According to the American online game magazine, Gamasutra, the worldwide online gaming industry is predicted to be worth US$20 billion in 2012.

Online games are now deep-rooted as a cultural contents provider through their various genres.

Korea, or course, is witnessing an explosion of growth in the online game industry.

And among the many existing games in the world, there is a Korean one gathering particular interest because it is the first online flight simulation game.



In one of Seoul's many Internet cafes, people can play a variety of online games. There is one game, however, that really stands out.

[Interview :
Shin Su-jin, Gamer] "This is Ace Online."

[Interview : Yun Ju-min, Gamer] "Ace Online."

[Interview : Park Min-hyeok, Gamer] "I am playing a game called Ace Online."

This is Ace Online, a flight shooting simulation game that is set in open skies!

[Interview : Jeon Su-gil, Gamer] "We can fire missiles at each other or team up in order to go hunting for monsters or other teams. I think the additional options in the game are fun."

[Interview : Park Min-hyeok, Gamer] "Since there are moments where a player can command the other players, it is highly likely to gain a better sense of leadership."



Ace Online's developer, Masang Soft, is making a name for itself through Ace Online's unmatched reputation in the 3D flight simulation genre.





Particularly, Masang Soft is being credited for creating a new genre, the flight shooting MMORPG, through its flagship game, Ace Online.

Gamers can enjoy both the beauty and the fun of flight simulation through Ace Online. But what is the game about[Interview : Choi Dong-uk, Game developer] "In the game, humans have allied with aliens to start the Atum Project. However, the project splits humans into two factions: the "harmful" and the "harmless." Eventually, the scenario unfolds with the "harmful," led by guerilla fighters, and the "harmless," represented by the regular army, go head-to-head."

Ace Online is based on the company's first work, called Atum.

Ace Online is a combination of flight shooting simulation and character creation and advancement. And the characters in this game refer to different types of aircraft.

[Interview :
Choi Dong-uk, Game developer] "There are four Gears in Ace Online: B Gear, A Gear, I Gear and M Gear. The B Gear is a bomber-type aircraft, similar to bombers in real life. The I Gear is a fast fighter-type aircraft. The A Gear boasts strong surface-to-air capabilities, and because it possesses the features of a tank, it has fast-loading weapons. The M Gear is not an offensive character, but a support, or buff, character that can heal and provide shielding for its party."

Ace Online's biggest advantage is its wide playing field, allowing for more than a 100 gamers to play simultaneously, as well as incredibly detailed graphics.

[Interview :
Song Yeong-guk, Graphics team member] "The airplanes are designed to fit the science fiction theme of the game."

The recent update has garnered positive responses from gamers because of the smarter features of the characters.

While variety is important, it is just as essential to make sure that the game is playable in any part of the world.

[Interview : Hong Won-il, 3D Graphics team member] "We focus on how to express the characters the most. Although the game is available in many countries, overseas gamers do not have computers as powerful as Korean gamers have, so it is important to keep that in mind when creating detailed effects that they are highly compatible with computers of different capacities."

Masang Soft has branch offices around the world to ensure the best online environments possible. Since its debut in China in 2007, Masang Soft has steadily expanded around the world.

[Interview : Kim Min-su, Operation support team] "Ace Online is currently being commercialized and played in seven countries in Europe, including Germany, and ten countries in Asia, including Korea, Japan and China. The game is on a Close Beta Test in Argentina, and it is expected to go through commercialization as well."

Ace Online is playable in 16 languages, including German, Japanese and Chinese, and it is serviced to Asia, Europe, and soon, to Latin America.

Masang Soft has been acknowledged for its research and development into the flight simulation game genre.

Besides Ace Online, Masang Soft is developing an action game for children called "Knight Story," and an education game designed to teach math, "Sky Math,"

[Interview : Gang Sam-seok, CEO
Masang Soft] "We have the goal of making our brand not just a Korean brand, but also a global brand. To attain this goal, we are currently developing state-of-the-art games that will be enjoyed by gamers from all over the world."

Masang Soft has pushed the genre of flight simulation games in Korea. All that is left is to become a worldwide brand and leading developer of online games.

Reporter : luluhjh@arirangtv.com