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Archive for January, 2011

Webzen Took Over Metin 2 Developer

January 31st, 2011

On January 26, Webzen has taken over 100% share of the ownership of YMIR Entertainment, the developer of <Metin 2> which has reached the biggest CCU in Europe.

In Europe, <Metin 2> has been known as a game overwhelmed <World of Warcraft> with more than 300,000 CCU. It is being serviced in 18 languages include Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, and so on.

According to the 2010 Korean Game White Book, about 7m active gamers from only Europe enjoys <Metin 2> published in Europe by Gameforge.

Webzen is looking forward to expanding the cooperation with Gameforge in order to create global business and better synergy which ultimately increase its own brand value?dramatically?upon the acquisition of the IP of <Metin> series.

“Asia has leaded the online game so far but the Europe market will gradually grow significantly. The acquisition means our first step forward the opportunity and earnest start for Europe oriented ‘Global Webzen’ with diversifying channeling and expanding global line up for the potential overseas market,” said ChangKeun Kim the CEO of Webzen.

3 comments »

Posted in Europe, Korean Games Industry

Tags: acquisition metin metin 2 Webzen ymir entertainment

Nexon Site Reformed as SNS

January 28th, 2011

Nexon has reformed its official site with adding social network feature on January 27.

The Nexon site is about to grow as a game network platform beyond a just game portal site by adding its personal page called Nexon Home. The Nexon Home features ping/pong(following/follower), archive of 4 Nexon games(Bubble Fighters, Mabinogi Heroes, Kart Rider, and Counter Strike Online), character profile, and Nexon Star which shares the information of who is high level or famous in game.

Gamers can instantly play their favorite game by clicking ‘Start Game’ button at the Nexon Home and can chat with friends or GMs just like Twitter.

“The fact that SNS users over the world is approaching about 1,000m is?both new assignment and new opportunity for another growth for the online game industry. The Nexon Home is the first game network platform from Korean online game portal site. It will help gamers who have the same interest communicate each other within the Nexon Home,” said Min Seo the CEO of Nexon.

82 comments »

Posted in Korean Games Industry

Tags: game network platform Nexon nexon home sns

B&S for iPhone Comes True

January 27th, 2011

Remember NCsoft’s joke on last April Fool’s Day?

NCsoft joked that they stopped developing <Blade & Soul>?for PC and?will develop it for iOS. And surprisingly it eventually comes true.

NCsoft has recently recruited developers for <Blade & Soul Expansion> which is a spin-off game based on iOS. According to NCsoft’s notice, they are looking for server programmer, client programmer, and 3D lead artist who is experienced with Unreal engine 3 and?in developing iOS ?game although it is a iPhone/iPad game. So the game might be a?multi play?based online game.

It seems mobile version of <Blade & Soul> was able to come true as Epic Games’ <Infinity Blade> introduced amazing 3D graphic on iOS.

Epic Games also has said at E3 2010, “Such games as <Blade & Soul> can be developed if Unreal engine for iOS is completed.”

“Our all games are being developed for their various possibility. The recruitment is just for trial projects. No one knows if the project really goes on or any product derives from it. So the recruitment for <Blade & Soul Expansion> is the same as well,” said NCsoft.

285 comments »

Posted in Korean Games Industry

Tags: Blade & Soul epic games infinity blade ios NCSoft recruitment

Nexon Long for Freestyle Football

January 26th, 2011

<Freestyle Football> has been risen as a ‘channeling blue-chip’ online game in Korean game industry and is about to sign with Nexon.

According to our cover, JCE and Nexon are preparing to launch its channeling service via nexon.com. It engages attention as it is a collaborative publishing include marketing, PC bang(internet cafe) promotion, and so on.

Nexon has agreed but has announced it is not yet fixed.

<Freestyle Football> developed by JCE has launched its OBT in last November and started commercial service in last December successfully. It had reached 40,000 CCU when it opens and has been maintaining certain number of CCU so far. As a result, it has become number 1 for the channeling nominee in Korean game industry. Many major game portal companies looking for a good sports online game which is profitable and persistent offered JCE for collaboration.

<Freestyle Football> is now available via JCE’s direct service and the channeling service of DAUM, a portal site. Still JCE is looking for more major game portals in order to gather more gamers for longer success.

Nexon can supplement the sports genre which is deficient to its line-up. Also Nexon might embrace <Freestyle 2> next time as well if it works this time.

210 comments »

Posted in Korean Games Industry

Tags: channeling football freestlye JCE Nexon publishing

Welcome to TERA

January 25th, 2011

<TERA> developed by Bluehole Studio and published in Korea by NHN is open for commercial service today(January 25).

With opening the gate of <TERA>, it updated massive content such as uncapped max level to 50, new territories like Shara and Alemansia(unofficial names), 15 new fields, 2 new instanced dungeons, new weapons and armors, new skills for each classes, PvP arenas for 5v5 and 10v10, and politic system.

“We will provide another fun and joy to the fan by updating new content and many features additionally through the commercial service. As <TERA> finally launched the commercial service after all the tests, we will put our all effort in providing stable service to our fans,” said the spokesman of Wook Jung the CEO of Hangame.