Ways of History
Released Sep 2017
Hardcore real-time strategy with a long-term round. Development of your civilization from caves to space. Huge world. Thousands of players. 240+ sciences and technologies. About 100 troops. 4 races. 50+ resource deposits. War, trade, science, construction...
53% positive · 255 reviews
Not yet
Released live service, but development status unclear
Low confidence
Live Service
Development Uncertain
Not yet
Released live service, but development status unclear
Low confidence
Live Service
Development Uncertain
Where to get it
Free on Steam
Evaluation
Ways of History is a free-to-play massively multiplayer strategy game that has been running since September 2017. It operates as a live game built around sequential "game worlds" — numbered multiplayer rounds that launch periodically with distinct maps, parameters, and win conditions. The developer, Glyph Worlds, has been launching these worlds on an ongoing basis, with documented launches including World 10 (February 26, 2019), World 11 (July 2019), World 12 (November 2019), World 16 (September 2, 2021), and World 55 (September 1, 2022). The game also received feature patches and engine updates throughout 2018–2022.
However, the most recent official communication from the developer was the World 55 launch post on September 1, 2022. There have been no announcements, patch notes, or updates of any kind since that date — a silence of nearly four years as of June 2026. For a game whose entire premise depends on the developer launching and managing new game worlds, this extended silence is a meaningful concern. It's unclear whether new worlds are still being launched, whether the game's servers remain active, or whether Glyph Worlds is still operating the game. A June 2022 news post also announced that a new team had joined to develop a separate game (Barkhan) using the same engine, which may indicate a shift in the studio's focus.
The game remains purchasable (it is free-to-play) and was designed to run indefinitely, but the lack of any developer communication since September 2022 leaves genuine uncertainty about its current operational status.
Evidence
World 55 launched with a map of Earth, featuring specific game parameters and Version 1.4. This is the most recent official communication from the developer.
Store description presents Ways of History as a large-scale multiplayer online strategy game with thousands of players, structured around ongoing civilization rounds — a design built for continuous, indefinite operation.
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
Glyph Worlds
Achievements
—
Platform
Windows
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Multiplayer · Co-op · PvP
About this game
Hardcore real-time strategy about developing your civilization from the Stone Age to Space Age. Huge world. Thousands of players. 240+ sciences and technologies. About 100 troops. 4 races. 50+ resource deposits. War, trade, science, construction...
A serious game for adepts of serious strategies. A game round is long enough, but during those months the player dives into a colourful world full of action. And a peaceful flow of life turns into a tornado of actions, events and decisions.
Many features of this real-time strategy are known to all Civilizers.
You start from a Stone Age little village with a bunch of tribesmen. Development follows the Scientific tree that is already known to some people. It contains almost 250 sciences and technologies.
New buildings, possibilities and troops are gradually unlocked.
The path of a small village to modern megapolises net goes through Medieval wars, technological revolutions and ages of bloody terror. Players start Nuclear wars or step into the Golden ages while exploring new territories.
And, finally, the SpaceShip...
Players start to merger into countries soon. This changes the gameplay, bringing it to the new level. Global wars and continental trade unions. Diplomatic collusions and treacherous plots.
In general, gameplay is full of different mechanics. A lot of ways to interact with the world and other players.
Everybody can become a great general, and numerous armadas will turn enemies into ashes.
Someone, who chooses the way of genial scientist, will find out all the secrets of the Universe. And maybe nations will obey the speeches of the experienced and insidious politician. Perhaps, your cunning merchants will connect powerful empires and remote villages with their caravans, bringing the whole world under control of money...
A serious game for adepts of serious strategies. A game round is long enough, but during those months the player dives into a colourful world full of action. And a peaceful flow of life turns into a tornado of actions, events and decisions.
Main features in short
- Epic fights of thousands men of your army.
- 240+ sciences and technologies from the Stone Age to modern times. Development depends on choice of what to research.
- About 100 troops. Infantry, artillery, aircraft, fleet, cavalry. Battle elephants and jet bombers. Dirigibles and jaguar-warriors...
- Varied map with 4 climates, full of seas, islands, rivers, mountains and hills. More than 50 resource deposits.
- Construction of improvements, roads, bridges and new cities.
- More than 100 different Wonders of the World and buildings. Banks, temples, barracks, recycling stations, castles, market squares etc.
- Everybody can find the suitable role. Bloodthirsty warrior or greedy merchant. Wise scientist of reckless prowler. Purposeful ruler of peaceful farmer.
Development, sciences, space (Scientific tree and all the rest...)
Many features of this real-time strategy are known to all Civilizers.
You start from a Stone Age little village with a bunch of tribesmen. Development follows the Scientific tree that is already known to some people. It contains almost 250 sciences and technologies.
New buildings, possibilities and troops are gradually unlocked.
The path of a small village to modern megapolises net goes through Medieval wars, technological revolutions and ages of bloody terror. Players start Nuclear wars or step into the Golden ages while exploring new territories.
And, finally, the SpaceShip...
Countries (you are not alone)
Players start to merger into countries soon. This changes the gameplay, bringing it to the new level. Global wars and continental trade unions. Diplomatic collusions and treacherous plots.
In general, gameplay is full of different mechanics. A lot of ways to interact with the world and other players.
A bit of epicness (you don't need to read this, but we had to write it... moreover, that's the way)
Everybody can become a great general, and numerous armadas will turn enemies into ashes.
Someone, who chooses the way of genial scientist, will find out all the secrets of the Universe. And maybe nations will obey the speeches of the experienced and insidious politician. Perhaps, your cunning merchants will connect powerful empires and remote villages with their caravans, bringing the whole world under control of money...
In conclusion
It will be a very long description of the entire Ways of History universe if we start it. The shortest way is to dive into it. And it's worth it...Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Jun 27, 2026
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