Sometimes, you just want an online MMORPG experience that isn’t just about fetch quests and grinding. You just want to build a homestead of your own, invite your pals over, and even interact with the nearby villagers while tending to your crops & outdoor furnishing.

That’s what Palia is all about: it’s an MMORPG that’s all about community-building & hanging out with your pals (ala The Sims, Animal Crossing, and so forth) but in a vast MMO scale. The game is made by a group called Singularity 6, which is started up by ex-Riot Games developers Aidan Karabaich and Anthony Leung.

Palia took them three years to build, which is understandable given the scope they’re going for. Not only can you build your dream home and customize it to your whim, but you can also romance NPCs. This might be a bit odd since an NPC might also be romanced by someone you know on an MMO setting, but we’ll see how this plays out later down the line.

And yes, you still need to head out to the woods and farm for materials, but at least you can get more rewards by grouping together with your pals. Check out the announcement trailer below. The game will host a pre-alpha session which you can sign up for right now.