The launch of Sandpark MMORPG ArcheAge is accompanied by 16 pop stars in China.
As MMO Culture reports, they have come up with something special in China to help the Korean MMORPG ArcheAge have a successful launch. There is a trend in Asia called “Idol Group.” It is somewhat similar to … um … a mix of carnival performers, contestants from singing competitions, and Kawaii.
In Japan, the most famous idol group is “AKB48,” while in China there is a variation called “SNH48.” These SNH48 ladies have been partnered with for the launch of ArcheAge in China.
There is a music video for it, and the 16 ladies were digitized and included as “Guide NPCs.”
Putting absurdity aside: The China version has already received quite a bit of praise from observers in advance. They seem to have not only acquired some cosmetic features like a panda glider or costumes tailored specifically for China, but they have also seemingly secured some kind of special treatment from the Korean developer XLGames, such as faster content and similar benefits.
Even the testing phase was surprisingly long in China. Let’s see how it turns out in practice, whether it was just PR hype or if the China version can truly stand out.
