Genesis Journey to the West goes into closed beta on 3rd.Apr / 《创世西游》于2009年4月3日第一次技术封闭测试

From http://game.people.com.cn/GB/48644/48661/9039203.html
Quick Comment: Genesis Journey to the West, a massive 3D MMOPRG developped by Netease, will go into the first Closed beta on 3rd.Apr.2009

人民网3月27日电　网易旗下“创世工作室”历时四年倾力打造的国产3D东方神幻大作《创世西游》，将于2009年4月3日正式开放第一次技术封闭测试。

网易分别在2002年和2004年推出了《西游三部曲》的前两部——《大话西游》和《梦幻西游》，并以其超凡的游戏品质、丰富多样的玩法和良好的网络社区环境，赢得了无数玩家的喜爱。

《梦幻西游》更以232万同时在线的数据，创造了中国网络游戏的神话。

为了向玩家呈现一副完整的西游画卷，网易于2005年开始正式启动了三部曲的第三部——《创世西游》的开发。经过四年的辛苦耕耘，现在终于可以展现在玩家面前。

作为三部曲中的压轴大作，《创世西游》建立在一个宏大而完整的世界体系之上，在这个世界中，演绎了六道的生成和轮回，五行的起始和寂灭。世界之中的各种生灵，他们的使命与追求，征战与纠葛，生存与死亡，便注定了世界的创始与终结。而西游，便是绽开在这片广袤土地上一朵绚烂的奇葩：唐僧师徒原本是谁？他们为何踏上取经之路？取经的终极意义究竟为何？……这一切，都只是一个开始，一个世界的开始！《创世西游》由此得名。

为了展现一个全新的、更加奇幻瑰丽的中国神话世界，《创世西游》的美术风格既有别于《大话西游》的唯美写实，也不同于《梦幻西游》的Q版可爱，而是采用了一种接近传统中国美术片的风格，场景色彩更加饱满圆润，人物更加活灵活现。神幻瑰丽，丰富辽阔，融合了国风韵味与想象夸张于一身，充满了东方古典之美。
　
游戏采用与《天下贰》相同的BigWorld引擎，支持无缝超大场景和各种华丽的3D效果，单组服务器可支持万人同时在线，是目前世界上最先进的3D多人在线游戏引擎。

Website: http://csxy.163.com/

Announcing BigWorld Technology Suite 2.0 – A major upgrade delivering hundreds of new features and performance improvements

25 March 2009

For Immediate Release

In Game Web Functionality, Full 64 Bit Server Support, Ground Breaking Multi-Threaded Client Capability among enhancements to industry leading MMO middleware.

[San Francisco, CA, 25th March 2009] BigWorld Pty Ltd. today announced the release of BigWorld Technology Suite 2.0, reinforcing its position as the leader in development technology for massively multiplayer online games and virtual worlds. A proven technology, with dozens of licenses worldwide, and an ever-increasing number of game titles in full commercial operation, the BigWorld Technology Suite has been offering developers the ideal balance between quality and scalability since 1999.

Now with the release of BigWorld Technology Suite 2.0, including a multitude of new features and improvements such as native 64 bit server support, a new fully featured multi-threaded client with exciting post effects, and extensive social networking and Web 2.0-style functionality, the company continues to reinforce its position as the industry leader in truly massively multiplayer environment development technology. BigWorld CTO, Simon Hayes, commented that ‘BigWorld has always been at the forefront of massively multiplayer development technology. It was important for us to implement native full 64 bit support to ensure the greatest possible server scalability and continue to reduce deployment costs for our customers’.

Commenting on the new version, Gavin Longhurst, VP of Business Development, said “BigWorld 2.0 consolidates hundreds of optimizations and features since our customers started releasing games over the last few years. More complex and sophisticated visuals with tools like the integrated weather-editor are great improvements to workflow, but online games are not just about eye candy. Social connectivity through appropriate use of interfaces like Twitter, and web-content injection into games and virtual worlds can make for an increasingly compelling, ‘sticky’ and creative environment. These are part of the tools and interfaces for the massive communities of now and tomorrow’.

BigWorld Technology Suite 2.0 also sees the addition of a post-processing visual effects editor, enabling effects such as cartoon rendering, film granularity, and posterization to be applied to the virtual environment. This is all part of the new multi-threaded client application.

BigWorld will be demonstrating BigWorld Technology Suite 2.0 on North Hall Booth #6233 at GDC 2009, taking place at the Moscone Convention Center, San Francisco, between 25th and 27th March 2009.

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 complete and proven massively multiplayer game development solution, providing all of the complex systems required to produce engaging, highly scalable 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 licenses its middleware platform to game studios and publishers around the world to build successful next generation MMOGs and Virtual Worlds. For more information and links to currently released or in production titles, visit www.bigworldtech.com.

BigWorld News Blog
blog.bigworldtech.com

Media Contact: Casey Gregory

Email: caseyg@bigworldtech.com

Phone: +61 2 6162 5120

Astrum Online developing new client-based title on BigWorld

from the online games play you dept.

Astrum Online Entertainment is developing a new online game based on BigWorld Technology

Moscow, Russia, March 25, 2008

Astrum Online Entertainment and BigWorld Pty Ltd. announced today the signing of a license agreement for the use of BigWorld’s technology software suite for developing a new online game.

This new project has already been in development for several months by a team of professionals with over ten years of experience in the Russian gaming industry. The team has earlier produced well- known games such as Silent Storm and Robocalypse. The official announcement of the game is scheduled for the second half of 2009.

“Our team has many years of experience in the gaming industry and I’m proud that we’ve got a chance to focus directly on this challenging gaming process in our first online project. It’s been in development for several months already; so it’s safe to say now that BigWorld’s technology successfully tackles all the objectives and allows cutting production cycles”, said Dmitry Zakharov, Head of ACTA Games, the developer of the game.

Mike Allenson, Business Development Manager Europe/Russia for BigWorld Technology stated, “We’re extremely pleased to be working with the largest online company in Eastern Europe. We’re certain that the combination of our world-leading MMO technology suite and Astrum’s highly professional and experienced development team will produce results that help solidify both of our positions locally as well as internationally.”

Vladimir Nikolsky, the CEO of Astrum Online Entertainment believes in the strategic advantage of partnering with BigWorld Pty Ltd. “Using BigWorld’s technology in game development opens new strategic horizons for Astrum Online in the development of the European online gaming market. Only the best quality and the most creative gaming projects can win against tough competition. We have both of these advantages and we are ready to start astonishing Europe and Russia this year already”.

Expanding into international markets with high quality Russian products is a seamless part of Astrum Online’s development strategy. The first steps have already been implemented and include the localization of Astrum’s games into Great Britain, Germany, Turkey and China. The experts of Astrum Online believe this will allow the Russian gaming industry to secure its position in foreign markets and create a strong foundation for the Russian business thus getting ready for the next turn in the global entertainment industry’s evolution which will begin in 5-7 years.

Occupying over 60% of the local Russian market and having extensive experience in the development, publishing and managing of online games, Astrum Online Entertainment operates in new geographical markets according to time-proven strategy of focusing on MMO games and a free-to-play business model.

About Astrum Online Entertainment

Astrum Online Entertainment is the largest player in the Russian market of interactive online entertainment. The Corporation is formed by five companies: Nival Online, Nikita.Online, IT Territory, Time Zero and DJ Games. These companies have successfully launched more than thirty MMO games, including hits like Lord of the Rings: Shadows of Angmar, Legend: Legacy of the Dragons, Territory, Time Zero, Sphere, Piratia, Perfect World and many others.

By the beginning of 2009 a total audience of Astrum’s projects made up over 15 million players.

Astrum Online Entertainment prepares to release ten of its own gaming projects as well as six localized online games by its foreign partners during 2009. For more information please visit Astrum Online.

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 licenses its middleware platform to game studios and publishers around the world to build successful next generation MMOGs and Virtual Worlds. For more information and links to currently released or in production titles, visit www.bigworldtech.com.


Roman Chernigovtsev
Astrum Online Entertainment
Phone: +7 (495) 952-4482
E-mail: press@astrumonline.ru

Casey Gregory
BigWorld PTY Ltd.
Phone: +61 2 6162 5120
Email: caseyg@bigworldtech.com

GungHo's Hokuto no Ken Online (Fist of the North Star Online) Gets Major Revamp

Hokuto No Ken is now Hokuto No Ken Online Heroes

At a recent press conference (March 14th 2009) in Tokyo's Akihabara district, BigWorld customer GungHo Entertainment revealed details of a major overhaul of the popular online game title 'Hokuto No Ken Online' [Fist of the North Star Online].

The update is scheduled to be available for download from the middle of April '09.




Four new major gameplay systems were unveiled:


・Hero System
Once per day, a player character selected at random will have the chance to become a Hokuto No Ken Hero - with extra abilities and powers to go with it!








・Crime System
Players can now enjoy various criminally inclined activities around the world of Hokuto No Ken. Steal a motorbike, and rampage through the city.








・Buddy System
Characters from the original "Hokuto No Ken" manga work together to achieve their aims.









・一撃必殺！ 「一指奥義（ひとさしおうぎ）」
Hmmm - your translator has no clue what this means! Looks fun though - will get back to you shortly :-)


Anyway folks, will keep you updated on all things BigWorld in Japan and Korea.

Interzone Entertainment Announces Australian Closed Beta for Interzone Futebol

from the Made in Australia file

"Interzone Futebol features unique competitive gameplay with every character on field, including the goalkeeper, controlled by a real person. As players participate in matches, they unlock new abilities, earn salaries and are rewarded with sponsorship deals. The final release of the game will feature music by world-renowned DJ Paul Oakenfold and audio commentary from a yet-to-be-announced sports commentator."

Source

BigWorld licensee Slipgate becomes part of Gazillion Monster Publisher

from the You didn't read it first here dept.

San Mateo-based studio 'Slipgate Ironworks' came out of hiding of sorts today with a massive industry lash of all things online and a name change, including the announcement of a mammoth ten-year licensing contract with Marvel to deliver MMO games based on the comic book and movie franchise's properties.

This is a truly mammoth deal encompassing multiple satellite studios working on significant online content - studios include Romero's own Slipgate Ironworks, newcomers Gargantuan, NetDevil who are building again a Jumpgate title as well as a Lego title. Ben Fritz's excellent Variety interview and article notes :

"...it has four major MMO development studios under its umbrella and eight projects either planned or in the works:

-NetDevil, which Gazillion recently acquired, already has "Lego Universe" and "Jumpgate Evolution" in development, along with an unannounced MMO. The Lego Group controls its eponymous game and will handle publishing. But Gazillion got the rights to "Jumpgate" when it acquired NetDevil and will co-publish it in the U.S. with Codemasters, which is handling retail distribution.

-Gargantuan, a studio founded by Gazillion, is making "Marvel Universe."

-Slipgate Ironworks, started by id co-founder John Romero, which Gazillion has quietly been involved in from the beginning. It's producing an unannounced original MMO.

-Amazing Society, another existing studio that Gazillion has quietly been working with from its inception, is developing the "Super Hero Squad" MMO and two unannounced titles.

Founder and CEO Rob Hutter (left) knows that MMOs are a huge risk. But in a down economy when traditional console publishers in particular are struggling, he sees it as the biggest opportunity, particularly when combined with licenses.

"We saw the meteoric success of 'World of Warcraft' and now more casual titles like 'Runescape,' 'Club Penguin' and 'MapleStory' are proving the format really has traction," he explained. "The missing piece is bringing worldwide dominant entertainment brands into the space in a way that delivers high quality MMOs with properties that have a tremendous amount of recognition."

Rob Hutter, CEO of Gazillion continues,

"Licensed MMOs are only a winning proposition if you can convince folks to spend time for six months and beyond," Hutter affirmed. "That long-term relationship means your audience is a check on quality. It's very different from a one-shot retail sale where you're just going off the marketing of another property. The safest strategy for us is a high quality title."

Read more at Variety, and here, in Virtual Worlds News, and in Edge and here (Korean) or here (French).

『北斗の拳ONLINE』が「北斗の拳ONLINE HEROES」に完全リニューアル

3月14日東京秋葉原UDXシアターにて、「北斗の拳オンライン」の大型アップデートが発表された。　アップデートは3月下旬～5月まで徐々に実装される予定だ。




新システムとして大きく4つの要素が加わる。


・ヒーローシステム
　一日一回ランダムでプレイヤーの誰かが「北斗の拳」のヒーローキャラクターに　なれる。ヒーローに合った「スペシャルな技」を発動できる。




・クライムシステム
　停めてあるバイクを盗んで乗り回すことができる。リヤカーや箱など街中の物を　破壊したり、村人などのNPCを殴ることができるようになるなど「悪党を選択した　ユーザーはより「悪事」を満喫できるようになった。


・相棒システム
　原作漫画「北斗の拳」に出演するキャラクターや動物を「相棒」として一緒に行　動することが可能になった。




・一撃必殺！ 「一指奥義（ひとさしおうぎ）」
　「奥儀」発動時に画面の「一指奥儀」ボタンアイコンで更に強力な技にすること　が可能になった。これは新課金アイテム「一指奥儀（ひとさしおうぎ）」を購入　すると、低レベル帯のキャラクターであっても強力な「奥儀」技を発動できるよ　うになる素敵な仕様だ。

今回の大幅アップデートは，どれもユーザーから要望の多かった要素の追加/変更とのことで，それを受けた形の大きな変更となる。ユーザーの声で生まれ変わる，新しい北斗の拳ONLINEに期待だ!

English summary will be updated soon.

Hangzhou 9D Network Technology Co., Ltd. signs BigWorld Technology license deal / 杭州9D网络科技宣布购买BigWorld引擎

16 March 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Hangzhou 9D Network Technology Co., Ltd. signs BigWorld Technology license deal

Today, Hangzhou 9D Network Technology Co., Ltd. based in Hangzhou, China announced that they have begun work on their new game using the BigWorld Technology Suite.

Mr. Bao Zijian, CEO of 9D commented “Our experienced team of developers and artists have already made good progress into the game and we are enjoying the benefits of using this proven middleware technology to save us valuable time and help keep us on track to market”.

“After finishing last year on a high from being ranked inside the top 100 of the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 Asia Pacific 2008 rankings, we are pleased to continue this strong growth early in the New Year with the signing of 9D. We wish them every success in their project and welcome them to our growing family of customers” said Guo Lei, Business Development Manager of BigWorld.

About Hangzhou 9D Network Technology Co., Ltd.
Established in June 2008 at Hangzhou, Hangzhou 9D Network Technology Co., Ltd is a very youthful and vibrant game development company that is dedicated to research and development (R&D), production and selling of online games software and hardware. With a thorough understanding of interactive entertainment, the 9D team believes they are capable of producing the next big online game sensation for the China game industry.

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.

BigWorld Websitehttp://www.bigworldtech.com/
BigWorld News Bloghttp://blog.bigworldtech.com/
Media Contact: Casey Gregory
Email: caseyg@bigworldtech.com
Phone: +61 2 6162 5120

16 March 2009
供实时发布

杭州9D网络科技宣布购买BigWorld引擎
今日，位于中国杭州的9D网络科技宣布购买BigWorld引擎以用于最新研发的游戏产品。
9D网络科技的CEO鲍子健先生宣布：“BigWorld引擎这一优秀的中间件产品，将为我们整个研发过程节省大量的宝贵时间，我们富有经验的研发团队已经在产品研发上已经取得了相当的进展，并相信在市场上会获得预期的成就。”

BigWorld商务发展经理郭磊先生表达了自己的感受： “在2008年德勤高科技高成长公司澳大利亚50强排名榜上，BigWorld Technology 被评为成长最快的澳大利亚软件公司，并挤身于亚太区500强中前百强。我们非常高兴在新的一年里BigWorld依然保持着良好的势头，我祝福9D网络科技不断取得新的进展并且热情欢迎他们加入BigWorld不断扩大的大家庭中。”

关于杭州9D网络科技
成立于2008年6月的杭州9D网络科技是一个充满活力的游戏公司，9D主要从事在线游戏软硬件产品的研发、生产和销售。基于对互动娱乐的深入理解，9D坚信他们能够震撼中国游戏产业的新一代在线游戏产品。

关于BigWorld Technology Suite
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，它是目前最优异的大型多人在线游戏解决方案，包含了制作下一代大型多人在线游戏及虚拟现实产品所需的所有复杂技术。

关于BigWorld Pty Ltd 公司
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，在中国、欧美及日韩拥有分支机构。BigWorld 为全世界寻求成功开发下一代大型多人在线游戏及虚拟现实产品的游戏工作室、运营商提供性能优异的BigWorld Technology Suite 中间件平台。

BigWorld 公司网址
http://www.bigworldtech.com/
BigWorld 新闻博客
http://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

BigWorld at GDC 2009

from the See you at GDC dept.

BigWorld is attending GDC this year, North Hall at booth # 6233, showcasing the upcoming release of BigWorld 2.0, including numerous architectural and procedural improvements to the technology suite. CTO Mr Simon Hayes, and VP Gavin Longhurst will also be attending. To set up a meeting time - please email 'appointments' at bigworldtech.com to secure time with our staff. See you at the show!"

BigWorld 将参加今年的 GDC, 在美国旧金山

BigWorld 将参加今年的 GDC, 展台为北大厅 6233号， 到时将展示即将上市的BigWorld2.0 版本，包括许多建筑和程序技术套件的改进。CTO Mr Simon Hayes 和 VP Gavin Longhurst 将会出席。 如需安排会议-请email 至 appointments 'at' bigworldtech .com 与我们的员工确认时间。 在展会上见！

GDC2009出展いたします。

ビッグワールドは今年もGDCに出展いたします。　北ホール6233番ブースにて更に進化をとげた最新版のBigWorld2.0を発表いたします。最高技術責任者サイモン・ヘイズとビジネス開発担当副社長のギャビン・ロングハーストがブースで皆様をお待ちしております。
商談をご希望のお客様は、appointments 'at' bigworldtech.com にお問い合わせいただき、ミーティング時間のご調整をお願いいたします。　皆様とお会いできることを楽しみにしております。