The start of a lonely journey

The world seems so large when you're all alone. As I explore yet another abandoned minehole, I wonder to myself if this used to be the pride of some village.

Countless rune stones litter the landscape. Some of them serve as reminders to those who came before us.

I even find whole villages abandoned, yet untouched. Perhaps the remaining raiders have lost interest, since there is no fight for them here.

Returning to the old world, one last time

While waiting for Haven and Hearth 2.0, I've decided to create a new character and check out the current game world (World 7). With abandoned ruins in every direction, I'll scavenge what I can to get a head start.

Since when did this game feel like a post-apocalyptic setting? I'm getting flashbacks of Fallout every time I explore another ruin.

As I search through another full cabinet, I wonder about its original owner. Where are they now? Are they still in the game somewhere?

Most places I find are completely empty, though. I'll post more updates as I wander around and explore.

New Character Checklist

Starting a new character can be a tedious process for new and old players alike. However, I found that there are some early tasks and skills that speed up the growth of any type of player. This checklist covers these essentials.

Character Creation Room

• In Personal Beliefs, move the Martial/Peaceful slider towards Peaceful for additional Learning Ability
• Get the following from the chest: Linen Pants, Linen Shirt, Clogs, Torch and Newsboy's Cap or High Hat
• Discover the following for Learning Points (LP):
• Unequip and Re-equip: Linen Pants, Linen Shirt
• Digging: Sand
• Learn Foraging (25 LP) and Hunting (60 LP)

After Spawning

• Discover the following for Learning Points (LP):
• Trees: Branch, Bough, Bark, Cone/Seed/Fruit
• Boulders: Stone
• Digging: Soil, Clay
• Craft and equip a Stone Axe

After Nearby Exploration

• Discover the following for Learning Points (LP):
• Foraging: Spindly Taproot (String), Blueberries
• Hunting: Rabbits or Chickens: Bone Material, Rabbit Fur/Feather, Meat
• Craft and equip a Bone Saw
• Learn Lumberjacking (150 LP) and Carpentry (200 LP)
• Discover the following for Learning Points (LP):
• Lumberjacking: Block, Board
• Carpentry: Wooden Cup, Wooden Cutlery, Wicker Breadbasket, Wood Plate, Bucket

A little preparation goes a long way!

Getting Started in Haven and Hearth

Haven and Hearth can be fairly confusing for a newcomer, so I've decided to list out three key steps to help get you started.

First, create an account
- Visit http://www.havenandhearth.com
- Click the "Play" button at the top center
- Select "Register" and activate your account via E-mail

Second, install one of the custom clients. The game developers allow the player community to improve and optimize on the default client. In fact, they've been known to use player-made client programs themselves. Ender's Client is one of the most popular client programs.

Third, visit the "How do I?" topics at the Haven and Hearth Forums. I found Sevenless' Guide for Beginning Players to be most helpful in understanding the game's often cryptic mechanics. Follow these three steps, and you'll soon be on your way to a homestead of your very own!

Rewind: What is Haven and Hearth?

Introduction
Haven and Hearth is a sandbox online game that started in 2008. Unlike most mainstream games today, individual player choices actually have a permanent and lasting effect on the game world and the rest of its inhabitants.

Open Persistent World
See that tree? Cut it down and its stump will be left as your own little footprint for everyone else to see. That is, unless someone else chooses to remove it and plant a new sapling in its place.

Man Against Nature
Demonstrate your skills by staying alive in the vast wilderness. Hungry? Forage for berries, hunt animals or even start your own farm. Thirsty? Find a nearby stream or dig a well. Tired? Sleep in anything from a bed of leaves in the outdoors to a soft feather bed in your own stone mansion.

You Only Live Once
Death has lasting consequences, so make your life count! Punch that wild bear? Expect to get mauled. Swim without training? Expect to drown. Steal from neighbors? Expect someone to slit your throat in your sleep.

Write Your Own Story
Choose to play with others in a village or shy away from a civilization as the lone hermit. Master carpentry, fishing, mining and countless other crafts. Raid and pillage the weak, or hunt down criminals in the name of justice.

Learn more from: Jackard's H&H gameplay guide
Screenshots from the "Screenshots of World 7" thread, H&H Forums

Release date of the new and improved Haven & Hearth: August 21st, 2015

Source: http://www.havenandhearth.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=38988&sid=834ea4d66192f715254865cb44e7cd13

Last May 20, 2015, Seatribe did something unthinkable - they announced an actual release date for their upcoming update to the Sandbox Survival MMO Haven and Hearth. Since first bumping into this unique game in 2011, I was pleased to hear that they have finally decided to take the game to the next level. See the old intro video below for a quick visual comparison.

 
Besides the obvious graphical improvements, they have made a number of changes to improve the mechanics of the game. Needless to say, I am quite hyped. Dust off your stone axe, sharpen your bone saw and put on your top hat. Another new adventure awaits!