If you did not know, Shanda Games from China is the owner of Eyedentity Games, the South Korean developer of Dragon Nest. Actoz Games, which released its global publishing strategy a few weeks ago, is under Shanda Games as well. With that clarified, the company today held an event in Shanghai, where the Dragon Nest brand will be taken a step further other than just games.
Dragon Nest brand strategy
I am quite positive most of the plans are only for China, but Shanda Games is branching Dragon Nest out to comics, novels, movies, merchandise, art books, cartoons, movies, physical trading card, and even music!
Dragon Nest merchandise
There are actually quite a number of official Dragon Nest items on sale in Asia (specifically China and South Korea), and a few more were showcased at the event, including that awesome looking accessory. Real nice.
Dragon Nest cartoon
I am not sure if I should call it an anime, since the series is developed in China. The Dragon Nest cartoon will have a sneak preview on 15 July, before the official air date is announced. China actually has quite a booming cartoon industry, but not many really can compare with what Pixar and Disney are churning out. Popular local voice actors will also lend their voices to the cartoon.
Dragon Nest: Throne of Elves movie
Part 2 of the animated trilogy, the first part, Warrior’s Dawn, apparently had “huge success” in China, and was reportedly shown in selected theaters in North America. Throne of Elves will air in China summer 2016, though there is no word of an overseas release. The trilogy is produced by Mili Pictures, a self-proclaimed “worldwide entertainment brand from China”. We shall see.
Dragon Nest: Dawn (direct translation)
This mobile game was actually announced back in April in China, and surprisingly not featured in Actoz Games’ global mobile games publishing strategy. Dragon Nest: Dawn looks awfully similar to the Dragon Nest web game which never launched, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the assets were reused. A side-scroller action game, the story will tie to that of the movie trilogy’s.
Dragon Nest: Awake
I am guessing this should be Dragon Nest: Origin from the Actoz Games presentation. Developed using Unity 3D, the game will present graphics almost similar to that found in the client game version.
Dragon Nest: Tap
Not much is known about this mobile game right now, but it is apparently a casual game which requires players to “tap” and connected to the main PC client version of Dragon Nest. Perhaps a clone of Tap Titans?
