Feels like it's been a long time since an MMORPG in-world "wedding" made headlines, but we just received this release from Artix Entertainment revealing that their MMO AdventureQuest Worlds was the setting for a recent wedding and that, by being broadcast live across the internet, had "11,000 gamers in attendance" so we thought it was worth mentioning.

The wedding was held in a private room, and other players viewed the wedding by joining "clones" of that room which featured the avatars of the wedding party and was updated in real time (a neat solution, we think). The reason for all of this interest? Probably because wedding themed items were released to players, including the "Wedding Cake Pet"(?)

AdventureQuest Worlds was launched in October of last year, and since then Florida-based Artix has claimed "WoW-sized" numbers for the site, though they have been challenged.

“We thought this was a unique opportunity to do something memorable,” said Bello. “We decided to go with AdventureQuest Worlds because we’ve been playing Artix games for years now and almost feel like we’ve been a part of Artix Entertainment’s maturation as a gaming company.”

Acclaim Games has announced the launch of Muniz Online, a "community-based online game" which provides "the best of online games and communities to provide a rich multimedia experience to teens."

How does it do this? Well, apparently by offering the traditionally expected MMO features—custom avatars and homes, chat, mini-games, quests and social networking features—so we're not entirely sure what sets this free-to-play game apart from the many others available to the 13 to 17 set.

The social aspect of the world does seem to involve some more thought than some, however, with players able to "vote" for others, with the ultimate aim of becoming "The King" of Muniz Online—not that kings are normally democratically elected by votes, admittedly. Mini-games seem to be the formulaic usual—an Asteroids clone, a Snake clone, etc.

However, according to a representative, "Muniz Online is a virtual world of entertainment and fun, so head on over and see if you have what it takes to Become the King of Muniz Online!"

[Each day, Worlds in Motion will be taking a closer look at individual virtual worlds. We'll start with a nuts-and-bolts overview, then move on to an in-depth tour, to be followed up with a conclusion-- all with the aim of bringing you all the essential info and details on each world in the rapidly-developing virtual landscape.]

For this Online World Atlas entry, I thought we'd talk a look at one of the browser-based strategy titles that has been receiving the most buzz in the "mainstream" press—eRepublik, an intriguing mix between social network and an entirely player-driven global simulation.

Another new publisher of localized Asian MMOs to add to the pile has made itself know this week—Uforia has announced that it is to bring free-to-play MMORPG Nostale: Global to the North American market.

The Korea-developed Nostale (specifically developed by Korea-based company Entwell) has previously been launched in Europe by Gameforge, where it is, apparently, at least fairly popular in Germany.

The title asks players to explore the world of East Mile with one of four character classes, fighting demons and increasing in level, but has some more individual aspects, such as the player's own plot of land where they can build themselves a home, and class specializations.

"We are thrilled to be able to bring Nostale: Global to the North American market," said JK Kim, CEO of Uforia. "Nostale is a unique MMORPG with easy-to-access events which allow players to interact with other players in PvP and survival objectives. We are thrilled and honored that this is our first title as a newly formed publisher."

The last time we heard from MMO developer Fallen Earth they were letting us know that their self-titled MMO was "content complete" and with that announcement several months ago they've made another statement to their community about the position of the title now.

Their statement gives a little insight into the amount of work required on a current-generation MMO, with the world currently featuring "75,000+ text strings … 14,000+ unique characters/creatures … 143,000+ in game objects" all of which have required constant testing since they entered alpha phase.

Additionally, the company have developed the title's tutorial and character creation, with new UI features and fixes across the phase, which included 4,000 testers. The team "anticipates a move to closed beta testing later this spring."

"The team has done amazing work this past year and we are mere months away from showing off our baby to the world," concluded a Fallen Earth representative, "Thank you for your support and confidence in Fallen Earth. We look forward to working with you to make an awesome game."

Zork is set for revival as an MMO. Dublin-based Jolt Online Gaming is partnering with IP-holder Activision to create a browser-based "persistent online adventure" called Legends of Zork, rooted in the world of Infocom's 1979 text-based adventure classic.

Legends of Zork casts the player as a newly-unemployed traveling salesman ready for treasure-hunting and adventure in the Great Underground Empire, faced with the sacking of the Royal Treasury, layoffs at FrobozzCo International, and marauding kobolds and trolls clashing with explorers over loot.

Jolt says players will be able to access the persistent adventure from any Internet browser via LegendsofZork.com with no need for download, and says the game is "designed to provide gamers with a casual MMO game they can play on their laptop, desktop or Apple iPhone (in school, work or on the bus)."

"As a complete Zork geek, I’m very proud to be releasing this title," says Jolt Online CEO Dylan Collins. "Anyone who plays MMOs will definitely like to spend some time with Legends of Zork while they’re taking a break or browsing around the web. It’s very addictive."

[The preceding article by Leigh Alexander also appeared on Worlds in Motion sister site Gamasutra.]

Play Hard Sports, developer and publisher of free-to-play sports games, has announced the completion of a round of Series B funding, raising $8 million and bringing the company's total capital raised in the last nine months to $13 million.

Valhalla Partners led the round of investment and was joined by TriplePoint Capital and existing investor, New Enterprise Associates. As part of the investment, Scott Frederick of Valhalla Partners is to become a member of Play Hard’s Board.

Play Hard is currently in development of its first title, Play Hard Football, which is to launch concurrently with the 2009 NFL season, and open for beta within "a few months." The title is to be a Flash-developed, browser-based title where players take the role of a coach/general manager of a football team, competing against other player-owned franchises across the globe.

“There is a lot of innovation coming from online entertainment and games companies right now,” said Scott Frederick, General Partner, Valhalla. “We are confident that Play Hard Sports’ pioneering ‘freemium’ model will be successful. Add the team of industry veterans, who are responsible for the market’s biggest MMORPGs and sports games, including Madden 05, 06, NFL2K, NBA2K and The Lord of the Rings, and you have an unbeatable combination of strategy and execution.”

Avaloop's new online MMO Papermint, which has had an intriguing history and a distinctly different graphical style, entered Open Beta last month.

Papermint is a free-to-play, browser-based 3D MMO that combines casual gaming and social networking. Players create an avatar from "paper cut-outs" and can then play mini-games, design objects, and decorate their personal space.

They can also get involved in family networks, roughly described as "a web of fictional family relationships between players" -- which can include the possibility of getting married and having children, which are in turn new players in the world.

Avaloop is a fully independent company working out of a "former local cinema" in Vienna, Austria. Papermint has been in development since May 2006 and was in closed beta since May 2008.

The game world is modular, consisting of an ocean with different islands created in collaboration with different artists and illustrators, which allows "microlocalisation of in-game communities according to geographic and thematic differences," with different islands for nationalities or common interests.

In honor of its availability of the alternative online world, Worlds In Motion is talking to lead artist Barbara Lippe and creative director Lev Ledit about the development of this intriguing 3D world.

This includes an in-depth discussion of the striking art direction, the influence of games including Puzzle Pirates, andan exploration of their attempt to create a world where "people can feel physically connected without being at the same place in real life."

What set the development of Papermint into action?

Barbara Lippe: This is a question for Lev, as Papermint is his brainchild.

What I can say is that I got to know him when he was making feature films. For me, he was that typical artsy film guy, but with a lot of humor and drive, and the ability to motivate a team to execute almost impossible things.

I was interested in console games at the time also (and have been since my childhood in fact, when I fell deeply in love with Link), as I had worked in Tokyo before. Japan's game culture showed me a thrilling way to implement my characters into something exciting that people could use and play with.

However, one day Lev came to me with the idea of a virtual world, an online society. I was always glad to turn my characters into "living" creatures and agreed to draw for the prototype.

Nurien Software, a Korea-based developer and operator of social networking/online game services, has announced that it has closed a round of Series A-1 funding, raising $10 million from four U.S. and China-based venture capital firms—Northern Light Venture Capital, Globespan Capital Partners, New Enterprise Associates, and QiMing Venture Partners.

The round was led by NLVC, and follows the initial round $15 million Series A investment announced in April 2008.

Nurien is to use the funds to "advance the development of its unique social networking platform and to expand its online gaming offerings," which include Mstar, a music and dancing game; Runway, a "fashion show" application; and QuizStar, a casual online title, all of which run within Nurien's social networking platform (a beta version of which was released in Korea in late-September of last year.) A full scale launch is planned for international markets in 2009.

“We’ve seen great responses from beta users over the past few months, longer log-in times and a perfect balance of female and male players unseen on most other platforms,” said Taehoon Kim, co-founder of Nurien Software. “We’re excited to be moving into 2009 with backing and support from such top-tier investors. With the funding, we’ll be able to perfect our platform and bring on more content, game and customization features in the next year.”

We mentioned FusionFall a few days ago, but the "triple-A" browser-based MMO from Cartoon Network (developed by Grigon Entertianment) has now launched.

The title was developed using the Unity platform, and includes Crisp Thinking's NetModerator technology to provide a safe environment for child users. It features over 50 characters from Cartoon Network's shows (including Dexter's Laboratory and Samurai Jack) and features 3-D platforming with light-RPG aspects.

As previously mentioned, FusionFall is subscription-based and features a free-to-play play area in the “Future Zone,” with subscription pricing starting at $5.95 per month, and a Family Plan that offers four connected accounts for $9.95 per month. There are also discounts for multi-month and yearly subscriptions.

According to their launch announcement, over 2.5 million accounts were created within the beta phase.

“The response to FusionFall during our beta phase and sneak peek play weekends has been phenomenal,” said Chris Waldron, executive producer of FusionFall. “We’re thrilled to finally offer fans the opportunity to fully explore the Cartoon Network universe online with friends and family.”

MindFuse Games, developer of the upcoming MMO Gatheryn, has announced that it has hired Anne Stamos, previously of LucasArts, as Game Studio Director.

Stamos is to oversee the production and design of the "advanced-casual" steampunk title, along with any future MindFuse titles.

Stamos is a 14 year veteran of the industry, producing titles based on the Star Wars Franchise, including Star Wars: Episode III -- Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars: Galactic Battlegrounds.

“The team at MindFuse is filled with passionate, creative professionals, and it’s exactly the kind of environment I feel I can thrive in,” said Stamos. “Gatheryn is an amazing world that is shaping up to be an engaging, all-inclusive experience that can be enjoyed by everyone, and I look forward to generating new ideas and features that will help make the game the best it can be.”

In early December Dubai-based publisher Game Power 7 announced the launch of the "first Arabic MMO"—a localization of the Korean MMO Rappelz—and they have now announced a payment service agreement with CashU, apparently "the dominant prepaid internet payment service in the Arab world."

CashU is a prepaid Internet payment service, designed as a payment alternative in countries where credit card penetration is extremely low, and is now available in 28 countries worldwide.

This news precedes the official release of Rappelz, expected in early February 2009.

And if you're interested in the story behind Game Power 7, they're apparently a subsidiary of Weiss Investment, which operates a regional media hub that is "sensitive to the region's cultural values," and has operated in the region for the past 20 years localizing and producing media contents targeting kids and youth, and broadcasting them through their satellite TV channels.

We all like slightly odd news stories, don't we? This one will suit, then. Apparently, "high performance (car) lubricant manufacturer" Royal Purple are to integrate their products into Cie Studio's free-to-play drag racing game Nitto 1320 Legends.

They note that the integration is "unique" because it will allow consumers to " virtually sample and experience Royal Purple products", and it would certainly be new to us if they're going as far as simulating the effect of lubrication on drag racer engines (rather than merely using them as a status upgrade) though they don't detail how in-depth their car modeling is. However, they promise "gamers will be able to see in the virtual world how upgrading to Royal Purple’s high performance lubricants reduces engine wear and increases horsepower."

Of course, it's all really about advertising, with Royal Purple Marketing VP Mark McFann stating, "It’s the ultimate ‘sampling’ opportunity. Aftermarket companies need a cost-effective way to let potential customers try their products and the gaming experience is the closest thing to a perfect solution."

In addition to the being integrated into the game, Royal Purple are to sponsor two tournaments during the year that are to allow game players to compete for virtual prizes.

In this round-up, we highlight some of the notable jobs posted in sister site Gamasutra's industry-leading game jobs section, including positions from THQ, Rockstar New England, Vicarious Visions, and more.

Each position posted by employers will appear on the main Gamasutra job board, and appear in the site's daily and weekly newsletters, reaching our readers directly.

It will also be cross-posted for free across its network of submarket sites, which includes content sites focused on online worlds, cellphone games, 'serious games', independent games and more.

Some of the notable jobs posted in each market area this week include:

A search engine specifically concentrating on virtual worlds, developed at the University of Teesside and known as the "Meta-Mole" has been launched in a beta version.

The beta version focuses on 3D virtual world platforms, such as Forterra, Blink 3D and Twinity.

Created by the university's Centre for Design in the Digital Economy (D-LAB) based within its Institute of Digital Innovation, the Meta-Mole is intended to be a dedicated searchable online resource for all virtual worlds currently existing on the Internet, though relies on data being provided by the platform developers themselves.

Philip McClenaghan, Deputy Director of D-LAB explained, “We were analysing virtual world platforms and realised that there doesn’t appear to be a comprehensive service offering to list and compare key data for major 2D and 3D environments. This surprised us, considering the current popularity of virtual worlds. We intend to fill the gap with the Meta-Mole.”

[Each day, Worlds in Motion will be taking a closer look at individual virtual worlds. We'll start with a nuts-and-bolts overview, then move on to an in-depth tour, to be followed up with a conclusion-- all with the aim of bringing you all the essential info and details on each world in the rapidly-developing virtual landscape.]

For this Online World Atlas entry, I thought we'd talk a look at one of the browser-based strategy titles that has been receiving the most buzz in the "mainstream" press—eRepublik, an intriguing mix between social network and an entirely player-driven global simulation.