I built a browser-based criminal space MMO in 3 weeks — here's what it looks like
A little over three weeks ago, I began working on a project that had been screaming through my head for a while.
Today, I have a persistent browser Textual MMO with a player-driven economy, multiple rank tiers, several combat zones, more than a dozen ships, named intractable NPCs, a crafting system, ship insurance, a black market loan system, PvP with consequence mechanics, and a "guild" system.
It's called "Void Syndicate", and it's free to play in your browser right now.
*What kind of game is it?*
Think Torn meets Eve Online, but browser-native (for now) and designed around async play. Yes, it's a text based game, there are some visual elements, and more are planned. You're an independent starship captain in a lawless void sector — no governing authority, no morality system, everyone is a criminal by default.
Core Game Mechanics:
Scavenge derelict ships for raw materials and Reputation Points.
Run missions and train skills (they complete offline while you're away)
Fight NPCs and rival captains for loot and reputation
Trade on both a fully player-driven market and fallback NPC market.
Build or join a Syndicate to pool resources and influence
*What makes it different?*
The main economy is entirely player-driven. No NPC price floors on the deep market. Supply and demand are real.
Progression is gated by rank, not just credits. You can't buy your way to the endgame — you have to earn it.
Consequence matters. Ships break and stay broken until repaired. Stealing another player's wreck flags you for PvP.
Named Fixer NPCs with their own personalities and exclusive contracts. Build standing with them over time — at Partner level they give you access to skills you can't get anywhere else.
Current status: Alpha, Free to play, no download, runs your browser.
I'm one developer, doing this by myself, doing my best to keep up with the discord feedback. Happy to answer any questions about the game or how I built it.