MU Online

Webzen has announced today that it will directly publish the fourth season of MU Online's global version, which already boasts 56 million registered users to date. "You can expect a better service since the company that has been developing the game for many years is now operating the global server," says ChangKeun Kim, CEO of Webzen Inc. "MU Online has a world-wide user base and we are planning on providing a stable global service for them. Our new global game portal webzen.com is going to be a communication link for our customers throughout the world."

Global MU Online had originally launched its servers on October 13, 2003, but in 2005, the global publishing rights were transferred from K2 Network following a signed license agreement. The Season 4 beta testing will run from April 28th through April 30th, and registered users will have the opportunity to use master level characters to try out the new content. For more information on this beta, head over to the Global MU Online website.

For those of you wondering 'K2 who?', you're not alone; the interviewer himself admits to having to look up the company on its website before beginning the interview. However, as publisher of mostly Asian free-to-play MMO titles such as Knight Online, Global MU Online, and the recently-released Sword of the New World, K2 Network is well-stocked with potential gaming goodness.

One of the questions I've always had about these free-to-play MMOs is 'How do they make money?' The answer is 'Item sales', where in-game objects are paid for through purchased currency, which is apparently the standard business model of these types of games in Korea.

It's an interesting interview, and one that made me curious to see these games, so watch for my take on them in the near future.

[Thanks, Siam!]

We had a chance to hit up the inaugural year for E for All in Los Angeles, and while turnout wasn't so hot, there were a few goodies we were able to get our hands on. We collated the MMO-related shots for a Massively-flavored E for All gallery:



We also offer a screenshot gallery from the time we got to spend with Warhammer Online:



And some initial screenshots from the upcoming title from Avatar Reality, Blue Mars:



For the full mega-gallery featuring your required dosage of cosplay and Rock Band almost-stars, check out the complete Joystiq E for All gallery:

Gallery: E for All 2007