Well, it is nearing the end of 2010 and as the holiday season approaches, the folks at both Beijing Perfect World and Perfect World Entertainment are preparing tons of updates for almost all of the company’s MMO titles. As an avid follower of the company’s progress, let us take a look at what is going on and will be going on in the near future.
1. Perfect World International
Announced just a few days apart, both the Chinese and English version of the company’s maiden MMO title, Perfect World, will be getting a major expansion. The Chinese server will be getting it this coming December, while the date is still unknown for the English server (most probably 1-2 months later). Named as 2012 in the Chinese server and Genesis in the English one, the in-game landscape will almost be totally revamped according to the storyline, after cataclysm struck. With a new race, 2 new classes, new areas, revamped maps, new guild bases, new starting areas and more, this will no doubt be the biggest expansion for the game till date! For more information, click here.
2. Forsaken World
No doubt the most anticipated Free to Play (F2P) MMORPG since early this year, the game has garnered a legion of faithful fans long before the English server was due to open. With several new innovative features, the unique playing style of the Bard class, a one-of-a-kind Vampire class and the company’s first full 3D title to be influenced by Western mythologies, the China server, which went Open Beta recently, boasts a 7000+ waiting queue just to enter one server (I was the victim). The English server will be entering its first Closed Beta phase in a few hours, and an approximate 2 Closed Beta phases are planned. Trust me, try this game out! Visit the game’s official website here.
3. Legend of Martial Arts
Originally known as Kung Foo!, the game was taken off after the initial Closed Beta phase to add in new content. Renamed as Legend of Martial Arts, the English server will almost be up-to-date as the Chinese server, with enhanced graphics and much more content. While I will try not to spoil the fun, you should head on to its official website for more news!
4. Empire of the Immortals
Now, we are heading to the Beijing Perfect World. First, the company’s 2nd entry into the Immortals series of action MMORPGs, Empire of the Immortals, went into its first Closed Beta test just earlier this month. The test was a resounding success as servers were at its full capacity most of the time and more test servers had to be added. 3 brand new classes were introduced, the Swordmage, Archer and Dancer along with a new world map and more. A movie is even in the works! There is no date set yet for Open Beta.
5. Swordsman Online
While there is not much news about the highly anticipated martial arts MMORPG based on Jin Yong’s famous novel The Proud, Wandering Swordsman, the development team is said to be in a frenzy mode and putting in tons of overtime to get the game right. A December timeline is still touted by various websites for Closed Beta, but I doubt it will happen. But still, do note that the game has been confirmed for an English version. You can read the information I have on the game here.
6. Dragon Excalibur
While not many might have heard of this MMORPG, it is apparently the company’s first 2D title. It was actually released for Closed Beta quite some time ago, but was put back on the drawing board for further enhancements. While it may look more like a 2.5D game, the core engine used for developing is indeed 2D, but with better visual enhancements, 2D just looked much better. The game is primarily focused on large scale wars. I will post more on this game if an English version is going to be confirmed.
