Endless Saga

[Gounmckuber]

WEBZEN Inc. (NASDAQ: WZEN), a leading global online entertainment developer, publisher and operator, today announced the company has started development of Endless Saga™, a new massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) for the PlayStation®3 (PS3) computer entertainment system. WEBZEN unveiled a first look at the colorful new MMORPG at the Annual PlayStation Meeting hosted by Sony Computer Entertainment Japan (SCEJ). Produced by WEBZEN’s D-Studio, Endless Saga is slated for release in 2007 for both PS3 Online and PC Online.

“WEBZEN is honored to be among the select group of third-party publishers invited to participate at this year’s Annual PlayStation Meeting,” said Nam Ju Kim, CEO, WEBZEN, Inc. “We’re excited about being one of the first publishers to bring a new online game to the PS3. We look forward to working closely with Sony Computer Entertainment Japan throughout the development cycle to ensure this new fantasy game appeals to MMORPG and PS3 fans everywhere.”

On the event floor, SCEJ provided attendees with a sneak preview of Endless Saga. The crowd was treated to a glimpse of screen shots and a movie trailer highlighting the MMORPG’s innovative gameplay, graphics and creative story and characters.

More details about Endless Saga will be unveiled in future announcements. Hmm..... Sony must be bundling this thing with a hdd or something. This also explains why that broad was so ugly in that Endless Saga!!! (http://media.ps3.ign.com/media/761/761165/vids_1.html)video:pinky:

[woundingchaney]

Sony must be bundling this thing with a hdd or something


Bundling any game with the hard drive would be ingenious, giving consumers a first hand reason to pick up the hard drive (why not one of Sonys mmorpg). Its just convincing the dev/publisher of the idea, which may not be hard.

[Irion]

Probably the first real proof that PS3 will support online games isn't it?

[xbdestroya]

Well bundling a high-capacity (80 gb) 2.5" drive with a game is going to lead to a mighty expensive game, that's for sure!

I rather Sony do the launch bundles and leave the game makers to do their own thing.

[xbdestroya]

Probably the first real proof that PS3 will support online games isn't it?

C'mon now, the PS2 supports online games. Obviously the PS3 was going to support online gaming in one form or another.

[Gounmckuber]

When i mentioned bundling i meant SOny including the hdd with every unit for $360:chinese2: I think people would go for this. It has to fairly larger than the 360 hdd for people to cough up the bucks

[OutlawAdidas]

this is the same company that copied LoZ: WW and then said that it was original and thet it didn't resemble WW at all.

[woundingchaney]

We are seeing a large influx of mmorpg, with the dev costs and operating costs do you think the genre is growing out of control. Surely the average consumer will just have one (maybe two) considering they have to pay monthly. A poor user base on an mmorpg could cause a large loss to the producer. :confused:

[xbdestroya]

this is the same company that copied LoZ: WW and then said that it was original and thet it didn't resemble WW at all.

To which game do you refer?

[Irion]

Can't you just connect 1 of your own disks on the machine..

[xbdestroya]

Can't you just connect 1 of your own disks on the machine..

No you cannot. Regular hard drives are 3.5" rather than the 2.5" notebook standard. And further, we don't know if Sony will add a customer casing/enclosure.

[Metal Sphere]

Hmm, an MMORPG. It'd be foolish for Sony not to include a HDD when they've got an MMORPG on the way, and much sooner than FFXI on the PS2. There's rumblings about the HDD not being used for gaming, but again, that'd be a bad idea. It's best suited for that, as opposed to using memory sticks.

XB, it's definitely looking like Sony will bundle the drive with the PS3.

Edit: BTW, the Zelda look-alike RPG that Webzen made is called Wiki.

[hell0]

http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/adventure/legendofzeldathewindwaker/news_6119327.html

[Z]

I don't think this is an MMORPG. the graphics are too good for that. I think it is a single player RPG. Koreas also play single player you know :)

[Illmatic]

They've announced it as a MMORPG.

The game looks awesome, i can see why you could second guess it.

On another note, at the Playstation meeting Kutaragi was going on about

"I'm aware that with all these technologies, the PS3 can't be offered at a price that's targeted towards households. I think everyone can still buy it if they wanted to," said Kutaragi to a mostly Japanese crowd. "But we're aiming for consumers throughout the world. So we're going to have to do our best [in containing the price]."

Then Kutaragi issued a somewhat ominous warning. "I'm not going to reveal its price today. I'm going to only say that it'll be expensive," he stated.


So i wonder if they changed their plans on the hard drive.

[Z]

- keep the meeting discussion in the appropriate thread.

well, if it is an MMORPG, then can it possibly come out on PC as well, or could it be a PS3 exclusive? I don't think there are many console MMORPG exclusives this gen. I can't think of any.
I don't know if they can maintain that high level of graphic quality in an MMO game. either PS3 will be that powerfull, or they will scale it down a bit for mass simultaneous play. I am sure there will be a longer, more revealing video at TGS.

about the trailer shown; everything looked fantastic except for the character's face. she had the worst face ever. it looked current gen! but her armor was the most detailed I have ever seen. she is one of the most impressive models yet. so how come they missed they head?

edited: I just read the news, it will be coming in 2007 for both PS3 and PC.

[raVen]

i think the thing with her face was art direction... it might be the style there going for

[Z]

no not about the style, but the actual detail, poly count, textures, etc. the face seems bland. it looks totally off compared to the rest of the graphically awesome demo.

[raVen]

just watched it again: IMO I dont think the polys or texture is that bad in the face but the hair isnt really that great.

[rev>thanu]

i think the only thing that looked bad in that demo was the blocky hair and the bad grass texture.

[warmachine]

Did you recognise that the Endless Saga Trailer looks a lot more detailed than the Huxley Trailer?

I wonder what this means...

[Coded-Dude]

I am surprised Sony hasn't announced their own exclusive mmorpg for PS3....Endless Saga will be available for PC.
So thius is one of the first, but how many more will arrive early in the lifespan of the console.

I thought the video was decent

[Hardcore Gamer]

I am surprised Sony hasn't announced their own exclusive mmorpg for PS3....Endless Saga will be available for PC.
So thius is one of the first, but how many more will arrive early in the lifespan of the console.

I thought the video was decent
Didn't Ed Fries join Sony Online Entertainment? No doubt he'll help out Sony with their online content and maybe they'll bring an EverQuest game to the PS3. I didn't play any of the EverQuest games for the PS2, but based on their ratings, I'm guessing the PS2's hardware limited what they could do. They shouldn't have a problem with the PS3.

Also, if Sony decides on packaging a HDD with the PS3, don't count out Square-Enix.

[Metal Sphere]

He's just a consultant from what I've gathered. BTW, here's some art and a screenshot of Endless Saga (it looks like they've tweaked the horrible face we saw in the trailer):

http://www.endlesssaga.com/concept_illust.jpg

http://www.endlesssaga.com/screenshot_1024.jpg

[Z]

I am surprised Sony hasn't announced their own exclusive mmorpg for PS3

there are two at least two MMORPGS coming for PSP. also, you have the entire SOE. you think they will neglect PS3? there is still TGS and I am sure we'll see news about SOE titles show up before the end of the year.

screenshot of Endless Saga (it looks like they've tweaked the horrible face we saw in the trailer):

YES. THANK YOU. now that is what I call a freakin' next-gen face! I am so happy I'll be eating kimchi for a week!

game specualtion: she she has a butterfly on her hand. but she also has a butterfly necklace. does that show some involvement in the game?

[Metal Sphere]

YES. THANK YOU. now that is what I call a freakin' next-gen face! I am so happy I'll be eating kimchi for a week!

I'm glad I made your day. Her face looks fine now, that's for sure. Not that hideous Adrian Brody looking thing from the trailer.

[raVen]

shes... beautiful

[Z]

join the club!

for those who didn't catch it, look at her face now, and compae it to the trailer. it's like day and night. also, in the offical site, they tell you this is actually an in-game pic using UE3! that is just...W.O.W

edited: I just noticed something: her butterfly necklace has a tail. the bottom of its tal- the very last part- is bumped up a little. is that becouse of here chest? is it going to be that detailed, or do I need more pills?!

[Red_Eyes]

Looks pretty good right now, but just wait 'til it's finish. Every geek will be drooling at her face.

[raVen]

you know whats amazing the trailer they showed at the Playstation Meeting was with there own engine but as soon as the got the hands on Unreal3 the were able to make her look so much more realistic. Is this the power of the ps3 shaders (made readily available by u3) at work?

[warmachine]

Any Sources where it is said, that the PSMeeting trailer was with their own engine?

I found the PS Meeting trailer VERY impressive!
Ok, blowing at the butterfly looked a little bit...retarded...but the lighting and the shadowing was very well done!

And just look at the gras in the trailer! Its not just 2D sprites, those are real polygons! Hell yeah!

[EDIT]

@Z: No its not bumped up. She's wearing a cross an the tail of the butterfly, and what you see is just a piece of this cross.

[raVen]

well that was just an assumption (i should have stated that... I'll scold myself later)

[Gounmckuber]

Wow, i really wish we had a direct feed video of this especially after seeing that pic

[Z]

I think everything was identicall between this image and the trailer. the only thing different is her head model. the trailer's looked horrible (current gen) to the digree is seems someone put an ugly head on this beautiful body. but the pic showes an unbelievable head model. thank God they said it was in game, many would have had second guesses.

@Z: No its not bumped up. She's wearing a cross an the tail of the butterfly, and what you see is just a piece of this cross.
can I get a second opinion? these things go along way, so I have to be sure. :)

[warmachine]

Watch the trailer again and get sure for yourself. :aim;-]:

Have I mentioned yet, that I fell in love with this girl? :twitch:

[Gounmckuber]

Hmmm.....that is some amazing graphics quality for this to be an online rpg. Has there ever been an online rpg looking like this is cutscene or gameplay? The screen kinda looks like a painting. Maybe the final game is going to have a semi-painted look so it can differentiate itself from other MMORPGs

[Z]

Have I mentioned yet, that I fell in love with this girl?
pick a number. wait in line.
Hmmm.....that is some amazing graphics quality for this to be an online rpg
my point exactly, that is why I initially doubted it would be an MMORPG, then I doubted it would be on PC. I have no idea how will the be able to pull it off.
here is a crazy thought: at least the PS3 version will look that good (if not better due to finalized hardware and more time). and since all those PS3's are connected online via broadband to play this, the game's servers will have access to a huge number of Monster Cell chips- from every PS3. thus it can possible harness the power of this 'virtual machine' and make such a game happen! Sony did talk about PS3's being connected online and creat a 'virtual machine' at E3.
where is Megagrid? he would totally dig this stuff!

[rev>thanu]

i take back any negative comment i might have stated earlier. the hair looks awsome and i really want this game now. LOL
now that i see an actual screenshot from the source and in HD quality it really looks great. look at the pores on her face, clearly the IGN and gamespot trailers do no justice to this girl. since they were capture right off the show floor the quality is pretty poor. so i really doubt this has been retouched since the playstation meeting.

also the graphics are no less than what i would have expected. the koei presentation clearly mentioned that they could get 1.5 million polygons on just the face with the power of PS3. Now think and imagine 1.5 million polygons, if you take that amount and divide by 100 on screen characters and each will sport a whooping 15000 polygons each, add in excellent shaders and you get the pic of the girl and a MMORPG with 100 on screen characters at a time. that's not including bump mapping etc...

she doesn't look anorexic anymore.
http://ps3media.ign.com/ps3/image/article/635/635741/endless-saga-20050721064021022.jpg

she gained some jaw structure and they lifted and pulled outward her nose a bit. She definetely looks better though, she looks more like a character model i would expect from squareenix.

[warmachine]

And between her breasts you can see the cross. :aim;-]:

[Z]

ah, I see it now. yes, I thought that level of physics was a bit crazy really. yet again, concidering the possibility speaks volumes about the remarkable level we witness.

[Metal Sphere]

Hmm, I hope you guys didn't think it was over because a larger version of the revised model is available, and it makes the difference between the poor video capture and the real look.
http://www.elysiumcore.com/ps3/esaga.jpg

[the boney king of nowhere.]

if tradition continues then an FF game will come along and blow it out of the water(graphically)... imagine what FFXIII will look like