Bluehole Studio is preparing for the next TERA. The studio announced that they are recruiting developers who will participate in developing the next title.
The studio has innovated PC MMORPG with console-level graphics and free-targeting system in TERA. They are preparing the next evolution with their new project with the creator from TERA and Vindictus.
The studio is recruiting developers and artists through various filed such as Server/client programmers, UI designers, Background artists etc.
En Masse Entertainment kicked off MMORPG <TERA>’s pre-order in North America since February 1.
The pre-order offers Standard Edition(US$49.99) and Collector’e Edition(US$79.99) which includes game items, manual, OST through box package and digital download. The digital Collector’s Edition costs only US$59.99.
It also gives away tickets to the buyers that allow them participating all the closed beta tests held prior to the official launch.
<TERA>’s first CBT in NA will be launched this 10th of February, followed by four more CBTs in the future.
“Every thing for launching <TERA> in NA is okay, and we are currently finalizing it,” said Chris Lee. “We will provide more opportunities for the fans before the official launch.”
<TERA> is scheduled to be officially launched in NA and Europe on May 1 and 3 respectively.
TERA at E3 2011
NCsoft and its North American corporation NC Interactive have submitted a case to a southern district court in New York province, the U.S. for a prohibition of launching <TERA> in the U.S. as well as return of confidential information and a compensation claim on the 9th of January; the defendants of the case are Bluehole Studio and En Mass Entertainment, respectively the developer and the North American publisher of MMORPG <TERA>.
NCsoft has asserted that Bluehole Studio has violated the copyright on MMORPG <Lineage 3> which used to be ceased for a while as Bluehole Studio leaked core technology of it, also stating violation of business secrets, violation of Non Disclosure Agreement(NDA), unfair competition, and other reasons.
To help you understand this situation, NCsoft and Bluehole’s ill-fated relationship has developed since last 2007.
In 2007, NCsoft requested a police investigation over Bluehole for leakage of the business secrets of <Lineage 3> in Korea. In August 2008, it sued Bluehole for that <TERA> derived from its then next generation MMORPG and claimed US$5.8M for damage. In December of the same year, the prosecution charged five ex-<Lineage 3> developers for the leaked secrets.
In 2010, the Korean court ruled that the defendant’s firm is not guilty but the five are guilty.
But <TERA> in the U.S. has not even launched yet. Then why would NCsoft sue them there, not in Japan where the commercial service already started off? And why now?
Most of the industry officials deem that NCsoft is trying to interrupt the NA server which is scheduled to be open on May 1. Moreover, it’s drawing the industry’s attention as the lawsuit is taking place while a controversy over protecting copyrights, SOPA and PIPA for examples, is going on in the U.S. today.
Both companies are unforthcoming about the situation. “We are looking for a law firm in NA and will announce our official stance as soon as we find one,” said a Bluehole official. “Take this lawsuit as prolongation of the lawsuit in Korea,” said a NCsoft official.
[Update: Clarified a few terms to prevent any possible misunderstanding.]
The number of Japanese <TERA>’s server is going to shrink to a third.
NHN Japan announced it yesterday at the official site and the server consolidation will take place on January 5. <TERA> in Japan has just started publishing its commercial service 5 months ago.
During the OBT, <TERA> had shown 48,000 concurrent users(CCU) which was a remarkable number in the market. Its cute female race Elin was especially so popular that the fans created so many UCCs about her.
However its expensive monthly subscription of US$38.50, the advent of bot-program, and frequent bugs after a recent all-out update have beset itself seriously.
To grasp its players tight, NHN Japan increased free time for new players from 20 to 40 hours while holding an event that reduces cooltime of dungeons to half with double chance for valuable items.
NHN Japan said “Although the CCU has been decreased from the initial start it is now more stable than we expected. The server consolidation is to promote better cooperative play.”
<TERA> in Korea also had combined its servers last May after its OBT in January of the same year.
<Tera> developed by Bluehole studio had done a stress test to check the server overload on from Nov. 26th to 29th.
New customizing features had been unveiled through the test. Players can choose face, eyes, nose, mouth, and so on. Let’s watch the video for more detail. :)
