Userjoy’s BigWorld-powered title is going live in mainland China after a successful launch in Taiwan :

The9 (Nasdaq:NCTY) plans to start alpha testing of its licensed 3D MMORPG Kingdom Heroes 2 Online on March 10, according to a posting on the game’s official site. The company is accepting applications for activation accounts from March 1 to March 10, according to the notice.

The9 obtained exclusive operating rights for Kingdom Heroes 2 Online in mainland China from Taiwan’s USERJOY Technology (3546.TW) in July 2009.

In my 30 minutes with the level editor, with no prior experience… I was able to lay out a simple comedic scene starring two roasted Orcs and one fire-breathing behemoth.  It should be noted that I received minimal help, only asking when thoroughly stumped.  That in mind, I was able to quickly adapt to movement, object placement, folder architecture, and implementing pre-built models and animations.  The movement is very intuitive and incorporates several of the finer nuances from 3D modeling programs, making it easy for people with some development experience to jump right into.

Over at GamerNexus.

http://www.bigworldtech.com/news/press_100305_bigworld-indie-academic.php

Main site at http://www.bigworldindie.com

05 March 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BigWorld boosts technology access for indie, student and small commercial developers
Announcing ‘BigWorld Indie’, ‘BigWorld Indie Source’ and ‘BigWorld Academic’

(Sydney, Australia): BigWorld Pty Ltd. today announced the launch of three new product offerings for indie, student and small commercial developers of Massively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs) and large scale online virtual worlds, with BigWorld Indie available immediately.

Indie teams, registered education institutions and any small commercial company may be eligible to apply for a ‘BigWorld Indie’, ‘BigWorld Indie Source’ or ‘BigWorld Academic’ license. For pricing, eligibility requirements and a full list of terms and conditions visit www.bigworldindie.com

“This announcement comes as a bona fide boon for students, indie and prototype developers who have previously been unable to gain access to BigWorld’s premier, complete and proven MMOG solution”, commented John De Margheriti, CEO, BigWorld. “Many developers have been placing solutions for Indies and making available prototype builds for emerging game companies for quite some time. BigWorld has kept its focus on the fully commercial marketplace and to date, there are over 40 commercial licenses in development or launched on BigWorld Technology. We are now well positioned to expand our product offerings to include academic institutions and mod and indie developers, who are in our belief, stronger and more capable than ever to take advantage of virtual or graphical social worlds and MMOs”.

BigWorld Indie is for the casual enthusiast and can be used as a pathway to the BigWorld Indie Source or the full scale BigWorld Commercial license. It’s the most affordable of the three offerings, but also carries the most restrictions. This offering is supported through online forums which are moderated by BigWorld staff.

BigWorld Indie Source is the likely choice for those companies wishing to build a prototype to show potential investors, or for pitching an idea to a publisher. Support forums are enabled and you are able to buy direct-interaction support packages for one-on-one time with BigWorld support staff in blocks of 10 hours.

BigWorld Academic is strictly for registered educational institutions and will enable students to gain a grasp on the technology and experience the issues involved in developing MMOGs and large scale online virtual worlds. Employers can look forward to getting their hands on more industry ready graduates who have been exposed to some of the intricacies of the BigWorld Technology.

Even though there are caveats on all three new product offerings, BigWorld have gone the extra mile to help developers elevate themselves to a winning position. Progression plans are available to upgrade to a BigWorld Commercial license and BigWorld is looking forward to welcoming an abundance of new developers.

BigWorld will be available for developer meetings and media interviews during GDC San Francisco at the Moscone Center from March 11 -13, 2010. Email appointments@bigworldtech.com for interview requests.
About the BigWorld Technology Suite
Comprised of the BigWorld Server Software, Content Creation Pipeline, 3D Client Engine Package, Live Management Tools & Instrumentation, the BigWorld Technology Suite is the premier complete and proven massively multiplayer game development solution, providing all of the complex systems required to produce engaging, highly scalable next-generation MMOGs and Virtual Worlds.
About BigWorld Pty Ltd
BigWorld Pty Ltd was formed in 2002 to commercialize years of intense R&D, which started in 1999 and continues to this day. With a direct local presence in the USA, China, Japan and Europe, BigWorld licenses its middleware platform to game studios and publishers around the world to build successful next generation MMOGs and Virtual Worlds. For more information and links to currently released or in production titles, visit www.bigworldtech.com

BigWorld Indie Website
www.bigworldindie.com
BigWorld Website
www.bigworldtech.com
BigWorld Blog
blog.bigworldtech.com
Media Contact: Casey Gregory
Email: caseyg@bigworldtech.com
Phone: +61 2 6162 5120
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“38 Studios, LLC announces two new appointments to its executive team based at the company’s Maynard, MA headquarters. Rick Wester takes on the role of Chief Financial Officer and Denise Kaigler joins as Chief Marketing Officer. Both appointments were effective in February. Wester reports to Bill Thomas, the Chief Operating Officer of 38 Studios. Kaigler reports to Jen MacLean, the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer.”

Full details here.

MMO Culture recently reported that North American MMO publisher Aeria Games has picked up two BigWorld-powered titles to add to their F2P stable. Kingdom Heroes 2 Online and Heroes: Scions of Pheonix, both from Taiwan-based Userjoy Technology.

We’re looking forward to seeing this news in an official press-release soon, but until that happens – catch the shiny videos, screens and more detailed info on the games at MMO Culture.