Erenshor's Upcoming Raids Bring Endgame Challenges to a Solo MMO Experience

Introduction: A Solo MMO That Simulates the Massively Multiplayer Dream

In 2023, solo developer Brian, under the studio name Burgee Media, released Erenshor on Steam Early Access. This unique title offers a fully simulated, singleplayer MMORPG experience—one born out of the developer's personal frustration with poor internet connections during his EverQuest days, which made group play impossible. Gameplay revolves around dozens of quests, zones, and computer-controlled “simplayers” that mimic real player behavior: they form parties, join guilds, and hunt loot just like actual players would.

The experiment has proven wildly successful. At the time of writing, Erenshor holds a remarkable 94% positive rating on Steam. Now, the game is set to expand its endgame with a major update later this year, adding a feature that many MMO enthusiasts crave: raids.

The Summer Raid Update: What's Coming

Arriving in summer 2024, the new patch will introduce four distinct raids, each set in an otherworldly plane aligned with one of Erenshor's gods. To access these challenges, max-level players must find rare runes scattered across the world. Once inside, you'll participate in raid groups alongside up to 14 simplayers, battling through four progression tiers of traditional endgame loot grinding.

Progression and Rewards

The raid system mirrors classic MMO endgames. Players start by farming trash mobs for class-specific armor sets, then move on to early raid bosses for capes, jewelry, and weapons. Ultimately, you'll confront the gods themselves. According to Burgee Media, the update will add over 120 new gear drops from more than 20 bosses, plus over a dozen new spells and skills. This content is estimated to provide 20 to 40 hours of playtime for the average player.

New Raid UI for Party Planning

To help players coordinate their simulated parties, a new raid UI has been developed. This interface allows you to plan how your simplayers will navigate boss mechanics, adding a layer of strategy to the automated dungeon runs. It's a clever solution to the challenge of directing AI companions through complex encounters.

A Touch of Simulated Drama

While the technical details are impressive, many MMO veterans will recognize that raiding is about more than just loot and mechanics—it's about the social dynamics, including the infamous drama that can erupt in raid guilds. As a purely casual MMO player myself, I've always watched from the sidelines as best-in-slot items sparked betrayals worthy of Machiavelli. I've seen guild leaders collapse their own marriages over DKP (Dragon Kill Points) allocation. The human condition in endgame raiding is a spectacle of both triumph and tragedy.

Naturally, I found myself wondering: Can Erenshor's simplayers replicate that same sordid energy without the real-world cost?

In an interview with PC Gamer last year, developer Brian admitted that while the idea of simplayers engaging in maladaptive MMO behavior was amusing to imagine, “it's not fun when it actually happens.” However, he has since softened that stance. A previous patch introduced the “comically tryhard” guild Friends Club, an elitist group of progression-obsessed simplayers who exhibit mild toxicity—like minimizing your successes and refusing your “trash” loot. This suggests that the developer is open to exploring the darker corners of MMO social life through simulated characters.

The upcoming raid update could be the perfect sandbox for such antics. Imagine simplayers holding mock loot councils, backstabbing each other for a rare drop, or forming rival raid teams. While Burgee Media hasn't confirmed any specific drama mechanics, the door is clearly left ajar.

Conclusion: A New Frontier for Solo MMO Players

Erenshor continues to carve out a unique niche in the gaming landscape, offering a taste of the MMO experience without the need for a stable internet connection or a friendly guild. The summer raid update promises to deepen that experience with substantial endgame content, smart planning tools, and perhaps even a hint of the messy human drama that makes raiding so memorable.

For players who've always wanted to experience endgame raiding without the social anxiety—or the 40-person voice chat—Erenshor might just become their new home. And for the rest of us, the possibility of simplayers arguing over loot distribution is a delightfully ironic addition to the genre.