Silicon Valley-based online publisher Aeria Games has announced a closed beta for its newest title, Richman Online, a free-to-play, Softstar-developed massive multiplayer online board game that allows players to become property tycoons.

In Richman Online, players compete in a board game in which they can purchase property, buy and trade stock, and create businesses that force their opponents to spend money. Three different modes are available -- Regular Play, Competitive Play and Boss Battles -- and players will be able to set the pace of the game with options to adjust the length of turns and games.

Though Aeria plans to release Richman Online as a free-to-play game, an optional, in-game store will offer custom outfits, dice, pets, and visual effects in exchange for Aeria points, the publisher's purchasable currency for all of its free-to-play MMOGs.

Browser-based 3D virtual world SmallWorlds has announced its plans make itself available to the public with a public beta launch on June 2nd. Starting today, SmallWorlds is accepting registrations for the beta at its official site.

Billed as "the first web-accessible, casual virtual world designed for mass market appeal," SmallWorlds is a free-to-play MMO targeted at the 13-year-old plus demographic. SmallWorlds aims to reach a broad demographic by doing away with application installs, intimidating user interfaces, and limited customization options.

Users will be able to access SmallWorlds' 3D spaces using just a URL, thanks to Adobe Flash Player. Friends can be invited to play a multiplayer game, watch a video, or just socialize with that URL. SmallWorlds incorporates elements from popular sites, allowing users to put up Flickr posters and picture frames, watch YouTube televisions, and listen to Last.fm stereos.

Though SmallWorlds won't require paid subscriptions, premium accounts are planned for the MMO's official launch. The premium accounts will give players access to new features, such as virtual pets and a voice chat client, for a monthly fee.

France-based Ankama Studio has announced the closed beta launch of its upcoming tactical MMORPG, Wakfu. Scheduled to release in Q4 2008, this Java sequel to Flash-based MMORPG Dofus is entering its final development stage.

Wakfu allows players to create and customize characters to send into turn-based battles. Significant additions in the follow-up include the absence of non-player characters, a political system with appointed player-governors, and new customization options.

This first version of the Wakfu beta features only five of the twelve character classes. Players can register for a chance to be chosen for the beta on the game's official site. Closed beta access keys will also be distributed on partner websites where contests will be organized.

The beta follows Ankama's April announcement detailing a partnership with subsidiary and mobile entertainment provider Kalmeo to release DofusPocket this summer, a mobile version of Dofus. Ankama has had success merchandising the Dofus series and has produced two other spin-off properties, Dofus Arena and Wakfu.

Silicon Valley-based online publisher Aeria Games has launched its closed beta for free-to-play game Stone Age 2, a "relaxed MMORPG" targeted at Kids.

Set in prehistoric times, Stone Age 2 allows players to roam dungeons and deserts, decorate personal home dens, form guilds, capture cute dinosaur pets, and raise the dinosaurs to fight primeval threats. Players can duel with other gamers and their creatures by building up their team with a combination of over 200 dinosaur species.

As with Aeria's other free-to-play titles, Stone Age 2 will like feature an optional, in-game store which offers custom outfits and other goods in exchange for Aeria points, the publisher's purchasable currency for all of its free-to-play MMOGs.

Having just come out of stealth mode last April, developer KingIsle entertainment has launched the closed beta for its teen and 'tween-targeted, magic-themed virtual world, Wizard101.

Wizard101 allows users to customize outfits and accessories for their wizard characters, play puzzles and mini-games, adopt magical pets, and learn from seven different schools of magic. Players will also be able to engage in collect cards and engage in card duels alongside and against other players.

Testers who've signed up for the beta at Wizard101's official site and who've been selected for the beta are invited to play the game and provide feedback in advance of its official release in Q3 2008.

To create their Wizard101 characters, players take a quiz to determine which of Ravenwood's seven schools of magic best suits their personality. Afterwards, players will be able to adventure through the 3D game's environments and scenarios, upgrading their costume and accessories, adopting magical pets, solving puzzles, and making friends.

Ndoors Interactive, a U.S. subsidiary of Korea-based massively multiplayer online games developer and publisher Ndoors Corp, have announced that it will launch a closed beta for its turn-based, strategy MMOG, Atlantica, this July.

Specifically designed to set itself apart from other MMOs with its unique combat, mercenary, and city/country management systems, Atlantica takes players through ancient settings and civilizations, such as Hanyang (Korea), Indus Valley (India and Pakistan), Mesopotamia (Iraq, Syria and Turkey), and Egypt.

The turn-based combat system allows players to plot the movements and strategies of nine characters in their group. Players can form teams of three to bring 27 controllable characters into combat.

Atlantica's mercenary system gives players the chance to manage multiple characters’ development simultaneously. In addition to their main character, players can hire eight mercenaries each with a different class and skills.

The city/country management system agoes beyond typical party level interaction, enabling guilds to control cities and go to war with each other. Players will need to plan everything from culture, commerce , industry, and even building placement.

Said Ndoors Interactive CEO Peter Kang: “We really strived to create a game that gave players something new. Atlantica was designed to bring the gameplay that RPG and strategy fans love the most to the MMO world. Atlantica takes smarts, requiring planning and strategy at every step.”

MMOG publisher Gamigo has announced that it has acquired exclusive publishing rights for English, German, French, and Spanish versions of free-to-play MMO Fiesta Online in Europe.

Originally developed and released in Korea by Ons On Soft and operated by OutSpark in the States, Fiesta Online features cartoonish 3D graphics, customizable characters over four different classes, and hundreds of quests, some of which can be tackled by groups of up to 30 players.

Gamigo plans to make the game available in Europe this summer starting with German and English (reworked) versions and following up with French and Spanish versions later this year. Players can pre-register for upcoming beta tests by signing up at the official site.

Said Gamigo CEO Sven Ossenbrüggen: “Fiesta Online is our biggest game so far and has already proven successful in the US and Asia. Improving the international versions with a completely reworked translation and storyline, we are offering players a high quality game to enjoy for free!”

Online game publisher Outspark has added to its MMOG offerings Project Powder, a new MMO snowboard racing title. The free-to-play game is currently in closed beta until July 8 and is scheduled to officially launch worldwide on August.

The final product will feature 33 courses, three game modes, multiplayer battles, and dozens of unlockable tricks. Players will also be able to purchase premium gear for their characters, such as new snowboards, clothing, and accessories.

Outspark is rewarding beta testers with in-game items and clothing by challenging them to reach level five and by hosting contests for different activities, such as screenshot taking and bug reporting. Players who can beat Project Powder's game masters in a race can also win real-world prizes, including music players and gift cards.

Berlin-based publisher Frogster Interactive has announced five MMOG titles for its autumn and winter beta and release schedule, including Runes of Magic, The Chronicles of Spellborn, StoneAge 2, Kickster, and an add-on for Bounty Bay Online.

Of those titles, Runes of Magic, StoneAge 2, and Kickster will all be free to play, presumably utilizing a microstransaction model. A localized version of fantasy MMORPG Runes of Magic will begin its closed beta in September, its open beta expected to start two months afterwards. The launch phase for an English and German version is scheduled to follow at the end of the year. Interested gamers can pre-register for the beta tests at the official site.

The European version of StoneAge 2 (pictured), a "relaxed MMORPG" targeted at kids, is expected to begin its closed beta phase in August and will launch in autumn. Kickster, an online soccer community, is also planned to launch in autumn.

Though The Chronicles of Spellborn will not be free to play, Frogster has yet to announce any specifics about its planned business model. The publisher is, however, considering retail fees, monthly subscriptions and other alternative payment plans. The MMORPG is planned for a release before the end of the year.

Hellgate: London developer Flagship Studios has announced that it has shut down its servers for MMORPG Mythos, which was undergoing private beta testing. The company did not disclose any details on when this "hiatus" might end.

Mythos' closing comes only two weeks after reports that Flagship had cut a significant portion of its development team. The studio had also reportedly laid off its staff at online services subsidiary and Mythos publisher Ping0.

A Korean news report translated by fan site Hellgate Guru later added that Hellgate: London's publisher in the region, HanbitSoft, "...is taking full control over the Hellgate: London intellectual property from Flagship Studios," and intends to continue the game using in-house staff.

Flagship responded to the news report with an official statement: "This story is an outright lie. We have no idea where they are getting their information from and have asked legal counsel to pursue the issue... We are mystified by Hanbitsoft’s conclusions and any attempt to take over the IP will be met with a strong and swift response."

With the completion of its closed beta testing for the virtual world, KingsIsle Entertainment has announced an open-to-the-public beta for Wizard101, its teen and 'tween-targeted magic-themed virtual world.

Wizard101 allows users to customize outfits and accessories for their wizard avatars, play puzzles and mini-games, adopt magical pets, and learn from seven different schools of magic. Players will also be able to engage in collect cards and engage in card duels alongside and against other players.

Having been under development for three years, the game is expected to officially launch within the next month and will be free to play, offering a monthly subscription option for advanced play content.

Said KingsIsle Ceo Elie Akilian: "We more than doubled our anticipated beta audience for Wizard101. It turns out that the solid game mechanics and whimsical fantasy environment appeal even beyond the tween audience. We've had a great response from testers that included everyone from grandmas who play with a grandchild sitting in their lap to twenty-something traditional gamers."

Cambridge-based startup Conduit Labs is developing LoudCrowd, a rhythm-based dancing title that's "part virtual world, part social network and part casual game," according to a report from VC news weblog VentureBeat.

The company, which is currently in stealth mode, announced in August 2007 that it secured $5.5. million in Series A funding, led by Charles River Ventures and Prism Ventureworks, for its mystery project. Conduit Labs apparently purchased the LoudCrowd.com domain in March 2008 for $39,000.

In the alpha version of LoudCrowd, users begin by creating an avatar and providing a photo to help other users identify them. Players can dance with each other using DanceDanceRevolution-styled controls, tapping arrow keys with on-screen cues. Points are awarded by attracting dance partners, which can then be spent on new clothes for avatars.

Describing the project to Worlds in Motion last August, Conduit Labs founder Nabeel Hyatt remarked, "We're trying to do something halfway in between that’s accessible on the web, that feels more like a website than having to enter into a game world, but it is still about social entertainment and playing games; it's very much a game that were building."

Perfect World Entertainment announced the launch of its closed beta for free-to-play MMORPG 3D Perfect World International. The game is expected to have an open beta later this fall.

Serving as the English-based, international version of Perfect World II, which was released in China in July 2005, the game is inspired by Chinese mythology and based in the mythical world of Pangu. Players can create characters from three unique races, join guilds, control and battle over territory with their guilds, marry other characters, create items with crafting skills, and more.

Players can also earn and spend money in the in-game Cash Shop to temporarily increase stats with consumables, expand storage capabilities, customize fashion and equipment, and purchase mounts that allow faster movements.

Said Perfect World Entertainment CEO Alan Cheng: "Today’s beta launch is an exciting milestone for us as it provides the opportunity for North American gamers to receive their first introduction to Perfect World International. Providing early access to the full game underscores our commitment to customer satisfaction while demonstrating the well-designed, high quality entertainment experience that gamers can expect from Perfect World International."

Perfect World Entertainment (US subsidiary of Perfect World Co.) has announced the Chinese Mythology-based MMORPG Perfect World International is now in open beta.

Perfect World International is the English-language version of Perfect World II (originally developed in Beijing by Perfect World Co.) first developed for the Malaysian market. The title has already been released in other territories and a Multilanguage closed beta for Europe has been announced.

The game is a free-to-play title with 3 classes (Human, Winged Elf, and "the Untamed"), a Guild system that allows clans to own and battle with other clans for territory, custom clothing, crafting, and even the ability for players to marry each other.

"With millions of players worldwide and a successful closed beta launch in North America, we are excited to now introduce an even larger audience of gamers to Perfect World International as it enters the open beta phase," said Dr. Alan Chen, CEO of Perfect World Entertainment. "We are confident that our premium content, skillful approach to game design, and excellent execution will redefine the free-to-play market in North America while establishing Perfect World Entertainment as a leading provider of interactive entertainment."

Latina-themed virtual world for tween girls Hip Chicas has announced that it has opened registration for its beta trial.

The first 100,000 people to register for the Hip Chicas beta are to receive a Hip V.I.P. membership as a reward, as well as unique online badges within the world.

In Hip Chicas, registered members follow the Hip Chicas -- five Latina characters from different parts of the U.S. that are in a popular band on tour. Their mission while on tour is to "Help Improve the Planet" at each stop.

Registered members will be able to navigate from place to place using an interactive map of North and South America and visit places such as Mexico, Los Angeles, Puerto Rico, New York, Cuba, Miami Beach, the Amazon or the Everglades. They will be able to choose between a moderated open chat and canned multi-lingual chat, which features a “chat translator” that allows members to use multiple languages to communicate with each other in real time.

“Hip Chicas is a brand for the 21st Century, updated for a digitized, multi-screen and multi-lingual world, in order to be everywhere the audience is,” sated the creator of Hip Chicas, Lazaro Fuentes. “We are proud of our efforts and feel confident that it will meet with the parents’ approval, and most importantly the users’. That is a must if you are going to succeed in digital media today.”

The online free-to-play FPS market is emerging somewhat, as following Nexon America's launch of Combat Arms, Toronto-based publisher G4Box has announced Cross Fire.

Early access to the upcoming closed beta is to be offered first to community members at the Cross Fire website.

Cross Fire was developed in South Korea by SmileGate and Neowiz, and was previously released in China and Vietnam. The title is best described as, at best, "similar" to Counter Strike, something which has in fact led to controversy, with an official Counter Strike map having been unofficially included in the Asian release of the game (which has since been removed for the North American release.)

"As we gear up for the closed beta in early November, we wanted to open up the official website and forums so that the Cross Fire community can start to gather together, discuss the game, and prepare for the big event," said Howard He, Chief Executive Officer of G4Box. "Due to the nature of the closed beta we can only allow a limited number of people to participate, so this is a great way to ensure your spot."

Developer Gamelab (Diner Dash) and virtual world publisher The Electric Sheep Company have announced that their tween boy-orientated MMO Ridemakerz has entered closed beta.

Developed specifically for boys ages 6-12, Ridemakerz is a 3D racing MMO, and the closed beta is to demonstrate "the first playable driving experience, games and overall look, and marks the start of fine-tuning over the next few months to perfect the handling, as well as the environments and regions."

Users can build a "Ride" in either the real world—purchasing different body styles and paint schemes, tires and wheels, lights and sounds, and custom decals and accessories—or within the virtual world with " more than 649 million" possible combinations. A "real world" Ride can be made virtual and vice versa, with a " Make-it-Real" feature allowing a wish-list to be created that can be "emailed to parents or printed out for friends and relatives."

During closed beta, three regions are open for testing—The Open Road, where players can drive freely and watch videos of real car culture activities; Scrap Gulch, where players can investigate to find car parts, and the RZ Motor Speedway, a futuristic race track. Six games also will be tested, including two developed by Gamelab.

The world is also to feature an educational component and safe restricted chat, and is to launch officially in spring 2009.

"Before Ridemakerz boys have been overlooked in both real and virtual environments such as American Girl, Build-A-Bearville, Club Penguin and Webkinz," said founder and CEO Larry Andreini, " Ridemakerz is in a unique position to connect with boys virtually just as we do in the real world—through cars and authentic car culture. Our online experience is an extension of the interactive, off-line experience that boys have customizing 'Ridez' and learning about cars at home or in one of our 'shopz.' And while the boys are having fun playing, what they’re also doing is being creative, making choices, collaborating with friends and family, and building confidence."

Free-to-play creativity-orientated virtual world for children Shidonni has launched an open beta of its premium version, which introduces "an advanced set of creation tools and activities" as well as a set of features based on feedback the game received during its previous beta stage.

In the previous stage, over 30,000 children visited the world, which challenges players to create their own virtual creatures using drawing tools. According to their usage statistics, over 60% of users visited the games more than three times a week to create or play and care for their virtual pets.

Shidonni is has also announced the first set of partners and affiliates for the game, including Zazzle, Gimme5games.com and Ultimate Arcade.

"Shidonni supports and develops creativity and responsibility among children ages 4 and up in a fun environment that they create" said Ido Mazurski, CEO of Shidonni. "In a culture where everything comes ready-made, we are proud to launch a product based on values that promote kids' imaginations and thinking skills."

Perfect World Entertainment, the publisher behind Chinese mythology based MMORPG Perfect World International has announced an upcoming closed beta program for its next MMORPG, Ether Saga Online.

Based on the frequently-referenced literary classic, Journey to the West, Ether Saga Online is to be a free-to-play, microtransaction-supported title with a "youthful anime style," and is due to officially launch later this spring.

We previously spoke to Perfect World Entertainment's Jonathan Belliss, who argued that releasing Chinese mythology/literature-based MMOs in the west was "an easier sell to our audience … The whole dragons, minotaurs, fairies, orcs and elves has been hashed and rehashed over and over."

Regarding Ether Saga Online, Alan Chen, CEO of Perfect World Entertainment said, "We are excited to provide gamers with early access to Ether Saga Online as we're confident they'll find its robust feature set, expansive game play world, and free-to-play model offers a greater level of player immersion and overall customization than traditional MMORPG games."

We've previously mentioned the closed beta of the free-to-play first-person shooter Cross Fire, and G4Box and Wicked Interactive, it's publishers and distributors, have announced the imminent open beta of the title.

The open beta launch is to mark the beginning of Cross Fire's persistent military-ranking and stat-tracking features, where player-progress is to be tracked so they can gauge their skills against the community. The open beta also introduces in-game friend lists, clans, new maps, weapons and items.

To celebrate the launch, Wicked Interactive's Suba Games platform is to host events and promotions, such as a 50% increase in the amount of currency earned in game, and allowing the first 30 clans to register to do so for free.

"We are very proud to be taking Cross Fire to the next level by launching the open beta," said Stanley Yu, Chief Executive Office of Wicked Interactive. "We have invested a tremendous amount of time and energy in bringing Cross Fire to this stage, in order to provide players with the best possible game experience," added Howard He, Chief Executive Officer of G4BOX, "The Cross Fire open beta will deliver a wealth of new features we know players will enjoy."

Publisher True Games Interactive has announced that it is now accepting sign-ups for its upcoming closed beta of MMORPG Warrior Epic at its new website for the title, which also features new information on the title.

The news follows the recent announcement that GOA is to publish Warrior Epic in Europe.

Warrior Epic is being developed by Beijing-based Possibility Space, and is due to officially launch in spring 2009.

"It's an exciting time for both True Games and Possibility Space as we see all the elements of our work on Warrior Epic coming together," said Jeff Lujan, Founder and Chairman of True Games Interactive. "The website looks amazing and offers gamers a great look at what is to come for the game. We are amazed at how many people want to be part of the closed beta so we invite you to sign up now for your chance!"

Fallen Earth, the development studio behind the eponymous upcoming MMO Fallen Earth, has announced that the post-apocalyptic title is now in closed beta. Interested parties can now sign up to receive closed beta keys at the Fallen Earth website.

According to the developers, closed beta testers are to have the opportunity to experience the storyline and play through all three sectors of the game world, while the developers perform system stress tests and other tweaking.

Fallen Earth is set in the Grand Canyon in 2156 after a "lethal disease destroyed most of mankind" and features a classless advancement system, six factions and a crafting system in which players can make 95 percent of game items. The title is due for release in the second quarter of 2009.

“This is a critical milestone for our team and an opportunity to showcase updated content and features,” said Colin Dwan, project manager for Fallen Earth. “We are excited to see how players progress through all three sectors without any interference, and anxious to see where we can improve the overall experience.”

MMO publisher/operator Outspark (Fiesta, Secret of the Solstice) has announced the open beta launch of its 2D side-scrolling MMORPG, Wind Slayer.

Set on the continent of Beuritania, Wind Slayer is features six classes, character customization and player-versus-player modes (allowing battles between up to 20 players at a time.)

Open beta players will have the chance to participate in a variety of Wind Slayer in-game events and contests including prizes such as free virtual items for within the Wind Slayer world.

"With the addition of Wind Slayer, Outspark now offers its online community the opportunity to engage in five immersive multiplayer games," said an Outspark representative. "The Outspark virtual playground also features a social networking portal where community members can create free profiles, chat with their friends, create and share content and even give one another in-game items."

EYA Interactive, who has announced themselves to us as "one of the world’s premier multimedia entertainment service providers" has announced that it is to open a closed beta for the American launch of Titan Online, it's upcoming free-to-play MMORPG.

An "epic title based on traditional Asian culture", Titan Online is based on the Korean novel Mo Siang. Though a Korean, the novel and game are set in ancient China, where players are to "experience historic Chinese locales and meet influential figures from various dynasties."

Developed in-house by EYA Interactive, Titan Online utilizes a real-time battle system.

“Titan Online will offer North American fans a new RPG experience,” says Han Joo Lee, EYA Interactive’s global service manager. “With an extensive and profound martial arts world, a powerful formation system, unique guild system, and pet system, users will find themselves in a beautifully fresh and distinctive RPG environment.”

Toronto-based publishers G4Box and Wicked Interactive have announced that their open beta for military first-person shooter MMO Cross Fire has been a "tremendous success", gathering more than 25,000 players since its launch on January 30th.

Developed by the Korean developers SmileGate and Neowiz , Cross Fire is to continue its open beta through February.

Cross Fire's open beta marked the beginning of the title's persistent military-ranking and stat-tracking features, and introduced in-game friend lists and a clan system into the game. The title's "flagship feature" is its "Ghost Mode", which puts one team in possession of cloaking technology, rendering them invisible to the opposing team. This team of "ghosts" is armed only with knives, and must hunt the enemy team.

"We knew there was an audience out there that was really anticipating Cross Fire, so we expected a good result," said Garvin Yeung, CEO of Wicked Interactive. "But even we are amazed by the overwhelming response that Cross Fire has garnered thus far," added Howard He, CEO of G4Box.

MMO publisher OGPlanet has announced an open beta for its new turn-based strategy title BB Tanks.

The title features "cute, cartoon tanks" with "quirky personalities" and is a Worms/Scorched Earth-esque strategy game requiring players to set the angle and power of their shot with weapons including homing missiles, satellite shots, poison gas and water balloons.

During the open beta, players who have registered for an OGPlanet accounts can battle with up to seven other users from across the world.

"While the game had been in an informal open beta before," explained Don Choi, COO of OGPlanet, "we recently took the game offline to do a major revitalization through an internal closed beta. The result is a streamlined, user-friendly version of our cartoony tank game. The players will be thrilled with how BB Tanks is shaping up."

MMO portal MMOABC has announced that Ultimate Soccer Boss—its MMO sports management title—has entered closed beta testing.

The title is a free-to-play, browser-based football management title powered by Digenetics technology, which allows players and clubs to evolve over time, affected by variables such as number of plays, training matches, and club management.

Ultimate Soccer Boss developments include improved recruitment and communication features for friends and managers, tournaments and instant match mode, tactics modification, player transfer market, a shop, messaging system, and management of players, employees, stadium, and finances.

The title is slated for final released in spring 2009.

“This is a very exciting time and critical milestone for our team and development partners to showcase updated features and content for Ultimate Soccer Boss,” said MMOABC Founder and CEO Andy Tong. “It’ll be exciting to observe how thousands of managers interact and progress through the game with their own unique and evolving players. Our goal is to see where we can help improve the overall online soccer manager experience for all Ultimate Soccer Boss managers.”

Sony Online Entertainment has announced that its kid-orientated virtual world Free Realms has entered closed beta, and is now accepting early registration for its open beta, set to begin in early April.

Free Realms is a "whimsical" virtual world where gamers can explore, compete, raise pets and socialize within a "family-friendly" environment, and offers a variety of gameplay possibilities including exploration, combat, race car driving, pet raising, mini-games and social networking.

The title is to be a free-to-play, and to launch and streams from within the browser.

"The beta testing phase is integral to the success of any video game, and we are asking that kids, parents, video game fans of all ages sign up to help us during these final weeks before Free Realms launches," said John Smedley, president of Sony Online Entertainment. "Ten years ago, SOE introduced EverQuest, the genre-defining online video game, and this spring, we will introduce Free Realms, a game I believe will expand and enrich the kids' online gaming genre which really shows the rapid evolution of the online game space."

We mentioned Uforia, a new online game publisher earlier this year and they've got in touch to say that they've launched a beta for a new free-to-play MMO, Three Kingdoms: The Battle Begins.

Based on a period of ancient Chinese history—because there clearly aren't enough localized Asian MMOs featuring that as a topic—the title was developed by G-rex Soft and "chronicles the tragic last reign of the Han dynasty."

In the beta, players can select from one of four character classes, experience quests , player versus player modes and use the in-game cash shop. Intriguingly, they can even "reshape the story by carefully planning and executing political assassinations."

"The opportunity to bring Three Kingdoms to North American gamers is something we are very proud of," said JK Kim, CEO of Uforia. "This story is one of history and vying for power and for the first time it is truly coming to life from the pages of the famous novel to an interactive online experience."

MMO publisher Aeria Games has announced that a closed beta for Turf Battles, a new free-to-play MMORPG is now underway, offering 50,000 closed beta early access keys in conjunction with FileFront.

In Turf Battles, players select from a customized class (such as mage or "blade warrior") and can establish a tribe, working to capture land and promoting/demoting recruits within the tribe, while working with other players to explore dungeons and defeat monsters.

An open beta has been announced to follow the closed beta shortly after it closes.

The news follows other announcements from Aeria games, such as the announcement of Twelve Sky 2 and the addition of Player vs. Player to Cronous.

EYA Interactive has announced that Titan Online, its free-to-play MMORPG is to enter into a limited public beta, with the title to be fully released later this spring.

As we've mentioned before, Titan Online is an "epic title based on traditional Asian culture", Titan Online is based on the Korean novel Mo Siang. Though a Korean, the novel and game are set in ancient China, where players are to "experience historic Chinese locales and meet influential figures from various dynasties."

New to the beta, players can create African American and Caucasian avatars, and in-game and forum events are to be held for players.

“This new milestone will contain quite a bit of additional game content including more quests, and various labyrinths and dungeons,” said Han Joo Lee, EYA Interactive’s global service manager. “With all the new players in the game for the limited public beta, the experience will be much more interactive and users will really get a feel for the commercial version; especially playing with group skills like formation in a party or guild battles.”

Perfect World Entertainment, the publisher behind Chinese mythology based MMORPG Perfect World International has announced that the beta for Ether Saga Online is now an open beta.

Based on the frequently-referenced literary classic, Journey to the West, Ether Saga Online is to be a free-to-play, microtransaction-supported title with a "youthful anime style," and is due to officially launch later this spring.

The title includes features such as an "integrated quest/navigation system", three races, six classes, pets, crafting, clans, alliance and a variety of skill and reputation systems.

“The initial response to Ether Saga Online has been very enthusiastic and we are excited to officially open the game world to an even larger audience of gamers,” said Alan Chen, CEO of Perfect World Entertainment. “We are encouraged by the growing popularity of our free-to-play model and the greater level of customization it offers for both traditional MMORPG gamers and for those players that are new to the genre.”

San Jose-based online game publisher, OnNet USA (which runs the MMO portal GamesCampus) has announced that the open beta for MLB Dugout Heroes—a fully licensed online baseball title—is now live.

The micro transaction-based title features Major League Baseball players, stadiums, leagues and logos from “past and present,” and features a leveling system and awards points for players who complete “baseball missions” given daily and weekly, which allows them to purchase new players, uniforms and items.

The title is to be launched officially in April.

“MLB Dugout Heroes is sure to be a smash hit for all baseball fans young and old,” said a GamesCampus representative.

EYA Interactive has announced that its upcoming free-to-play MMORPG Titan Online is to enter open beta on April 28th.

As we've stated in previous Titan Online coverage, the title is an "epic title based on traditional Asian culture", specifically based on the Korean novel Mo Siang. Though Korean, both novel and game are set in ancient China, where players are to "experience historic Chinese locales and meet influential figures from various dynasties."

The open beta is to feature new game content including special items an armor, including eleven special event weapons.

"The upcoming open beta is to allow users to tap into a world that has already birthed a veritable civilization of fans in Asia," said an EYA Interactive representative. "All participants will have the opportunity to start from the beginning to maintain balance and fairness; however, there are no plans to wipe the accounts from this open beta moving forward."

German MMO publisher Cooee has announced the launch of a North American open beta for its 3D chat world Club Cooee.

Apparently an "OnHollywood 100" winner and "Red Herring 100 Global" finalist, the title requires the download of a client, after which players can customize an avatar, chat with other users and decorate their own virtual space, which also allows them to embed music, pictures, video and links to websites.

In addition, browser game portal Bigpoint has partnered with the publisher to allow its user exclusive features such as a user specific news service and Bigpoint-related virtual items.

"Club Cooee transfers all the possibilities of classical instant messaging into a lively and fascinating 3D online world running right on the user's desktop," said a representative. "The customizable avatar not only enables users to chat with friends just like in any normal messenger, it also gives you the possibility to make new friends in Club Cooee and express your feelings with a multitude of animations like dancing, cheering or waving."