Godsrule: War of Mortals developer explains the story's dramatic shift

The story that underlies Godsrule: War of Mortals, Gogogic and Sega's cross-platform online hybrid of social and real-time strategy gameplay, changed dramatically before its recent open beta began, according to a developer diary written by director of game design Egill Arnarsson and published on Sega's official blog.

Vikings and Norse mythology were the natural starting point for the Icelandic developers, and the story's first iteration featured both in a post-apocalyptic setting. When the developer learned that hardcore mythology didn't move players, Gogogic created its own blend of mythology.

"It wasn't until right before the game's closed beta that the backstory — with a magic touch from Sega — finally clicked," Arnarsson wrote. "It became the heart of the game, pumping out curious creatures and spells, oxygenating all the game's different mechanics, and made the whole world come to life."

Godsrule: War of Mortals is in development for web browsers and iOS. Its open beta began in late February, so you can check out the free-to-play action at the game's official website.