Let’s go check out the details of the licensing agreement:

Sanrio Digital and Level Up! Games, the Philippines’ first and leading online games publisher, have announced a distribution agreement to launch Hello Kitty Online in the Philippines.

Hello Kitty Online is the eagerly anticipated official massively multiplayer online role-playing game of the Hello Kitty universe. Under the terms of agreement, Level Up! will publish and operate an English-language version of Hello Kitty Online in the Philippines.

“We are very excited to publish a local version of Hello Kitty Online with Level Up!, the Philippines’ leader in online games publishing. Their proven track record and experience in online gaming will be instrumental in bringing Hello Kitty Online to a young and dynamic new audience,” said Yat Siu, chief executive officer of Sanrio Digital.

Level Up! Games CEO Jane Walker added, “Level Up! Games is delighted that Sanrio, one of the world’s most celebrated brands, has given us the privilege of bringing Hello Kitty Online to our country. We’re confident that, like Sanrio’s well-loved characters, the game will find a special place in Filipino hearts.”

Hello Kitty Online is the official MMORPG based on the popular Sanrio character. The game, currently in its beta stage, will launch this year on a free-to-play model with optional premium upgrades. Players will explore and experience magnificent adventures in the magical and cute world of Sanrio Land as they interact with other players and more than a hundred Sanrio characters, including Hello Kitty, Badtz-Maru, Cinnamoroll, and many others.

The game is one of the few MMORPG titles to target a female gaming audience. Aside from redefining traditional MMO gaming with the inclusion of integrated social media services, Hello Kitty Online seeks to make playing more worthwhile by connecting the virtual world with real charity events. Recently, the beta in-game event called “Food for Friends” asked players to craft and donate virtual items; the event generated hundreds of thousands of submissions and raised USD 12,000 for the United Nations Children’s Fund and the Asian Youth Orchestra.

Wunnerful.

Post from: MMOtaku

Wait a minute? Empire of Sports? For the uninformed (don’t worry, I was clueless about the game until only a couple of hours ago), here’s a brief backgrounder:

Empire of Sports is an online multisport massively multiplayer online role-playing game developed by the French company F4. The game was first unveiled at the Leipzig Games Convention in August 2007.

Despite having been demo-ed almost two years ago, Empire of Sports is still in what its developer calls a Prologue stage. But it’s open to the public, meaning you can register an account, download the game and play it, presumably from anywhere. If you have more questions go visit the official site.

Going back to the topic, yes, the Giant Interactive Group is set to launch Empire of Sports in China. Here’s the lowdown from online games portal 17173:

Empire of Sports Chinese Technical Test on March 27

Giant Interactive Group recently announced the technical test for Empire of Sports would start on March 27. The limited test keys would be given away soon, the company said.

Empire of Sports is a 3D massively multiplayer online role-playing game that takes place in the first MMO game world with multiple sports. The selection of sports include football, basketball, tennis, skiing, track and field, and bobsleigh.

Players will be able to build up their characters using different training regiments. Depending on how the character’s training progresses, he or she will possess different skill sets and be able to apply them to the appropriate sports. For example, if a character focuses his training on his legs, then he would gain more potential for football, whereas if he concentrates on working out his arms, then he could apply his strength for a formidable tennis serve.

Enough of my prattle. Check out this video trailer of Empire of Sports:

Post from: MMOtaku

Let’s take a closer look at the announcement courtesy of China-based online games portal 17173:

The9 Gets FIFA Online 2 Beta Version to China

The development of open beta version of FIFA Online 2 is almost finished. On March 13, 2009, a group of executives from The9 flew to Korea to confirm the final copy of the game, which they plan to bring back to China in a new few days.

The two parties, The9 and (presumably) EA Sports, have discussed several issues including optimizing the online gaming experience of Chinese gamers.

Post from: MMOtaku

Apparently, it is. And I’ve been to a dozen or so Internet gaming cafes in Metro Manila and some provinces that serve up MU Online to its loyal fanbase.

Well, here’s good news to MU Online fanatics: Season 4 is coming, and its arrival depends on how strong you clamor for it.

At this point, let me just shut my trap and let the guys at Digital Media Exchange do the talking:

MU Online’s Season 4 is coming

Digital Media Exchange Inc., one of the leading games publishers in the Philippines, has announced that the highly anticipated Season 4 of popular MMORPG MU Online is coming.

The MU Online faithful have been clamoring for even more adventures in their favorite MMORPG. As a result, DME would be rewarding the players for their loyalty. The Season 4 patch will be rolled out REAL soon and mobiusgames, DME’s online games division, is calling on the support of all MUtizens.

To reward your support, every purchase of MU 4 Hours, Cash Shop or Web Store Blood Castle Ticket 1 use, Cash Shop or Web Store Devil Square 1 use, and the Web Store Large SD Potion will be considered an entry into the There’s No Stopping MU Raffle.

You can also buy subscriptions and get the exact same value for FREE! For instance, if you subscribe today for 30 days, you get to enjoy it for the current version and get FREE 30 days of MU for Season 4!

The raffle started March 4, 2009 and would end when the Season 4 patch arrives. Regular raffle draws will be done every Monday starting March 16 until the launch. The Grand Draw will be held on the launch date.

Mobiusgames will also be posting the Season 4 support meter, which can be found on the MU Online website. Your support for MU Online will reflect on the meter. The stronger your support, the earlier the Season 4 launch date will be. The launch date can be as late as September 2009, or as early as April, which is already next month.

Season 4’s arrival is in your hands!

I’ll enumerate the specific changes that Season 4 will in MU Online in a later post. Meantime, check out this video that features the next season’s new monsters and items:

Post from: MMOtaku

No, no, no. You’ve got it all wrong. The giants are not among those mindless mobs you slay on the hillsides. They’re actually a new playable race!

Check out this announcement from Rohan: Blood Feud operator YNK Interactive:

Join us as we welcome Rohan: Blood Feud’s new race, The Giant Warriors. In preparation for their arrival, game servers are now down for updating till March 11, 7 p.m. Pacific Time. Once we reopen, you can create your Giant Warrior and begin him or her on the trail to fulfill their destiny as a Savage or Berserker!

Cool, eh? Now for the catch: You can play giants if you haven’t installed the new client. Don’t worry, the new Rohan: Blood Feud is available for download.

What are you standing around there for? Go download the client and install the darn thing. You wouldn’t want to be the last to create a giant, do you?

If you want to know more about this new Rohan: Blood Feud playable race, visit the official site.

Post from: MMOtaku

In reaction to the online games company’s press release on the release of Warrior Epic, particularly a line saying “The game’s unique Warrior Spirits System enables fallen warriors to not only be revived at any time at their hall, but also to be transformed into spirits that can be bound to weapons to increase and open weapon abilities and skills, or they can be called out to inflict massive damage depending on player needs,” I asked, “Can players do this multiple—infinite—times?”

Apparently, I didn’t have to wait long for an answer. Here’s True Games Interactive’s take on Warrior Epic’s Spirit System:

True Games releases the full details and video of Warrior Epic’s unique Spirit System

Death can be a new beginning with this new gameplay feature in the upcoming MMORPG

True Games Interactive, an international publisher of multiplayer online games, has revealed the full details and a video showcasing the unique features of the Spirit System in its upcoming MMORPG, Warrior Epic.

Warrior Epic’s Spirit System is a unique gameplay feature where the death of a character can actually be the beginning of a whole new strategy in the game.

The Spirit System offers a player the chance to revive their fallen warrior and use them in a number of different ways to advance through the game.

Spirits are a unique feature of Warrior Epic, where the death of a warrior is the beginning of a new aspect in strategy and gameplay. When a warrior dies during an adventure, it turns into spirit form and resides in the sanctuary of the player’s hall.

The years of constant war have blurred the line between mortality and the outer realms. This distortion has allowed spirits to be summoned by the player’s living warriors on subsequent adventures where it will unleash devastating attacks on enemies; or be bound to the player’s equipment to imbue the item with special powers. Both the warrior’s class and level affect the spirit’s capabilities. These spirits can also be resurrected back into living form.

In addition to warrior spirits garnered from a player’s own warriors, there will also be monster spirits that can be found in-game. These monster spirits are useful for upgrading a player’s equipment without sacrificing a warrior.

Warriors and Monster Spirits can be found in the sanctuary of the player’s hall. The sanctuary houses the spirits of the dead and can be viewed by the Hall Lords at their leisure; this is also where the spirits can be revived by the player.

The spirits are not on a timer; meaning they won’t disappear and players will be able to keep their spirits for as long as they like. However, after a player decides to infuse the spirit into a weapon or other piece of equipment, it cannot be undone. This sacrifice ensures the item will be permanently upgraded. Hall Lords must choose wisely!

Well that somewhat answers my questions. For those intrigued by Warrior Epic’s potential, check out the trailer:

Post from: MMOtaku

Of course, aside from being vigilant against these types of attacks on your account, game developers and operators have their own way of combating these intrusions. Kingsoft’s new Password Protector 2.0 is one such product.

Here’s the lowdown on Kingsoft’s new baby courtesy of China-based online games portal 17173:

Kingsoft Launches Password Protection Product for Online Games

Kingsoft has announced the launch of new product specially designed for online game password protection: Kingsoft Password Protector 2.0.

The new product has been through half a year of development, specially designed against the trojan virus which steal passwords for online games, with interruption to your gameplay.

Kingsoft Password Protector 2.0 is compatible with Windows 2000, XP, 2003, and Vista.

I hope this password protector is better than all password protectors and anti-hacking systems that other online game developers and operators have. Only time will tell.

Post from: MMOtaku

Yes, you read that right. For those not keeping tabs on Requiem: Bloodymare and its website, a new patch, dubbed Update 5.0, will take effect tomorrow, March 5, 2009. Don’t look at me; I’m just as surprised as you.

I confess, I’ve been remiss in my duty as a player of Requiem: Bloodymare. Not that it’s entirely my fault. I blame it, partially, on the last patch brouhaha, the one that almost had me uninstalling the game from the computer.

Anyway, I’m not here to talk about THAT update. I’m here to dissect what’s new in the world of Requiem: Bloodymare so you guys won’t run blindly into the wall that is Update 5.0.

The biggest change is the inclusion of the Ancient Ruins, a new battlefield option that enables cross-server fights. Yes, CROSS-SERVER!

Here are the details:

Ancient Ruins will be a new battlefield option that will include the whole server to battle for points and prizes. With more than 1,000 players able to join at one time, the large-scale battle will be a new experience allowing the whole server to battle for glory and deciding which server stands above the others.

The Ancient Ruins will be available three days a week, twice a day: Wednesday, Friday and Saturday at 10 a.m. Pacific Standard Time and 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time.

There will be an in-game announcement 30 minutes prior to each scheduled battlefield. A reminder announcement will be made during the fight, every 10 minutes that the battle is going on.

The War has two sides and will allow players to make individual groups while in the battlefield. Lintra Server will be paired with Valdes to go against the Hammerine Server.

The Ancient Ruins will also follow the same point and contribution system as the other two available battlefields. These points can be used to buy new items such as EXP scrolls, transformation items, reinforcement xeon restoration items, and treasure dungeon keys.

So there you have it. What are you waiting for? Strap on those breastplates and rush headlong into battle!

Post from: MMOtaku

Are you ready to write your own adventure epic starting this Spring? With the new online action role-playing game Warrior Epic, you may yet fulfill that dream of not only witnessing and writing the beginning of a saga but also starring in it.

At this point I’d like to shut up for a moment and let Warrior Epic’s operator and publisher do the talking:

True Games reveals key features and game details for its new MMORPG, Warrior Epic

True Games Interactive, an international publisher of multiplayer online games, has revealed the first key features and game details for its highly anticipated online action MMORPG, Warrior Epic. Developed by Austin-based studio Possibility Space, the game has already developed a growing community since the developer launched the Warrior Epic website last year. With the new publishing partnership, True Games Interactive is now sharing new features, screenshots, and game details as it gears up for the game’s Spring 2009 launch.

Warrior Epic is an online, action role-playing game set in an original fantasy universe. In the game, players will assume command of a Warrior Hall from which they manage their characters’ adventures. They can recruit from a wide array of warrior classes, each with its own style of play. The classes and the hall itself can be upgraded visually as well as functionally. Players adventure together in multiplayer campaigns, adventure mode, solo quests, and player-versus-player matches.

One of the most unique aspects of Warrior Epic is that death does not mean the end of a warrior. Instead, it opens totally new and strategic options for players. The game’s unique Warrior Spirits System enables fallen warriors to not only be revived at any time at their hall, but also to be transformed into spirits that can be bound to weapons to increase and open weapon abilities and skills, or they can be called out to inflict massive damage depending on player needs.

“Possibility Space and True Games are doing an incredible job building the Warrior Epic universe,” said Jeff Lujan, founder and chairman of True Games Interactive. “The game creates this totally new genre of session-based MMOs with incredibly innovative gameplay features that have been fine-tuned and are sure to offer global appeal. Gage Galinger and Feng Zhu, founders of Possibility Space, are highly talented video game veterans,” Lujan continued. “Their game design and creative talent combined with the amazing technical and publishing background of our team at True Games makes for the perfect development relationship.”

So there you have it, in a nutshell.

What intrigues me the most about Warrior Epic is its Warrior Spirits System. Don’t get me wrong, the game is shaping up to be great. What bothers me is this line: “… but also to be transformed into spirits that can be bound to weapons to increase and open weapon abilities and skills.” Can players do this multiple—infinite—times? What I mean is, can players level characters to a certain extent, get them killed, and use the spirits on their weapons, and then create new characters, level them … well you get the picture.

I’m sure measures will be in place once Warrior Epic goes live. I guess we’ll just have to wait until Spring, which is only several days away.

More on Warrior Epic within the week.

Post from: MMOtaku

Here’s the lowdown from Shanda Interactive Entertainment Limited:

Shanda Interactive Entertainment Limited, or Shanda, a leading interactive entertainment company in China, has announced the establishment of a strategic cooperation with Shanghai Storm Information Technology Co. Ltd., a game developer and operator based in China, regarding Yuyan Online, which is Shanghai Storm’s in-house developed 2.5D MMORPG.

Pursuant to the strategic cooperation, Shanda Games Limited, or Shanda Games, will operate Yuyan Online, which Shanghai Storm will also continue to operate. In addition, Shanda Online Holdings Limited, or Shanda Online, will open its unified platform to support the operation of the game.

“We are pleased to introduce additional games to our unified platform,” said Judy Wang, chief executive officer of Shanda Online. “Shanda Online aims to provide high-quality, comprehensive and cost-efficient services to our users and partners. We expect to expand such cooperations in wider fields in the future.”

“The partnership with Shanghai Storm enhances the breadth of cooperation for Shanda Games,” said Diana Li, chief executive officer of Shanda Games. “Shanda Games will continue to leverage our profound industry experience, including game operation, in-house development and co-development and investment expertise, to work closely with more partners to expand the global reach of our games, which we believe is important to promote the sustainable and rapid growth of the overall industry.”

Post from: MMOtaku