For the Norwegian black metal band, see Darkthrone.
Dark Throne is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG). It was built by Lazarus Software, who programmed it in PHP. The game is currently in development/Beta stage (Omega testing is also being completed by players with who reach certain criteria in Beta), with prizes promised for top players when the full version is released. There is no cost to play the game; it is supported by advertising.
The Omega test is a test of the final (Gold) version of the game. Players who participated in the Alpha test, or who are at or above level 20 in Beta will be able to participate in this test, where they will be able to test new features for Gold while they are being developed.
One of the major features of Dark Throne is the recruiter mechanic. The primary way to gain citizens in the game (which are used to train soldiers and the like) is by having people click on a unique recruiter link, which each player is provided with. An anti- spam policy is enforced to ensure that these links are not sent out as spam. Every time the link is clicked, the player receives an untrained citizen and 250 gold. An in-game recruiter has been implemented, where a player can click other player's links up to 350 times a day (400 in the Omega test) which are recorded and allow the player to receive up to 250 citizens a day (300 in the Omega test) and a small amount of gold. Many Alliances also have their own out of game recruiter.
A large community has built up around this game. There is also an unoffical community channel which is run by the user __RavErz__, and a few people with knowledge of IRC. The channel has a java client located * here. It can be accessed on the channel at ultimate.outsiderz.com:7000 #darkthrone with an IRC client.
Lazarus Software held a charity drive during the 2004 holiday season and raised over $10,000 (USD) for the Childrens Hospital in New York. Another charity drive started right before New Years 2006, and Lazarus Software raised another $10,000 (USD), the charity drive was recently ended.