Square Enix has released some new information on its newest MMORPG project, Fantasy Earth - The Ring of Dominion. As previously reported, the PC-based title will combine various battle systems. So far, however, little to no information had been available on the game's story and setting. Fantasy Earth's world is made up of six continents, which were unified under the rule of the Tolkmaiyan Empire. After the collapse of this behemoth, a period of wars between feuding local warlords ensued. In the end, only five factions survived this prolonged confrontation and each founded its own state on a different continent. King Yunkel, upon whom rests a curse which turned him into a beast-like creature, rules over the Kingdom of Netsawal. The Kingdom of Elsword was founded by the wiseman Naias Elsword. The female general of noble origin Wadreet Belkstein Holdein founded the Holdein Empire, Emperor Lyle Verda Gebrand founded the Kingdom of Gebrand. The fifth country is known as the Kingdom of Casdoria. At the beginning of the game, players have to choose one kingdom, whom they will be affiliated with. With five of the six continents under tight control of their respective regimes, the battles in the world of Fantasy Earth are fought over the control of the sixth continent, Essetia. Queen Wadreet Belkstein Holdein has blood of the heroic Belkstein dynasty running through her veins, however following her family's fall from power, she worked as a shepherdess. Following a revelation by a crystal, she vowed to conquer the decaying kingdom and managed to bring the entire continent of Olol under her control. Despite her victory, the queen, who has long lived the life of a commoner struggles to adapt to this new era and and her live as empress. She aims to re-unite her world and build a kingdom based on the ideals of justice and peace. Crystals play a big role in the world of Fantasy Earth. In fact, the world was created by crystals, the sources of all power. This importance is reflected in the gameplay, as players will have to collect crystals, which in turn will allow them to create fortresses on the field map. Currently there are eight different kinds of these forts, which serve different purposes, such as protecting characters from enemy attacks. Players will have to choose wisely, where on the field map they want to set up their forts, though. Building one on high ground for instance will enable them to locate and pre-emptively attack an enemy crawling up to the location early on.

Fantasy Earth - The Ring of Dominion will be available in Japan sometime next year.

• GameWatch