NCSoft announced two new PC-based MMORPGs at its Media Day in Seoul. The first one, Blade & Soul, is an original fantasy MMORPG. Lineage II's initial producer is acting as the game's producer, while Tae-kim Hyung of Magna Carta fame is serving as art director. Blade & Soul's main theme is heroism. The game, whose visuals are similar to those of Lineage II and AION, is running on Epic's Unreal Engine 3. Players will be able to choose among four different races, even though at this point only two of them have been announced. The Jin, who look like humans, are tall, sword-wielding warriors. While a Jin usually wields only one sword at a time, a special skill allows them to summon and use multiple swords. In addition to this multiple sword attack, the race's repertoire features various long-range skills. The Gon race on the other hand relies on hand-to-hand combat, resembling the fighting styles of Tekken's Paul Phoenix and Virtua Fighter's Akira.

Blade & Soul has yet to receive an official release date. Furthermore, NCSoft has yet to disclose any information regarding beta tests and pricing.

The second new MMORPG is tentatively titled MetalBlack: Alternative. The game is described as being similar to Blizzard's Diablo. Unlike Diablo, NCSoft's newest online title is not about hack and slash, but all about run and gun, though. A science fiction-themed title, MetalBlack: Alternative takes place sometime in the future and has players fight against large numbers of enemies. Players dispose of this opposition by resorting to the usage of guns, rifles, missiles and bombs. Enemies leave behind various items for the player to pick up.

MetalBlack: Alternative has not yet received an official release date either.

• GameWatch