I remember publishing an article on MMOtaku that detailed an escalating industry “war” between massively multiplayer online games developers in the two countries.

Here’s an excerpt from that story:

Here’s old news that’s still relevant today: Korean MMOs are losing out in China. According to a 2005 story, a report found “persistent world titles created in Korea” were beginning to lose ground as the Chinese market boomed … Although there are no figures to indicate a further decline in Korean MMO titles in China, the sudden awakening of the dragon in Chinese game developers may be proof enough that foreigners are on the retreat.

Now, China-based online gaming portal 17173 reports that Aion: The Tower of Eternity, an online game developed by Korean giant NCsoft, has topped an online poll on new games in China.

The list includes notable titles such as Aion: The Tower of Eternity, Dragon Ball Online, Dragon Nest, and Atlantica Online.

Go check out the entire list.

Post from: MMOtaku

First off, I’d like to thank MMOtaku’s avid readers, those who visit the blog every day, those who come and go for a dose of MMORPG news, reviews and what-have-yous, and those who have dropped in just to take a gander at what we have to offer. Without your constant support, MMOtaku would have floundered a long time ago.

Second, I’d like the acknowledge the inputs and help of several key people in the life of MMOtaku. To Mike Leaño, former b5media Video Games Channel editor, for putting trust in my abilities to bring the blog to life; to PJ Punla, pioneer blogger and player of Granado Espada Southeast Asia, for showing me that love for video games extends beyond playing them; to Siege Malvar and Alcarcalimo, for keeping me on my toes, a constant reminder that MMOtaku does have readers who crave insights on MMOs available in the market today; and to Joyce, my wife, for being the rigid wall off of which I throw my ideas to see if they stick.

Third and last, I salute the growing online games industry in Asia for giving us topnotch games (yes, despite Mike Leaño’s opinion that MMOGs developed in Asia are, ehem, excrement. These games are getting better, and they’re grabbing the attention of MMOG players in different parts of the globe.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, I give you the best of MMOtaku:

November 2008
Granado Espada SEA pioneer pooh-poohs IP e-Games’ ‘mishandling’ of game
Zhu Xian: I came, I saw, I … got disappointed
Endless fun with Perfect World character customization

October 2008
Beach Volleyball Online: The latest craze
Florensia: Kill-stealers and other dregs of society are moving in
RF Online to go offline in November

September 2008
E-Games clamps down on Cabal botters
Perfect World: Bots popping out of the woodwork
NBA Street Online: Soon, real soon
Requiem Bloodymare: New race, yes, but what’s there to like?

August 2008
MMO Etiquette: Stop poking me!
Granado Espada fails to please Chinese market

July 2008
9you crushes Audition shutdown rumor
China’s online games market: 147 million players!
Dragon Nest: The King of MMORPGs

June 2008
Perfect World inks deal with IP e-Games
Requiem Bloodymare launched
Perfect World: Jump hack? Stop crying wolf

May 2008
MMO Etiquette: Pay it forward
Fly For Fun Penya Hack!
Khan Online Philippines bows out

April 2008
Philippines to host Ragnarok World Championships
In this part of the world, MMORPGs and cosplay go hand in hand
Pandora Saga to grace Philippine shores

March 2008
Fantasy Westward Journey online posts 166 million concurrent users
They’re cute and cuddly, and they’re coming to your PC
Not so supa anymore

February 2008
RF Online Crimson Dawn is now online
Blog post on Perfect World clan too hot to handle?
Third job classes coming to Ragnarok Online
Blog post on Perfect World clan’s struggle stirs hornets’ nest

January 2008
GigaMedia bags license to operate Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning
Reign of Revolution: No rules, just power
Counter-Strike Online to give other online shooters a run for their money
Top Ten Thursdays: Best MMORPGs in the Philippines

December 2007
China’s Perfect World claims strong presence in Asian MMORPG capital Korea
What’s in a(n MMOPRPG) name?
The Vista Trap: How to make your Asian MMOs work on Microsoft’s latest baby
FlyFF Philippines launches Volcane Legends
MMO war: Korea versus China

November 2007
Craving for a slice of Zhu Xian
Asian MMO, meet world

Screenshot taken by Joel from the online game Perfect World, developed by Beijing-based Perfect World Co. Ltd. and published in the Philippines by Level Up! Games.

Post from: MMOtaku

Like I said in a previous post, I think Dragon Nest will dominate the MMORPG market next year with its stunning graphics and fast game play. I only have one question for the developers: Will the player avatars always appear on the left side of the screen?

Post from: MMOtaku

Again, based on the trailer, Dragon Nest combines two of the most important elements of an MMORPG in today’s world: fast-paced action and stunning graphics. I better just shut up and let you watch the trailer that inspired my statement:

Now tell me that Dragon Nest isn’t set to take the throne. It really isn’t a surprise why Dragon Nest looks so good. Take a gander at this news item about the unveiling of the game:

EYEDENTITY Games, a Korean development studio comprised of game developers from NCSoft, Gravity, Phantogram and Webzen, has released the first North American look at the upcoming fantasy action multiplayer online role-playing game Dragon Nest.

EYEDENTITY Games will bring Dragon Nest to markets in Asia, including Korea, China, Taiwan and Japan, and North America. EYEDENTITY Games’ Dragon Nest will enter beta testing in Korea in late 2008, and will roll out the service to other markets beginning in 2009.

Yes, the big guns of Asian MMORPGs have banded together to bring you Dragon Nest, so expect a lot of great things within the year. Stay tuned to MMOtaku for more Dragon Nest news in days to come.

Post from: MMOtaku