Following the resignation of TERA’s top development staff (link), several foreign media posted their observations of the situations, with most predicting a gloomy forecast in the near future. Ironically, the Open Beta date for TERA Japan was announced within the same period, which will be happening on 8th August 2011 at 8:00am (888, a lucky Chinese number).
In the July anticipation chart, TERA Japan topped other titles including Continent of the Ninth (C9) and Phantasy Star Online 2 which is no easy feat. However, following the internal turmoil back at the Korea HQ, the announced pricing plan for TERA Japan for its commercial phase stunned part of the gamers as well. Do note that the client price is for the Premium Package only.
NHN Japan must have high hopes for TERA Japan to apparently announce this price plan. Also affected is the negotiations for finding a publisher in China. During ChinaJoy 2011, I was genuinely stunned when Shanda Games did not announce TERA for the region. With Blade & Soul bound to gain more momentum in Korea and China over the next few months, there is much to worry about indeed.
But to ease concerns, NHN Japan seems to be going all out in terms of marketing to lure gamers to play TERA (despite the hefty monthly fee). Around 1300 stores in Japan will be having TERA posters pasted on their shop fronts and DVDs on sale.
