Korea-based Gravity Co. Ltd., an online game developer and distributor, has launched its mobile games in Japan and North America. Gravity launched RAGNAROK TACTICS, a strategic simulation 3D mobile game, and RAGNAROK 2 MOBILE EPISODE VERIENE, a 3D mobile action role- playing game, in Japan at the Tokyo Game Show 2005 (TGS 2005), which ran from Sept. 16-18, 2005.
David Yoon, ceo of Gravity, commented, "Japan is one of the largest Asian mobile game markets. We will continue to aggressively target this market and leverage the strength of our strategic partners. By extending our game offerings to the mobile platform, we can further build on the existing base of gamers. We believe this will raise awareness among casual gamers."
RAGNAROK TACTICS, launched by SK Telecom in South Korea in July 2005, is based on RAGNAROK ONLINE. This mobile game enables gamers to play the same characters from RAGNAROK ONLINE in a 3D format with emphasis on combat themes. RAGNAROK 2 MOBILE EPISODE VERIGN is a full 3D role-playing mobile game based on RAGNAROK 2.
Also, Gravity has entered into a contract with SK USA under which SK USA will distribute in the U.S. and Canada EPISODE OF MAGICIAN and EPISODE OF MERCHANT, two mobile games developed by Gravity.
SK USA is an affiliate of SK Group, a business conglomerate based in South Korea, a provider of mobile entertainment services in U.S. Both games are the mobile versions of role-playing games, which adapt the wizard and merchant characters of RAGNAROK ONLINE, which is available in 37 countries.
In addition, Gravity's online game R.O.S.E ONLINE was commercially launched in the Philippines through its partner Level Up Inc., following an open beta test that began on June 30, 2005. Users will be charged an hourly rate to play this game and may choose from one-hour to 31-day playtime.
Gravity has also commenced the open beta service of RAGNAROK ONLINE in China through its partner Shanda Interactive Ent. Shanda, Gravity's licensee in China, is one of the largest online gaming companies in China. Preparations for the open beta service have been underway for the past two months.
Gravity is a developer and distributor of online games. For more information, visit www.gravity.co.kr.
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
