Massive, Webzen Sign For Huxley, APB In-Game Ads

Microsoft-owned in-game advertising firm Massive Incorporated has partnered with Korea-headquartered game publisher Webzen to include in-game advertising in two of the publisher's upcoming multi-player online games (MMOGs). The agreement marks Massive's entry in the Asian market, and Webzen's first games to feature in-game advertising. Games included in the deal are the upcoming PC versions of the massively multi-player online first-person shooter (MMOFPS) Huxley and the urban action MMOG All Points Bulletin. Both games are slated for worldwide release and will include in-game advertising in each territory. Slated for release in 2007, Huxley is built upon Epic's Unreal Engine 3 and Webzen's proprietary networking technology, to create a twitch action gaming experience that will apparently support up to 5,000 players in the same world, according to its creators. The Real Time Worlds and David Jones (Grand Theft Auto)-created urban action MMOG All Points Bulletin involves two main factions, one law abiding, the other not, fighting over a series of online cities. APB is planned for a 2008 release. "Massive's network represents the best global content in the industry, ever more so with the inclusion of Webzen's award-winning games," said Nicholas Longano, President of New Media for Massive. "We're thrilled to work with Webzen to bring dynamic in-game advertising to the Asian market for the first time."