SEOUL, South Korea – Nov. 7, 2006 – WEBZEN Inc. (NASDAQ: WZEN), a leading global online entertainment company, today announced that the company will present a new payment model to its gamers in Korea for its upcoming online video game, Soul of the Ultimate Nation. The highly anticipated game, which is currently in the open beta phase in Korea, will offer players free basic service in the market with optional in-game items and services offered for nominal fees, also known as micropayments.
Players will continue to enjoy the basic game service at no charge in Korea when Soul of the Ultimate Nation enters commercial service in the coming weeks. Upon commercialization on Nov. 14, 2006, Webzen will offer players character and world transfer services, as well as character changing services in its first phase of microtransactions. Phase two, which will roll out shortly after initial commercialization, will provide players a variety of unique convenience-focused in-game items and services to enhance their gaming experience, all available through an in-game shop.
“WEBZEN is extremely excited to ring in this new era of commercial service for highly produced MMORPGs as we offer free game play combined with microtransactions in Soul of the Ultimate Nation,” said Nam Ju Kim, CEO, WEBZEN Inc. “Microtransactions are widely accepted and preferred by thousands upon thousands of Korean online gamers. Players are familiar and comfortable with the business model and appreciate the flexibility and the value that microtransactions bring to their online gaming experiences.”
Soul of the Ultimate Nation is the epic fantasy massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that delivers intense game play with its quick and easy combat system. Players can jump into action and customize group missions through the unique Battle Zone System and embark on a graphically stunning and ever-expanding online fantasy world. With a captivating cast of characters, Soul of the Ultimate Nation is an epic tale set in a world of emperors, armies, magicians and monsters. Soul of the Ultimate Nation will be available for PC players in the United States in 2007
