PRESS RELEASES
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- WEBZEN UNVEILS DYNAMIC GAMES LINEUP FOR 2005 E3 EXPO
- Global online entertainment company Webzen Inc. officially announced today its complete games lineup for showcase at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles from May 18-20, 2005 (booth #700, South Hall, Los Angeles Convention Center). The enterprising display of the company’s massively multiplayer online games (MMOGs) at Webzen’s 9,000 square foot booth will feature its upcoming titles for the international marketplace, including its committed user base across Asia and growing North American MMOG market. Titles debuting at the show include SUN, Huxley and All Points Bulletin (APB), all currently in development for the North American market. Also featured are Wiki, Parfait Station and international MMOG sensation MU. “Webzen is going full force at this year’s E3 Expo,” said Nam-Ju Kim, chief executive officer for Webzen Inc. “With our history of success in the Asian marketplace, we are now ready to take massively multiplayer games to new heights on a global scale with new, genre-breaking games. I am confident convention goers will take notice of Webzen’s substantial presence at this year’s E3 Expo.” SUN, the first title to incorporate console-style game mechanics into a classic massively multiplayer online role playing game (MMORPG), will entice gamers with action-packed intensity and stunning graphics. With unique battle systems and a captivating cast of characters, SUN is an epic tale in a world of emperors, armies, magicians and monsters set to an original soundtrack by Howard Shore, Academy Award® winner and world-renowned composer of the theatrical score from the acclaimed “The Lord of the Rings” films. SUN will be available for PC/CD-ROM in Q1 2006 in North America. Huxley is a massively multiplayer online first person shooting game (MMOFPS) utilizing the UNREAL3 engine to create an unparalleled gaming experience with up to 5,000 players in the same world. Huxley takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where human beings have mutated and are divided into two opposing races, Sapiens and Alternative. At the center of the battle for survival is Lunarites, a promising new energy source highly coveted by both races. Forced to battle against one another for the continuance of each race, Sapiens and Alternatives will do whatever it takes to wipe out the opposition and gain control of the world and its resources. Scheduled for release in 2006, Huxley will be available for PC/CD-ROM and the next-generation Xbox video game platform. APB is a massively multiplayer online freeform combat and driving-based game designed by David Jones, creator of the original Grand Theft Auto (GTA) franchise. Developed by Real Time Worlds Ltd., APB brings players into a living, breathing city where cash is king and territory equals respect. In a fight to dominate the expansive world of APB, players must decide which side of the law to abide by: Law Enforcement taking on the challenge of supporting and safeguarding justice; or Gangs, who operate against the law and any opposing groups by any means necessary. APB will provide players with the ultimate customization options for weapons, vehicles and clothes to attitudes, music and environments. APB is scheduled to redefine the MMO genre for PC/CD-ROM in 2007. Parfait Station is a unique action and shooting-oriented MMORPG supporting a party and guild system, giving players the option to either engage in battles with other groups or enjoy intense action in player vs. player mode. Strong action and fantasy-based battles require skilled evading and counter attacks with victories determined by team play, control and strategy. Parfait Station will be available for PC/CD-ROM in Q3 2005. Wiki is a casual, community-based MMORPG based on intense levels of cooperative interaction. The relationships and actions of each individual player directly influence the entire Wiki world and all of its elements. Wiki incorporates an adaptive system enabling the decisions players make in quests and missions to contribute to the individual personalities of characters, including what they wear and their facial expressions. Wiki will deliver a lively, creative and interactive online game play experience in a whimsical and charming environment for PC/CD-ROM Q4 2005. MU is Asia’s preeminent, fully 3D MMORPG. Set in a fantasy world on the legendary continent of MU, players embark on a fantasy-based adventure to save the continent through quests and missions. MU currently has more than 56 million registered users and up to 500,000 concurrent users from countries including Korea, China, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand and the Philippines. MU is available now and will be online for visitors to enjoy at the Webzen Inc. booth. Founded in 2000 and based in Seoul, Korea, Webzen has become a leader in the MMOG market and has developed some of the world’s top online game and client/server technologies. In January of this year, Webzen announced its entry into the U.S. games market with a new subsidiary, Webzen America, based in Los Angeles.
- May 03 2005
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- WEBZEN SIGNS HOWARD SHORE TO CREATE SOUNDTRACK FOR SUN
- Global online entertainment company, Webzen, Inc. (Nasdaq: Wzen) announced today the company has signed Oscar® and Grammy® award-winning composer Howard Shore to compose the music for the upcoming massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), SUN. Famous for his work on the acclaimed “The Lord of the Rings” films, Shore has also composed musical scores for other blockbuster films including “The Aviator,” “The Gangs of New York,” and “The Silence of the Lambs.” In addition to his work on SUN, Shore is also in post-production with Peter Jackson on the upcoming “King Kong” movie. SUN is scheduled for release in North America on the PC in Q4 2005. “It is a privilege for Webzen, Inc. to work with such a talented composer like Howard Shore,” said Nam Ju Kim, CEO of Webzen, Inc. “His composing legacy has spanned decades and we’re excited to be a part of his video game debut. We are confident that Howard will leave his signature mark on SUN and help elevate the quality and overall entertainment experience of the game to unprecedented levels in the online entertainment world.” In composing the signature soundtrack for SUN, Howard Shore turned to The National Philharmonic of Russia (NPR). He is utilizing over 60 of the best orchestra players in Russia, and also using the expertise of renowned conductor Vladimir Spivakov. SUN is the first title to incorporate console-style game mechanics into a classic MMORPG. With action-packed intensity, stunning graphics, unique battle systems, and a captivating cast of characters, SUN is an epic medieval tale set in a rich world of emperors, armies, magicians and monsters. Under the reign of the Immortal Emperor, Schwarz, the Geist Empire has ruled the Blandis continent for five hundred years. Possessing secret knowledge of the essence of nature known as Ether, Emperor Schwarz converted the precious Ether into dark energy, and used it to conquer the entire continent with his formidable armies. The continued extraction of Ether has impoverished the land, causing the Empire to turn its eyes to the rich lands of neighboring nations to continue its supremacy. With insurrection inevitable, a rebel leader, Ignis, has formed an elite force called the Guidance, who have declared war against the Empire. Howard Shore has composed the scores to more than 60 films, and has received numerous awards and accolades. Some of these include, Grammy®, Oscar®, Golden Globe, Two Los Angeles Film Critic Awards, The Chicago Film Critics, The Broadcast Film Critics, BFCA Critic’s Choice Award, Five BAFTA nominations in Great Britain, a Gotham Award in New York, two Saturn Awards for Science Fiction, a Genie Award in Canada and four World Soundtrack Awards. On November 29, 2003, Shore conducted the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in the world premiere of his work, “The Lord of the Rings Symphony: Six Movements for Orchestra and Chorus” in Wellington, New Zealand. Shore is currently touring the symphony, conducting performances all over the world. Each of the symphony's six movements corresponds to a book within J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. The concerts feature over two hundred onstage performers, including a large orchestra, adult and boy choruses and numerous vocal and instrumental soloists. The symphony has been performed in cities including Antwerp, London, Chicago, Tokyo, Philadelphia, Seville, Sydney, Moscow, and many more. Founded in 2000 and based in Seoul, Korea, Webzen has become a leader in the MMOG market, and has developed some of the world’s top online game and client/server technologies. Webzen’s latest title, MU, has over 56 million users and a half million concurrent users from the Asian market alone. In January of this year, Webzen announced its entry into the U.S. games market with a new subsidiary, Webzen America, based in Los Angeles.
- April 12 2005
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- WEBZEN ESTABLISHES 9 STUDIOS TO CREATE NEW TITLES
- Global online entertainment company, Webzen, Inc. (Nasdaq: Wzen) announced today the formation of nine development studios to create new intellectual property for the online games market worldwide. The studios have secured 450 developers total, 350 of them internally employed by Webzen. The company has created some of the world’s top PC online game and client/server technologies and is also working with Microsoft to develop games for the next generation game consoles. “To become a global online entertainment leader it was essential for Webzen to grow the company’s information technology and internal development infrastructure, as well as align ourselves with the industry’s most talented game creators,” said Nam Joo Kim, CEO of Webzen, Inc. “Webzen is serious about making high quality online games that players around the world can enjoy. We’re committing more resources than any other games publisher to make this a reality.” Earlier in the year, Webzen announced part of its product portfolio that will be unveiled at the video game industry’s largest trade show, the E3 Expo in Los Angeles, May 18-20, 2005. The line up includes the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), SUN; massively multiplayer online first person shooter (MMOFPS), Huxley; and All Points Bulletin (APB), the first online game developed by David Jones, the creator of the multi-million unit selling video game franchise, Grand Theft Auto, and his UK-based game development company, Real Time Worlds (RTW). Developed internally at Webzen, SUN is the first title to incorporate console-style game mechanics into a classic MMORPG. With action-packed intensity, stunning graphics, unique battle systems, and a captivating cast of characters, SUN is an epic medieval tale set in a rich world of emperors, armies, magicians and monsters. Available in fourth quarter, the game will be Webzen’s first title for release in the U.S. market. Also being developed internally is massively multiplayer online first-person shooting game (MMO/FPS), Huxley, which is scheduled to release in fourth quarter 2006. Huxley takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where human beings have mutated and are divided into two opposing races, Sapiens and Alternative. Forced to struggle for survival due to limited resources, the Sapiens and Alternatives are willing to do what it takes in order to wipe out the conflicting race and gain control of the world and its resources. Webzen’s All Points Bulletin (APB) is a massively multiplayer online freeform combat and driving-based game. APB brings players into a living, breathing city where cash is king and territory equals respect. In a fight to dominate the expansive world of APB, players must decide which side of the law to abide by, choosing to form Squads, who seek to uphold the law, or Gangs, whose aim is to break it. APB will provide players with the ultimate customization options from their weapons, vehicles and clothes to their attitude, music, and environment. APB will be available in 2007. Founded in 2000 and based in Seoul, Korea, Webzen has become a leader in the MMOG market, and has developed some of the world’s top online game and client/server technologies. Webzen’s latest title, MU, has over 56 million users and a half million concurrent users from the Asian market alone. In January of this year, Webzen announced its entry into the U.S. games market with a new subsidiary, Webzen America, based in Los Angeles.
- April 05 2005
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- WEBZEN GETS WORLDWIDE PUBLISHING RIGHTS FOR 'APB'
- At a joint press conference in Seoul, Korea, it was announced today that global online entertainment company, Webzen, Inc. (Nasdaq: Wzen) was awarded the worldwide online game publishing rights to All Points Bulletin (APB), the first online game developed by David Jones, the creator of the multi-million unit selling video game, Grand Theft Auto, and his UK-based game development company, Real Time Worlds (RTW). APB is scheduled to release in early 2007 and will be showcased at the video game industry’s largest trade show, the 2005 Electronic Entertainment Expo, in Los Angeles this May. During today’s press conference, Jones unveiled the first screen and character images from the game. “As an avid gamer and creator of many single player games, it has been my dream to create an online game experience that provides the player with the ultimate freedom to do whatever he wants, in a thriving, living environment,” said David Jones, founder and creative director of Real Time Worlds. “When looking for a publishing partner for APB, it was imperative to find a company that was a worldwide leader in online games and we found that in Webzen, Inc.” “APB is an online game that we think will fuel the worldwide growth of online gaming,” said Nam Joo Kim, CEO of Webzen, Inc. “As Webzen, Inc. continues to expand into new markets around the world, it was important to find a property that translated to a broad audience. We are very excited about the APB’s potential.” APB is a massively multiplayer online game based in living, breathing cities that will feel familiar to players, as they precisely replicate famous cities all over the world. APB is a turf war involving two main factions, the Squads, whose goal is to uphold the law, and the Gangs, who seek to break the law at all costs. Players will be able to choose their side, in a classic good guy versus bad guy scenario. The Gangs are all about graffiti, attitude, custom cars and earning cash any way they can. The Squads stand for honor, teamwork, firepower and destroying the Gangs. APB will provide the player with the ultimate customization options from their weapons, vehicles and clothes to their attitude, music and environment. With APB, Real Time Worlds and Webzen, Inc. are looking to set a new standard in online entertainment. Thousands of players will form gangs or squads all around the world, and will play in hundreds of online cities. APB is scheduled to release in early 2007. In January of this year, Webzen, Inc. announced its expansion into the U.S. market and the opening of Los Angeles office. In addition to APB, Webzen, Inc. plans to bring multiple online game titles to the U.S. market. The titles include the massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG), SUN, releasing in the third quarter of 2005, and a massively multiplayer online first person shooter (MMOFPS) called Huxley, that leverages the latest Unreal 3 game engine and is scheduled to release in 2006. Webzen, Inc. is also developing game properties for the next generation game consoles to enhance its appeal to the mainstream gaming audience. Webzen, Inc. has developed some of the world’s top online game and client/server technologies. The company also prides itself in the creativity department, publishing some of the most highly acclaimed titles for the Asian market. For its tremendously successful 3D MMORPG title, MU. Webzen, Inc. has attracted over 56 million users and a half million concurrent users from the Asian market alone.
- February 15 2005
