Heralding the launch of its new online games platform, THQ*ICE today revealed details about its first product, Dragonica Online with the debut of the game’s web site located at dragonica.thqice.com. Dragonica Online is being introduced as part of the joint venture with between THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI) and ICE Entertainment (“ICE”), an operator of online games located in Shanghai, China, to create micro-transaction-based massively multiplayer online (“MMO”) games that will be available at www.thqice.com.
Recently available in China under the name Dream Dragon, where it has already become one of the most popular MMOs, Dragonica Online merges innovative 3D side-scrolling, fast-paced combat and a comical, yet devastating, skill system into a single free-to-play MMO offering. The game is being developed by Barunson Interactive and is scheduled to launch online and at retail this fall, but fans can get a hands-on preview of the game when it opens for beta testing, currently scheduled for summer.
“Our new online game platform integrates ICE’s online operating experience with THQ’s product development and retail publishing expertise to develop and deliver innovative game content to consumers,” said Eddie Chen, CEO of THQ*ICE. “Dragonica Online exemplifies the original and entertaining casual MMO experiences that we plan to offer via our platform and we believe its distinct perspective and pacing will excite a broad audience of online action fans.”
