[PC][2008-2013??]Obscure freeware indie sci-fi MMO from late 2000s or early 2010s in which you built up an interstellar civilization, starting from one planet.

EDIT: Found it! game is Shores of Hazeron.

Platform(s): PC Genre: MMO/Civ Building Estimated year of release: late 2000's/early 2010's Graphics/art style: Crude 3D graphics, randomly generated creatures/planets Notable gameplay mechanics: Civ-building, spaceship design, player faction system.

More details: The graphics were absolutely HORRENDOUS, I don't remember if the player races were randomly generated or if you could create your own but they were very simplistic, think a couple shapes mashed together with an ill-fitting texture.

Players could form factions with each other, and it was recommended that new players join an existing faction rather than try to play by themselves.

The gameplay was really complicated and there was very little in the way of documentation, making it tough to figure out. I know you started by gathering resources like oil and metal and building up a city, and eventually you could design spaceships and expand your species to new planets and solar systems.

The game was super indie; made by a small team or maybe even one person. I remember there was a global chat and sometimes a developer would get in arguments with players.

I found it while scouring the web for free games, I think in a list titled something along the lines of "100 free PC games you haven't heard of."

Finally, it wasn't Spore! I've tried to find this game before and people kept suggesting Spore.