Filled with doubts upon seeing this new browser game from China, I am very certain the developer did not obtain an official license from Webzen, the series’ creator. And I am not surprised to learn that the developer is The9, which previously got into a messy lawsuit with Webzen.
Developed using Flash with no plugin installation required, MU Return is the only game The9 has on show for ChinaJoy 2013. This is really crazy given how the company poured millions into Red 5 Studios (Firefall) and also to recently launch PlanetSide 2 China.
It is important to note that MU Return is not MU2 (China version), the other MU Online clone The9 is developing as that will be a client-based one.
One would think with that much cash at hand, why couldn’t The9 just create its own IP? I am flabbergasted as well, with no logical reason I could think of. I mean, just look at Perfect World and Tencent Games, they are self-developing with lesser cash outlay.