in the in-game marketplace. Resources extracted from Ortus are refined and transformed into goods that can eventually support the wider Ashes of Mankind ecosystem. EMPIRES is designed around an idle gameplay loop, allowing mining, research, and other operations to continue while players are away. Progression can therefore combine short daily check-ins with longer-term economic decisions and expansion. The game also connects directly with CITADELS, an upcoming tactical extraction FPS. Items and cosmetics produced through EMPIRES can become part of the demand-driven economy used by CITADELS players, creating a shared economic loop between the two games. The project emphasizes on-chain ownership and transparency, with consequential actions, land outcomes, research discoveries, corporate votes, and economic activity designed to be verifiable on-chain. Players can begin the core experience for free through a browser, while additional assets and provisions are available through optional purchases.