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NCsoft is the world’s largest publisher of Massively Multiplayer software and had several games to show with expected American releases.
The biggest name is, of course, Tabula Rasa, the latest game from Richard Garriott. Combining elements of a shooter and an RPG, Tabula Rasa will be a story-driven MMO experience where team skill, as well as the ability to strategize and adapt tactics, will play a role. The game promises to be fast-paced, allowing players to have meaningful game sessions in play increments as small as 30 min.
NCsoft’s current golden boy in America is Guild Wars. Guild Wars’ biggest selling point is that the game has no subscription fee. You purchase the game and that’s it; no more paying. The latest expansion is titled Guild Wars Factions and takes place on the continent of Cantha, an area with a decidedly Asian flavor. The expansion includes two new classes, Assassin and Ritualist. The background story of Factions involves the rivaling factions of the Luxons and the Kurzicks. Players can choose a side and in the PVP that makes end game Guild Wars so appealing.
Aion will feature PvPvE gameplay, with three factions, Angels and Demons controlled by players, and Dragons controlled by the server. NCsoft claims the “game will transform the way you experience new content”, with players controlling the destinies of servers. I’ve heard things like this before though, so we’ll have to see if it’s anything more than the color of a banner that changes twice a year.
NCsoft will also be unveiling an interesting new enterprise soon. Called PlayNC, this will be a lineup of high-quality games with free demos to download. These aren’t your typical demos however. These demos will offer unlimited playtime to a vast majority of the play content. Pay if you like. Some games showcased for the line were Dungeon Runners, which is ultimately a 3D Diablo with a World of Warcraft art style (so it’s pretty cool), Soccer Fury, a soccer/martial arts game, Exteel, a 3D fighting mech game with fully customizable mech, and an anime inspired tennis game who’s name for American release has not yet been finalized. |
