Ragnarok Online

[Evil Avnovice]

A new video (http://www.gamekyo.com/videoen13419_ragnarok-online-ds-first-video.html). (Gamekyo)

[Evil Avnovice]

Some new images (http://www.gamekyo.com/videoen13419_ragnarok-online-ds-first-video.html). (Gamekyo)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/59631020081029_114455_1_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images1_5_13419.html)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/59631020081029_114455_6_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images6_5_13419.html)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/59631020081029_114455_9_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images9_5_13419.html)

http://www.gamekyo.com/Webmasters/Images/59631020081029_114455_0_big.jpg (http://www.gamekyo.com/images0_5_13419.html)

[Klunka]

I really enjoy the prospect of these multiplayer RPGs on the handhelds. Helps have a group of friends also into it. Have enjoyed Monster hunter, looking forward to Phantasy Portable and Zero, this might peak our interests depending on if/when it gets released in the US

[Everyone vs Dinosaurs]

Is this for the DS or PSP?

[Evil Avnovice]

A new trailer (http://www.gamekyo.com/videoen13641_ragnarok-online-ds-new-video.html). (Gamekyo)

[QueQueg]

Ragnarok was the first MMO I got heavily into. It was a pretty fun little game, pretty great crafting system. The super-cutesy graphics didn't really hurt it. I don't know if a DS game can do it justice, it has a huge game world.

[Evil Avnovice]

First ten minutes of the game. (GoNintendo (http://gonintendo.com/?p=66285))

K_ipR9L0-qg

[Evil Avnovice]

The game is confirmed for a "Winter 2009" release as XSEED has picked this up, and will include new content. (Siliconera (http://www.siliconera.com/2009/05/15/ragnarok-online-ds-grinding-westward/); GoNintendo (http://gonintendo.com/?p=82696))

Torrance, Calif., (May 15, 2009) –XSEED Games today announced that Ragnarok Online DS for the Nintendo DS is in development and scheduled for release in North America in winter 2009. Ragnarok Online DS brings the same addictive gameplay of customization and exploration that has more than 3.14 million North American registered users as of May 11, 2009, for the PC version to the Nintendo DS platform.

Throughout the world, the people of the major powers throughout the land live in peace and prosperity, unaware that a great evil lurks on the horizon. There is a clandestine group, under the guise of scholarly research, plotting to resurrect a goddess whose time has long since passed. To achieve this goal, they need two things; a vessel of flesh and blood to house the spirit of the goddess and the lives of every living being offered up as a sacrifice.


It is against the backdrop of this coming chaos that Ares, an orphan from a small, forgotten village, sets out to seek his fortune as an adventurer. At the start of his journey, he encounters a beautiful young girl with mysterious powers named Sierra, who has not only lost her memories about herself, but also of the world around her. Together, they embark on an adventure that will ultimately decide the fate of the entire world.

”We could not be more pleased to be involved in bringing such a well-known and beloved series on the PC to a handheld platform,” said Jun Iwasaki, President of XSEED Games. “Ragnarok Online DS stays true to the original while adding elements to optimize the experience on the Nintendo DS.”

In Ragnarok Online DS, players upgrade their character’s armor and weapons by either taking them to a blacksmith to be refined, or by affixing effect cards dropped by defeated monsters. In addition to having their characters’ base levels increase, each character earns both Status and Skill Points each time they gain a level. These points can then be used by the player to customize their characters to best suit their playing style, choosing from a number of different job classes such as Swordsman, Thief, and Merchant.

Staying true to the community and teamwork that the original is based on, Ragnarok Online DS allows players to team up with two other friends wirelessly to take on the Tower of Mirages, which has more than 50 floors, randomly generated maps and completion conditions, and the chance to obtain rare items. Ragnarok Online DS offers current players of Ragnarok Online a chance to enjoy the same world and addictive gameplay on a portable platform, while people new to the series will enjoy the original epic storyline within an experience optimized for a handheld.

XSEED Games has partnered with GungHo to secure the North American rights to publish and distribute Ragnarok Online DS. This title is being developed by GungHo and will be available during winter 2009 exclusively for the DS.

[J Arcane]

Unless that camera can be zoomed out a LOT more, I can see this getting real irritating, real fast.

[AversionFX]

Wow, this could actually be really good. Especially since it's taking place in a more contained scope of play. Almost like RO meets Diablo.

[Young Al Capone]

Sounds good, I am looking forward to hearing more.

[Evil Avnovice]

Ragnarok Online comes with both a new release date, and a pre-order bonus: (XSEED Games (http://www.xseedgames.com/news.php?id=89))

Torrance, Calif., (December 10, 2009) – XSEED Games today announced that it is preparing for the upcoming Ragnarok DS title release with an early pre-sale program that supports the game’s popular MMORPG PC counterpart, Ragnarok Online PC (iro.ragnarokonline.com). By pre-ordering Ragnarok DS from participating retailers nationwide, Ragnarok Online PC players will be able to redeem an exclusive set of accessories to customize their online avatar, in addition to another set of exclusive items included within each retail copy of Ragnarok DS. Formerly sharing the same name, the new Nintendo DS™ game will provide players with a unique RPG experience when it officially launches in North America as Ragnarok DS in February 2010.

By pre-ordering Ragnarok DS from a participating retailer, players will receive the “Ragnarok Online Prepared for Adventure Pack” containing the following exclusive items when picking up a copy of the game:
- Audumra's benefit: increased experience points and damage from monsters
- Odin Mask: additional damage against certain monsters
- Hermode Cap: increased attack speed
- Bijofnil's wing decoration: chance of increasing minimum and maximum weapon attack

Additionally, included within each retail copy of Ragnarok DS will be the “Ragnarok Online Setting out on my Journey Pack” containing the following additional exclusive items:
- Shaman earring: increases intelligence
- Shaman ring: increases maximum HP and SP recovery
- Shaman's hair decoration: increased resistance to attacks

Ragnarok DS brings the same addictive gameplay of customization and exploration that has more than three million North American registered users for the PC version to Nintendo DS. In addition to having their characters’ base levels increase, each character earns both Status and Skill Points each time they gain a level. These points can then be used by the player to customize their characters to best suit their playing style, choosing from a number of different basic job classes such as Swordsman, Thief, and Merchant, as they progress towards more advanced job classes such as Knight, Assassin, and Blacksmith.

Staying true to the community and teamwork that the original is based on, Ragnarok DS allows players to team up with two other friends wirelessly via ad-hoc or over an internet connection to take on the Tower of Mirages, which has more than 50 floors, randomly generated maps and completion conditions, and the chance to obtain rare items. Ragnarok DS offers current players of Ragnarok Online PC a chance to enjoy the same world and addictive gameplay on a portable platform, while people new to the series will enjoy the original epic storyline within an experience optimized for a handheld.

Pre-orders to reserve the “Ragnarok Online Prepared for Adventure Pack” can be made at Amazon.com, EB Games, GameStop, Game Crazy, and other participating retailers. In addition, Gravity Interactive will be offering Ragnarok DS packages which include Kafra points. Look for Ragnarok DS exclusively on Nintendo DS in February 2010.

[Young Al Capone]

Still looking forward to it, and the timing seems about right...

[J Arcane]

MMO developers really are like crack dealers, aren't they?