Playing the role...Online
By Staff -- Playthings, 11/1/2005
Online role playing is growing by the hour. According to the Entertainment Software Association, Washington, D.C., 43 percent of gamers play online at least one hour a week. The International Data Group, a technology research company based in Framingham, Mass., also reported that worldwide revenue from online gaming will increase to $29.9 billion by 2008.
Wizards of the Coast, Renton, Wash., will release the trading card game Magic: The Gathering Online 3.0, fall 2006. The game features a mode for new players, larger play space and a zoom-in on cards option. Next in line is Dungeons and Dragons Online: Stormreach, first quarter 2006, and Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar, fall 2006.
The fantasy city of Ptolus, from Malhavoc Press, Atlanta, continues in Ptolus: Monte Cook’s City by the Spire. The 672-page book features a CD-ROM of bonus material, a double-sided map, 130 pages of art, bookmarks and 350 pages of source material for levels one to 20. Preordered books will be numbered and signed.
Upper Deck Entertainment, Carlsbad, Calif., is developing a trading card game around the online role playing game World of Warcraft, Blizzard Entertainment, Irvine, Calif. The trading cards will be available spring 2006.
