Nihon Falcom has outlined the further development process of Ys Online. The Japanese company has inked an agreement with South Korean internet portal provider CJ Internet and online game developer Sofnet Corporation over the development of the game. Under the agreement, CJ Internet will absorb Sofnet's Ys Online development team. Nihon Falcom will then develop Ys Online jointly with its South Korean partner. To improve the finished product's quality, an extensive makeover of the development is planned, which will result in the game being released more than one year after its originally projected 2006 release in South Korea. Development costs for the MMORPG are estimated to reach 150 million yen ($1.4 million US).

Ys Online will be available in South Korea sometime in late 2007. No release dates for Japan or other territories have been announced so far.

• Nikkei Press Release