What Ever Happened To Corepunk!?

Corepunk is a top-down MMORPG from Artificial Core, currently in Early Access for a minimum entry price of $38. It blends cyberpunk aesthetics with traditional MMO elements like open-world exploration, action combat, and character progression. One standout feature is its fog-of-war mechanic, which keeps the map hidden until players explore it. And, the studio promised no pay-to-win elements.

Launched in December 2024, the game had decent buzz; unfortunately, interest faded fast. Today, players report that the world feels empty. Towns are ghost towns, and it's rare to run into others while exploring. That’s what I’m seeing online, at least. Not being on Steam also doesn’t help.

Then there are the bugs — lots of them. People are apparently witnessing invisible characters, broken main quests, item duplication, and characters getting stuck in the environment. Beyond that, the core gameplay systems still feel unfinished. Health and mana regeneration are painfully slow, quest objectives are vague, there are no guilds or dungeons, and gathering resources feels like a chore.

Perhaps the most damaging thing though is the loss of trust. Artificial Core promised cosmetics-only monetization but later introduced gear packs that give players in-game advantages. Alpha testers were also promised exclusive Founder Packs and in-game recognition, but many say they never received them, even after submitting proof. 

Does Corepunk still have potential at this point? Maybe. It’s got an interesting concept, and looks alright. Not for $38 though! A move to free-to-play for the 1.0 release might breathe new life into it, I say. Artificial Core could use the “Early Access” excuse and rebuild the trust they lost for a sweet comeback. With all that, and as long as the game is put on Steam, I’ll play.