Asian Game Developers Join Forces with Xbox 360 at Tokyo Game Show

Interserv, Phantagram, Blueside, Softstar, TWP, Webzen and XPEC support
Xbox 360 drive to ignite an Asian gaming revolution

Top game developers in Asia are putting their full weight of support behind the highly anticipated Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft.

At an exclusive gathering of Asian media at Tokyo Game Show, Interserv, Phantagram, Blueside, Softstar, TWP, Webzen and XPEC demonstrated an incredible show of force; showcasing Asian developers’ commitment to the Xbox 360 platform ahead of the regional launch in Asia early next year.

“Xbox 360 brings together the most powerful hardware, software and services that provide critical features for online gaming. It definitely is the platform leader for the next-generation games. Furthermore, Microsoft has given us proactive support in the areas of games development and marketing,” said “Huxley” producer Kang Ki Jong of Korea-based Webzen, Inc.

Developed for the Xbox 360, “Huxley” is the first Xbox 360 title created by Webzen, but other titles are in the pipeline.

“We are taking into consideration the taste of Asian gamers as we develop “Huxley”. The leading-edge graphics incorporate an Asian artistic style and the game play is suited to the style favored by the Asian gamers. Ultimately, Asian gamers will get to play a first-person-shooter game like they want it in a MMORPG (Massive Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game) setting,” Mr. Kang said.

Asian game developers for Xbox 360 are also keen to tap audiences beyond their respective domestic market and the titles being created are meant to appeal to international audiences.

“We are well-positioned through our international collaboration with Xbox to produce digital entertainment content that is suitable not only for Asia, but also for international markets,” said Sheree Tsao, managing director of Taiwan-based Interserv.

Phantagram of Korea, a long-time Xbox game developer, is also eager to deliver on its commitment to Xbox 360 as the leading next generation console. The company is developing “99 Nights” for Xbox 360 in collaboration with Microsoft and Q Entertainment.

Korea’s Blueside Inc. will develop a new title in the Kingdom Under Fire series exclusively for Xbox 360. The tentative name for the title is “Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom” and promises to be an action role-playing game in unprecedented scale and action.

“What’s compelling about the Xbox 360 platform is its capability to provide some of the most riveting game experiences with massive battle scenes and to execute them quickly in a comfortable frame rate. We strongly believe all high-end technologies featured in Xbox 360 will bring some breakthrough innovations to today’s gaming,” said Sangyoun Lee, executive producer, Phantagram.
 
“What’s compelling about the Xbox 360 platform is its capability to provide some of the most riveting game experiences with massive battle scenes and to execute them quickly in a comfortable frame rate. We strongly believe all high-end technologies featured in Xbox 360 will bring some breakthrough innovations to today’s gaming,” said Sangyoun Lee, executive producer, Phantagram.

Taiwan’s Softstar has also announced plans to develop and publish games on the Xbox 360 platform. The first-time Xbox game developer is now in the middle of adapting its “Rich Man Fantasy” series for the Xbox 360 console. “Rich Man Fantasy” is based on the widely popular board game “Monopoly”. Plans are also on the drawing board for the development of local games for the Chinese market.

“Group games are popular in Asia because Asians are family-oriented. We expect this title to be a hit in the region. The social element of this game makes it a natural fit for the Xbox Live online gaming service,” said Eric Lee, president of Softstar.

TWP Corporation, one of Taiwan’s leading games developers, is developing the very first “Mahjong Online” game for Xbox 360. With a rich heritage and tradition, “Mahjong Online” is based on the Chinese traditional board game and builds on Xbox 360’s powerful development platform to provide a unique and enjoyable online gaming experience for gamers in Asia.

“Xbox has provided us with a great deal of technical support which has enabled us to focus on developing great games such as “Mahjong Online”,” said M.S. Chou, president, TWP Corporation. “With Mahjong Online, we are fast-forwarding one of the most popular games in Asia into the next generation of digital entertainment.”

XPEC Entertainment of Taiwan, maker of the first Asian game developed for Xbox - “Ex-Chaser”, is leveraging the enhanced gaming environment of Xbox’s next generation platform to develop a “whole new battle system built on the foundations of action and fluency.”

XPEC is ramping up to develop games on the powerful Xbox 360 development platform. In collaboration with Japanese developer, Idea Factory, XPEC is developing the “Spectral Force” series, which will build on the success of previous titles including “Hello Kitty – Mission Rescue.” 

“The jam-packed action gameplay we have in mind will work well with Xbox Live’s thriving online community of gamers,” said Aaron Hsu, chairman, XPEC Entertainment.

Alan Bowman, general manager for Asia Pacific and Greater China, Home and Entertainment Division, Microsoft said that the strong support of Asian developers for Xbox 360 builds on the great momentum Xbox has achieved in the region.

“The future of games and entertainment is Xbox 360. The platform that will change the way people think about having fun. We are very excited to have our Asian developer partners share our commitment to bring Asian content that will resonate with local players in the region and take them to a whole new level of gaming experience.”