Friday, June 21, 2019

Point Blank Beyond Limits Coming July 16, 2019

On 18th June 2019, ZEPETTO (Jean Kim (CEO), www.zepetto.com) officially announced that the Point Blank (PB) online FPS game is set to provide direct service in the Philippines, bringing along better game environments and an array of new contents for local players.



Point Blank is a representative national FPS game that has been in service in the Philippines for nine years. Since its introduction in 2011, Point Blank achieved 100,000 visitors a day. As a continued commitment, Zepetto plans to release the latest version of Point Blank named as ‘Beyond Limits’.
The Zepetto direct service will officially start on the 16th of July 2019. The game information used in the existing Garena service will be available for transfer during the period from the 18th of June to the 29th of September 2019 via Zepetto’s official website. Users and Clan members who applied for account transfer prior to the start of the Zepetto direct service will receive special gifts. More information about the service transfer can be found at https://pointblank.zepetto.com/teaser/index


In addition, the Point Blank E-sports Tournament will be held in various forms. First, from the 1st of July to the 30th of September 2019, 'Point Blank Guerrilla Competition' will be held in various PC cafés throughout the Philippines. Interested PC owners can participate and apply for registration. In this competition, which will be held in various sizes of the PC café’s (from small to large), the total rewards of winners can receive will be Cash, PB in-game cash, game items, PB T-shirts and PB poster for each competition. Participants also may receive Lanyards and free drinks! Further, a Regional Leagues for Point Blank International Championship (PBIC), the representative international E-sports competition, will be held in scale.



Mr. Jean Kim, CEO of Zepetto, mentioned as "We are proud to say that the Point Blank has been providing service to almost 50 countries, and as a leading online FPS game with a total of 118 million users, we will do our best so that new users, as well as, existing users will be satisfied with Point Blank by opening ‘Point Blank Beyond Limits’ version that contains our game know-how to the Philippines.


‘Point Blank Beyond Limits' is the latest version of Point Blank that contains the most recent UI and new exciting contents which are currently being loved by all serviced regions. (Philippine region CS contact: ask_pbph@zepetto.biz / transfer_pbph@zepetto.biz)


Zepetto Co. (www.zepetto.com)
Established in September 2003, ZEPETTO (Jean Kim, CEO) is a Korean game company that develops and services games on various platforms including online, mobile, and console. Beginning with the PSP game 'Vulcanus', online FPS 'Point Blank' has achieved great success in the world market, and it has been acknowledged simultaneously in the game performance. As of 2019, Zepetto is currently concentrating on the development with Point Blank IP of a mobile game named ‘Outlaw’ and the online Battle Royale ‘Survival Frenzy‘ which will utilize the Point Blank's success story.

Saturday, June 1, 2019

The Return of Gunbound

When I got the Press Release document for the re-launch of Gunbound, I got very excited. It’s one of the earliest online computer games I’ve played, along with Ragnarok Online.
The concept of Gunbound can probably be traced to that old computer game called Scorched Earth – wherein tanks try to eliminate opponent using different type of missiles that has different attributes. Same goes to Gunbound – you control a single tank and try to eliminate other tanks but using different missiles with different capabilities. It was first released on the PC platform.
Since most PC Games got relaunched as a mobile version (starting with Ragnarok Online Mobile, Grand Chase, etc) it’s no surprised that the popular Gunbound is now coming back as a mobile game.
Here’s what we can expect from the latest reincarnation of Gunbound:
Electronics Extreme Partners with Softnyx to Publish New Gunbound
With the publishing contract in place, New Gunbound is to be launched at 10 regions in SEA including Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines and more.
Electronics Extreme announced the publishing contract with Softnyx to launch New Gunbound which is the sequel of Gunbound, a famous turn-based shooting game.



New Gunbound is currently under development as a multi-platform game which supports both PC and mobile. Players can enjoy the Classic mode with the same mechanics as the original and new modes that include the Real Time mode, where players must shoot and dodge actively, and other PVE contents. New Gunbound has new features that allow players to customize their own mobile, interact with other players, and many more.
Gunbound’s original developer Softnyx is also behind games of various genres that are well known: Rakion, WolfTeam, Operation 7, and more. Among these is the RPG game Kingdom Story that made a name in Korea and other Asian regions. In Latin America where it’s the number one game portal, Softnyx is also popular for being the host of the game festival Softnyx Party that is successful every year. They are now focusing on the development of New Gunbound which will be released multi-platform: PC and mobile.
The publishing partner, Electronics Extreme, is a game publisher established in Thailand in 2014 and has successfully published games such as Ragnarok, Cabal, and Infestation in various countries in Southeast Asia. With the company expanding its reach globally, they’ve announced that the New Gunbound will be launched in 10 different countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Philippines.
Softnyx’ Co-CEOs ChoonGeun Lim and Woo Jae Shin remarked, “We are pleased to have the publishing contract with Electronics Extreme, a company that is well known in Southeast Asia.” “In order to provide steady service to the players, Softnyx will do its best in developing the game to its finest before the official launch.”
Electronics Extreme’s CEO Thanin Piromward said, “I am very delighted to have the opportunity to collaborate with Softnyx and publish a sequel of this globally renowned game, Gunbound.” He continued, “Personally, I am really looking forward to this new title from Softnyx and would do my best to provide satisfying quality of service to the players.”
Softnyx
Since its establishment in 2001, Softnyx developed a variety of successful games from many genres for online and mobile games such as Softnyx' first game Gunbound, Rakion, FPS game WolfTeam, and mobile game Kingdom Story. Softnyx allows players from all around the world to feel more comfortable by providing services in various languages. In addition to its endless spirit of challenge and ambition in game development, Softnyx also published Lovebeat and Operation 7 in Latin America and will continue to provide services for new games in the future.
Electronics Extreme Ltd.
Electronics Extreme (EXE) was founded in 2014 with a management team comprised of over 15 years experienced veterans in gaming industry and more than 200 staff who understand the needs of fellow gamers. With their main mission and determination of “providing fun and happiness to our customers with better gaming experience”, Electronics Extreme has already become a leading online game publisher in Thailand. Not only the operation in gaming publishing, Electronics Extreme also covers the services of channeling, marketing, and customer service for business process outsourcing with a strategic position in the hub of Southeast Asia.
Electronics Extreme Limited (Philippines) brought in as its management team players who helped shape the Philippines’ gaming industry. Currently, it continues to hire empowered and passionate individuals who want to make their mark in gaming. Electronics Extreme Limited (Philippines) is poised to make waves in the Southeast Asian market. Our mission is simple: bring the best experience that we can to the gamers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is New Gunbound, and what is its concept?
New Gunbound is a new multi-platform game given birth by the developers of original Gunbound, Softnyx and Rocket Punch. Softnyx is aiming to bring back the fun of original Gunbound which was available in PC and attract mobile users at the same time.
Q2. What are the unique features of the New Gunbound?
First of all, we would like to introduce the new mode: Real Time mode. In this mode, mobile users can match with other users and battle in real time.
Unlike in the original PC version, it has the advantage of not having to wait for turns allowing the players to dodge the attack, something you can't do in the original version. This remarkable change made strategy a factor in playing, setting it apart from its predecessor. This new mode will give the chance to original Gunbound players and new players alike to enjoy their own playing style. For the players who missed the original game, the turn-based Classic mode is available to relive the nostalgia.
Both modes are operated in a ranking system wherein the matchmaking algorithm was paid extra attention to in order to prevent a gap between previous pro players and new players.
Q3. What are the interesting points of New Gunbound?
Aside from PVP, there are also various PVE modes that engage the players with AI: Adventure mode and Boss mode. These modes allow players to gain Experience Points and acquire items to evolve and level up their characters. Achievement Quests are also available which provide special rewards. Guild and Marriage System will be included for the community.
Q4. Why is the slogan ‘Anytime, Anywhere, Anyone’?
In the future, we are expecting an environment where one can play games anywhere through anything. Therefore, to follow this trend, Softnyx is doing its best to implement cross platform. Through New Gunbound, Softtnyx aims to start its mobile-PC cross platform and further expand to the emulator’s platform as well.
Q5. Which local servers will be launched first and what are the other regions?
New Gunbound will be first launched in Southeast Asia on 3rd quarter of 2019. We are lucky to partner with Electronics Extreme which is well-known for successfully publishing numerous games in SEA region. We are especially excited to launch the game in Thailand where there are many great Gunbound players.
Q6. Why launch in SEA above all other region?
It is because we have received lots of positive feedbacks from SEA, especially in Thailand, when we first launched the PC version game. Therefore, we assumed that there will be players who still love and miss the game. Eventually, it turned out to be true because our spoiler post for New Gunbound was warmly welcomed. In order to meet such expectation, we will launch in Southeast Asia region first.
Q7. How will Softnyx develop New Gunbound?
We have several long-term goals for New Gunbound. We will provide update for various mobiles, add Guild and Tournament system to foster an active community within the game, and farming feature to collect ancient ruins to get rare skin. We are also planning to have Boss Raid system where players work together to defeat giant boss. Along with this, new maps, skins, and even new mode in the future.
Q8. Any possibility of E-Sports Content?
In order to play New Gunbound, skill, teamwork, and tactic are required. We believe that these reach all the features required to compete in E-sports and that lots of players are interested to participate. Additionally, we are currently developing Watch mode in order to support live streaming service. We hope to see fans from around the world enjoy the New Gunbound Global Tournament in the future.
Q9. Would new players with no previous experience in Gunbound enjoy the game as well?
Absolutely. New Gunbound is a game with cute graphics and easy gameplay allowing everyone to enjoy and have fun. Moreover, there is a tutorial for new players, and it is easy enough to understand the whole game in just five minutes. New Gunbound is a game that anyone can start lightly and deeply fall in love.