Namco today announced that its PC-based MMORPG Tales of Eternia Online would enter its closed beta testing phase on July 27th. While testers already applied for a place in this beta in November and December 2004, Namco decided to push back the beta test from January to July 2005. Among those who applied last year, a first wave of 5,000 testers will initially be selected. They will receive a confirmation email between today and the 26th. The second group of testers will encompass an additional 15,000 applicants who will receive their confirmation emails beginning August 1st. Testers won't be able to transfer the characters they have created during this beta testing phase to the commercial release of the game.

Tales of Eternia Online has yet to receive a release date in Japan.

• GameWatch