Castles Go Massively Online in Stronghold Kingdoms

Firefly Studios today announced its popular castle-building series Stronghold will invade online realms with Stronghold Kingdoms, "the world's first castle based MMO."

Becoming a virtual peasant in a virtual Britain, players can build power in a variety of ways, from growing apples in a quaint village to building a great castle and mighty army.

War and peace, respectively, in medieval Britain.

The MMO side lets you raid your neighbours, trade with them, or leave them well enough alone as you happily raise sheep. Rankings tracks your competition with other virtual Britons and grant such titles as "Besieger of the month" and "Apple farmer of the day." Factions, lords and vassals, elections, and a battle for the crown will also feature.

Firefly has yet to announce subscription fees--if any--for Kingdoms, due out in 2010.