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MapleStory 2 shows off a new trailer for G-Star 2014
MapleStory 2 looks pretty different from its predecessor, but it still has its heart in the right place. You can see some of that on display in the game's latest trailer, released as part of the G-Star 2014 festivities going on right now in South Korea. The are ducklings to ride, walls to climb, and boss monsters for huge numbers of players to desperately thwack at until they die. Nature of the beast and all. The game's next beta test has also been confirmed for January of next year, although it will not be a global test at this time. This new test will include 32 new areas for players to explore, more classes to play, and a new Shadow World with open PvP. More player customization and creation options will be unlocked as well. While you might not be able to participate in the test yourself, it'll at least help to know it's hurtling toward completion.
Closers Online shows off gameplay and characters at G-Star 2014
Tired of side-scrolling-brawler-style MMOs at this point? Closers Online is a new title coming from Nexon and Naddic Games that works in that mold, allowing players to take on a variety of different opponents in rendered and cel-shaded environments. If that's everything you ever wanted, you'll be happy to know that there's plenty of information on the game at G-Star 2014. A variety of gameplay modes are available, ranging from normal story missions to special time-limited emergency events that players can queue up for solo or in groups. Players will also have a daily continue limit (possibly offset with microtransactions) and a skill evolution system based on using Skill Cubes found on monsters. Check out the promotional video just past the break courtesy of Steparu if you want to see a bit of the game in action.
Civilization Online closed beta trailer features building, battles, and drumming
There's something about a good Civilization trailer that always makes me feel downright nostalgic, and I think that factor is the world music being sung. We've got another trailer in this grand tradition for you to watch today, this one from G-Star covering the upcoming Civilization Online. Civilization Online is currently in Korean closed beta, but from the looks of this video, it's coming along nicely. The trailer shows players working together to construct a bridge over a chasm, build cities, assemble armies, and engage on that most sacred of pre-fight rituals, happy drumming. Check it out after the break!
Lineage Eternal gets a gameplay demo at G-Star 2014
We've known about Lineage Eternal for a while, but actual details have been in short supply despite that fact. The game's showing at G-Star 2014 might put some of that curiosity to bed, however, as according to Steparu there's a gameplay demo and a 25-minute look at the game in play just past the break. While full character customization was not available on the show floor, those at the con can choose to play the heavily armored Guard Knight or the transparently armored Element Warlock while previewing different allegiances, outfits, and clothing colors. As for the actual gameplay... well, if a picture is worth a thousand words, nearly half an hour of moving pictures is surely worth even more words. So jump on past the break and check it out! The demo covers the early stages of several game regions as well as a 20-person quest leading players to defeat various raid monsters.
Tree of Savior shows off its gameplay at G-Star 2014
There's no denying that even in static shots, Tree of Savior looks like a very pretty isometric game. The title is on display at G-Star 2014 and showing off a new trailer courtesy of Steparu that highlights some of the game's big field bosses, playable classes, and the general look of the world as a whole. And you can watch that trailer just after the break to see all of these moving parts in action. Nexon has been confirmed as the Korean publisher for the game, but there are still no announcements to be had about any sort of publication in the US. The game's control layout has been revealed to be a far cry from the point-and-click interface suggested by the overhead view; movement is handled with the arrow keys, and the first two rows of the keyboard serve as hotbar bindings. Check out the video past the break to see if it looks like something you'd like to play in the future. [Thanks to Yorai Dragon for the tip!]
Peria Chronicles puts sandbox features front and center at G-Star 2014
If you're not looking forward to Peria Chronicles, that's sort of understandable since you've probably never heard of it before now. It's a new Korean anime-inspired sandbox game with -- wait, don't walk away, I'm just getting to the part that's interesting! It's more like a cel-shaded Minecraft, you see, and the latest trailer shows off some of the reasons you should care even if seeing the words "Korean" and "anime" and "sandbox" in close proximity give you the urge to run for the hills. You can check out the G-Star trailer courtesy of Steparu just past the break. While it only goes over some of the game's features in rapid succession, it shows off floating player-created landscapes, player-made objects with varied functions, and the monster taming system. If that sounds interesting, jump on down and check out the trailer. No sort of US release has been discussed at this time.
Master X Master MOBA getting a mobile version as well
It might just be the theme of this year's G-Star: online PC games announcing mobile versions. It's at least true for NCsoft's Master X Master, which should be coming some time after the MOBA's launch. Master X Master is NCsoft's first internally developed MOBA and is being planned for multiple platforms. The mega-publisher is utilizing cloud technology to create a global platform that will run Master X Master and other titles. We've got the new Master X Master G-Star trailer for you to check out after the break!
NCsoft releases more Project HON trailers for G-Star 2014
As part of its G-Star 2014 push, NCsoft has revealed another set of teasers for mech-happy maybe-MMOFPS Project HON. Steparu reports that Korean media outlets are publishing conflicting descriptions of the game; some say it's a "mecha MMORPG," while others argue it's a "third-person shooter with RPG mechanics." There's no culture divide here, folks; the debate over what constitutes an MMO is in fact the universal language. Check out the new trailers below.
Blade & Soul and Aion mobile games announced
While mobile MMO development seems to be at an all-time low in the West, it might be up to our Asian friends to pick up the slack. Ahead of G-Star-2014 this week, NCsoft has announced that both Blade & Soul and Aion will be getting mobile spin-offs in the near future. Aion: Legion will be a tactical RPG with plenty of strategy, tactics, and raids. It's being planned for both iOS and Android devices and should run fine on phones and tablets even a couple of years old. Then there's Blade & Soul: Mobile, which will boast a cuter look and a love-story focus. There have been no release dates or windows announced for either title. We've got the G-Star trailers for both games after the break, so let us know if they get you revved up!
NCsoft promises a simultaneous global release for Lineage Eternal
NCsoft has today announced that Lineage Eternal, the third in the big-in-Korea series, will feature a simultaneous worldwide release both for the PC game and for the mobile edition. Yes, there's a mobile edition. Steparu.com has translated all of the G-Star 2014 documents relating to the game and confirms that it is indeed an "open-world MMORPG" with mouse cursor movement, 20-man raids, random and dynamic dungeons, PvP, and no "generic questing system." According to Steparu, NCsoft is testing a new cloud gaming system that will nullify the need for a Korean account to play the company's games. Instead, gamers can just link a social media account to play. Lineage Eternal is apparently slated for a "2016 or later" release; closed beta is now planned for the first half of 2015. Check out the new G-Star videos below.
Black Desert's Korean launch lands in December
A new announcement on the official Black Desert website confirms that the sandbox MMO will launch before the end of the year. Beta is expected to launch in the next few weeks. That's the Korean beta, of course. No details on a western launch have been given. Last summer, we learned that Daum would be publishing the game in the west. We've embedded the G-Star 2014 Black Desert trailer and all of the new screenshots -- there's a ton, and they're gorgeous -- below.
Nexon teases Hyper Universe with a trailer, will publish Tree of Savior
Although Nexon's big showcase for the year, G-Star 2014, doesn't start until next week, there's already some information coming out thanks to a press day, and MMO Culture nabbed a few bits of news. Nexon showed a teaser trailer for its upcoming Hyper Universe game. While information about the game is a bit scarce, the premise of heroes from multiple universes battling it out lends itself to a possible PvP brawler idea. You can get a glimpse of a few of the various characters in the trailer below. Nexon will also be the Korean publisher for Tree of Savior; the company is taking over all marketing and business activities from this point on. Players can expect a new trailer of the game to be released next week during G-Star 2014, and the pace of development is said to be quickening to still meet its 2015 launch schedule.
Lineage Eternal will be playable at G-Star 2014
NCsoft today announced that Lineage Eternal, first revealed back in 2011, will be playable at this year's G-Star con in Busan, South Korea. The third entry in the outrageously popular Lineage series was originally scheduled to head into closed beta this winter and seems to share more in common with Lineage 1 thanks to its isometric view and heavy focus on guild warfare. MMO Culture reports that NCsoft MMO Project HON will likewise be playable and that the company plans to announce a "mystery game" a few days before the con opens on November 20th. We've included the G-Star teaser vid below; it includes quick flashes of Lineage, Lineage II, Aion, and Blade & Soul too.
PlanetSide 2 coming to South Korea
PlanetSide 2 is forging in-roads with South Korea as SOE has announced a partnership with Daum Communications to bring the free-to-play MMOFPS to the country. Daum will be handling all of the operations of the title with exclusive publishing rights. Daum Leader of Game Division Sean Hong anticipates a strong response from the country's gamers: "PlanetSide 2 is a groundbreaking MMOFPS, and its competitive nature is a perfect fit for the South Korean audience." The date of the South Korean launch is unknown, but the two companies will be showing PlanetSide 2 off at G-STAR from November 14th through 16th. [Source: SOE press release]
Icarus Online preps for closed beta, releases trailer
We haven't talked about Icarus Online after its unfortunate journey to the sun last year, so it's definitely time to check in with this South Korean import. The flight-centric MMO is gearing up for closed beta next month, and players can sign up right the heck now if they want to participate in the beta. The first closed beta test is scheduled for May 2nd through 5th and will feature five classes and a level cap of 25. WeMade Entertainment has a new trailer showing off Icarus Online and its aerial combat, which your peepers may partake of after the jump. [Thanks to Steparu for the tip!]
Check out ten minutes of Asta game footage
The folks at Asta: The War of Tears and Winds are probably hoping that Mists of Pandaria players will crave even more Asian World of Warcraft action as evidenced by a new video that shows off the game's looks and combat. It's a lengthy 10-minute tour that begins with character creation (why are MMO characters so fidgety, anyway?) and progresses through several zones with an emphasis on battles, scenery, and East Asian designs. Asta's been in the making for quite some time now and features a gorgeous look powered by the CryEngine 3. Check out the new footage after the jump and see whether this might tempt you to put your current game down in the future. [Thanks to Paul for the tip!]
Black Desert sandbox launching in 2013
We've talked a bit about Black Desert before, and its visuals, housing, and parkour systems have us pretty excited. Thanks to this week's G-Star 2012 convention, we now know when to expect the Korean fantasy sandbox (in Korea that is, there's no word on a U.S. or European launch). MMO Culture reports that the game is 70% of the way toward its open beta milestone, which is currently scheduled for August or September of 2013. Closed beta will happen during "the first half of 2013." Pearl Abyss has 50 developers working on the game, which boasts a seamless open world comparable in size to vanilla World of Warcraft. The devs are also working on a new samurai-type class.
New Asta gameplay clips revealed at G-Star 2012
Just when you thought there couldn't be any more interesting MMOs hailing from Korea and this week's G-Star 2012 convention, along comes Asta. Actually the full title is Asta: The War of Tears and Winds, and it's a game we've had one eye on since 2011. MMO Culture calls it an "Asian World of Warcraft," and this is borne out in the new trailer and gameplay clips released today. Hangame has built Asta on the CryEngine 3, and the game eschews the new hotness of action MMO combat for a more traditional tab-targeting system. Get a load of some gameplay footage after the cut.
Icarus Online G-Star trailer highlights aerial combat
Last week we heard tell of Icarus Online, a new Korean import from WeMade Entertainment. The initial trailer clocked in at a rather cryptic 29 seconds, so today we're happy to see a longer foray into gameplay proper. MMO Culture reports that one of Icarus' selling points is aerial combat, and the new G-Star 2012 vid reflects as much. Icarus Online is built on the CryEngine 3, and Steparu says that it features point-and-click combat on the ground and "non-targeting" combat in the skies. Head past the cut for the new trailer as well as a second video showing both ground-based combat and the game's UI.
Here's another impressive Bless trailer, this time with a huge world boss
Another day, another new Bless trailer from G-Star 2012. This time around it's a two-and-a-half-minute clip that's heavy on action, combat, and the game's stunning fantasy visuals. Steparu reports that in spite of all the eye candy, the trailer is composed entirely of in-game footage. Said footage includes a range of AI mobs and powerful player avatars as well as a slew of varied environments and a truly massive world boss. See for yourself after the break.
