NCsoft Announces Lineage II
Powered by the Epic Games’ Unreal Engine,
Prequel to World’s Most Popular Online Game to Feature Advanced 3D Graphics and
New Game Structure
AUSTIN, Texas, March 20, 2002 – NCsoft(tm)
Corporation, the world’s largest independent online game company, today
announced Lineage(tm) II, the prequel to the most popular online game in the
world. With more than four million subscribers and 330 thousand concurrent
users, Lineage set the standard for subscription-based online games. Lineage II
promises to advance the world of Lineage by adding an amazing array of features,
graphics, gameplay, fantasy and depth.
Placing gamers in an entirely new online
world, Lineage II will feature state-of-the-art 3D graphics, powered by the
latest Unreal technology from Epic Games. The graphics are among the most
ambitious visuals ever attempted in an online game and will allow players to be
further immersed in the fantasy world that is filled with a new set of
adventures, interactions and challenges. The game, set 150 years prior to
Lineage, will also feature an easy-to-learn interface, an intuitive game
structure, a variety of classes, and a new focus on group battle. In addition,
politics, economics and morals play crucial roles in Lineage II. "Lineage is the
most popular online game in the world because players are captivated by the
game’s core gameplay elements," says Richard Garriott, executive producer at
NCsoft’s Austin, Texas office. "Lineage II will provide players with truly state
of the art gameplay and visuals, while maintaining the feel and excitement of
the original." "Epic eyes the Korean marketplace with great interest," said Jay
Wilbur of Epic Games. "We are especially delighted to be working with NCsoft,
Korea’s foremost massively multiplayer game
developer, as a licensee of our Unreal Engine for use in the prequel to their
smash hit game Lineage." The concepts of sieges and pledges will be carried over
from Lineage, however the sieges in Lineage II will take place in a full 3D
environment. This new form of battle will allow players to develop and implement
new strategies and tactics. The pledge will remain the base of society in the
game, and Lineage II will expand on the concept by adding a pledge chatting
channel, a more robust safe house system and a dedicated pledge homepage.
Further details of Lineage II, including screen shots, character descriptions
and an FAQ are available at <http://www.lineage2.com>.
About NCsoft
Headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, NCsoft
is the world’s largest independent online game company. Established in 1997 as a
systems integration company, NCsoft has leaped to become Korea’s and the world’s
leading online game software company. In Korea, its blockbuster hit game Lineage
(<http://www.lineage.com>)
commands a 47% market share and attracts the greatest number of concurrent users
in the world. NCsoft is a public company and is traded on the KOSDAQ Korean
stock exchange. . In fiscal year 2001, NCsoft posted revenues of 124,735,958,000
Korean won or approximately US$95 million. More information about NCsoft can be
found at <http://www.ncsoft.co.kr/default_e.html>.
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NCsoft is a trademark of NCsoft Corp. and
Lineage is a trademark of NC Interactive. All other trademarks are the property
of their respective owners.
