SpawnPoint - Where Game Begins

The first phase of Karos Online's closed beta took place last weekend, generating a lot of interest and participation from the community. Pleased with the game's initial reception and feedback, NHN have confirmed that they intend to adapt the game in line with player requests as much as possible. The dates of additional Closed Beta Weekend events will be announced shortly, and players possessing an access code for any Closed Beta Weekend may continue to play in future phases. Karos Online is scheduled to be released in English during Q4 2009, with versions in German and Turkish to follow later.

Gameplay in Karos Online is centered around the concept of Fletta, the magical energy which underpins the world of Asmara. To prevent Malyx, the Lord of Darkness, from hoarding all the Fletta for himself and casting a curse of darkness over the world, the five races on Asmara have banded together against him, constantly battling his forces for domination of the Fletta supply. Fletta has many uses in the game, and is available in two main forms:

• Fletta Points, representing a character's personal store of Fletta energy, accumulates when killing monsters in Karos Online, and can be used in several ways. They can be
  • Spent to raise helpful character attributes; this allows additional development of characters alongside the game's traditional levelling
  • Kept (up to the level limit) to provide a boost to Experience Points
  • Used to cast very powerful skills at higher levels
  • Donated to designated NPCs in each region for access to local items and bonuses
• Fletta Gem items are special weapons and armours that adapt in stats, appearance and level based on the wearer’s level and class. These are very valuable pieces that effectively level up with your character! These items can be crafted by specific NPCs from Fletta Gem Shards that players can find during gathering activities such as mining and fishing. Fletta Gem items come in six different quality grades, and can be upgraded through enchanting. Player guilds can battle for control over the Mines where Fletta Gem Shards can be found, and these Mines may change hands every 4-7 days.

Karos Online - Stunning 3D Action Fantasy MMORPG

Karos Online (http://www.karosgame.com) is a brand new free-to-play fantasy MMORPG developed by Galaxy Gate (lead developers of Laghaim and Last Chaos), to be published by NHN. An English release is scheduled for Q4 2009, with German and Turkish versions to follow.

In Karos Online, players take the role of a hero determined to defeat the curse of darkness falling over the world of Asmara and ascend to ultimate glory by becoming the mythical Karos warrior. Through questing, guild clashes and mass PvP, they enter the fight for domination over the world's vital energy source, Fletta. Fletta provides the basis for the game's unique and complex alternate progression system; alongside traditional leveling within the game, Fletta energy can be used to increase stats, give buffs, buy resources and enchant items.

With a strong RPG component, wide range of class skills and fantastic visual combat effects, Karos Online offers a rich player experience and an exciting end-game for guilds, including castle sieges and resource control points. There are a variety of dynamic dungeons to explore, with shifting paths and surprises to challenge players as they progress in level. The economy is well-developed, with mining, fishing and crafting elements, a consignment system for storage and an auction house.

Karos Online offers rare graphical quality for its small client size, and will be accessible to a vast range of computers with minimal requirements. Videos demonstrating graphics and gameplay are now available on the official website at www.karosgame.com and more features will be revealed in future phases of the closed beta test.

Karos Online features

• Breathtaking 3D graphics and combat action effects
• 5 different races and 9 original classes, evolving into 36 different specialized classes
• Dynamic, evolving dungeons with shifting paths and surprises
• Guild wars, territory control and large-scale castle siege battles
• Alternate Fletta level progression system
• Elaborate mining, fishing and crafting system
• Small client size (760MB) and low minimum PC requirements
• Keyboard and mouse control both available

About NHN Corporation

NHN (KOSDAQKOSPI: 035420) was established in 1999 and is currently the leading multi-national internet company in Korea, providing operating internet search portal and gaming services in Korea, Japan and China. Its products include Naver, Korea’s largest search portal with more than 17 million unique daily visitors, and leading Korean portal Hangame, which brought KRW 366.7 billion (206 million €) in revenue in 2008, a 51% increase versus 2007. For more information, please visit  http://www.nhn.com/en.