It all started as a Half-Life 2 mod, and now – more than 6,500 days later – the journey of the free-to-play game reaches its end. Octoshark Studios’ long-running project, first released in 2007, has finally launched version 1.0.

Everyone knows the story of Counter-Strike: a simple Half-Life mod that exploded into one of the most famous series in gaming. But Valve’s classic shooter also inspired other projects that still thrive today. One of the most notable is Pirates, Vikings & Knights 2, which began life as a Half-Life 2 modification before evolving into a standalone title. After 18 years of ongoing development, the game has finally reached its 1.0 milestone.

The chaotic battles between pirates, Vikings, and knights first appeared in 2000 with the original mod. Pirates, Vikings & Knights hooked players instantly with its three-way combat and over-the-top action. Developers at Octoshark Studios realized the idea could stand on its own, launching Pirates, Vikings & Knights 2 in 2007. Three years later, the game hit Steam, where it has since amassed over 3,300 reviews and a strong 88% Very Positive rating.

But the game remained in “permanent beta” status – until this August. “It’s been over 6,500 days since PVK2 first launched. Since then, we’ve traveled a long, exciting road fueled by countless hours of passion and the unwavering support of our community. Every clan created, every battle fought, every inside joke kept us moving forward, inspiring features and improvements we never could have imagined alone,” the developers wrote in a Steam update. They also dedicated version 1.0 to ZeroTron, a team member who sadly passed away last May.

What’s New in Pirates, Vikings & Knights 2 1.0?

The big highlight is the addition of a new class: the Buccaneer, the fourth playable character on the pirate team (out of 12 total). Built as a tank, he wields a grappling hook to pull enemies into brutal melee combat. The update also introduces new mechanics, fresh maps, and game modes that had never been seen before. It’s a fitting finale to nearly two decades of work, born from modding passion and culminating in a fully-fledged release.

Source: GRY-Online