{{For|the electronic LCD toy of the same name|Cube World (toy)}} {{short description|2019 video game}} {{Infobox video game | title = Cube World | image = Cube_World_steam.jpg | caption = | developer = Picroma | publisher = Picroma | designer = Wolfram von Funck | artist = Sarah von Funck | platforms = Windows | released = September 30, 2019 | genre = Action role-playing | modes = Single-player, multiplayer }}
'''''Cube World''''' is an action role-playing game developed and published by Picroma for Microsoft Windows. Wolfram von Funck, the game's designer, began developing the game in June 2011, and was later joined by his wife, Sarah. An alpha version of the game was released on July 2, 2013, but saw sparse updates and communication from von Funck, with many considering the game to be vaporware until he officially released it on September 30, 2019.
==Gameplay== thumb|left|A mage character on the overworld
In ''Cube World'', the player explores a large voxel-based world.<ref name= "RPS alpha">{{cite web |url= http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/07/15/some-time-with-cube-world/ |title= Some Time With: Cube World (Alpha) |date= July 15, 2013 |accessdate= July 18, 2013 |first= Jim |last= Rossignol |work= Rock, Paper, Shotgun |archive-date= July 18, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130718052332/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/07/15/some-time-with-cube-world/ |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.vg247.com/2013/07/07/the-magical-cube-world-gets-alpha-release-good-luck/ |title= The magical Cube World gets alpha release — good luck |date= July 7, 2013 |accessdate= July 18, 2013 |first= Phil |last= Owen |work= VG247 |archive-date= July 9, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130709042158/http://www.vg247.com/2013/07/07/the-magical-cube-world-gets-alpha-release-good-luck/ |url-status= live }}</ref> It contains dungeons, including caverns and overworld castles, as well as biomes including grasslands, snowlands, deserts, and oceans.<ref name="Kotaku play">{{cite web |url= http://kotaku.com/i-cant-stop-playing-cube-world-828697187 |title= I Can't Stop Playing Cube World |date= July 18, 2013 |accessdate= July 19, 2013 |first= Patricia |last= Hernandez |work= Kotaku |archive-date= July 21, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130721162213/http://kotaku.com/i-cant-stop-playing-cube-world-828697187 |url-status= live }}</ref> Players can use items such as hang gliders and boats to traverse the world more quickly.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/09/18/cube-world-exploration-rpg-gets-hang-gliders-dungeons-and-mega-bosses/ |title= Cube World: indie exploration RPG gets hang gliders, dungeons and mega bosses |date= September 18, 2012 |accessdate= July 18, 2013 |first= Tom |last= Senior |work= PC Gamer |archive-date= September 19, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120919232737/http://www.pcgamer.com/2012/09/18/cube-world-exploration-rpg-gets-hang-gliders-dungeons-and-mega-bosses/ |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.pcgamer.com/2013/05/08/new-cube-world-video-shows-the-indie-rpgs-approach-to-crafting-magic-sailing-and-stealth/ |title= New Cube World video shows the indie RPG's approach to crafting, magic, sailing and stealth |date= May 8, 2013 |accessdate= July 18, 2013 |first= Tom |last= Sykes |work= PC Gamer |archive-date= June 7, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130607155339/http://www.pcgamer.com/2013/05/08/new-cube-world-video-shows-the-indie-rpgs-approach-to-crafting-magic-sailing-and-stealth/ |url-status= live }}</ref>
The game features character creation, which involves the player first choosing a race and sex, then customising the look of the character.<ref name= "Kotaku play"/><ref name="Kotaku tips">{{cite web |url= http://kotaku.com/tips-for-playing-the-cube-world-alpha-885739884 |title= Tips For Playing The Cube World Alpha |date= July 23, 2013 |accessdate= July 24, 2013 |first= Patricia |last= Hernandez |work= Kotaku |archive-date= July 26, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130726001722/http://kotaku.com/tips-for-playing-the-cube-world-alpha-885739884 |url-status= live }}</ref> The player then chooses one of four classes: warrior, rogue, ranger, or mage, each of which have access to unique armour, weapons, and abilities.<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.shacknews.com/article/80038/cube-world-public-alpha-now-on-sale |title= Cube World public alpha now on sale |date= July 4, 2013 |accessdate= July 18, 2013 |first= Alice |last= O'Connor |work= Shacknews |archive-date= July 7, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130707185327/http://www.shacknews.com/article/80038/cube-world-public-alpha-now-on-sale |url-status= live }}</ref> The world is populated with monsters and creatures that can be killed for better armor and weapons, which results in stronger stats and abilities and allows players to choose specializations which best suit their playstyle, such as warriors being able to choose between focusing on damage or defensive abilities, or mages focusing on damage or healing abilities.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/10/11/classified-information-cube-world/ |title= Classified Information: Cube World |date= October 11, 2012 |accessdate= July 18, 2013 |work= Rock, Paper, Shotgun |first= Adam |last= Smith |archive-date= November 12, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201112013801/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/10/11/classified-information-cube-world/ |url-status= live }}</ref> Players can also tame animals, such as sheep or turtles, which fight alongside them, or, in some cases, can be ridden to traverse the world more quickly.<ref name="Kotaku play"/><ref name= "Kotaku tips"/> Crafting is also a part of the game; it allows players to create food, potions, weapons, and armor, as well as cosmetics.<ref name= "Kotaku tips"/><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/05/09/vox-rox-some-cube-world-video-to-make-you-happy/ |title= Vox Rox: Some Cube World Video To Make You Happy |date= May 9, 2013 |accessdate= July 18, 2013 |first= Craig |last= Pearson |work= Rock, Paper, Shotgun |archive-date= May 10, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130510080938/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/05/09/vox-rox-some-cube-world-video-to-make-you-happy/ |url-status= live }}</ref>
==Development== ''Cube World'' began development in June 2011, with designer Wolfram von Funck describing it as a 3D voxel-based game with a focus on exploration and role-playing game elements,<ref name= "June">{{cite web |url= http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/06/14/cube-world-looks-chunky/ |title= Cube World Looks Chunky |date= June 14, 2011 |first= Jim |last= Rossignol |work= Rock, Paper, Shotgun |accessdate= July 19, 2013 |archive-date= November 12, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20201112010501/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2011/06/14/cube-world-looks-chunky/ |url-status= live }}</ref> citing games such as ''The Legend of Zelda'', ''Secret of Mana'', and ''World of Warcraft'' as inspiration.<ref name= "poly">{{cite web |url= http://www.polygon.com/2013/7/30/4568442/cube-world-picroma-where-minecraft-meets-warcraft |title= Cube World: where Minecraft meets Warcraft |date= July 30, 2013 |accessdate= July 31, 2013 |first= Alexa |last= Corriea |work= Polygon |archive-date= July 31, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130731030958/http://www.polygon.com/2013/7/30/4568442/cube-world-picroma-where-minecraft-meets-warcraft |url-status= live }}</ref> He was later joined by his wife, Sarah von Funck, who contributed the game's sprites and assisted in implementing new content.<ref name= "RPS alpha"/><ref name= "poly"/> In January 2012, it was erroneously reported that ''Minecraft''{{'s}} developer Mojang had hired von Funck to help support him in developing ''Cube World''.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/01/05/mojang-hire-cube-world-developer/ |title= Mojang Hire Cube World Developer |date= January 5, 2012 |first= Adam |last= Smith |accessdate= July 19, 2013 |work= Rock, Paper, Shotgun |archive-date= January 8, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120108195056/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/01/05/mojang-hire-cube-world-developer/ |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/01/23/its-hip-to-be-cube-world/ |title= It's Hip To Be Cube World |date= January 23, 2012 |accessdate= July 19, 2013 |first= Adam |last= Smith |work= Rock, Paper, Shotgun |archive-date= January 26, 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120126035328/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/01/23/its-hip-to-be-cube-world/ |url-status= live }}</ref><ref name=july>{{cite web |url= http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2014/07/01/cube-world-quests/ |title= Worth The Wait? – Cube World Getting New Quests |work= Rock, Paper, Shotgun |first= Nathan |last= Grayson |date= July 1, 2014 |accessdate= 15 October 2014 |archive-date= 3 July 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140703075631/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2014/07/01/cube-world-quests/ |url-status= live }}</ref>
An alpha version of ''Cube World'' was first released on Picroma's website on July 2, 2013, but was eventually made unable to be repurchased.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |url= http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/07/03/cube-world-released-and-er-unbuyable/ |title= Cube World Released And, Er, Unbuyable |date= July 3, 2013 |accessdate= July 19, 2013 |first= Nathan |last= Grayson |work= Rock, Paper, Shotgun |archive-date= July 6, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130706005544/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/07/03/cube-world-released-and-er-unbuyable/ |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/you-could-briefly-buy-and-play-cube-world-very-briefly-655755911 |title=You Could Briefly Buy and Play ''Cube World''. Very Briefly. |last=Neltz |first=András |date=3 July 2013 |website=Kotaku |publisher=G/O Media |location=New York City |accessdate=18 July 2013 |archive-date=6 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130706175319/https://kotaku.com/you-could-briefly-buy-and-play-cube-world-very-briefly-655755911 |url-status=live }}</ref> At the time, the game's download server suffered a DDoS attack, an unexpected event which von Funck later described as traumatizing.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/07/09/cube-world-woes-continue-with-ddos-attacks/ |title= Cube World Woes Continue With DDoS Attacks |date= July 9, 2013 |accessdate= July 18, 2013 |work= Rock, Paper, Shotgun |first= Nathan |last= Grayson |archive-date= July 12, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130712220910/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/07/09/cube-world-woes-continue-with-ddos-attacks/ |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://kotaku.com/cube-world-developer-says-his-games-servers-are-under-695186771 |title= Cube World Developer Says His Game's Servers Are Under Attack |first= Patricia |last= Hernandez |date= June 8, 2013 |work= Kotaku |access-date= July 27, 2013 |archive-date= July 10, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130710215417/http://kotaku.com/cube-world-developer-says-his-games-servers-are-under-695186771 |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.pcgamesn.com/indie/cube-world-alpha-launch-scuppered-ddos-attacks-someone-trying-systematically-damage-our-business |title= Cube World alpha launch scuppered by DDoS attacks; "Someone is trying to systematically damage our business" |date= July 9, 2013 |accessdate= July 18, 2013 |first= Jeremy |last= Peel |work= PCGamesN |archive-date= July 11, 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130711203336/http://www.pcgamesn.com/indie/cube-world-alpha-launch-scuppered-ddos-attacks-someone-trying-systematically-damage-our-business |url-status= live }}</ref> During its alpha release, many players were concerned about further development of the game due to the general lack of updates from von Funck, with many considering the game to be vaporware, despite him stating several times during development that the game was still being worked on.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://kotaku.com/the-current-status-of-cube-world-and-why-fans-are-worr-1449026160 |title= The Current Status Of Cube World, And Why Fans Are Worried About It |date= 21 October 2013 |accessdate= 25 October 2013 |first= Patricia |last= Hernandez |work= Kotaku |archive-date= 25 October 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131025023445/http://kotaku.com/the-current-status-of-cube-world-and-why-fans-are-worr-1449026160 |url-status= live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = Despite 23 Months Without Updates, Cube World Devs Say Game Isn't Dead|url = http://kotaku.com/despite-23-months-without-updates-cube-world-devs-say-1717034639|accessdate = 2015-07-14|first = Patrick|last = Klepek|date = 10 July 2015|archive-date = 2015-07-13|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150713022350/http://kotaku.com/despite-23-months-without-updates-cube-world-devs-say-1717034639|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://kotaku.com/cube-world-hasnt-been-updated-in-years-but-some-fans-s-1795021131|title=Cube World Hasn't Been Updated In Years, But Some Fans Still Play Every Day|last=Hernandez|first=Patricia|date=May 8, 2017|work=Kotaku|access-date=May 9, 2017|archive-date=May 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170509004730/http://kotaku.com/cube-world-hasnt-been-updated-in-years-but-some-fans-s-1795021131|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2019, von Funck announced that the game would be officially released via Steam on September 30, and that purchasers of the alpha release would receive a Steam key for free.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chalk |first1=Andy |title=Cube World ends a half-decade of silence, announces imminent launch on Steam |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/cube-world-ends-a-half-decade-of-silence-announces-imminent-launch-on-steam/ |website=PC Gamer |date=6 September 2019 |accessdate=10 September 2019 |archive-date=7 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190907182925/https://www.pcgamer.com/cube-world-ends-a-half-decade-of-silence-announces-imminent-launch-on-steam/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Schreier |first1=Jason |title=After Disappearing For Six Years, Cube World Is Finally Coming Out |url=https://kotaku.com/after-disappearing-for-six-years-cube-world-is-finally-1837938692 |website=Kotaku |date=6 September 2019 |accessdate=10 September 2019 |archive-date=9 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190909224519/https://kotaku.com/after-disappearing-for-six-years-cube-world-is-finally-1837938692 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Wales |first1=Matt |title=Long-in-the-works voxel-based action-RPG Cube World is out at the end of September |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-09-20-long-in-the-works-voxel-based-action-rpg-cube-world-is-out-at-the-end-of-september |website=Eurogamer |date=20 September 2019 |accessdate=20 September 2019 |archive-date=20 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920190040/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-09-20-long-in-the-works-voxel-based-action-rpg-cube-world-is-out-at-the-end-of-september |url-status=live }}</ref>
In May 2023, nearly four years after release and since the last update, von Funck announced the development of ''Cube World Omega'', the name being a reference to the alpha version of the game and his intent to "develop it in the spirit of that version, but with a new engine and new features."<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Fenlon |first=Wes |date=May 25, 2023 |title=Somebody check if hell's frozen over, because 2010s voxel RPG Cube World is back |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/somebody-check-if-hells-frozen-over-because-2010s-voxel-rpg-cube-world-is-back/ |access-date=October 13, 2025 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Royce |first=Bree |date=May 26, 2023 |title=Cube World creator emerges from hibernation to announce Cube World Omega |url=https://massivelyop.com/2023/05/26/cube-world-creator-emerges-from-hibernation-to-announce-cube-world-omega/ |access-date=October 13, 2025 |website=Massively Overpowered |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=von Funck |first=Wolfram |date=May 25, 2023 |title=New blog and new project: Cube World Omega |url=https://wollay.com/2023/05/25/new-blog-and-new-project-cube-world-omega/ |access-date=October 13, 2025 |website=Wollay's Blog |language=en}}</ref> ''Omega'' is to include a new graphics engine, procedurally generated characters, and a new GUI, along with alpha features that were dropped in the full release, like experience, leveling, and skill trees.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" /> As of 2025, ''Omega'' is still in development.<ref>{{Cite tweet |author=Wolfram von Funck |user=wol_lay |number=1962822188060266567 |date=September 2, 2025 |title=My new engine is running on Linux too! Also making progress with the voxel user interface and working on a new multiplayer architecture. |access-date=October 13, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>
==Reception== The full release of the game has been criticized for its region-based progression system and balancing issues.<ref name="Polygon">{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/10/3/20896913/cube-world-steam-release-wollay-funck-hype-reception |title=Cube World was never going to live up to the hype |last=Hernandez |first=Patricia |date=3 October 2019 |website=Polygon |publisher=Vox Media |accessdate=10 December 2019 |archive-date=3 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191003172741/https://www.polygon.com/2019/10/3/20896913/cube-world-steam-release-wollay-funck-hype-reception |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamestar.de/artikel/cube-world-im-test,3349767.html |title=Cube World im Test: Der einstige Youtube-Hit legt nach 6 Jahren eine Bruchlandung hin |last=Deppe |first=Martin |date=4 October 2019 |website=GameStar |publisher=Webedia Gaming |location=Munich |language=de |trans-title=Cube World in the test: The former YouTube hit made a crash landing after 6 years |accessdate=10 December 2019 |archive-date=6 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006050044/https://www.gamestar.de/artikel/cube-world-im-test,3349767.html |url-status=live }}</ref> James Davenport of ''PC Gamer'' criticized the repetitiveness of the game, calling it "shallow" and "boring".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/cube-worlds-infinite-fantasy-landscape-is-infinitely-boring/ |title=Cube World's infinite fantasy landscape is infinitely boring |last=Davenport |first=James |date=30 September 2019 |website=PC Gamer |publisher=Future US |location=New York City |accessdate=10 December 2019 |archive-date=1 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001171007/https://www.pcgamer.com/cube-worlds-infinite-fantasy-landscape-is-infinitely-boring/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Luke Plunkett of ''Kotaku'' wrote that although the world was "very pretty", it is "badly in need of a tutorial" and "somehow worse than its alpha".<ref name="Kotaku">{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/cube-world-wasnt-worth-the-wait-1838609411 |title=''Cube World'' Wasn't Worth The Wait |last=Plunkett |first=Luke |date=30 September 2019 |website=Kotaku |publisher=G/O Media |location=New York City |accessdate=10 December 2019 |archive-date=1 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001031327/https://kotaku.com/cube-world-wasnt-worth-the-wait-1838609411 |url-status=live }}</ref> Some reviewers commented that the game could not live up to fans' expectations after an extended wait.<ref name="Polygon"/><ref name="Kotaku"/> However, the alpha version was praised by ''Rock Paper Shotgun'' for its compulsion loop and visuals.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rossignol |first=Jim |date=2013-07-15 |title=Some Time With: Cube World (Alpha) |language=en |work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/some-time-with-cube-world |access-date=2022-05-02 |archive-date=2022-05-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502085524/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/some-time-with-cube-world |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Kotaku play" /><ref name="RPS alpha" />
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== * {{official website|https://cubeworld.com/}}
Category:2019 video games Category:Action role-playing video games Category:Cooperative video games Category:Fantasy video games Category:Indie games Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games Category:Open-world video games Category:Survival video games Category:Video games developed in Germany Category:Video games with gender-selectable protagonists Category:Video games using procedural generation Category:Video games with voxel graphics Category:Windows games Category:Windows-only games