NHN USA ’s ijji.com, U.S. subsidiary of South Korean internet company NHN, has announced the open beta launch for Luminary: Rise of the GoonZu on the ijji portal. It's billed as a "political and economic MMORPG," aiming to simulate a real-world society.

Players can choose to become either an artisan, a warrior or a politician -- their goal is to "rise through the ranks of the people and strive to become the leader of the community." Items created by artisans can be used to slay the land's monsters, or they can be sold in the market to build a player's economic power. Wealth and influence enable players to buy stock, lease buildings or employ a work force. Popular players can run for office in residential elections, the reward being the future of the server.

The execution of the idea remains to be seen, of course, but it's a sharp concept, proposing that "virtual society" can be about a bit more than dance parties.