Gamearts : Grandia Online character creation and posturing overview!

from the Make the Eyes a bit bigger dept.

Grandia CBT next week

from the Step on up dept.

According to www.Steparu.com, there is a short closed beta test this week of Grandia Online, for a lucky few at least. More information at this link.

Grandia Online coming Summer 2009!

from the It's all over the web - even in Japan dept.

Japan is getting its second BigWorld-powered title launching in as many years, with Tokyo-based Gamearts studio publishing the online fest with Gungho.

"Yoshitada Iwata, Producer at GungHo Online Entertainment, commented that “The BigWorld Technology provides a robust, cost effective way for us to bring GameArts’ online visions to life. Both the technology and the support we receive from the BigWorld team are second to none, and I cannot recommend the BigWorld platform more highly to teams considering creating any kind of massively multiplayer online game.”

More on the full release of this game, currently slated for Summer 2009 available here and here.

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.

BigWorld Announces Direct Local Presence in Japan and South Korea

BigWorld Announces Direct Local Presence in Japan and South Korea

17th July 2008

For Immediate Release

(Canberra, Australia): BigWorld has recently expanded its presence in both the Japanese and South Korean markets. Gavin Longhurst, BigWorld VP for Business Development, announced that this move bolsters BigWorld’s ability to provide direct sales and support to the increasing number of game developers using the BigWorld MMO engine in the region. Longhurst said that BigWorld has appointed James Hursthouse, formerly founder and CEO of Online Game Services Inc. (OGSi), as Director, Business Development and Yoshikazu Furuhata as Account Executive.

Full release here.