If the list of Top 15 Most Expected Online Games in China is to be believed, the popularity of South Korean-made Ragnarok Online 2: Gate of the World is starting to flounder.

Is it because of its delayed release? Last year, the online gaming markets in several Asian countries were abuzz with news about the release of Ragnarok Online 2 that had been originally slated for December 2007 (at least in the Philippines).

Closing the gates to the refurbished Rune Midgard in the ancient land of China are three upstarts, namely Dungeon and Warrior, SGC Online, and Fun Online. Ragnarok Online 2, or RO2, has been knocked down in the rankings from 9th place to 12th place.

Here’s this week’s Top 15 Most Expected Online Games in China:

1. Chinese Paladin Online, developed by Softstar and operated by 9you

2. Jian Wang 3, developed and operated by Kingsoft

3. Cang Tian Online, developed by Wemade and operated by Shanda

4. Wushuang Online, developed by Koei and operated by Tianxi

5. Cibi, developed and operated by Perfect Space

6. Fantasy Journey Online, developed by Lingo Soft and operated by 9you

7. Dragonball Online, developed by Ntl-inc

8. Aion, developed by NCsoft and operated by Shanda

9. Dungeon and Warrior, developed by NEOPLE and operated by NHN

10. SGC Online, developed and operated by Gamlaxy International

11. Fun Online, developed by Tqdigital and operated by Netdragon

12. Ragnarok Online 2, developed by Gravity and operated by 9th City

13. Gear War Online, developed by CYKAN and operated by DDTONG

14. Cross Fire, developed by SmileGate and operated by Tencent

15. Kingdom of Warriors, developed by Webzen and operated by Ourgame

Post from: MMOtaku

1. Chinese Paladin Online, developed by Softstar and operated by 9you

2. Jian Wang 3, developed and operated by Kingsoft

3. Dragonball Online, developed by Ntl-inc

4. Cang Tian Online, developed by Wemade and operated by Shanda

5. Aion, developed by NCsoft and operated by Shanda

6. Wushuang Online, developed by Koei Games and operated by Tianxi

7. Fantasy Journey Online, developed by Lingo Soft and operated by 9you

8. Ragnarok Online II, developed by Gravity and operated by 9th City

9. Gear War Online, developed by CYKAN and operated by DDTONG

10. Kingdom of Warriors, developed by Webzen

How about you? What online games are you waiting for?

Post from: MMOtaku

From several previews scattered all over the worldwide web, Kingdom of Warriors, billed as one of the most anticipated MMORPGs in Asia, seems like a clone of other, already successful online games from China. At first glance, the game screams “Nothing new here, move on!” and presents nothing except gorgeous graphics to reel in gamers from the saturated MMO market.

Consider the game’s most publicized features and judge for yourself if it’s worth the wait:

• Ultimate Goal. To unite the nation under one guild is this game’s final goal. Despite promising to bring it when it comes to realism (by recreating the dozens of castles and fortresses that actually existed in ancient China and the epic battles these have witnessed), it’s subject to the been there, done that syndrome.
• Castle Siege Battles. From initial impressions, it seems the world map of Kingdom of Warriors will be much like Perfect World, which is divided into a number of territories waiting for a guild to pillage conquer control them. The one thing that seems different, though, is the promise of Webzen, developer of the game, to pay close attention to details, such as armors, weapons, siege weapons, and environment.
• Historic Missions. Now this is something different. Instead of concocting quests or missions from their collective imagination, the game’s developers have reached deep into China’s rich history for inspiration.
• Administration System for Managing Cities. Just like the castle siege battles, the management system of territories are virtual copycats of those from other games, from the five-year-old Ragnarok Online of Korea’s Gravity to the fresh Perfect World of China’s Beijing Perfect World Co. Ltd.

Despite these minor setbacks, however, it looks like Kingdom of Warriors is shaping up into an MMORPG to watch—and eventually play. Shucks, I’m almost ashamed to admit it, but the graphics is blowing my mind away. Let’s just hope it doesn’t turn out like Webzen’s first MMO offering, MU Online, which, sad to say, wasn’t nearly as exciting as it promised.

Post from: MMOtaku