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NCSoft News

Sony Online Entertainment launches its first Facebook game Monday, March 8, 2010 @ 3:11PMFor the first time in its decade-plus history, Sony Online Entertainment will publish a game for another platform besides the PC and Sony consoles, as the publisher announced the release of its first Facebook game, PoxNora, with many games to come to the social networking service in the near future.
Runes of Magic Advances Game Play with Voice Chat from Vivox® Monday, March 8, 2010 @ 9:38AMNATICK, Mass.----Vivox , the market leader in voice services for online games, virtual worlds and the social web, announced a partnership with Runewaker Entertainment to provide voice chat for the smash hit MMO Runes of Magic.
CryEngine 2 based MMO Project E:st announced Saturday, March 6, 2010 @ 3:55AMFiled under: MMO Last year, NCsoft successfully launched Aion , their fantasy MMO with Crytek 's CryEngine as its basis. Now another Korean based publisher has announced plans to release Project E:st , a fantasy MMO from publisher NHN that will used the second generation version of the CryEngine. The game will launch first in Korean and the plan is to release the game later in the US and Europe ...
Major Aion Patch Details Surface Thursday, March 4, 2010 @ 3:04PMAion (PC) NCsoft hopes to make Aion more accessible to all gamers.
Allegorithmic Unveils New Automatic Texture Compression Tool, Substance Redux Thursday, March 4, 2010 @ 1:38PMSan Francisco - As developers continue to push the limit and create high-quality and visually stimulating online games, the need to quickly and efficiently reduce content is increasing.
News: Aion patch 1.9 to overhaul questing, XP Thursday, March 4, 2010 @ 5:09AMPlus new skills for every class. NCsoft has revealed what we can expect from the next major update to its MMO Aion. A significant overhaul of all the character classes, improvements to questing and a faster rate of experience gain - perhaps answering the complaints of many that the game is too "grindy" - are the order of the day. Every class gets new skills, including skills for countering stun ...
City of Heroes/Villains: Going Rogue: Dual Pistols Trailer Tuesday, March 2, 2010 @ 2:27PMNCsoft's latest expansion to City of Heroes, Going Rogue, is open for pre-purchase today which includes exclusive set of powers like the customizable "Dual Pistols". Check the new power after the jump! Comment | View Video
More info on Champions Online free expansion pack Friday, February 26, 2010 @ 12:05PMFiled under: Expansions , MMO , Champions Online While Champions Online has had a couple of live events since its official launch last September, the development team at Cryptic Studios have not yet released an actual content expansion. That will change in mid-March with the free release of Champions Online Revelation which will add a new location to the game's universe, the bayou city known as ...
First Guild Wars novel announced Friday, February 26, 2010 @ 4:15AMNovel a scene-setter for upcoming sequel
En Masse Entertainment Debuts as New MMO Game Company Friday, February 26, 2010 @ 1:00AMSeattle-based publisher comprised of powerhouse talent from Blizzard Entertainment, Microsoft, Electronic Arts, ArenaNet, and NCsoft.
Blizzard, NCsoft vets form En Masse Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 6:04PMKorean MMORPG creator Bluehole Studio staffs Western publishing, localization arm with Warcraft, Aion alum; fantasy-themed Tera to debut at GDC next month.
Redbana Extends the Deadline for the Audition Call for Artists Campaign Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 2:14PMAudition (PC) Indie musicians now have until March 15, 2010 to submit their music for a chance to be featured in Audition Online.
First novel based on Guild Wars announced Thursday, February 25, 2010 @ 12:58PMNCSoft announced the upcoming release of the first Guild Wars-based novel. Set to hit bookstores the summer of 2010, Ghosts of Ascalon introduces its audience to the fantasy world within the popular MMO, prepping the stage for the highly-anticipated sequel, Guild Wars 2.
Bigger handheld; new tools for Mario Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 8:45PMNintendo announced its lineup for the first half of 2010 at a media event Wednesday in San Francisco, finally sharing release dates for...
GDC 2010 Adds Civilization V, Hecker, Harmonix Talks Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 4:09PMAs the GDC 2010 pre-show registration deadline approaches, organizers have confirmed talks from Spore's Chris Hecker and The Beatles: Rock Band's UI director, as well as a premiere of Civilization V's engine tech. The near-final additions are helping to round out the March 9-13 event at San Francisco's Moscone Center, which includes two days of summits -- spanning iPhone, indie, social games and ...
Blizzard, ArenaNet, NCSoft Devs Form EnMasse Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 11:52AMHeavy hitters from several major development houses have joined forces to form the new EnMasse studio based in Seattle, Washington. The US-based group will work to bring Korean titles to North American consumers. Read on! Comment | View Article
Korean Company Forms New Western Studio Wednesday, February 24, 2010 @ 8:09AMKorean MMO company Bluehole Studio has formed a new Seattle subsidiary called En Masse Entertainment that will focus on localizing and marketing online games to Western audiences. En Masse was formed in 2009, but formally announced itself today. It claims veterans of Blizzard, Microsoft, Electronic Arts, ArenaNet and NCsoft among its staff. These include former NCsoft CTO Jae-Heon Yang as CEO ...
Original Fallout Developer Would Have Done Fallout 3 Differently Monday, February 22, 2010 @ 4:13PMTim Cain is currently a design director at Carbine Studios – a division of NCsoft working on an unannounced MMO – but old PC hounds might remember him as the producer, lead programmer, and designer for Troika when he worked on the original PC Fallout titles. Fan site www.duckandcover.cx recently posted an interview with Cain where he talks about how much he liked ...
ChartSpot: January 2010 Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 4:34PMNew Super Mario Bros. Wii is king, with MAG and Bayonetta landing in bottom half of top 20; Sims 3 staves off Mass Effect 2 on PC charts.
News: Garriott starting social media project Thursday, February 18, 2010 @ 2:48AMSpaceman enters the Portalarium. Ultima Online and Tabula Rasa designer Richard Garriott has announced his return to the games business with a new social media company, Portalarium, reports GamesIndustry.biz. The new venture will release online games applications, with the intention to expand into content as far reaching as open learning, health, science and environmental services, all contained ...
Korean Tech Is Losing Its Cool Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 11:32PMHow Korea, a onetime digital trendsetter, became a laggard in an era of smartphones—and amazing apps
Richard Garriott Returns to Game Industry Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 10:23PMRichard Garriott is returning to the video game industry after a lengthy absence. The man called Lord British by his fans is moving into the social media business with his new company Portalarium. According to GamesIndustry.biz , the new company will focus on online gaming applications, with content including open learning, health, science and environmental services to follow. He'll be working ...
Ultima creator returns from space to develop online apps Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 3:43PMAfter a two-year hiatus and a visit to the International Space Station, Ultima Series designer Richard Garriott has returned to the gaming industry with the debut of his new social media company, Portalarium.
Ultima Creator Richard Garriott Starts New Social Gaming Company Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 12:25PMRichard Garriott has lived a very colorful life. He helped to create the MMO genre with Ultima Online and has more recently been heavily involved in space travel, including a stay on the International Space Station (which cost him a reported $30 million). Now, with space, the failed MMO Tabula Rasa , and a very nasty split with his last employer NCSoft behind him, Garriott is returning to games ...
Richard Garriott returns to gaming with Portalarium and Sweet @$! Poker Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 10:05AMFiled under: Casual It's been over a year since legendary game designer Richard Garriott has been officially involved with the game industry. Today the creator of the Ultima RPG series and the first successful MMO Ultima Online has announced his involvement with a new company called Portalarium . Garriott is the VP and creative director at the Austin, Texas based company which has already ...
Garriott Founds Facebook Gaming Company Portalarium Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 10:05AMVeteran Ultima creator, former NCsoft designer and recent astronaut Richard Garriott has revealed what he's on to next: Facebook games. According to Venturebeat, Garriott has founded Portalarium, a new company that, in its own words, is focused on "bringing premium games to the social web". He says he sees the same kind of opportunity in social gaming as he saw at the emergence of massively ...
Richard Garriott: MMO Pioneer Returns to Gaming Wednesday, February 17, 2010 @ 9:22AMAfter a two year absence to, among other things, travel to space, MMO pioneer, Richard Garriott, is returning to gaming via Portalarium, a social gaming development studio. Read the press release after the jump. Comment | View Article
Two new publishers join Entertainment Software Association Friday, February 12, 2010 @ 12:05PMFiled under: Biz The Entertainment Software Association continues to expand its membership to smaller game publishers. This week the US video game trade group announced that Deep Silver and Slang have joined the organization. Deep Silver has been publishing games such as the recent RPG title Risen since 2002. Slang is a new console-based publisher who won't release its first game until summer ...
The First CGOC Will Be Held in July Friday, February 12, 2010 @ 3:30AMBEIJING----ChinaJoy has been a grand event in the development of global game industry. This year with the Shanghai Expo held during the same period, ChinaJoy will certainly attract extensive attention at home and abroad.
City of Heroes/Villains Set for Major Graphics Upgrade Thursday, February 11, 2010 @ 2:37PMCity of Heroes/Villains fans will rejoice as Issue 17: Going Rogue sets to take off in April. Among many other things, the expansion will feature a major graphical overhaul. Read the list of features in Going Rogue as well as view some before/after shots after the jump. Comment | View Article
NCsoft full-year results fly on Aion Wednesday, February 10, 2010 @ 2:13PMKorean MMOG publisher sees 2009 revenue rise 83% to $546 million, as Q4 profit rockets up more than 1,000%.
GDC Austin becomes GDC Online Wednesday, February 10, 2010 @ 1:13PMThink Services renames fall industry gathering to emphasize focus on connected gaming; this year's event set for October 5-8.
NCsoft Reports Record Earnings On Aion, Lineage Gains Wednesday, February 10, 2010 @ 11:51AM"Solid" sales of the flight-based MMORPG Aion and a "revitalized" Lineage franchise led Seoul, South Korea-based NCsoft to post record profits for its fiscal fourth quarter, ended December 30. NCsoft profits for the quarter were KRW71.22 billion ($61.26 million), up over 1,000 percent year-on-year. Sales were up 99 percent year-on-year to KRW197.28 billion ($170.13 million). The PC-focused ...
Bigpoint GmbH Brings Vivox Voice Chat to Global Community of Players Wednesday, February 10, 2010 @ 5:00AMNATICK, Mass.----Bigpoint.com is set to launch voice chat for its 100 million member community through a new partnership with Vivox. Vivox voice chat will provide community members with advanced social networking capabilities and enhance game play across the catalogue of Bigpoint games.
E3 2010 sporting over 120 exhibitors Tuesday, February 9, 2010 @ 9:13PMESA releases preliminary roster for annual game-centric trade show; Koei, NCsoft, SouthPeak, Crave, High Voltage among noteworthy absences.
More than 120 E3 exhibitors revealed Tuesday, February 9, 2010 @ 9:03PMESA releases preliminary roster for annual game-centric trade show; High Voltage, NCsoft, half-dozen of trade group's members among noteworthy absences.
City of Heroes Gets Visual Upgrade Tuesday, February 9, 2010 @ 7:49PMThe super-hero MMORPG is getting a face-lift in the next update. City of Heroes - Superhero - Games - Roleplaying - Video Games
City of Heroes: Going Rogue to be released in July Tuesday, February 9, 2010 @ 12:10PMFiled under: MMO City of Heroes players may be getting a big content update for the game in April but today publisher NCsoft announced that the long awaited commercial expansion pack to the super hero MMO, Going Rogue , now has a July 2010 release date. The expansion pack, as we have reported on before, takes place in a parallel world called Praetoria where hero characters can become villains ...
City of Heroes to get revamped graphics in next free update Tuesday, February 9, 2010 @ 11:11AMFiled under: MMO NCsoft' s long running super hero MMO City of Heroes is getting a big graphics upgrade as part of its next free content update. The publisher announced today that "Issue 17" will bring the new Ultra Mode to the game that will let players see the game world with new shadows, lighting and water effects. You can check out the visual changes in the screenshot gallery below. In ...
Asian stocks dragged lower by European concerns Monday, February 8, 2010 @ 9:55PMMost Asian stocks fell, led by banks and material companies, amid mounting concern budget deficits in Europe will derail the global economic recovery.
Most Asian Stocks Decline as European Deficit Concerns Increase Monday, February 8, 2010 @ 8:32PMFeb. 9 (Bloomberg) -- Most Asian stocks fell, dragging the region’s benchmark index to a four-month low, on mounting concern budget deficits in Europe will derail the global economic recovery.
Lineage II: Free Trials Return! Monday, February 8, 2010 @ 3:12PMIf you're an ex-player of Lineage II with an itch to try all the recent updates, NCsoft is inviting everyone back into Aden for a free 14-day trial. New players are welcome too! Details after the jump. Comment | View Article
Vivox Raises $6.8 Million For Voice Chat Tuesday, February 2, 2010 @ 2:59PMOnline voice chat services provider Vivox has picked up $6.8 million in a new round of financing led by IDG Ventures, bringing its total amount raised to $20.6 million since the company was founded in 2005. PRevious investors Benchmark Capital, Canaan Partners, and GrandBanks Capital also participated in the round. Based in Natick, MA, Vivox specializes in providing voice servies for online ...
CORRECTING and REPLACING Vivox Raises $6.8 Million from IDG Ventures and Existing Investors Tuesday, February 2, 2010 @ 1:48PMNATICK, Mass.----Third graph, third sentence of release issued February 1, 2010, at 9:53 p.m. PT/February 2, 2010, at 12:53 a.m. ET should read: Vivox customers and partners include leaders in online games and virtual worlds such as CCP Games, Gaia Online, Hi-Rez Studios, IMVU, Linden Lab, NCsoft, Nexon, Realtime Worlds, Sony Online Entertainment, Wizards of the Coast, and many others.
CGBC 2010 to Open 9 Forums in 2010 Tuesday, February 2, 2010 @ 9:00AMBEIJING----Howell International Trade Fair LTD has announced the dates for this year’s CGBC 2010, which will take place from July 28 till August 1 at Shanghai International Convention Center.
Vivox Raises $6.8 Million from IDG Ventures and Existing Investors Monday, February 1, 2010 @ 11:53PMNATICK, Mass.----Vivox, Inc. , the market leader in voice services for online games, virtual worlds and the social web, today announced that it has secured $6.8 million from a third round of equity financing led by IDG Ventures with follow-on investment from Benchmark Capital, Canaan Partners and GrandBanks Capital.
Latest Audition Patch Features Music from Ne-Yo and Boys Like Girls Friday, January 29, 2010 @ 12:45PMAudition (PC) New update also includes user-generated content from music femix and fashion design competitions.
ArthroCare gets Nasdaq listing back Tuesday, January 19, 2010 @ 6:46PMArthroCare gets Nasdaq listing back
E3 2010 web site launches; Take Two attending this year [Update] Monday, January 18, 2010 @ 1:05PMFiled under: Biz , Culture We are now less than five months away from what is arguably the single biggest week in the game industry; the 2010 edition of the Electronic Entertainment Expo , or E3 as it is usually known. The expo's web site has now gone live for its 2010 version with registration now available for exhibitors, media and attendees to sign up to attend the show which will be held at ...
Saling The World: Just Dance Heads Wii Sales in U.S. and UK Friday, January 15, 2010 @ 7:37AMGamasutra's weekly column, "Saling The World", covers the top five sellers for every available platform in the United States, Japan, and Europe, providing an important update of sales patterns worldwide. This week's charts, with data taken from January 14th, 2010, find Ubisoft's Just Dance leading Nintendo Wii software sales in North America and Europe, while Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep tops ...