Nexon Enters into Strategic Partnership with Austrian Game Developer Socialspiel Entertainment
Makes Equity Investment and Agrees to Exclusive Worldwide Publishing Rights; Extends Nexon’s Western Gaming Presence and Expands Mobile Portfolio
TOKYO – May 27, 2014 – NEXON Co., Ltd. (“Nexon”) (3659.TO), a worldwide leader in free-to-play online games, today announced a strategic relationship with Socialspiel Entertainment GmbH (“Socialspiel”), a Vienna-based social and mobile game development studio. Led by industry veterans Mike Borras and Helmut Hutterer, Socialspiel is a highly-acclaimed European game development studio focused on high-quality, character-driven free-to-play mobile and browser games.
Under the terms of the agreement, Nexon will make a cash equity investment in Socialspiel in exchange for a minority stake in the company and the nomination of a Director to Socialspiel’s Board. The agreement also provides Nexon with exclusive worldwide publishing rights for SocialSpiel’s upcoming mobile and tablet titles, notably the 2015 release of an as yet untitled action RPG where players build a legacy of heroes and custom weaponry used to battle their way through randomized dungeons.
“This long-term strategic partnership combines Socialspiel’s experience and track record of developing unique, high-quality game play experiences for Western audiences with Nexon’s extensive free-to-play experience, global publishing platform and international user base,” said Owen Mahoney, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nexon. “This announcement marks yet another milestone in our strategy to grow our business in the West and we are excited to work with the talented Socialspiel team to bring exciting new AAA-quality titles to players around the world.”
Socialspiel was founded in 2010 by former teammates from Rockstar Games and Deep Silver. The Socialspiel team has established an outstanding reputation for itself includingTight Lines Fishing, winner of the Social Game of the Year at the 2011 German Game Developer Awards.
“Nexon pioneered the free-to-play business model over 15 years ago so they have the expertise and scale we were looking for in a strategic partner,” said Mike Borras, Chief Executive Officer of Socialspiel. “Additionally, Nexon shares our focus on developing differentiated, high-quality content, and we are look forward to working together to leverage their extensive free-to-play knowledge and international platform to bring our future titles to an even wider audience.”
The companies expect Socialspiel’s next title to launch in spring 2015.
About NEXON Co., Ltd. http://company.nexon.co.jp/
NEXON Co., Ltd. (“Nexon”) (3659.TO) is a worldwide leader in free-to-play online games. Founded in Korea in 1994, Nexon developed one of the world’s first graphics-based massively multiplayer online games. Nexon also pioneered the concept of microtransactions and the free-to-play business model, setting a new standard in which play is free, and users have the option to purchase in-game items to enhance their experience. Nexon currently services nearly 60 online games in more than 100 countries and since its founding, Nexon has generated more than 1.4 billion player registrations. The Company is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan and its shares are listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
About Socialspiel Entertainment GmbH http://socialspiel.com
Socialspiel Entertainment builds awesome mobile and tablet online games from our headquarters in Vienna, Austria. Founded in 2010 by industry veterans from Rockstar Games and Deep Silver, we create highly original games with high production value and engaging characters. Socialspiel is advised by Agnitio Capital.
London, UK – May 27, 2014 – Today, Ubisoft® announced a crossover between The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot and WatchDogs, the highly anticipated open-world hacking game. To celebrate the launch of WatchDogs, The Mighty Quest for Epic Loot unveiled unique WatchDogs content, including new branded weapons, clothing and bandanas for each of the four character classes and a WatchDogs Castle theme.
This content is available for a limited time and can be found both in-game, as individual items, and through a special pack that contains all of the exclusive WatchDogs content. Starting today and running until July 1st, players will be able to deck out all four characters and their Castle in WatchDogs gear.
Players are also invited to test their hacking and looting skills in the newly created level 12 “WatchDogs” Castle in the Bling’s Landing region. Beware of traps, because this Chicago-inspired castle is full of them!
Ubisoft is a leading creator, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and services, with a rich portfolio of world-renowned brands, including Assassin’s Creed, Just Dance, Tom Clancy’s video game series, Rayman and Far Cry. The teams throughout Ubisoft’s worldwide network of studios and business offices are committed to delivering original and memorable gaming experiences across all popular platforms, including consoles, mobile phones, tablets and PCs. For the 2013-14 fiscal year Ubisoft generated sales of €1,007 million. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com.
Rising College Talent to be Showcased at the Industry’s Pinnacle Event
Washington, DC – May 27, 2014 – The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) today announced the five finalists of its annual E3 College Game Competition, which is aimed at recognizing the best student talent in video game development. The finalists, chosen by a judging panel of revered video game industry talent, will receive a special showcase display and valuable networking opportunities at E3, the world’s premier trade show for computer and video games.
The finalists are:
Lawrence Technology University
Savannah College of Art and Design
University of Denver
University of Texas at Austin
University of Utah
“Young developers are the lifeblood of our industry. Their creativity, vision, and spirit of innovation are essential to the continued growth and evolution of this dynamic industry,” said Rich Taylor, senior vice president of communications and industry affairs at ESA, which owns E3 and is the trade association for the U.S. video game industry. “We are incredibly proud to work with so many outstanding universities in fostering the next generation of industry talent.”
The competition winner will be announced at E3 which takes place June 10-12 at the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC).
The competition targeted 400 US colleges and universities with computer and video game development programs, and each competition submission was carefully reviewed by a panel of top tier game publishers, developers and media outlets. The finalists have earned the coveted opportunity to display their games among nearly 200 leading-edge computer and video game companies that will show off their most innovative and advanced interactive entertainment products at this year’s E3
Produced by IDG World Expo, companies still interested in exhibiting at E3 should contact the team at (877) 216-6264. A full list of current exhibitors is located on http://www.e3expo.com/.
E3 2014 show hours are:
Tuesday, June 10, 2014 12:00PM – 6:00PM
Wednesday, June 11, 2014 10:00AM – 6:00PM
Thursday, June 12, 2014 10:00AM – 5:00PM
Attendee registration information and details can be found at www.E3Expo.com.
On-site registration will open Sunday, June 8, at 1:00 pm at the LACC. Members of the press interested in covering E3 should contact [email protected] for credentialing.
E3 is the world’s premiere trade show for computer and video games and related products. The show is owned by the ESA, the U.S. association dedicated to serving the business and public affairs needs of the companies, publishing interactive games for video game consoles, handheld devices, personal computers, and the Internet. For more information, please visit http://www.E3Expo.com or follow E3 on Twitter at @E3 and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/E3Expo.com.
ESA offers services to interactive entertainment software publishers, including conducting business and consumer research, providing legal and policy analysis and advocacy on First Amendment, intellectual property and technology/e-commerce issues, managing a global anti-piracy program, owning and operating E3, and representing video game industry interests in federal and state government relations. For more information, please visit http://www.theesa.com/ or follow ESA on Twitter: @RichatESA.
LONDON, UK – May 27, 2014 – Square Enix Ltd., the publisher of SQUARE ENIX® interactive entertainment products in Europe and other PAL territories, announces FINAL FANTASY® III, one of the best-loved games from the epic RPG series, is available from today on Steam, priced £10.99/€12.99.
First released in Japan in 1990, FINAL FANTASY III was the first title in the FINAL FANTASY series to become a million-seller, establishing once and for all that SQUARE ENIX’s classic RPG saga was here to stay. The game first reached European shores in 2007 when it launched as a 3D remake on the Nintendo DS, also selling in excess of one million copies.
Now available on Steam, FINAL FANTASY III has been optimised for PC gaming with new and improved 3D visuals and story sequences, and includes Steam Trading Cards and Achievements and new visual designs for the Job Mastery Cards.
The Story of FINAL FANTASY III
Protected by the crystals of light, the once peaceful land has forever been changed by the great tremor. Without warning, the earthquake pulled the crystals into the earth, upsetting the world’s fragile balance. It seems as if all hope is lost – but as the Gulgan prophecy foretold, four souls blessed with the light shall once again restore balance to the world.
Near the small village of Ur, fate guides Luneth to a sentient crystal that changes his life forever. As the light of the crystal fades, Luneth embarks on a journey to seek three others who share his destiny to search for the remaining crystals, and fight the battle of light and darkness.
Game Features
New and improved 3D visuals and story sequences
Quicker browsing through the monster bestiary and other game record
New visual designs for the Job Mastery Cards
Upgraded graphics
Includes Achievements
New feature of Steam Trading Cards
About FINAL FANTASY Since the release of FINAL FANTASY in 1987, this unique RPG series continues to showcase the spectacular visuals, highly imaginative worlds and rich stories leading the industry and earning the highest accolades from users around the world. Titles of the series have so far achieved a cumulative shipment of over 100 million units worldwide.
About Square Enix Ltd. Square Enix Ltd., a part of the Square Enix Europe business unit, develops, publishes, distributes and licenses SQUARE ENIX, EIDOS® and TAITO® branded entertainment content in Europe and other PAL territories as part of the Square Enix Group. Square Enix Ltd. also has a global network of leading development studios such as IO Interactive™, Crystal Dynamics® and Eidos Montréal. The Square Enix Group boasts a valuable portfolio of intellectual property including: FINAL FANTASY, which has sold over 100 million units worldwide, DRAGON QUEST® which has sold over 62 million units worldwide and TOMB RAIDER® which has sold over 35 million units worldwide; and the legendary SPACE INVADERS®. Square Enix Ltd. is a London-based, wholly-owned subsidiary of Square Enix Holdings Co., Ltd.
Sad news horror fans. Today Bethesda have announced that the upcoming survival horror title from Shinji Mikami; The Evil Within has been pushed back. The game, which was originally slated for release in August has now been postponed until October. The new release date for the game is now October 21st for the US, Oct 23rd for us here in Aus and the 24th for the EU.
The reason for the two month push-back has been that the team (and Shinji himself) feel that they need a bit more time to polish up the game. While this is disappointing news, fans of the genre can rest assuredly knowing that Mikami is not willing to put out a sub-par product. In the mean-time, we recently went hands-on with the game’s 4th and 8th chapters, so you should check out our thoughts here and remember to stay tuned to Capsule Computers for all The Evil Within news as it becomes available.
Horror games were the once proud outliers in the gaming industry, filling a niche market of fans who wanted to have really natural, emotional responses to their games (and what emotion is more natural than fear). They provided a sense of immersion and rich storytelling that only the frightening and macabre could muster. Games like Resident Evil or Silent Hill provided an experience that was unmatched for their time. Clunky controls and a feeling of helplessness made us as gamers really come alive. Sadly, as the games industry has gotten bigger and bigger, these franchises (and many like them) have become watered down. The horror has been taken out of “survival horror” in favour of more mass-market appeal in the form of action shooters. With games like Dead Space 3, and Resident Evil 6 sitting on store shelves as a sign of what the horror genre has become, it looked like all hope was lost for those of us who want to feel weak, to feel challenged and to feel scared… until now.
The Evil Within from Bethesda is the brain child of one Shinji Mikami – you know, the guy who created Resident Evil and is basically the king of the horror genre. A lot of talk and a lot of hype has already surrounded this game, but the sceptics have to ask – is it worth it? Well, I recently sat down with the game’s 4th and 8th chapters on Xbox One and I can say; “Yes, yes it is.”
Time to deal with the elephant in the room – this game plays a LOT like Resident Evil 4. The controls, the camera angles and the actions that the protagonist can do all closely mimic the similar stylings from Mikami’s last great outing. The main difference is that while Resident Evil 4 began to steer the survival horror genre to its current action-heavy state, The Evil Within brings it right back to where it should be. It really feels like a true spiritual successor to RE4, bringing with it all of the greatness from that game and combining it with some of the best features of other horror games both past and present.
The Evil Within feels like a mix between Resident Evil, Silent Hill, Amnesia and The Last of Us. I don’t mean that it feels like a hodgepodge mixup of the genre, but that it knows what works for the fans and presents it to us in a well-balanced way. Resident Evil’s mechanics, with Silent Hill’s nightmarish world combined with Amnesia’s running and hiding mechanic, and The Last of Us’s creeping and sneaking make for a game that is every horror fan’s dream.
Starting the game at Chapter 4 meant I had little to no context about the story or plot behind why our detective is facing down brutal, and honestly terrifying creatures. Armed with only a pistol, a shotgun and a crossbow he sets off trying to find a lost patient of his doctor companion. This looks like it will be a large chunk of the game’s plot, as I was still chasing down this escaped patient even through Chapter 8.
Anyway, back to chapter 4 which was set in a small, desolate and decrepid little shanty-town of sorts. There were a few buildings that looked like they were falling apart at the seams, and the soft wind blowing made me feel like I was there. This is the kind of immersion that has been lacking from many horror games lately and I am absolutely thrilled to see it back.
Anyone who has played RE4 will feel right at home controlling this game. Aside from the weapons menu, everything is basically identical. While the controls are very similar, some new toys have been added in – you can now crouch and sneak up on enemies in order to kill them in one hit, as well as staying invisible or out of sight as long as possible. You also carry a lamp with you that when illuminated will help you see down dark corridors, but also makes you a massive target for the monsters who want nothing more than to rip you apart.
Lets stop and talk about the monsters for a second here, because they are truly something. They look like people that have been brutally tortured. Spikes shoved through their bodies, barbed wire around their faces and a whole other array of grotesque and over the top violent imagery follow this game. If you are squeamish, then you might want to avoid this one but if you can handle the gore than oh baby will you be in for a treat.
The AI is great too. Enemies react to sight and sound which makes them about 1000x more efficient killers than your typical zombie. Not only that but the AI used is really impressive. I tried to lure an enemy into a trap, only to have him avoid it at all costs. No matter where I moved to, he would always come at me the quickest way possible, even if it meant backtracking from where he was.
Enemies are also absolute bullet sponges – able to take almost entire clips of your guns and still coming strong. Fire is the most efficient way of killing your enemies, but your means of lighting them on fire is extremely limited. As is your ammunition and healing items. So to recap – you have enemies that don’t go down and very limited means to keep them down anyway. The sense of helplessness is what makes horror games so enticing. We loved Pyramid Head as an antagonist because we know we can’t beat him, the Nemesis was a behemoth that makes us run for the hills and now we are in an environment that is filled to the brim with lethal enemies.
The enemies are so lethal in fact that more than one or two in a room will likely cause certain death for the player. One section of the game has you entering a room that is half-flooded and surrounded with traps. Attempting to leave the room spawns eight or nine gruesome foes to tear you down. With your limited resources vs your nearly unstoppable horde, utilising the traps around the room (things like trip-wires, proximity mines and arrow traps) are imperative. Planning and coordination give a unique feel to the game as opposed to just running in and gunning down your foes.
The climax of Chapter 4 introduces us to an enemy that many of you will have seen in the trailers. She has multiple arms and is immune to bullet fire. Yep, you read that correctly. This monster will scuttle along the floor at you and cannot be shot at. You are forced to run or else be caught and have your journey end right there. Long, narrow hallways and half-opened doors really help create the feeling of danger and even trigger a bit of claustrophobia during this segment. I managed to escape, but I can’t help but wonder what the rest of the game holds in store for that particular beast.
While Chapter 4 gave us a look at how the game’s action sequences play out. Chapter 8 showed us a whole different side – Puzzles. It has been a long time since a horror game really used puzzles as a key element in its design, and it is another welcome return. Chapter 8 puts you in a old, creepy mansion (that looks surprisingly like the Spencer Mansionfrom Resident Evil) and has you solving three sickening puzzles involving decapitated (yet still living) heads. You have to place the probe into the correct section of the exposed brain to unlock the door leading out of the building.
To make matters worse, you are also being stalked by this mysterious figure in a tattered robe who I later found out goes by Ruvik. At random intervals a blue shockwave hits the screen, and suddenly everything turns greyscale. Then at the far end of the room, Ruvik will round a corner and slowly skulk towards you. Shooting him yields nothing so you are forced to run. You are able to hide under beds or inside wardrobes (a la Amnesia or Silent Hill: Shattered Memories) in hopes that you aren’t spotted. I was holding my breath and my heart was beating fast when I was hiding under a bed and the mysterious figure’s feet were inches from my face. I didn’t know what was about to happen and I was hooked to the moment.
I later found out that if this guy touches you, your health IMMEDIATELY drops down to 1% and he disappears, leaving behind an ordinary enemy for you to fell. Talk about stress. The worst (see: best) is that no matter where you go, you aren’t safe. Even in the midst of solving one of the game’s brain puzzles, the blue shockwave hit and I knew I had to run and come back another time. The Evil Within really keeps you on your toes with little things like this.
The Evil Within also employs a cool weapon system. Entering your weapon’s menu doesn’t pause the game, but instead slows time; giving you a moment to think about what you need and when you need it, but not allowing you to breathe. Thinking on the fly is important and planning ahead is absolutely vital. Luckily up to four items can be assigned to a quick-selection menu so that you can gear yourself up for almost any situation.
While your revolver and shotgun are your primary weapons, you also have access to a knife and a really unique crossbow. The Agony Crossbow uses bolts that are either found in-game or crafted from pieces of scrap. Aside from ordinary spear-type bolts, you can also craft exploding, electric, flash and a variety of other projectiles to help clear your path. While not particularly powerful, they all serve their purposes (the explosive bolt is incredible at clearing out a few enemies at a time, especially since it will stick into its initial target).
So I will admit that this game is far from perfect. There were more than a few little graphical hiccups and other things that took me out of the experience rather quickly. Things like textures that look like they belong in the PS2 era, and more than a few sections where the enemies appeared to clip in and out of objects. Luckily these all seemed like they will be fixed before the game’s official release later this year, so it wouldn’t be fair on me to badger it for having textures that appear out of place.
Aside from the graphical hiccups that I encountered, the game was stunning. Not that it was pretty to look at, because everything was falling down around me, but in that it looked real. It looked like I was in the middle of a horror movie with no way out.
The Evil Within is still a few months away, with its release date set for late-October of this year there is still a lot more that will be done to the game before it hits the shelves. What I played though spoke to me as a horror-gamer. This is definitely the game I have been waiting for, for over 10 years. Dark, brooding, puzzling and downright heart-pounding at times, I can’t wait to pick this one up in October.
SACRED 3 GEARS UP FOR GLORY ON AUGUST 5 NOW AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER
Nab Exclusive Items, Weapons And DLC In The Penultimate Fantasy Hack ‘n’ Slash Installment In The Sacred Universe
Larkspur, Calif., May 27, 2014 – Prepare to enter the fantasy realm of Ancaria. Today Deep Silver announced that Sacred 3 will storm into retailers on August 5 for for the Xbox 360® games and entertainment system from Microsoft, Windows® PC and PlayStation®3. and PC. Sacred 3 is the third installment in the Sacred universe where good is pitted against evil in a timeless battle filled with non-stop action and the chance to become the ultimate hero. Featuring incredibly immersive and engaging drop in/drop out seamless co-op gameplay, players must outperform and outshine their teammates in epic battles where victories are shared, but glory can only belong to one. Pre-orders for Sacred 3 are now available with exclusive bonuses for fans in North America.
All fans who pre-order Sacred 3 will be able to jump into Ancaria primed for battle with the playable Malakhim character, who uses mysterious blood magic to combat the armies of Emperor Zane. Additionally, fans that purchase Sacred 3 at GameStop will receive the Underworld Story mission pack, the playable Malakhim character and the exclusive Z4ngr13f Weapon Spirit.
Weapon Spirits are a brand new addition to the Sacred universe in Sacred 3. Players will be able to enhance their weapons with these upgradable and interchangeable weapon augmentations, each with their own unique buffs and debuffs. Certain Weapon Spirits even take the form of previous characters from the Sacred franchise, to help aid players of Sacred 3 in their fight against the hordes of evil.
Sacred 3 features classic arcade Hack ‘n’ Slash action centered around drop in/drop out cooperative multiplayer for both offline (2 players) and online (4 players) play. The game brings back favorite characters such as the Seraphim, Ancarian, Khukuri and the Safiri, and introduces the aforementioned new character, Malakhim. Each character class features its own unique skills and weapons that can be upgraded to match the player’s very own combat style. Master the art of war and fight through enemy hordes and try to outshine fellow companions on the way to become the greatest hero of all.
Victory Is Ours. Glory is Mine.
For more information about Sacred 3, please visit our social channels:
Official Website: www.sacred-world.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sacredworld
YouTube: www.youtube.com/sacredworld
Twitter: www.twitter.com/sacred_world
About Deep Silver
Deep Silver develops and publishes interactive games for all platforms, seeking to deliver top-quality products that provide immersive game experiences driven by the desires of the gaming community. The company has published more than 200 games worldwide since 2003, including the best-selling zombie action Dead Island™ franchise, the critically-acclaimed Metro™: Last Light and the smash hit action adventure Saints Row IV™. Deep Silver is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Koch Media, GmbH, and includes the renowned development studio Deep Silver Volition, based in Champaign, IL. For more information, please visit www.deepsilver.com or follow us on twitter at @deepsilver.
Hackers worldwide, our time has come. The world is ours! Ubisoft‘s Watch_Dogs is finally out for Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3 and PC. If you hadn’t pre-ordered, or have not gotten your copy today, click here to check out all the different editions available, each offering different physical and digital bonuses.
Aside from the game itself, all the branded accessories and apparel and the planned film, the Watch_Dogs universe is further expanded by the ctOS Mobile companion app, allowing players to connect and compete with friends, even when away from your home console; the eBook written by John Shirley, entitled Watch_Dogs //n/Dark Clouds, which features a storyline picking up from the conclusion of the game; and the Season Pass, including an added single-player story featuring T-Bone, a new Digital Trip game mode, new missions, weapons, outfits and more.
For more information on the eBook – available in English, French, Italian, German and Spanish – click here. And for those interested in checking out the Season Pass offerings in more detail, click here.
Oh heck yeah! As if one Batman game this year wasn’t enough, the guys over at Warner Bros. are spoiling us with a second helping of the Caped Crusader. Lego Batman is BACK and he looks like he and the Justice League are taking things to a whole new level.. Literally!
Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham takes the Dark Knight, The Man of Steel and the rest of the crew on an inter-galactic mission to stop Brainiac from enslaving humanity (as he is known to do). With more than 150 different unlockable characters, and an entire universe to explore, this looks like it will be the biggest Batman AND Lego adventure ever. Details are still a bit scarce, but the game is set to launch later this year and if recent Lego games are anything to go by (such as Lego: The Hobbit) then you should really get excited for this one.
We have put the small teaser trailer for the game below, so be sure to check it out and remember to stay tuned to Capsule Computers for all the Batman news as it becomes available.
Prepare for battle with the introduction of the Red Army
London, UK – May 27, 2014 – Today Ubisoft® announced that the Red Army is joining the fight in Panzer General® Online, the new free-to-play browser based game from Blue Byte®.
The Red Army is marching into Panzer General Online with new units, boosters and starter packs along with a new single player campaign. Players will build up their Red Army decks to fight against the U.S. and German forces in intense, tactical online matches. Now featuring the three largest armies of World War II, Panzer General Online takes history farther, allowing players to command historical units including the famous T-34 tank and the dreaded Katyusha rocket launcher.
To get started playing, sign up for the open beta of Panzer General Online though the official website: www.panzergeneral.com.
Panzer General Online is a free-to-play browser-based tactical game combining elements of collectible card games and board games. Players create their own armies of World War II units including tanks, artillery and the infantry as well as command cards that when deployed strategically, can turn the tide of battle. Featuring a single player campaign and multiplayer PvP battles, players can challenge their friends and other generals to race to the top of the leaderboards.
Ubisoft is a leading creator, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and services, with a rich portfolio of world-renowned brands, including Assassin’s Creed, Just Dance, Tom Clancy’s video game series, Rayman and Far Cry. The teams throughout Ubisoft’s worldwide network of studios and business offices are committed to delivering original and memorable gaming experiences across all popular platforms, including consoles, mobile phones, tablets and PCs. For the 2013-14 fiscal year Ubisoft generated sales of €1,007 million. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com.
About Blue Byte, a Ubisoft studio:
Blue Byte was established in 1988 and released its first hit game in 1991: Battle Isle. This was followed in 1993 by the development strategy game The Settlers®, which established itself as a longlasting favorite. In 2001, Blue Byte was acquired by Ubisoft, and in 2004 the studio moved into the premises of Ubisoft’s German branch in Düsseldorf. The team at Blue Byte is responsible for new productions of The Settlers® and ANNO®. The studio is also active in the free-2-play genre with the web-based browser game The Settlers Online, available in several languages and currently captivating millions of players worldwide.
So I will admit that this game is far from perfect. There were more than a few little graphical hiccups and other things that took me out of the experience rather quickly. Things like textures that look like they belong in the PS2 era, and more than a few sections where the enemies appeared to clip in and out of objects. Luckily these all seemed like they will be fixed before the game’s official release later this year, so it wouldn’t be fair on me to badger it for having textures that appear out of place.
