Twinity : Santa's sack and the Titty Twister

from the Ho Ho Ho it's Christmas dept.

Metaversum's Twinity crests 100,000 users this month and is laying on improvement after improvement, from cute Googlemaps inserts to help you navigate through the behemoth city to early testing of the city of London, Twinitized.


Friday this week, there are some shennanigans on inside Twinity, including a best outfit competition winners to be announced at the Titty Twister club, and you can celebrate Christmas at the Brandenburg Gate - also with a massive Virtual Tree - the biggest ever seen virtually? Currently? Outside Second Life? Who knows. Frohe Weihnachten.

Holiday spirit has arrived in Twinity and we want to celebrate with you! For nearly 700 years, the traditional German Christmas Market has endured as a fun holiday celebration where friends, family and strangers can meet and enjoy the “Weihnachtsstimmung” (Christmas spirit) together.

In Twinity, just like at traditional Christmas Markets, you can buy and give gifts to your virtual friends! Get fun holiday clothes and accessories for your avatar or Christmas trees for your virtual apartment! Bring your real-life Glühwein and we’ll sing Christmas carols together under the biggest virtual Christmas tree you’ve ever seen!

Author searches for sports metaphor in Schilling interview, punts.

from the Sounds like a tuning fork, smells like leather dept.

BigWorld licensee 38 Studios and the esteemed Schilling and Close team up in this interview with Gamesindustry.biz - titled 'A perfect pitch' - on the difficulties of protracted, long term undertakings like MMOs.

Q: Many developers with the financial clout of a company such as EA struggle to launch MMOs, how can a smaller company hope to compete in the same field?

Curt Schilling: It depends on your perspective. For the next two years until we launch our game we're competing with ourselves. I mean, we have to deliver internally and meet internal expectations. If you're a company with any kind of long-term vision the barriers, the goals, the hurdles you have to overcome are far more significant internally than they'll ever be externally.

If you stay focused on what it is you're trying to deliver and you are true to that focus and you have incredibly talented people you're going to create something special. I think the key behind any good product in any market is the passion and the investment that the company puts into the product. At the end of the day our goal is to provide the best user experience from product purchase to account creation, to game experience we can possibly create and we have incredibly talented people who have done that already.

Brett Close: Another piece of that are partnerships. What we're focusing on is building the game, there are things that we don't want to get caught up in… there are a number of areas that frankly we don't have any business being involved in and we're not going to and we will find partners that will help us with that. We have a number of conversations in play with very interesting partners who can help us…

Interzone Futebol indeed Free to Play.

from the Get it Right dept.


American-out-of-water-in-Australia developer Joseph Hewitt almost - but not really - trembles with unspoken rage at the Total PC Gaming magazine factual error about whether Interzone's Futebol has a free to play model or no - which it clearly *does* as it begins it's launch roll-out in Brazil first.

Actually Hewitt is quite level-headed throughout his blog post and seems entirely reasonable about the magazine error. The article itself notes that there is another soccer title, albeit with a markedly different gaming style approach, coming out by publisher Frogster some time in the near future - Kickster.

There is also further competition somewhere inside Korea, as various soccer related titles were glimpsed at this year's GStar games conference in Seoul, plus the 'Football Superstars' title in development in the UK.

A big year then - 2009 - for online football games.

BigWorld Technology ranked the fastest growing Australian Software company in the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Australia 2008 Program

from the It came from the Press Dept dept.


BigWorld Technology ranked the fastest growing Australian Software company in the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Australia 2008 Program

19 November 2008

For Immediate Release

The award recognizes the 50 fastest growing technology companies in Australia based on a sustained revenue growth over the past three years.

(Sydney, Australia): BigWorld was announced the 7th fastest growing technology company in Australia by professional services firm Deloitte. BigWorld’s percentage growth over the past three financial years was an impressive 526% making them the number one ranking software company in the competition.

“This year’s competition was dominated by software companies, so it’s a tremendous achievement for BigWorld to be at the top of the ladder. We’ve experienced tremendous growth over the past three years and this is a real testament to the dedication and insightfulness of our managers and their teams” said John De Margheriti, CEO of BigWorld.

BigWorld’s success has been internationally recognized in a number of other revered awards including: Asia Red Herring Top 100, Australian Export Awards, Secrets of Australian ICT Innovation, Anthill Magazine’s Cool Company Awards and the Australian Technology Showcase Patrons Award.

About the BigWorld Technology Suite

Comprised of the BigWorld Server Software, Content Creation Pipeline, 3D Client Engine Package, Live Management Tools & Instrumentation, BigWorld Technology Suite is the premier Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG) solution, providing all of the complex systems required to produce engaging next-generation MMOGs and Virtual Worlds.

About BigWorld Pty Ltd

BigWorld Pty Ltd was formed in 2002 to commercialize years of intense R&D, which started in 1999 and continues to this day. With a direct local presence in the USA, China, Japan and Europe, BigWorld Pty Ltd is a privately held company headquartered in Australia that licenses its BigWorld Technology Suite middleware platform to game studios and publishers around the world that are looking to produce successful next generation MMOGs and Virtual Worlds.

Zhejiang KaiXun Selects BigWorld Technology Suite / 浙江凯迅宣布选用BigWorld引擎

November, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Zhejiang KaiXun Selects BigWorld Technology Suite

Today, Zhejiang KaiXun, based in Wenzhou, China, announced that they have selected the BigWorld Technology Suite for their upcoming games.

“We have plans to develop a series of unique next generation games. After a one year investigation into possible middleware solutions, we decided that BigWorld’s engines are able to meet our technical needs and their outstanding customer service is a big help to our success.” says Zheng Wenjie, CEO of KaiXun.

“KaiXun is the third Chinese developer in as many months to stamp their approval of the BigWorld Technology Suite and there are many more in the pipeline. We are honored to be supporting and cooperating with companies like KaiXun that all hold such great potential” said Guo Lei, Business Development Manager of BigWorld.

About Zhejiang KaiXun
The first large game developer and operator in Wenzhou, KaiXun has extensive and successful management experience in traditional business and a deep insight into the digital entertainment industry. With an accurate grasp of the gaming industry’s evolving trend and players’ needs, KaiXun launched its digital entertainment business with a huge capital investment in 2008. KaiXun believes that diligence, practicality, solidarity and other traditional virtues of Wenzhou people will bring success to its digital entertainment business.

About the BigWorld Technology Suite
Comprised of the BigWorld Server Software, Content Creation Pipeline, 3D Client Engine Package, Live Management Tools & Instrumentation, BigWorld Technology Suite is the premier Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG) solution, providing all of the complex systems required to produce engaging next-generation MMOGs and Virtual Worlds.

About BigWorld Pty Ltd
BigWorld Pty Ltd was formed in 2002 to commercialize years of intense R&D, which started in 1999 and continues to this day. BigWorld Pty Ltd is a privately held company based in Australia that licenses its BigWorld Technology Suite middleware platform to game studios and publishers around the world that are looking to produce successful next generation MMOGs and Virtual Worlds.

BigWorld Website
www.bigworldtech.com
www.bigworldtech.cn
BigWorld News Blog
www.bigworldtech.blogspot.com

Media Contact:
Casey Gregory
Email:
caseyg@bigworldtech.com
Phone: +61 2 6162 5120

2008年11月
供即时发布
浙江凯迅宣布选用BigWorld引擎

今天，位于中国温州的浙江凯迅宣布为即将开发的一系列游戏产品选用 BigWorld引擎。

凯迅公司的CEO郑文杰先生表示：“ 我们计划开发一系列独具特色的次世代游戏，在近一年的考察后，我们认为BigWorld引擎符合我们的技术需求，BigWorld公司优秀的客户服务能力也使我们对成功充满信心。”

“凯迅是数月来第三家选用BigWorld引擎的中国游戏开发商，还有更多的游戏开发商正在洽谈之中。能与凯迅这样有巨大潜力的企业合作，为他们提供技术支持，是我们的荣幸。” BigWorld公司商务发展经理郭磊说。

浙江凯迅介绍
作为温州的首家大型游戏研发及运营公司，凯迅拥有传统行业成功的管理经验和对数码娱乐产业的清晰认识，基于对玩家需求和行业发展趋势的准确把握，凯迅于2008年投入巨资涉足数码娱乐产业。凭借温州人勤奋、务实和团结的优良传统，凯迅期待着在数码娱乐产业谱写成功。

BigWorld Technology Suite 简介
BigWorld Technology Suite 由BigWorld 服务器软件、内容创建工具、三维客户端引擎、实时管理工具和数据分析工具组成，它包含了制作下一代MMOG 所需的所有复杂技术。

BigWorld Pty Ltd 公司简介
BigWorld Pty Ltd 成立于2002 年，公司宗旨在于促进多年来积极的研发活动走向商业化。其研发活动始于1999 年，持续至今。BigWorld Pty Ltd 是一家私人控股公司，总部位于澳大利亚。BigWorld 为全世界寻求成功开发下一代大型多人在线游戏及持久/ 休闲游戏的游戏工作室、发行商授权许可使用BigWorld Technology Suite 中间件平台。

BigWorld 公司网址
www.bigworldtech.com
www.bigworldtech.cn
BigWorld 新闻博客
www.bigworldtech.blogspot.com

媒体垂询：
Casey Gregory
电子邮箱: caseyg@bigworldtech.com
办公电话： +61 2 6162 5120

Wargaming in a BigWorld

from the communism with a cappuccino dept.

The arms race for online gaming is heating up as Bigworld signs its second license in the former Soviet Union.

For Immediate Release

Wargaming.net chooses BigWorld Technology to develop their next title

(Moscow, Russia): BigWorld’s Business Development Manager Europe/Russia, Mike Allenson announces a new license with New Orleans-based Wargaming.net to create their upcoming massively multiplayer online game.

Victor Kislyi, CEO of Wargaming.net, commented, “Having built many engines from the ground up, we were looking for a complete solution to develop our first MMO that will save us time and eliminate technical risks”. Victor added, “BigWorld’s Technology Suite, along with their world-class support, is key in allowing us to develop our title quickly, without sacrificing the quality and features we expect of a best-of-class middleware solution.”

“Working with Wargaming.net is truly a pleasure. They have extensive development experience and a long history of creating great games”, said Mike Allenson. “We’re excited to be partnering with this highly professional team, using our platform to expand and innovate in the MMO market both here in Eastern Europe as well as worldwide.”

About Wargaming.net

Founded in 1998, Wargaming.net is a premiere independent game developer with a focus on innovative strategy titles, including the highly acclaimed Massive Assault series. Headquartered in New Orleans, with development offices in Minsk, Belarus, Wargaming.net recently acquired Minsk-based developer Arise, making them one of the largest developers in Eastern Europe with over 80 employees. For more information you can visit www.wargaming.net.

About the BigWorld Technology Suite
Comprised of the BigWorld Server Software, Content Creation Pipeline, 3D Client Engine Package, Live Management Tools & Instrumentation, BigWorld Technology Suite is the premier MMOG solution, providing all of the complex systems required to produce engaging next-generation MMOGs and Virtual Worlds.

About BigWorld Pty Ltd
BigWorld Pty Ltd was formed in 2002 to commercialize years of intense R&D, which started in 1999 and continues to this day. BigWorld Pty Ltd is a privately held company based in Australia that licenses its BigWorld Technology Suite middleware platform to game studios and publishers around the world that are looking to produce successful next generation Massively Multiplayer Online Games and Virtual Worlds.

BigWorld Website
www.bigworldtech.com

BigWorld News Blog
www.bigworldtech.blogspot.com

Media Contact:
Casey Gregory
Email: caseyg@bigworldtech.com
Office: +61 2 6162 5120

《霸道》将于11月15日进行第二次技术测试 / 'Badao' goes into second Closed Beta on 15th.Nov

From http://www.798game.com/ Dept.
Quick Comment: 'Badao' goes into second Closed Beta on 15th. Nov.

11月15日大型3D国产网游巨作《霸道》技术测试将激情开启。测试就有手机拿，找bug、提意见还能领取万元大奖！届时《霸道》将举办一系列线上线下活动，让您除了能体验精彩的游戏世界之外，时刻都能有惊喜！


　　《霸道》是一款将时下网络游戏中的大量流行元素与中国古代传统文化相结合，具有东方玄幻色彩的大型3D MMORPG。
　　在3D游戏成为主流的网络游戏市场中，画面成为衡量一款游戏优劣的重要标尺，给人的第一印象十分重要。因此，《霸道》采用了世界闻名的BIG WORLD引擎，这让游戏的画面相较其他游戏有了飞跃性的进步，营造了一个画面唯美、渲染精细、色彩丰富的虚拟世界。
　　精美的画面只是一个基本要素。要想成为一款好的游戏，仅有漂亮的画面是远远不够的。只有游戏的内容能够让玩家喜欢，才能算得上是一款好游戏。《霸道》为玩家们精心准备了丰富的内容，除了宠物系统、坐骑系统、装备强化、打造等当前国内大多数网游都有的元素之外，游戏还拥有其他同类游戏所无法比拟的诸多特色：国内独创的“可破坏系统”，无论是树木还是岩石都能被玩家技能摧毁，从而演变出各种可能；引领全国的“怪物变身系统”，让你能够充分体会到游戏中各种妖魔鬼怪的诸般变化；丰富而完备的PK模式，除了善恶模式、和平模式、屠杀模式等普通的PK模式之外，霸道还专门准备了家族模式、帮派模式以及国战模式等多人PK模式，国战模式中你甚至能够有机会感受到万人同服作战的刺激体验！
　　优秀的画面、精彩的内容，你是不是已经感到有些急不可待了？不要着急，《霸道》将在本月15日开始技术测试，测试帐号也将在近日发放，很快你就能体验到这款3D国产网游巨作了。据悉，在测试期间除了让玩家们能够轻松获得游戏体验之外，秉承“玩家喜欢的才是最好的”的设计理念，游戏运营方还将邀请玩家对游戏的改进和发展献计献策，并承诺在下个版本中依据玩家反馈的意见和建议对游戏进行修改，努力打造出真正属于玩家自己的国产网游。九大特色，精彩纷呈1、庞大的游戏世界：以山海经庞大的世界观为背景，忠实再现各种珍禽异兽及仙山名川，构造出一个属于国人的庞大的古代神话世界。2、丰富的任务系统：主线任务、支线任务、日常任务、女娲任务、盘古任务、酒馆任务……各种各样的任务，引领玩家逐步参与并改变整个游戏的进程，丰厚的任务奖励也让您的升级变得更加轻松。3、完善的副本体系：拥有国内大多数网游都无法企及的丰富的副本，副本丰厚的奖励是玩家快速提升装备的捷径之一，同时副本的设计也充分考虑到了玩家的装备水平和队伍的分工配合，让你能够充分享受到团队合作的魅力所在。4、完备的PK系统：除了单人PK模式之外，游戏还准备了帮派模式、家族模式、国战模式等一系列的多人PK模式，让你有机会体验到庞大的万人国战的刺激体验。5、丰富的生活技能：游戏并非只有枯燥的练级，数十种生活技能让你在游戏中找到更多乐趣，即便你只靠生活技能也能够在游戏中生存。6、先进的私人房屋建设系统：在系统处购买一栋房屋，就能拥有一片属于自己的小天地，是设计成温馨的小屋还是要将其发展成最大的商铺，一切都由你自己说了算！7、国内首创的“可摧毁系统”：打断河边的树木将其做成独木桥以渡过面前的激流，击碎面前的几块大岩石露出隐藏的洞穴，通过“可破坏系统”都可以一一为您实现。8、新颖的“怪物变身系统”：游戏中你时刻都会遇到各种“惊喜”：可爱的小白兔转眼就能变成可怕的兔妖，水中漫游的鱼儿瞬间成为面目狰狞的鱼人……怪物变身给玩家带来的不仅只是意外的打怪体验，也意味着更多的惊喜。变身后的怪物是否能掉落更高级的装备道具？一切都没有定数！9、独创社会角色扮演系统：想想你方才还是一个闷头打怪的战士，转眼之间便成为一方神捕，名震八方；也许你刚刚还在敌阵中出生入死，摇身一变就成为富可敌国的商人。体验不同的人生，掌握更强的权力，这该是多么有趣的事！
作为一款以内涵丰富的网络游戏巨作，以上这些特色远远不能概括这个庞大而丰富的世界的全部内容，快来加入《霸道》吧，里面还有更多有趣的内容在等待你的发掘！

BigWorld features 'first' in list of middleware engines on Gamasutra

from the Luckily there isn't an 'Aardvark' engine dept.

Thanks to the miracle of alphabeticization, BigWorld is listed first in the round-up on Gamasutra, just nudging out Crysis and literally at the other end of the pile from Unreal 3, were it not for the fact Epic starts with an 'E'. Simutronics HeroEngine is the only other listed MMO specific engine.

A few omissions to the article include previously shipped BigWorld games and Virtual Worlds - Netease currently burning brightly in China with TianXia 2, and Metaversum's Twinity. The first BigWorld title shipped in the first half of 2006, making four shipped MMO client/server middleware-powered games by 2008. In the coming quarters we should see launch activity from other BigWorld titles in beta, Firesky's Stargate Worlds and Interzone's Futebol.

Twinity pushes past 50,000 users

from the Fresh out of the Gate dept.

Twinity - the BigWorld-Powered-Mash-Up-Mirror-World (BPMUMW) from German Developers Metaversum has 50k users and growing according to APLink's Peters. Not bad for only a couple of months out of the gate, and more to come as they steamroll more and more virtual cities out, with London and Singapore pegged as their next milestones, hot on the heels of Singapore's Media Development Office's investment in the infrastructure to support the Virtual World.

Happy 50th Twinity! Here's to the next 500k ;)

TX2 continues online growth after recent updates

from the Far out Brussel Sprout that's a lot of people on screen dept.


Not much of a post really, but I have been looking at this screenshot for some time and trying to wrap my head around it - from Netease's BigWorld powered TianXia II, currently operating in China at over 100k PCU :

That's a lot of people.

杭州3D网游《峥嵘天下》10月31日首次测试 / Zhengrongtianxia goes into first beta on 31st.Oct this year

From http://news.17173.com/content/2008-10-21/20081021092958790,1.shtml Dept.

Quick Comment: Zhengrongtianxia goes into first beta on 31st this month and the game website goes alive in the same time.

金秋十月，是个收获的季节，由杭州五花马网络公司历时2年精心打造的3D大作《峥嵘天下》即将进行技术封测。这是一款充满东方“仙侠”风的网络游戏，以东方修真成仙为背景，充满了灵动的韵味。盘古开天辟地、女娲补天、大禹治水；妖魔横行、人间浩劫，正所谓除魔卫道正当时！

　　《峥嵘天下》以简单好玩为主旨，力求迎合广大玩家。法宝的养成，神兽的驾驭，武学秘籍的修习，交友、家族势力的发展建设，以及超爽的PK战斗，这些充满趣味及感官刺激的元素都能在《峥嵘天下》中充分的体验到！

　　在万众玩家的期待之中，近日，杭州五花马网络公司终于公布消息，这款“仙侠”网游大作《峥嵘天下》最终定于10月31日开启技术测试！

　　10月31日！让我们拭目以待，《峥嵘天下》等候着各位仙友们的加入！
For more visit http://zr.5hma.com/

STARGATE WORLDS goes into beta

from the Still Working on It dept.

TenTon Hammer and a host of other online commentators are marking the October 15th release of the Stargate World beta. Though this correspondent has yet to delve into the beta having been denied access by Cheyenne Mountain Space Command, news seems to be positive and there are a wealth of screenies to take a look at from eager contributers.


Head over to www.stargateworlds.com to sign up for your key to the beta.

踏实稳进，五花马打造仙侠网游风向标 / Zhengrongtianxia of Cpegasus will hit CB within this year

From http://wangyou.pcgames.com.cn/xwkx/gnww/0810/1242405.html Dept.

Quick Comment: As a ARPG MMOG based on BigWorld engine, Zhengrongtianxia, the heavy title of Cpegasus will hit closed beta within this year.


“五花马，千金裘，呼儿将出换美酒”。意解：人生总难免面对各种挫折，只要诚心诚意去处理、对待每一件事情，终将换来我们想要得到的结果，至德厚载物。　　位于美丽的钱塘江畔的杭州五花马网络科技有限公司，历时两年打造的仙侠类网游《峥嵘天下online》预计在年底进行封闭测试。
　　五花马公司成立于2005年，邀请了来自于华义、盛大、金山、蜗牛、目标、梦工厂等国内外著名游戏公司的制作人，组成了一支规模达70人的优秀开发团队，使用独特的集群式服务器引擎技术开发纯3D的网络游戏。公司成立至今并未做过什么宣传，相对比较低调，只是在兢兢业业的研发着这一款游戏。无论从公司规模还是研发实力上，五花马公司当之无愧的成为当前浙江地区网游行业优秀企业。
　　目前大型多人网络角色扮演游戏的现状，一款又一款游戏被大力宣传，为了使产品快速进入而忽略了游戏本身的质量，造成玩家对游戏的期待值过高。对于传统行业出身的投资人蒋主强是位不喜张扬的实业家，跻身于游戏行业，而且得到杭州政府大力扶持，用他的话来说，是为了给年轻人能够有一个发挥自己能力的平台，做一款品质相对较高的产品才是企业发展的基础，当年国产先驱完美时空公司也是这么走过来的。是的，因为有这样的一个平台，这样一个开发团队，如何打造出一款国产精品游戏呢？虽然可能有些闭门造车的嫌疑，盲目追求品质理念容易停滞不前，实质上我们不断取长补短，团队的每一个人都是为了自己的梦想在努力，为了能让玩家体验到一种全新的游戏模式，终于就要窥见一斑。
　　对于现在整个网游市场竞争激烈，各种大作、巨作层出不穷，MMORPG网游也在巨大的市场氛围下不断求新求变，更有大多数游戏厂商走平台路线，实则垄断国内市场，对于五花马公司刚介入运营行列来说，打造国产精品生存方式也未必被淘汰！在外界纷纷传说游戏界将面临冬季的时节，我们还能做些什么呢？面临千百款游戏，玩家又该如何选择呢？
　　修道成仙，历来只是一种梦想，小说中描写的成仙成魔也只是一种想象，在现在是不可能实现的吧。但是游戏却能把这些虚幻的场景和人物变化成实际可见的，并让有兴趣的玩家进入游戏中进行体验。更何况这些不受现实中地理、天时的限制，只要你有足够好的装备，高强的技能（游戏内人物等级），就能做一方的霸主，驰骋天下了。当然还是需要有一批忠实的拥护者，因此在游戏中的人品还是比较重要。　　《峥嵘天下online》是以修真成仙为游戏背景，结合了中华上下五千年的文化底蕴，给玩家呈现了一幅壮丽的史诗般的画卷。美丽的桃花源，虚无缥缈的云山，人间仙境，世间幻象。都在游戏中展现，让玩家在游戏中领略飞天修仙的梦幻之境。


游戏是属于年轻人的，这个时代是属于年轻人的，有一个可以自由飞翔的天空就能预见灿烂的阳光。做一款游戏，管理一家公司，成就一份事业。我们把做游戏当作是一项事业，搭建一个平台，用心打造一款与众不同的游戏，给玩家一份惊喜，这就是五花马公司想要做的。我们期待着这样一款游戏，这样的一种精神，不仅要发展属于五花马公司的玩家市场，同时在仙侠类游戏中脱颖而出，成为仙侠类游戏的一个风向标！

足球游戏巨头三足鼎立 / FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer will face severe challenges from Interzone Futebol

From http://game.china.com/zh_cn/onlinegame/news/10003534/20081009/15127681.html Dept.

Quick Comment: FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer will face severe challenges from Interzone Futebol, a fantastic massively multiplayer online sports game based on BigWorld engine.

2008年奥运会的举行刮起了一股全民体育的风潮

但是在足球迷心中，除了残奥会上国足的银牌值得津津乐道外，08年仍然是一个伤心的“赛季”。让玩家们感到难过的还不仅仅于此。不争气的国足会传染，不仅球场上不行，即使是到了游戏研发领域，也仍然比老外们短了一条腿。在竞技体育游戏即将迎来放量高峰的时期，中国的足球游戏并没有站在潮流的前沿，相反，足球游戏市场上，打破FIFA和《实况足球》（Winning Eleven，PC版英文名为Pro Evolution Soccer）垄断局面的，是来自美国芝加哥的Interzone Futebol（IZF）。 英众娱乐于今年6月份开始公布了IZF的相关消息，近日因为IZF源于BW引擎跨界研发的消息而备受瞩目。由于是立足网络游戏平台，IZF在足球游戏玩法中首度提出了完全11人操作的模式，即一支球队的11个上场队员每名队员都有对应的玩家手动操作，即使是守门员的扑救也与AI自动操控划清了界线。与此同时，为适应网游的玩法，玩家在游戏中扮演的球员可以通过比赛、训练等多种途径提升球技，体验球星成长的过程。加上游戏引入了“冠军足球经理”的经营模式，玩家在游戏中组织俱乐部，经营并且打造世界一流足球俱乐部的玩法将首次在网游世界中成为现实。

IZF出色的场景是足球网游的一大突破

FIFA 09与WE 09的竞争目前正是打得如火如荼，IZF的发布在足球网游市场上扔下了一枚重磅炸弹，这个搅局者将矛头直接对准了以传统足球网游玩法见长的FIFA OL。并凭借游戏玩法的多样，室内场景的出众，在画面表现力上一度被认为超过了纵横虚拟绿茵场10余载的WE。有业界人士认为，由于网游的潜在市场巨大，视频游戏市场趋于饱和，因此立足于网络平台的IZF在2009年将有可能与这两款顶级足球游戏形成了三足鼎立之势。而将未来市场定位于网络平台的IZF和FIFA OL将有可能成为最直接的对手。

FIFA和WE两大系列曾是足球游戏的代名词

足球游戏形成了三巨头并举之势，国内足球游戏的研发仍然处于裹步不前的状态。尽管之前已经出现过《街头足球》和《热血足球Online》等游戏，然而这类游戏在国内投入运营后影响力并不大，甚至只在测试期过后就再没有了消息。同样，韩国公司研发的足球游戏在国内的表现也呈疲软之势，不论是久游代理的《劲爆足球》，还是通过了KFA（韩国足球协会）认证的RED CARD，包括一度热门的《足球经理Online》，在现在的势头与上述三大足球网游相比都存在不小的差距。而国产足球游戏的研发基本上处于停滞状态！

是足球游戏在国内没有市场么？

其实不然！20世纪90年代至今，WE、FIFA以及《冠军足球经理》等游戏所培养的足球游戏玩家不在少数，即使是在浩方对战平台上，仍然有数以万计的足球游戏玩家在通过第三方平台联机对战。而PS2、PS3、Xbox360等平台上聚集的足球游戏玩家更是多不胜数。在主机平台大肆推崇网络功能，期待将网络市场纳入其中的时期，网络游戏率先发力，吸引球迷玩家的目光其实并不困难。

国产足球游戏的困难之处仍然在于资金、技术和投入力度。以IZF为例，这款游戏的研发耗时2年之久，投入了巨额资金，并且购买了目前较为完善的BW平台作为足球网游的整体解决方案，目的不仅是以IZF的品质打开市场，同时还期待借这部足球网游处女作一举奠定英众娱乐的公司品牌。与之相比，国内研发公司目前广泛存在的引擎技术缺乏现象，低质万用引擎无处不在，研发周期往往控制在1年以内的做法，迫使需要技术支持的足球游戏在国产游戏的研发中举步维艰。

IZF之前，这类场景不曾出现在足球游戏中

也许你会说，FIFA和WE的每一代作品推出不也只有1年么，殊不知，这两款游戏每年的更新换代是建立在多年成熟的技术基础，和丰富的研发经验之上。而这类游戏随着技术的进步，几乎每2-3年的更新换代就会产生一次质的飞跃！

IZF的出现改变了FIFA和WE两量统治世界足球游戏多年的局面。凭借各自的特色，2009年足球网游的市场蛋糕将会被这三大游戏瓜分大半。这种时候，国产足球网游的身影在哪里？也许各大研发公司在集体蜂拥至MMORPG、Q版甚至舞蹈网游时，真该停下来看看市场大局，好好反省下研发的思路了！

The Beeb takes a look at Twinity.

From the Now it's mainstream dept.

The esteemed BBC takes a look at some virtual worlds and talks with Jochen Hummel, CEO of Metaversum, makers of Twinity, powered by the BigWorld engine.

"Fantasy worlds give you freedom and allow you to fly but the fantasy element limits them for the real world," said Jochen Hummel, the chief executive of Metaversum, the company behind Twinity.

"Teenage boys are the biggest users but for adults there is a need to improve their real lives rather than escape from them," he said.

Video of Twinity in action and audio interview with Mr Hummel available here.

Interzone talks the Social Side of Football

from the When you're not playing with your balls dept.

Virtual Worlds News has an interview with Nick Lowe - Interzone VP of BigWorld powered MMO, Interzone Futebol.

"If you don't have a social space, it's harder for players to connect," said Hewitt. "It doesn't seem legitimate. If you see people going and doing stuff, it makes your world. There are people running around with things to do."

Or, as Lowe explains, you can look at traditional games as examples.

"Say you have a horror game or first-person shooter. Music isn't the focus of the game, but it's there to add atmosphere. It adds flavor," he explained. "And from a functional level, when you're doing matchmaking, it usually runs 2 minutes, up to 5 minutes, you want a place to meet people and hang out so you're not just sitting there. And then people just want to explore the space. In our focus tests, we've had people just walking around. "

More over at the link.

BigWorld引擎首款跨界研发足球网游曝光 / A Soccer MMO based on BigWorld Technologies

From http://news.17173.com/content/2008-09-25/20080925101756296,1.shtml Dept.

Quick Comment: It is the first time BigWorld Technologies be used on the development of a casual soccer MMO title.

英众娱乐（Interzone games）早前公布了旗下首款足球网游《Interzone Futebol》（IZF）的消息。日前这款游戏的更多消息被曝光，其中采用BigWorld（BW）引擎研发的细节尤为令人关注。根据BW引擎的授权研发记录，IZF将是这款世界顶级网游引擎跨界研发的首款体育网游大作！

BW引擎网游成中国市场热点
　　引擎是游戏的核心技术，拥有一款好的引擎，能为游戏研发达到事半功倍的效果。由于游戏引擎的研发难度高，开发周期长，因此成功的游戏引擎往往在授权研发市场上能够得到开发公司的青睐，其中就有视频游戏领域备受关注的引擎Unreal和网游领域的翘楚BW。
　　英众娱乐研发IZF采用的正是BW引擎。BW的全称是BigWorld MMO Technology Suite，业界通常称其为中间件平台。这个平台为网游的研发提供了完整的技术解决方案，也是目前最完善的网络游戏研发平台，相比于更专注于单机领域的Unreal引擎，BW引擎能够在网游的研发中，更好的解决网络和服务器的性能与指标。
　　经过7年时间的经营，BW引擎在网络游戏的研发上取得了卓越的成就。国内研发的网游作品中，《天下2》、《三国群侠传Online2》、《峥嵘天下》等作品都是在BW平台下开发。此外，CME公司的《星门世界(专题 截图 搜狗)》、日本Gungho的《北斗神拳(专题 截图)Online》也是在BW平台下研发完成。这款来自澳洲的网游引擎播种在了中、美、日韩等多个市场。但在BW引擎的授权研发记录中显示，除了英众娱乐最新发布的《Interzone Futebol》外，所有BW引擎研发的网游作品均为MMORPG！
　　英众娱乐于2008年6月首次发布IZF相关消息时，就凭借全新的足球游戏模式引起了行业瞩目。该作以22人足球即时网络对战，每个场上队员都将由不同玩家亲手操控的游戏方式，被认为是足球游戏在发展十余年后，进入网络领域时正在酝酿的一场剧变。同时，IZF还引入了“足球经理”模式，实现了现有足球游戏玩法的整合。有资深玩家在IZF游戏玩法被披露后评论：IZF也许将首次真正实现虚拟绿茵场上的“胜利11人”！
　　与IZF突破性的游戏玩法同样令人关注的是BigWorld引擎在体育竞技网游领域的首度尝试。这是BW引擎诞生以来的首度“跨界研发”——早前BW引擎的授权研发主要集中于大型角色扮演网游（MMORPG），涉足体育竞技网游尚属首次。
　　透过游戏公布的部分截图，可以看到IZF利用BW引擎所实现的突破不仅仅是游戏类型的“跨界研发”。在截图中，出众的室内场景效果，街区效果，改变了过去业界认为BW引擎的强大仅仅局限于开放的室外场景的看法。即使是在需要更为细腻描绘的室内场景，BW引擎的表现同样出色。
　　IZF有望09年进入中国市场
　　据英众娱乐透露，IZF的研发已经进入尾声，目前已经具备了极高的完成度，并将于2008年第四季度推出首个版本，不久将推出国际版本。
　　与此同时，IZF也极有可能出现在中国市场，成为与国内众多体育网游分庭抗礼的足球游戏。根据英众娱乐的背景资料显示，这家总部位于美国芝加哥的游戏公司在全球多个国家，如澳洲、巴西都设有工作室，这其中也包括了英众娱乐设在广州的研发公司。作为一款面向国际市场，全球化运作的足球网游，无论是中国市场上多年积淀的足球游戏爱好者，还是日渐壮大的网游玩家群体，都是英众娱乐不能忽视，需要积极把握的巨大市场。
　　由于2008年第四季度IZF首个版本才能亮相，而国际版本的推出可能会在2009年年初，因此IZF与国内游戏运营商接洽，并最终确定进入中国市场的时间将有可能是在2009年的上半年。届时，这款玩法新颖的足球网游也许将带给国内玩家一场全新的足球享受！

The PAX demo for TwinSkies

from the Better late than never dept.

The guys from Twinskies show off a closed demo for all of you who didn't make it to the booth that day in Seattle a couple of weeks ago. BigWorld licensee Meteor Games showcase Twin Skies, at least - the early version, with their basic gameplay hook Casual meets MMO :

38's Close talks up Vivox partnership and the IP in general

from the Joystiq AGDC round-up dept.

Brett Close, head honcho at 38 Studios talks up some tidbits on their project in Boston, Copernicus, as well as their recent announcement with BigWorld partner, Vivox :

So, the announcement with Vivox, what's that about?

So, that was about a couple different pieces: 38 Studios is all about very strong partnerships. Smart, strategic partnerships that allow us to deliver the absolute best for the customer, but also allow us to free our hands up to focus on building what we do best, which is building the game. Creating IP and building the game. We are licensing engine technologies like the Unreal engine and Big World, and in a similar way VoIP is nothing that you want to take lightly.

There's a big operation there. I'm an ex software engineer, I know how it works. You can go write some basic VoIP but there's so much more than just the protocol and transferring those packets. Vivox is the best of breed in the market for both the feature set, the technology, the business model and the operational model of us being able to offload the bandwidth and server demand to their servers. They offer incredible security solutions. Voice fonts allow one of the biggest and most exciting pieces to come together.

It's always been if Andrea's a giant orc and I'm playing a little human woman, and we start chatting it's going to sound really silly. So, I can start applying voice fonts that make her sound like some big orc and make me sound like a little human female. There are so many things that they are doing right to deliver that kind of solution that it's just easy, plug and play, we just want it. It delivers the best for us and it delivers the best for the customer.
Andrea: The community building aspect was obviously a major point for you.

Community is key. This isn't just a product, it's a service that you're delivering to the community and continuing to build and perpetuate and cultivate that community. This is a key piece of delivering something that continues to enrich the community.

Wuxi Yinweixiang Selects the BigWorld Game Engine / 无锡音唯响宣布选用BigWorld引擎

From http://www.bigworldtech.com/news/press_080909.php Dept.

Wuxi Yinweixiang Selects the BigWorld Game Engine
09 September 2008
For Immediate Release
Tan Laisuo, Yinwexiang’s Chairman of the Board said, “Yinweixiang offers a realistic experience of online interaction, unique music creation, entertainment and growing freedom for gamers with the most recent interactive technology. In order to make a healthy, growing virtual world, we need a professional technology company like BigWorld to provide us the best technical solution.”
“Wuxi Yinweixiang’s team has a new perspective on interactive entertainment. They have an outstanding imagination and strong capability in research and development. BigWorld’s technical team looks forward to working together with this energetic team to create a highly interactive, innovative and entertaining product.” Said Guo Lei, BigWorld’s Business Development Manager.

About Wuxi Yinweixiang
Yinweixiang is a company dedicated to the R&D, production and selling of home entertainment games software and hardware. With a deep understanding of the concept of interactive entertainment, they offer a variety of services for the continued development of human and cultural ideas.
Yinweixiang is growing in scale, with a rapid increase in profit, over 100 employees and more than 1 million registered members. It remains an agile developer, and aims to become a diversified games software exporter and operator, with independent development in both domestic and foreign markets.

Wuxi Yinweixiang Website
http://www.greenwx.com/

About the BigWorld Technology Suite
Comprised of the BigWorld Server Software, Content Creation Pipeline, 3D Client Engine Package, Live Management Tools & Instrumentation, BigWorld Technology Suite is the premier Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG) solution, providing all of the complex systems required to produce engaging next-generation MMOGs and Virtual Worlds.

About BigWorld Pty Ltd
BigWorld Pty Ltd was formed in 2002 to commercialize years of intense R&D, which started in 1999 and continues to this day. BigWorld Pty Ltd is a privately held company based in Australia that licenses its BigWorld Technology Suite middleware platform to game studios and publishers around the world that are looking to produce successful next generation MMOGs and Virtual Worlds.

BigWorld Website
http://www.bigworldtech.com/
http://www.bigworldtech.cn/
BigWorld News Blog
http://www.bigworldtech.blogspot.com/

Media Contact:
Casey Gregory
Email: caseyg@bigworldtech.com
Office: +61 2 6162 5120


2008年9月9日

供即时发布

位于中国无锡的无锡音唯响游戏软件有限公司今日宣布选用 BigWorld引擎。

音唯响公司董事会主席檀来锁先生表示：“音唯响采用全新的互动技术，提供身临其境的在线互动体验，独特的音乐创作，娱乐与成长空间，让游戏成为一个健康成长的虚拟环境，需要像BigWorld公司这样的专业技术公司提供最优秀的技术解决方案”。

“无锡音唯响的团队对互动娱乐有着完全崭新的认识，他们拥有着超凡的想象力和雄厚的研发实力，BigWorld的技术团队期待着和这群充满活力的年轻人一起创造数码娱乐行业里最富有纯粹娱乐精神的互动产品。”BigWorld公司商务发展经理郭磊说。

BigWorld Technology Suite简介

BigWorld Technology Suite 由BigWorld 服务器软件、内容创建工具、三维客户端引擎、实时管理工具和数据分析工具组成，它包含了制作下一代MMOG 所需的所有复杂技术。

BigWorld Pty Ltd 公司简介

BigWorld Pty Ltd 成立于2002 年，公司宗旨在于促进多年来积极的研发活动走向商业化。其研发活动始于1999 年，持续至今。BigWorld Pty Ltd 是一家私人控股公司，总部位于澳大利亚。BigWorld 为全世界寻求成功开发下一代大型多人在线游戏及持久/ 休闲游戏的游戏工作室、发行商授权许可使用BigWorld Technology Suite 中间件平台。

BigWorld 公司网址

http://www.bigworldtech.cn

无锡音唯响简介
音唯响是一家专业致力于家庭游戏娱乐软件及硬件的研究、开发、生产与销售的公司，对于互动娱乐有着深刻的理解，为人类精神文明建设的健康性提供多元化服务。

公司目前规模正在日趋扩大，业绩增长迅猛，目前已有上百名员工，注册会员超过100万，并将继续保持高速的发展势头，最终发展成为以自主研发为基础，面向海内外，涵盖产品出口、海外合作、代理运营等多领域的多元化国际游戏软体出口商。

无锡音唯响公司网址
http://www.greenwx.com/

媒体联系人：
Casey Gregory
电子邮箱: caseyg@bigworldtech.com
办公电话： +61 2 6162 5120

Twinity launches open beta

from the Keys to the City dept.


APLINK It's Real and others are reporting on Friday's ceremony for Twinity's formal open beta phase. CEO Jochen Hummel was on hand with other dignitaries, stating :

“Our vision is clear, this is a trusted environment within a virtual world, lifelike, and based on real metropolises. People can live, work, and have fun here. They can also beam themselves straight into the world’s most attractive cities with a single click. With the launch of our public beta phase, we have laid the foundation for Twinity’s international rollout.”

Metropolises. Metropoli? Realistic havens of cyber citizens grooving and interacting with one another in a mirror world, powered by BigWorld. Dive in and get your access.

Higher-resolution version of the Interzone Futebol Trailer :

from the You asked for it now watch it dept.

Hokuto No Ken (Fist of the North Star) Online's Unique Marketing 'Tie-Up'

This post originally posted in Japanese by Yoshi on August 23rd 2008

We know gamers all over the world eat a lot of instant noodles and here in Japan, that can actually pay off in game! Hokuto No Ken (Fist of the North Star) Online Special Pork Instant Noodles - made by ACE COOK gives you a special in-game item voucher in every delicious bowl.

By typing in the redemption code found on the ticket, users can acquire the following special items in the in-game shop.

• 1st prize: Kenshiro Army Suit (Jacket and Pants set) and in-game food item “Pork Noodles.”
• 2nd Prize: Baby Piggy Jacket and in-game food item “Pork Noodles.”
• 3rd Prize: Baby Piggy Pants and in-game food item “Pork Noodles.”

The campaign runs through the end of November 2008.

GungHo Entertainment's Hokuto No Ken Online is one of the first games from a BigWorld licensee to go commercial in Japan.

(C)1983 Buronson & Tetsuo Hara/NSP Approved No.EO-116
(C)2008 GungHo Online Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

《霸道OL》“亮剑”封测即将启动 / Badao OL will start the second beta

From http://www.badaogame.com/display.php?id=36 Dept.

Quick Comment:'Badao OL' will start the second beta by the end of August. New content will be added in.

《霸道OL》是由灵智伟业巨资研发的首款3D 网络游戏游戏。以中国上古神话奇书——《山海经》为背景。营造了一个神奇浪漫的上古世界。将《山海经》里面的上古神仙、珍奇异兽都一一再现。让玩家拥有一次特殊的山海经之旅。
在第一次封测期间，官方收集了很多热心玩家提出的建设性意见和游戏B UG，为《霸道OL》进一步完善提供了大量切实有效的指导性信息。在停机维护的时间里我们对游戏进行完善，解决第一阶段封测中出现的问题和BUG；同时根据广大玩家朋友们的建议对游戏进行调整，我们相信在这第二阶段封测中《霸道OL》会以崭新的面貌欢迎更多玩家朋友们的到来。誓打造为中国玩家最想要的网络游戏！
经过1个多月的继续努力。在全体开发人员的努力下，二测版本又有了明显的进步。再以前的基础上。增加和丰富了很多特色内容。而尤其以增加的骑乘系统、魂魄系统、荣誉系统、万魔殿、PVP战场、日常任务为最，这六大新增加的系统。极大的丰富了游戏的内涵，让玩家的游戏时间和游戏体验得到了深度的延伸。必将成为二测的亮点。
本次测试版本新增内容：装备合成系统万魔殿魂魄系统骑乘系统荣誉系统战场系统日常任务女娲任务盘古任务神农任务酒馆任务

BigWorld gets going in Russia with Cybertime

from the Sure he's from Chicago but you should try his borscht dept.

Hot on the heels of announcing a presence in Japan and Korea, BigWorld today announced the signing of the first license in Russia with Cybertime:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 26, 2008

Cybertime System creating virtual cities with BigWorld Technology

(Moscow, Russia): BigWorld today announced a new deal with Russian based Cybertime System for an upcoming massively multiplayer online virtual world ‘Cyber Town’.

Cybertime System specializes in the creation of virtual cities in real time environments. In their new project ‘Cyber Town’ they are faithfully recreating entire city infrastructures including buildings, streets, shopping centres, banks and offices. Create your own avatar and living space to socialize with friends, participate in quests and games, interact with real-world businesses and even handle online banking and utility payments. Yeketerinburg and Moscow will be the first cities to go online with other international cities like London, Tokyo and New York planned for the future.

Wladislav Nitzak, Director of Cybertime System, commented, “Looking at the explosive growth of virtual worlds and broadband internet both here in Russia and around the world, we wanted to create a new space where people could both socialize and communicate with each other in familiar settings as well as gain the added value of being able to interact with local businesses on a whole new level. We want to move from strictly placing ads to an online-services model that benefits everyone.” He further added, “Partnering with BigWorld is instrumental in helping us to achieve our technological and business goals in the best and most cost efficient manner”.

In parallel to this, BigWorld publicly confirmed that they now have direct local presence in the European market, which is being steered by the newly appointed Business Development Manager Europe/Russia Mr. Mike Allenson. This recent expansion has again increased BigWorld’s local capabilities in foreign markets including the USA, China, Australia, Japan and Europe.

Mike is an experienced business development and public relations professional. His most recent role as Business Development Director with Moscow based publisher Nival Interactive afforded him the opportunity to work on several top-selling titles, most notably Heroes of Might and Magic V for Ubisoft.

“BigWorld Technology’s growth as a best-of-class MMO middleware has been astounding. I’m both glad and honored to be joining a company that is building the best possible MMO tech coupled with an intense focus on customer support. I’m looking forward to translating and extending our successes in Asia and the U.S. here to the European and Russian markets.”

About Cybertime System
Cybertime System was founded in 2007 by Wladislav Nitzak and Nikita Kormin. Based in Yekaterinburg, Russia, they have over 30 employees dedicated to creating and maintaining online, persistent virtual cities with a focus on social networking, communications and B2C interaction.
Cybertime Website
www.online-city.ru

About the BigWorld Technology Suite
Comprised of the BigWorld Server Software, Content Creation Pipeline, 3D Client Engine Package, Live Management Tools & Instrumentation, BigWorld Technology Suite is the premier MMOG solution, providing all of the complex systems required to produce an engaging next-generation MMOG and Virtual Worlds.

About BigWorld Pty Ltd
BigWorld Pty Ltd was formed in 2002 to commercialize years of intense R&D, which started in 1999 and continues to this day. BigWorld Pty Ltd is a privately held company based in Australia that licenses its BigWorld Technology Suite middleware platform to game studios and publishers around the world that are looking to produce successful next generation Massively Multiplayer Online Games and Virtual Worlds.

BigWorld Website
www.bigworldtech.com
BigWorld News Blog
www.bigworldtech.blogspot.com

Media Contact: Casey Gregory
Email: caseyg@bigworldtech.com

五花马与仙侠网游《峥嵘天下》/ 17173 interviewed Cpegasus

From http://news.17173.com/content/2008-08-25/20080825110455814,1.shtml Dept.

Quick Comment: 17173 interviewed Cpegasus about their brilliant full 3D MMO which is believed to be launched by the end of this year.

“上有天堂，下有苏杭”，风景优美的杭州也是动漫游戏产业的集中地。近几年来，杭州政府大力扶持动漫游戏产业，17173记者来到了位于美丽的钱塘江畔的杭州五花马网络科技有限公司（以下简称五花马）。
　　五花马成立于2005年，主要从事网络游戏的开发，研发团队的成员并非由杭州本地人组成，而是来自五湖四海。据五花马运营总监陈旭介绍，这里聚集着中国早一批的网络游戏制作人，平均拥有超过5年的网络游戏实际开发经验。五花马的研发团队特别擅长控制和管理网络游戏的整体开发流程，在实时３Ｄ图象显示技术和分布式网络游戏架构技术领域有着深入的研究，“可复用式3D网络游戏引擎”处于国内领先位置。
　　目前，五花马正全力开发即时制大型多人网络全3D ARPG（动作角色扮演）游戏《峥嵘天下》。《峥嵘天下》的设计遵循Easy&Fun的设计原则，强调“成长与体验”的乐趣并辅以丰富而艺术的特效。游戏东方架空世界为游戏背景，充满东方文化气息的“仙侠”为内容，强调游戏战术策略为设计思想核心。画面表现采用了Full3D技术，通过此技术将更好的体现角色与场景的丰富与差异。逼真写实的画面效果，以及源自电影技法的镜头运用，将使整个游戏过程充满了动感和临场感。游戏内包括了战斗，收集（装备、秘籍），养成（法宝、神器、神兽培养），经营（帮会建设/个人商会），策略（大型互动阵营对抗/战场），探险（中小型多人合作副本）等，提供给玩家丰富的游戏体验。
　　“《峥嵘天下》以‘仙侠’为内容主体表现，脱离了现有 MMORPG的打怪为中心的模式，强调了游戏策略娱乐性和设计思想核心”，五花马运营总监陈旭说道，“我们将继续提高自身对东方文化的深入理解和对华人世界的亲和把握，以期成为东方游戏创造的原动力，推进数字化互动娱乐事业在中国的发展，为中国网游走向世界尽一份绵薄之力！”
　　《峥嵘天下》预计年底与广大玩家见面。（记者：17173 Aiaimao）

北斗の拳ONLINE ネットカフェサービススタート3か月連続キャンペーン

フィールドの敵とバトルを行うことで獲得できる経験値が、キャンペーン期間中、公認ネットカフェでプレイすることで50％アップします！
経験値は「強-謀経験値バー」と「術-能経験値バー」の2軸に分かれており、バトルの戦い方などによってさらに「強」「謀」「術」「能」に割り振られます。
各経験値が一定量たまるとレベルアップをして、それぞれ異なるステータスが成長します。
さらにジュドルショップで購入できる「経験値UPハイパー」等のプレミアムアイテムを使用すると、効果が重複し、獲得できる経験値がなんと最大で150％アップします！
この期間に一気にレベルアップし、それぞれの生業（なりわい）の高みを目指そう！

ネットカフェでプレミアムアイテム「経験値UPハイパー」を使用した状態でプレイした場合
最大で獲得経験値が150％UPします。
獲得経験値＝通常獲得経験値＋通常獲得経験値×100%（プレミアムアイテム「経験値UPハイパー」使用時）＋通常獲得経験値×50%（公認ネットカフェキャンペーン特典）


キャンペーン期間：
2008年8月21日（木）メンテナンス終了後 ～ 9月18日（木）10：00まで

参加方法：
特典はキャンペーン期間中に北斗の拳ONLINE公認ネットカフェ内の、キャンペーン対象パソコンからプレイすることで自動的に付与されます。
ご利用の際は、必ず店舗スタッフに北斗の拳ONLINEに対応している席かをご確認のこと。

（公式サイトより）

Gungho北斗の拳ONLINE 積極的なオフラインマーケティング （ゲーム雑誌とコラボ編）

2008年8月9日（土）発売の「オンラインゲーム すごい攻略やってます。Vol.24」（双葉社）では、北斗の拳ONLINEが表紙を飾った！


双葉社は日本の出版社ではメジャープレイヤーである、
ガンホー・オンライン・エンターテイメントは、「役立ち情報」という角度からもユーザーにアプローチしている。
素晴らしい！　
ただ売るという姿勢でなく「人（ユーザー）」の「情けに報いる」というウィンウィンなアプローチではないだろうか。

掲載内容：
巻頭10ページの特集でゲームの紹介が掲載。
初心者に優しいマップ公開など役立ちの一冊だ。
さらに同誌でしか入手できないオリジナルアイテムが付いてくるというコラボだ。

特別付録「すごいタトゥー」というようだ。


雑誌は全国の書店で購入可能！


©1983 Buronson & Tetsuo Hara/NSP Approved No.EO-116
©2008 GungHo Online Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
©FUTABASHA

情報ソース：公式サイトより抜粋

「北斗の拳ONLINE」7月24日正式サービスを開始した。

MMORPG「北斗の拳ONLINE」の正式サービスが7月24日に開始された。


　本作は，原作「北斗の拳」を忠実に再現したというサザンクロスエリアや拳王エリアを舞台に，生業（なりわい）を身につけながら，世紀末の世界で己の生き様を刻んでいくという，世紀末サバイバルMMORPGだ。マウスを使っての戦闘は，その動かし方で必殺技が発動するなど，直感的なバトルが楽しめる。　正式サービス開始に伴い，同じく同日ジュドルショップ（アイテム課金ショップ）がオープンしている。バイクなどの乗り物や，有名キャラクター風衣装セットなど，世紀末の世界を生きるための注目のプレミアムアイテムが盛りだくさんだ。

対峙するもの全てと激烈マウスバトルを繰り広げよう。

プレミアムアイテムを入手すれば、登場人物にもなりきれる！

プレミアムアイテム「スペシャルダンジョンキー」で「シン」と闘える。

プレミアムアイテム「スペシャルダンジョンキー」で「デビル・リバース」とも闘える。　このほか，ジュドルをチャージした額に応じて，オリジナルデザインのWebMoneyカード500円分（200名）や，コミック「北斗の拳」全巻（3名）が抽選でプレゼントされる，「北斗の拳ONLINE×漫画★全巻ドットコム×WebMoney」正式サービススタートキャンペーンや，公認ネットカフェ3か月連続のキャンペーン第一弾「獲得奥義ポイント50％アップキャンペーン」などが実施された。




　

(記事参考：4 Gamerより）

GungHo 北斗の拳ONLINE ユニークなオフラインマーケティング （カップヌードル編）

ビッグワールドテクノロジーを採用するガンホー・オンライン・エンターテイメントでは、「北斗の拳ONLINE」のプロモーションの一環としてユニークな試みを行っている。

さすが、日本を代表するオンラインエンターテイメント会社だ。

オンラインでのマーケティングだけでなく、ゲームユーザー層を熟考したオフラインのアプローチではないだろうか。

カップラーメン市場のメジャープレイヤーであるエースコック社とタイアップし、すべてのユーザーが避けては生きていけない食品という究極のコモディティ商品とのコラボレーションだ。

「北斗の拳ONLINE　漆黒の豚骨ラーメン大盛り」を購入すると、北斗の拳ONLINEのアイテムコードが印字されたチケットが付いてくる。

キャンペーン期間：

2008年11月30日（日）23:59まで。

キャンペーン期間中にジュドルショップにてアイテムコードを入力するとゲームアイテムがもらえる。

1等：「迷彩ケンシロウジャケット上下」（1個）、「漆黒の豚骨ラーメン」（1個）

2等：「こぶたコック服」（1個）、「漆黒の豚骨ラーメン」（1個）

3等：「こぶたコックズボン」（1個）、「漆黒の豚骨ラーメン」（1個）

「着せ替え心」、「宝くじ的高揚感」、「特別商品のコレクション」など、ラーメンの香りと共に、ユーザーの心理と五感（食欲）をそそるアプローチである。

流石！の一言に尽きます。

Interzone Futebol Trailer

from the Emote my face off dept.

The trailer is here. 'nuff said.

兵临城下:《天下贰》首部资料片/ Netease will release Tianxia 2 Expansion Set

From http://tx2.163.com/news/2008/8/15/4006_191589.html Dept.

Quick Comment: Netease will release Tianxia 2 Expansion Set:Enemy At The Gates on Sep.24th. A brand new game content will help Tianxia2 to achieve the target of 1 million PCUs.

9月24日，2008年3D网游首选大作《天下贰》将推出第一部资料片：兵临城下。兵临城下将以“三步曲”的方式推出，分别为：演武、远征、攻城。
　　“兵临城下•演武”的主要内容是战场系统，《天下贰》将逐步开放各种战斗模式。其中8月底计划推出的是“蒙面乱斗”模式，类似CS等游戏中的“死亡竞赛”，玩家在战场中遇神杀神遇佛杀佛，体验轻松、爽快、刺激的PK。
　　“兵临城下•远征”的主要内容是开放万众期待的新地图——燕丘南，以及相应的新装备、新副本、新任务、新等级。燕丘南由“江南庭院”“原始森林”“茫茫草原”组成，带玩家进入全新的华夏大地。该部分内容在9月24日全部推出。
　　“兵临城下•攻城”是整个资料片中最激动人心的部分了，资料片将真实再现上古时代的攻城与守城，云梯、冲车等各种攻城器械均会投放，

EDGE-Online highlights Interzone Futebol, the MMO Soccer game

from the You read it here... second... dept:

Jeff Lyndon is a busy little bee these days, as you can see by the number of recent posts and this interview/summary he gave out regarding the upcoming BigWorld powered release, Interzone Futebol. The story of this MMO game and the development practice behind it :

"Interzone Futebol is a virtual world centered on the game of futebol which is the most popular sport in the world. The first city in our virtual world is Rio de Janeiro, and other international cities will be added over time.

We licensed the Big World Technology suite because we had previous experience working with this engine. We also licensed several middleware components – it let us focus on game play rather than re-developing technology that we can license or services we can contract. Our partners include SpeedTree, fmod, LiveGamer, Umbra, and ScaleForm."

More over at Edge.

Twinity's Snyder interviewed on Australia's Metaverse TV

from the Get yours Mashed up here dept.



Metaversum's Jeremy Snyder talks about the urban surreality of Twinity's Berlin, in a fairly comprehensive interview with Australia's Metaverse TV. The interview features shots of the recent mock-up of Barack Obama's visit to the Brandenburg Gate 'mashed up' in Twinity. The virtual world looks set to be unleashed sometime later this year.

《三国群英传OL2》年底登场 / The Legend of Three Kingdoms Online 2 will be launched at the end of this year

From http://www.17tech.com/news/2008042330999.shtml Dept.

Quick Comment: The Legend of Three Kingdoms Online 2, a full 3D title based on BigWorld engine, will be launched at the end of this year.

宇峻奥汀于今年主打自制在线游戏，下半年将有数款游戏陆续推出。其中不乏知名作品的续作，如《三国群英传 Online 2》和《新绝代双骄 Online 2》等人气作品。宇峻奥汀表示，游戏陆续上市后，可望创下同时在线人数的新纪录。
　　以丰富的三国历史为舞台的《三国群英传 Online》一代，以扎实的游戏内容、明快的节奏，赢得许多玩家的支持。在大陆、东南亚等海外地区，也都获得不错的营运表现。宇峻奥汀指出，续作《三国群英传 Online 2》将承继系列作的特色，并以拓展海外市场为目标，期望能再度提高国际市场的能见度。

近日，宇峻奥汀也首度释出《三国群英传 Online 2》的游戏截图。《三国群英传 Online 2》，是《三国群英传》系列首次从 2D 跨入 3D，这样的重大转变，打破原有的 2D 横向滚动条限制，进化成二代细致的 3D 角色和场景，同时保留了一代的醍醐味，更大幅强化《三国群英传 Online》的经典要素。
　　在二代当中，玩家可培育出各具特色的士兵，率领士兵并配合全新的玩法与变化，体验三国写实的历史背景，呈现出大型国战的浩大场面。
宇峻奥汀说明，《三国群英传 Online 2》是BigWorld做为开发引擎，提供了优秀的绘图和网络功能。同时，透过研发小组延续多年的制作经验，呈现出细致而优美的 3D 画面，完整表现出大型国战的特色。在制作团队的努力下，城池、场景呈现出独有的三国风貌。而人物刻化经过精心的调整后，也都表现出细腻而自然的动作。
　　宇峻奥汀表示，在历经 2 年的研发，开发小组仍持续积极制作当中，目前完成进度约达 70%，并预定于 2008 年底进行测试。

天下一统增开新服“圣火燎原” / Netease will open new Tianxia 2 server to celebrate the opening of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

From http://tx2.163.com/news/2008/8/5/4006_191268.html Dept.

Quick Comment: Netease will open new Tianxia 2 server to celebrate the opening of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. This new game server will be available on 12:00 am Aug.8.2008.

8月8日中午12点，新服等着您：天下一统（大区）－－圣火燎原（服务器）　　“圣火燎原”服为电信服务器，但网易特有的技术将使网通、电信、教育网用户均可畅快游戏。
亲爱的《天下贰》玩家：
　　第二十九届夏季奥运会就将在北京点燃圣火。经过百年期盼，诞生于西方文明发源地的奥运会终于来到了东方的中国，历史悠久的奥林匹克文明与源远流长的中华文明得以实现一次伟大的交汇。
　　百年奥运，百年梦想。回首7年筹办，几多艰辛，几多汗水，几多付出。而今，随着北京奥运会各项筹办工作的就绪，随着奥运会大幕的拉开，热情的中国人民张开双臂喜迎四方佳朋，世界上越来越多的目光转向中国，聚焦北京。
　　“同一个世界、同一个梦想”，这是北京奥运会的主题口号，也是全天下人民为之全身心付出的历史记录和真实写照。承载了中国传统文化“渊源共生，和谐共融”理念的祥云火炬，将跃动不息的奥运圣火带至五大洲，在世界许多地方和中华大地传递，圣火照亮“和谐之旅”，播撒友谊与和平，点燃了世界人民对奥运会的期盼与激情。
　　跨越千山万水的祥云火炬，一路播撒奥林匹克梦想的同时，也在不断汲取新的力量。这力量，来自火炬手金晶的勇敢与镇静；这力量，来自无数海外中华儿女的追随与护持；这力量，来自不同肤色、不同种族人们的祝福与鼓励；这力量，来自“四川加油，中国加油”的激情呐喊。无论大洋彼岸，还是世界之巅，从西方到东方，从老人到孩子，手与手传递，心与心交融。奥林匹克续添的力量，源自人类共同的理想，又将人类的共同理想推向前进！
　　一百年前，民生凋敝，有识之士壮怀激烈：“东亚病夫”何时才能在世界民族之林拥有堂堂正正的一席之地？一百年后，北京成为奥运会东道主，中华民族在复兴之旅中向全人类发出了邀请！
　　奥运会是全世界人民的奥运会，五环旗是全人类共同的旗帜！将在北京点燃的奥运会圣火，是凝聚和见证各国人民梦想、奋斗和收获的全人类之火。让我们张开热情的臂膀——北京欢迎您！
　　为迎接第二十九届夏季奥运会的隆重开幕，为了让更多的玩家领略到2008年3D首选网游《天下贰》的魅力，我们将于2008年8月8日12时开启新服：　　大区：天下一统　　新服：圣火燎原

天下贰将启用全新的形象标识 / Tianxia 2 will use new logo

From http://tx2.163.com/news/2008/8/5/4006_191312.html Dept.

Quick Comment: Netease will use new logo for its famous 3D title---Tianxia 2.


近日，天下贰将启用全新的形象标识来替换原有天下贰的形象标识。新天下贰标识字体厚重大气，笔形苍劲，能更好的表现出天下贰的侠义感和大气感。8月6日更新后，客户端登陆标识已经更新为如下图标：网易将用新的天下贰形象标识替换现在所有场合中天下贰的原有形象标识，给玩家一个崭新的天下贰形象。

Meteor Games is making Twin Skies.

from The Worst kept Secrets dept.

Meteor Games of California have finally come out and officially announced that they are - indeed - calling their MMOG 'Twin Skies'. As top secret operational names for games goes, this has been a thunderous disaster of, well... massive proportions. There have been a host of community related sites up and running for a number of months, providing gossip, outlines and guides to this still in the early days online game. Video blogs, newzines and all manner of promotional and support material is out there - there are even rumours of Twin Skies - The Musical. There have been videos posted, fan poetry and documents all calling this spade by its true name. The news about Twin Skies is pretty much all over the web:

"“We’re excited to announce Twin Skies, our first major project since creating Neopets and a much more ambitious undertaking that aims to change the way gamers of all ages play and socialize in MMOs,” said Adam Powell, CEO and creative director, Meteor Games. “Twin Skies’ technology and design will allow players to access the game from anywhere and in any way they choose. The immersive world, advanced technology and accessible gameplay will be fun for gamers young and old, casual and hardcore alike.”

Unlike traditional MMOGs, such as World of Warcraft, Twin Skies will provide its players with multiple access points for enjoying the game world, allowing them to interact with the game when, where and for however long they want. PC players will be able to jump into the main Twin Skies PC MMO game to adventure, craft or explore the massive open world by themselves or with friends; players can also interact with Twin Skies on the official Web site via a series of fun and impactful flash-based mini games; or users can play Twin Skies through mobile applications and games.

Twin Skies will leverage BigWorld Technology to deliver advanced 3D graphics throughout a vast and seamless open world. The PC component of the game will deliver all of the core mechanics and gameplay that millions of MMOG fans have come to expect, while pushing beyond the boundaries of current MMOG competition by including deep player customization, fun and accessible content and advanced functionality, such as player housing."

Fifty million or more sets of eyeballs from Neopets makes it very difficult to hide an IP, even in the crowded and rapidly expanding online segment. Head on over to Twin Skies to get the low down on what Meteor is doing in the lead up to PAX this year.

Meteor Games gets its 'tube on

from the If only they allowed embedding dept.

Duck on over to Youtube and check out some of the shennanigans from the development team at Meteor Games working on their as yet unannounced title.

A peek at 38 Studios 'Copernicus' Concept Art

from the It's not ready for Primetime dept.

Nothing 'in-game' yet, but a short review with Thom Ang - Director of Art for 38 Studios by the team at Allakhazam.

"Thom, who was very recently hired and thrown into the 38 Studios frying pan, took charge from early on and made it clear that he wanted to talk about the concept art that they had to show us. One of the first topics of our conversation was "Idealized Reality", which is going to be the official art standard or rather ‘calling card' of 38 studios. The vision is that a game enthusiast will be able to look at a screenshot or video and be able to tell that it's a 38 Studios game. They certainly seem as if they all have a very clear idea about the direction of the art: this game is going to be visually stunning."

38 Studios is helmed by Brett Close and based in Boston, Mass.

Gamezone interviews Interzone on Futebol

from the Boys from Brazil dept.

In a nice little review of some of the development issues related to making a Massive Soccer title like Futebol, Gamezone talks with the Interzone team :

"Question: Soccer, or football, is a rapidly moving game that requires instant field recognition and reaction from the players. Any sort of lag can adversely affect the game conditions. How do you plan on reducing that potential game-killer?

Jeff: This is a terrific question to start off with Michael! This is actually one of the earliest obstacles we faced when developing our MMO Interzone Futebol. As you said, this can be a potential game-killer and I humbly suspect that it is the main reason that true massively multiplayer online sports games have not been developed.

The first measure we took against lag was choosing the right engine. We believed this problem would be significantly reduced if we were to use a mature and well-developed engine. After reviewing different engines, we decided to use the BigWorld engine. We have developers that are experienced with it and BigWorld is very responsive and supportive toward us."

Interzone is putting the finishing touches on their online sports title, Futebol, which is being released for testing in Brazil later this year.

Meteor Games' Donna Williams talks to Twin Skies Navigator

from the Music to our Ears dept.

Donna Williams stepped down from her sky throne to talk with Twin Skies Navigator yesterday about the Meteor Games 'in development' BigWorld powered title.

Donna Williams : "The original plan changed quite dramatically from our rather humble initial ideas. We always wanted to make an MMO crossed with a community, but we didn’t think we could pull off 3D. Originally we were aiming to make something in flash, like Dofus, but after looking around at the other free to play and subscription games out there it became pretty apparent that flash just wasn’t going to cut it. We were so impressed with the BigWorld engine, it really opened up so many new opportunities for us and the guys are great to work with. When we started we didn’t think we would be growing so fast, we now have 49 staff and are still hiring. That’s pretty insane for a company that has been around for less than a year! It’s a bit nerve wracking, but so much fun to see everything really come together."

Donna Williams and Adam Powell were the seed talents behind Neopets which remains today one of the largest population-driven web titles ever developed. Head on over to Twin Skies Navigator to check out the full article.

INTERVIEW : Interzone Futebol

from the Can we Play it yet? dept.

Jeff Lyndon, Interzone's VP of China Operations, steps up to the plate at an interview over at IncGamers. Or maybe not a plate - maybe a goal line. Or takes position at a corner.

"Any other activities in-game that don't have a connection to soccer?

Yes, although the world is centered on futebol we want players to be able to enjoy the game world even if they don’t play futebol. Most features will link back to futebol in some way, but you can just be a fan and enjoy yourself in the social world without ever entering a stadium.

What are the MMO aspects of your game? A persistent universe, character?

Interzone Futebol is a full multiplayer online game with persistent characters, progression and a full 3D world for you to explore. Outside the stadium you’ll find dance clubs, cafes, and shops to explore and have fun in. We are even putting lots of little secrets things for you to discover as you explore and party in the beach side neighborhood of Ipanema."

More of the interview here.

Stargate Worlds Combat preview

from the It's all happening at Comic Con dept.

Jon Wood - managing editor over at MMORPG.com gives a short narration of the Stargate Worlds combat experience he had today over at Comic Con (also, a video). Stargate Worlds is trying something a bit novel for MMOs - a hybrid, cover based tactical combat system, a generation or so past the rock/ paper/ scissors combat sequencing of other MMOs. Comic Con is the place to be with your IP, and this will be a noisy week of follow-up for a lot of previously-under-wraps titles.

Tutorial and UI first-look for Stargate Worlds over at Ten Ton

from the I can't believe its not Butter dept.

The guys over at Ten Ton Hammer have yet another exclusive look at the Stargate property coming out of Arizona from the Firesky guys - Stargate Worlds. In this video, Dan Elggren shows off some of the early in-game tutorial and UI customization available to players of the game. With a 2009 release mentioned, this is one of the higher-profile Bigworld games in the US for next year.