The Chronicles of Spellborn

Release delayed while potential US publisher gets up to speed.

News by GamesIndustry International Contributor

Published on April 10, 2008

Berlin, 10th of April 2008: After a first review of the beta tests of The Chronicles of Spellborn, which began at the beginning of March, the Dutch developers have decided to make a revision to the server infrastructure. At this time, the game-play mechanics and graphics of the game client have already matched the high demand for quality. These have been mostly completed and will now be thoroughly optimized and polished. In reworking the tools and the network code, Spellborn NV now wants to ensure that the flow and performance of gameplay live up to the general expectations. At the same time, the developer will lay the foundation to allow for quick expansion of the game, with new content and updates, once it is released.

Meanwhile, Frogster Interactive has found a renowned MMOG publisher to be a potential partner for the release of Spellborn in the USA and has already signed a letter of intent. For a successful market introduction, the potential licensor will require a lead time of six months at least. As a consequence, both Frogster and the developers of Spellborn NV have decided to initiate the revision of the server architecture and to use this time to prepare for a coordinated worldwide release of the game. Considering the new strategy, Frogster assumes a launch of The Chronicles of Spellborn in autumn 2008. Nevertheless, the developer will continue the current closed beta tests for the time being. Just recently, Spellborn NV has expanded the circle of accredited testers by one hundred committed members of the community to balance and optimize the gameplay even more.

What lies hidden, must be found

With The Chronicles of Spellborn players enter into an impressive online scenario with scenic landscapes, majestic cities and the remnants of an ancient civilization. Alone or with a party of allies, PC adventurers step into a huge fantasy realm consisting of varied shard worlds floating in the magic Deadspell Storm. Those who want to prevail in the grippingly staged combats of The Chronicles of Spellborn need to apply their mighty arsenal of spells, melee and ranged attacks skillfully. Battles with bloodthirsty creatures, hostile peoples and human opponents in PvP battles are waiting. An innovative and tactically challenging combat system with shooter-like controls and rotating skill deck provides a fresh breath of air for the dusty MMORPG genre. Thanks to the largely extended Unreal Engine 2.5 The Chronicles of Spellborn boasts stunning 3D graphics, spectacular effects and countless elaborate details. More information, images and videos can be found on www.tcos.com.

About Spellborn NV

Spellborn NV is a computer games company residing in the Netherlands. It has grown from a midrange internet company to the top of the Dutch games industry. With a team of 50 gamedesigners and programmers Spellborn NV has developed ‘The Chronicles of Spellborn’ over a period of more than 3 years now.

About Frogster Interactive Pictures AG

Frogster Interactive Pictures AG is a Berlin-based holding company with stakes in the field of computer games. Frogster acts as publisher of virtual worlds, so-called Massively Multiplayer Online Games, a growth sector in the games industry. The fully owned subsidiary FIP Publishing GmbH, based in Berlin, acts as publisher of computer games of all genres and price classes and is among the market leaders in Germany. The company publishes and distributes PC games by international licensors under its labels Brigades, Eclypse and BacktoGames. OnlineWelten, a Frogster stake based in Berlin, is one of the most influential broad impact German language MMOG and Gaming portals (Frogster stake 83%). Frogster Studios Co. Ltd., based in Seoul (Republic of Korea), develops MMOGs and publishes its own as well as licensed virtual worlds in Asia (stake 50%). Yusho GmbH (stake 50%) runs virtual worlds on its own servers and delivers accounting services for subscriptions and virtual items sales for its customers. The Frogster group currently employs more than 70 staff. Internet: www.frogster-interactive.de

Contact

Spellborn NV

Pierre-Yves Deslandes

PR Manager

Gevers Deynootweg 93

NL-2586 BK Den Haag

The Netherlands

Phone +31 (70) 3389104

Fax +31 (70) 3389106

E-Mail pdeslandes@tcos.com

Frogster Interactive Pictures AG

Axel Schmidt