Consumer electronics and online game publisher Joytoto USA, a subsidiary of Korea-based Joytoto Co., Ltd, has announced that it will distribute Joyon Entertainment's Korean online game The Great Merchant in the U.S.

Rated by South Korean web portal and search engine Daum as the fourth most popular online title played in Korea, The Great Merchant is an online economy simulation game. Joytoto USA plans to launch a closed beta in Q4 2008 after the title has been localized.

The Great Merchant's release comes as part of a recent deal Joytota secured to exclusively distribute titles from Joyon's library of 24 online games, including casual games, first-person shooter games, and MMORPGs. Joyon's library of games currently operating in Asian markets have generated over $100 million so far.

Said Joytoto USA CEO Michael Cho when the deal was first announced: "We believe our games will enjoy similar or better success here in the United States, and, as the majority of development costs have already been incurred bringing the games to market in Asia, the cost savings will undoubtedly give us a significant competitive advantage."