Best Of WorldsInMotion: From Crimsonwood Keep to Wicked Interactive

Every week, we feature the top stories from the surging online/virtual world space from Gamasutra sister site WorldsInMotion.biz. This week's notables in the space include Nexon America releasing MapleStory expansion Crimsonwood Keep, MMO publisher Wicked Interactive's launch and partnership with Yedang Online, and Linden Lab planning a beta release for a Second Life instant messaging client. Nexon America Releases MapleStory Expansion "Nexon America announced the release of Crimsonwood Keep, an expansion to its 2D MMORPG MapleStory. Crimsonwood Keep adds 31 new maps, 11 unique enemies, 12 quests, and a collection of new weapons and objects to the game. The expansion also gives pets an additional skill, updates the language filter, and includes new platforming features." MMO Publisher Wicked Interactive Launches, Partners With Yedang "Wicked Interactive, a newly formed North American MMO publishing group, announced its launch and a partnership with Korean developer Yedang Online (Priston Tale 2)." MMO Publisher Wicked Interactive Launches, Partners With Yedang "Wicked Interactive, a newly formed North American MMO publishing group, announced its launch and a partnership with Korean developer Yedang Online (Priston Tale 2)." Report: Linden To Launch Second Life Instant Messaging Beta, Avatar Phone Numbers "[It's] a very thin client that is designed for you to stay in both voice and text contact with your friends list. If you want to participate in a meeting but can’t actually run the SL app to do it, you’ll be able to do that with our thin voice communication client. It will be in First Look in a couple of weeks." WiseHealth Launches Virtual World For Child Obesity Awareness "Built with the goal to combat childhood obesity and Type II diabetes, Wisenhimer allows children to create avatars, design treehouses, and play interactive games that challenge them to get up and move. They can also earn points by completing quizzes and educational challenges, which can then be spent at the virtual world's store for treehouse upgrades." Gartner: Virtual Worlds To Have 'Transformational Business Impact' "According to the firm, virtual worlds are currently in the 'Trough of Disillusionment' stage of Gartner's five-stage Hype Cycle, and are suffering from disillusionment due to inflated, unrealistic expectations during their peak of hype in 2007. Gartner forecasts that in the long term, however, virtual worlds will 'represent an important media channel to support and build broader communities of interest.'" Knowledge Adventure Secures $5 Million In Series B "The funding will go towards the company's shift of focus from educational software to adventure-based 3D virtual worlds for kids. Knowledge Adventure intends to create and support a new team to develop and produce its 3D virtual world online environments." The9 Q2 2008 Revenue Jumps 69% To $60.7M "Shanghai-based online game operator The9 Limited announced its second quarter financial results ending June 30, 2008, reporting record revenue of RMB 416.3 million (approx. $60.7 million), largely driven by the continued user growth of World of Warcraft and Soul of The Ultimate Nation in China." Read daily news on the online/virtual worlds space at the WorldsInMotion.biz weblog, with a second Worlds In Motion Summit planned for September's Austin GDC event.