GungHo, GameArts License BigWorld For Grandia Online

Tokyo developer GameArts and publisher GungHo Online Entertainment announced they're developing Grandia Online with BigWorld's Technology Suite. The recently-announced Grandia Online continues the long-standing franchise that began in 1997 with the original Grandia RPG on Sega Saturn. It enters open beta this July, with a full commercial release promised for the summer. BigWorld promises a development solution specifically for scaleable next-gen MMOs and virtual worlds. Its Technology Suite incorporates a toolset that includes the BigWorld Server Software, Content Creation Pipeline, 3D Client Engine Package, and Live Management Tools & Instrumentation. GameArts also used BigWorld Technology Suite to build recent upgrades to its Hokuto No Ken Online Heroes. GungHo Online producer Yoshitada Iwata says the tools are a "a robust, cost effective way for us to bring GameArts’ online visions to life." "We are very pleased that GameArts’ experience with the BigWorld Technology Suite during the development of Hokuto-no-Ken led them to acquire a subsequent license for the development of Grandia Online," adds BigWorld's James Hursthouse, director of business development for Japan and Korea.