Solo developer Brian, operating under the studio name Burgee Media, has crafted a unique solution for the MMORPG experience he was denied during his EverQuest days due to a poor internet connection. The result is Erenshor, a fully simulated, singleplayer MMORPG that has become a successful experiment in procedural social dynamics.
Currently boasting an impressive 94% positive review rating on Steam, the game features dozens of quests, expansive zones, and computer-controlled "simplayers" who form guilds, group up, and hunt their own loot. This summer, Burgee Media is expanding that simulation significantly: Erenshor is finally getting raids.
The Four God-Tier Raids
Coming in a major update later this year, max-level players will be able to access four distinct raids. Each raid is located within an otherworldly plane aligned with one of Erenshor’s gods, offering a traditional endgame loot grind that scales alongside the game's evolving simulation.
To enter these challenges, players will need to find specific runes. Once inside, they will fight in raid groups alongside 14 of the faux MMO's simplayers. The update introduces four progression tiers of endgame content:
- Trash Mobs: Farming for class-specific armor drops.
- Early Bosses: Confronting initial guardians for capes, jewelry, and weapons.
- Advanced Mechanics: Navigating complex boss interactions.
- Divine Confrontations: Ultimately facing the gods themselves.
Burgee Media states that this raid update will add over 120 new gear drops from more than 20 bosses, along with over a dozen new spells and skills. This amounts to approximately 20 to 40 hours of content for the average player. Additionally, a new raid UI has been implemented to help players plan how their simulated parties navigate the specific mechanics of each boss.
Simulated Guild Drama
While the loot and mechanics are impressive, there is a secondary layer to this update: simplayer behavior.
As a purely casual MMO player, I have always maintained a deep appreciation for the psychological pressure cooker that raid loot creates in human groups. MMO raids often act as a mirror for character flaws, where best-in-slot purple items can trigger betrayals and infighting that would make Machiavelli blush. It is a morbid fascination, but one that defines the endgame MMO experience.
I have been hoping that Erenshor’s simplayers could emulate this messy, human element of endgame raiding without the real-world psychosocial hazards. Previously, Brian stated that while imagining computer-controlled players performing maladaptive MMO behavior was fun, it wasn't enjoyable when it actually happened. However, his stance has shifted.
In a previous patch, Burgee introduced the "Friends Club," a "comically tryhard" guild of elitist simplayers. This group engages in mild toxicity, such as minimizing player successes and refusing to trade "trash" items. Speaking to PC Gamer over email, Brian clarified that while "truly bad simplayer behavior would be anti-fun," the Friends Club will now dabble in raid drama once the summer update hits.
The Future of Erenshor
While the simulation likely won't reach the depth of real human folly—such as simplayer divorces over loot distribution—it offers a promising way to taste the thrill of endgame MMO loot. It allows players to engage with the genre’s most demanding content without the scheduling expectations or the potential for real-world interpersonal conflict.
The raid update does not yet have a specific release date, but it is confirmed to arrive sometime this summer. Players can start experiencing the base game on Steam now.
Looking ahead, Burgee Media has outlined a clear path to the game's 1.0 launch. A fifth and final raid is scheduled for a later update, which will serve as Erenshor’s last major content drop before its official full release in 2026.
