Last year CJ Internet, Korean online game publisher and developer, launched a new style of MMORPG, “PRIUS Online“, with its catchphrase of “It’s the first emotional fantasy MMORPG in my life.” Five months after it was open to the public its export contract volumes are now reaching to tens of millions of dollars, which are seen quite impressive.

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“PRIUS Online” is a MMORPG that distinguishes itself from other MMORPGs by its emphasis on fantasy and emotional factors within a play. Seeking to find ways to embed the factors in the game CJGS, CJ Internet Game studio, created 3C(Character) system where a gamer has his/her own character, a little girl “Anima” who is a soulmate as well as an assistance, and a large Gigas summoner.

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.Among the characters “Anima” plays the biggest role in making the game reflected in its concept of emotional fantasy. She is not just a pet gamers used to have when playing other MMORPGs. “Anima” has lots of potential abilities gamers should harness in order to win the game, but whether gamers can use it or not depends on their treatments on her. It’s because the degree of intimacy gamers exchange with her will decide the types of her abilities. In doing so the character “Anima” has gamers feel like playing a upbringing simulation game such as “Princess Maker” while actually playing a MMORPG.

I think it is obvious that CJ Internet’s “PRIUS Online” has come to market with a fairly fresh concept, and it has been making a success especially in exporting. But, gamers’ responses to the game varies considerably. So, it might be better for you to try the game before judging whether the game is well made or not.

Several days ago, I have posted how EA is exploiting Korean Online Game’s competitiveness by partnering with major Korean Game Developers. One good example is EA’s collaboration with NeoWiz on its flagship product FIFA.

Today EA has released interesting news regarding on this Move. EA Korea has acquired another Korean Game Developer called J2M(www.j2m.co.kr) which has produced popular game products such as RayCity (Driving Game) and Debut (Online Dancing Game). J2M, founded in 2004, is regarded by industry experts as one of the companies which have both game developing capability and service delivery Knowhow. EA, which has been motivated by the success of its first collaboration effort in FIFA Online, is actively continuing to monitor Korean market for the quest of discovering the next growth platform.

GStar 2008, International Game Exhibition in Korea, is held from November 13th to 16th.  This is its 4th year and includes show cases of game companies, IeSF invitational (International e-sports events), Korean Game Conferences 2008, and World Game Culture Conference 2008. More than 150 domestic and foreign enterprises, and over 3,000 possible buyers are participating GStar this year.

Last year I went to the GStar 2007 and posted my impression from GStar 2007. I thought the exhibition was biased to Korean game company and market. With this previous experience and with some additional information this year I get the feeling that GStar is still somewhat biased. Even though some global companies such as Microsoft and Intel are participating this year, no major western game company such as Blizzard or EA is present this year either. Diversity of game genres is another biased thing. Since Korean game market is mainly about online games, most of the products in this years exhibition are consequently also online games.

I’m not sure whether I will be able to attend GStar this year. However if I will have the chance to go this weekend, I will post more about the event soon.