Project Ghost: New MMO from WoW developer shows first gameplay with a bold new approach
On August 14, 2025, developer Fantastic Pixel Castle – founded by MMO veteran and former WoW designer Greg "Ghostcrawler" Street – showcased the first glimpse of Project Ghost’s gameplay. The live event, featuring streamers such as JoCat, Josh Strife Hayes and CohhCarnage, highlighted the so-called Blue Zones – a new core system that takes a distinctly different approach compared to traditional MMO areas.
Blue Zones are instanced areas built for small groups and play out like a roguelite. Each run introduces different enemies, layouts, resources, NPCs or platforming challenges. Players can earn temporary bonuses known as “Radiant Feats,” construct zone-specific structures such as ramps or platforms and collect a currency called Manorite to purchase gear later. There are no permanent upgrades – the emphasis is on variety and teamwork.
Alongside its roguelite elements, Project Ghost will also include traditional MMO gameplay. The city of Haven serves as the central hub, branching into two paths: the Blue Zones with their run-based structure and the upcoming Red Zones – more conventional MMO areas centered on permanent progression through quests, raids and dungeons.
Community still skeptical
Reactions to the stream have been mixed. Many viewers on YouTube showed curiosity, while others voiced concerns that an MMORPG with a strong roguelite focus might lose the “classic MMO feel.” On Reddit, skepticism is more pronounced: users criticized the use of procedural content in an MMO setting and called for more details on Red Zones, endgame content and long-term progression. The developers stressed that Project Ghost is being revealed at a very early stage specifically to gather community feedback. “We want to be transparent instead of delivering PR material,” said Ghostcrawler. A release date has not yet been announced.
Source(s)
CohhCarnage via YouTube
Image source: fantasticpixelcastle.com
