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.
RADA Studio, which CJ Games invested 100%, was closed.
RADA Studio was established by Yong Hyun Park who developed TERA in last November. With the studio closed, MMORPG project also has been canceled as well.
According to CJ Games “Yes, RADA Studio is closed. We proposed them to develop mobile games, but they do not want. So we both agreed to close the studio.” CJ Games invested about $723,000 so far on the studio.
Because CJ Games sold all shares of SOFTMAX who is developing MMORPG ‘The Was of Genesis 4’ in April, 2012 as well, people are questioning that CJ Games might consider scaling AAA MMORPG business down.
A person from CJ Games said “Our online game business strategy has not been changed. We have an internal MMORPG project, too.”
Which Korean online game companies will be appeared at E3 2012? Nexon, Wemade, CJ E&M, Eastsoft, Bluehole Studio will be there.
Nexon brings ‘Dungeon&Fighters Live’ for Xbox360 at E3 and will be held media showcase on the 6th of June. ‘Dungeon&Fighters Live’ is similar to its online game version, but supports 720p for TV. It supports single play as well as party play through Xbox Live.
Wemade Entertainment will announce 8 mobile games – ‘Choas&Defense’, ‘Goblin Mobile’, ‘Friend Fighter’, ‘Pet Island’, ‘Hero Square’, ‘Rhythm Scandal’, and ‘Project Q’ for the first time.
CJ E&M will introduce various online games includes ‘S2 Online’, ‘Bloody Hunter’, and a Roleplaying Shooting ‘Hounds’, MMORPG ‘Monarch’. Eastsoft will bring ‘Cabal 2’, which ended CBT last November. Bluehole Studio will have a booth for ‘Tera’, while Maiet Entertainment will show ‘Raiderz‘ at Perfectworld booth.
Supreme Court confirm the original verdict that former Lineage3 Development Team members’ suspicion of leaking Lineage3 Trade secret on the 16th of April. The suit was leaded by the prosecution not by NCSoft.
The prosecution appealed against the decision of the court of first instance that some are acquitted in June, 2009. High Court judged them guilty again and some of them received tougher punishment than the court of first instance.
Supreme Court only confirms the case is guilty or not. The former head of department was sentenced to one and half year in prison with 2 years of probation. The former team manager of development was found not guilty at the court of first instance, but sentenced 8 months in prison with 2 years of probation at High Court. Some of team members was fined US$6,100~8,800.
A person from NCSoft said “Leaking trade secret is the important issue of life or death to the company. The judgment from Supreme Court could establish a good precedent to people who work at IT companies where resignation and changing jobs are common depends on the success of the project.”
Beside of the prosecution’s suit, the civil case for damages leaded by NCSoft is waited for the court’s ruling. NCSoft claim damages of US 5.7 million against Bluehole Studios, the developer of TERA. NCsoft won the original trial, but Bluehole Studio won the second trial.
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.
