Previously known as Annex, Pioneers of New Dawn (PoND) takes place in a persistent, single-shared world where nature has taken over the remnants of a vanished civilization.

Pioneers of New Dawn (PoND) is a sandbox MMO set in the persistent world of New Dawn, a planet finally rejuvenated centuries after a global ecological disaster. It beckons Pioneers, the optimistic descendants of its former inhabitants, urging them to return and embark on a journey of exploration, surveying remnants of a bygone era and rebuilding society in balance with the ever-evolving environment. From searching for resources, building infrastructure, solving logistical challenges, establishing outposts and trade networks to creating thriving colonies, they endeavor to leave their mark on New Dawn, writing a bright, new chapter for humanity - together.

Arctic Theory will implement a deliberate launch strategy, introducing the vital game loops for PoND via a closed alpha phase, the official date of which will be announced in Q4 2023. This approach will provide players with a robust introduction to the game world and a clear understanding of its foundational mechanics, including exploration, surveying, and settlement building. As development progresses, the team will carefully incorporate new and increasingly ambitious features leading to the full release.

Gísli Konráðsson, Creative Director and Co-Founder, elaborates on the studio's approach, stating, "There's a trend in our industry of making grand announcements about groundbreaking features and immersive world-building mechanics in games that often fall short at launch, especially in the MMO genre. While our approach for the rollout of Pioneers of New Dawn may not be groundbreaking, it is designed to deliver on our promises from day one, and allows players to experience the game as it grows and evolves. Furthermore, our strategy prioritizes providing authentic opportunities for feedback, and offering a transparent timeline for development milestones so players feel both informed and confident that PoND will deliver on its goals.”

As a step in this process, Arctic Theory has revamped and relaunched its official website. The redesign features a dedicated section for dev blogs, studio news, and video content. It also offers a newsletter sign-up for those interested in keeping up-to-date with the latest information about Pioneers of New Dawn's launch, playtesting, and ongoing development. Additionally, those who sign up for the newsletter will be granted special offers, exclusive invitations to in-game events, and priority selection for the PoND pre-alpha.

Publicist and Brand Manager, Dustin Hucks, emphasizes the studio's core principles of transparency and open dialogue. He states, "Our objective is a constant flow of information to players and media about Pioneers of New Dawn from now until its full release. We'll provide regular updates that include 3D assets, gameplay animations, snippets, content schedules, team interviews, blogs, and multiple avenues for community feedback. The aim is to ensure everyone is  well-informed of our progress, the timing of our actions, and the principles guiding our decisions."

The studio caps off its announcement by revealing a new company logo, featuring an icon of the unique Icelandic landscape - the Arctic fox. 

Concludes Gísli, "Our logo holds both personal significance to us and will hopefully be recognized as a symbol of innovation in the MMO genre in due time.That aspiration begins with Pioneers of New Dawn. We're thrilled to invite everyone on this journey with us."