Grandia Online
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese free-to-play massively multiplayer online role-playing game
developed by Game Arts
and published by GungHo Online Entertainment
for Microsoft Windows
as part of their Grandia series. Although originally announced in 2004, the game was beset by a number of delays and lulls in development, eventually gaining an open beta test period in August 2009, with a final retail release scheduled sometime before the end of the year. It is the first online multiplayer game in the series, as well as the first to be initially developed for the PC, yet retains many features seen in previous Grandia games, including visual themes, characters, and a similar combat system. The game utilizes the BigWorld Technology Suite
to render its vast world, and features music from series veteran Noriyuki Iwadare
. Although the game does not require a subscription fee, optional in-game items are only available through paid microtransactions
.
Acting as a prequel to the original Grandia
, Grandia Onlines story takes place many years beforehand during the "Age of Genesis", a time marked by adventure and exploration. Players can create a character from one of three race: the adventurous and adaptable Humans, the child-like, bushy-tailed Coltas, or the imposing, war-like Ralgas, as they travel the world to unlock the mystery of a strange petrification that has claimed their home village. During gameplay, players interact and battle with others, as well as with computer-controlled partners.
presented using completely three-dimensional environments and characters. Before playing, users must first create a GungHo ID from the game's official website, as well as register an account to be used to log into the game's server. After registration, players must download the game client from either the official website, or install directly from a retail disc. After logging in, players must create a character from one of three available races, whose appearances can be customized in a number of ways, including face, hair, eyes, gender, and initial statistics, which determine a their specific strengths and weaknesses. When entering the game world, a character's appearance may further be customized by obtaining new equipment and using special dyes to alter their color.
Characters are controlled from a third-person perspective, with the camera being completely movable by the user, and basic movement consisting of walking, running, and jumping. The game's user interface
contains a text box for chatting with other players, as well as a mini-map for navigation that shows the location of objects and building in the vicinity of the character. All actions are performed by using a combination of keyboard
shortcuts along with the mouse, and players may customize macro
commands for single-click movement, communication, or combat abilities through the game's configuration menu, which can be placed on interface's hotbar for later use. A player may interact with static, non-player characters found in towns or throughout the game who expand the game's story and may offer quests that can be completed for helpful rewards. In addition to a main character, players may also be joined by a single, computer-controlled
partner using the game's Partner System, whose actions can be customized by using the appropriate menu. Players may also group with one another to form a party of up to eight individuals, who each share access to a special chat channel and are able to view each others current status. With each player able to have their own computer partner, the total group size can reach a maximum of 16 characters.
world that occupies the same universe as the original Grandia
video game, and is set many years beforehand during the fabled "Age of Genesis". All players begin their journey as an escapee from a village that has been mysteriously overcome by a dark force, becoming petrified and unlivable. Meeting with a powerful sorceress named Liete, the player learns that similar events are happening across the world, and an investigation as to its source is taking place. Venturing into the game's world, players travel across the land interacting with playable and non-playable characters to expand the game's story, leading them to numerous locations including the Pulse of Gaia, a blighted land believed to be the source of the corruption, and the homeland of the ancient Icarians, a race known for their prowess with magic. GungHo games plans to introduce new plot points that expand the story of Gaia and the Icarians through regular updates.
Players choose a character based on one of three races who inhabit the world: Humans, a small, bushy-tailed raced called the Coltas, and the imposing, tribal Ralgas. Other inhabitants of the world include the diminutive rabbit-like Mogays, who acts as merchants and guides, and numerous species of monsters and animals that serve as the game's primary enemies. Ruins from past civilizations appear as additional areas, and include opponents such as automatons and robots from a bygone era. As the player venture further into the game, they encounter progressively more difficult enemies and boss characters who require large groups to defeat.
in late 2004 as a collaborative effort between their company and GungHo Online Entertainment
under the codename "Project: GO". The game was first revealed during a GungHo Games panel at the 2005 Tokyo Game Show
in Tokyo, Japan
, where the company announced that they would be working with Game Arts to bring their Grandia role-playing game series to the PC as a "real adventure-themed MMORPG." Development for the game began shortly after completion of Game Arts' previous endeavor, Grandia III
, released earlier that year in Japan, and was overseen by GungHo president Morishita Yoshikazu and Game Arts producer Yoshitada Iwata. Inspiration for the game came from Gravity Corporation's Ragnarok Online
, as well as to fill the need for "Japan's increased demand for online games." The following October, one month after the game's announcement, GungHo announced plans to become a majority shareholder for the Game Arts corporation, turning the company into a subsidiary and making Grandia Online an in-house production. An open beta test period was originally planned for the first quarter of 2006, with the game's final release following later that year, which was pushed back to the following September, and then an undetermined date due to development issues.
GungHo would remain quiet on Grandia Onlines progress until early 2007, when Game Arts announced that the title had been sold by GungHo to online software producer Online Game Revolution Fund Number 1 for ¥
2.6 billion, and that development would continue under the game's new name, Grandia Zero. Game Arts would later re-acquire the game's production rights some time later, as well as return the game to its original title, yet development activities remained undisclosed for several months. During this period, industry rumors began to surface that the game may have been cancelled.
In April 2009, news of Grandia Onlines progress was finally made public, with the launch of an official countdown website that opened on April 21, revealing that the game was not only still being produced, but that a new open beta test would be launched the following July. To celebrate the occasion, Game Arts announced they would be re-releasing the original Grandia
on Sony
's PlayStation Network download service, as well host a limited, 60-person public test period for a demo of the game the following may in Tokyo's Akihabara
district. The game is to utilize the BigWorld Technology Suite
, which was previously used in GungHo's Hokuto no Ken Online, and "promises a development solution specifically for scaleable next-gen MMOs and virtual worlds." The company had planned to release the game commercially by the end of Summer 2009, with a final release still pending due to an extended beta period beginning in August.
Background music for Grandia Online was written by series veteran Noriyuki Iwadare
, the composer for all previous Grandia titles. The game also features voice acting during certain story sequences that the player will encounter during play, which are provided by several prominent anime
and video game actors including Kikuko Inoue
, who reprises her role as Liete from the first Grandia. Player characters are also voiced, with sound clips used during combat and certain emotes
, and vary by the character's race and gender. Grandia Onlines official theme song, "Earth Trip" by Minami Kuribayashi
, was released as a single in July 2009, alongside a limited edition version that contains a code which can be redeemed for special in-game items.
Massively multiplayer online role-playing game
Massively multiplayer online role-playing game is a genre of role-playing video games in which a very large number of players interact with one another within a virtual game world....
developed by Game Arts
Game Arts
is a Japanese video game software developer located in Tokyo, Japan. Originally established in 1985 as a computer software company, they have since expanded their enterprise to produce for a number of game console and handheld systems...
and published by GungHo Online Entertainment
GungHo Online Entertainment
GungHo Online Entertainment is a Japanese videogame corporation. They are primarily known for hosting the Japanese server of Ragnarok Online, as well as their development of Ragnarok DS for the Nintendo DS.-History:...
for Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
as part of their Grandia series. Although originally announced in 2004, the game was beset by a number of delays and lulls in development, eventually gaining an open beta test period in August 2009, with a final retail release scheduled sometime before the end of the year. It is the first online multiplayer game in the series, as well as the first to be initially developed for the PC, yet retains many features seen in previous Grandia games, including visual themes, characters, and a similar combat system. The game utilizes the BigWorld Technology Suite
Bigworld Technology
BigWorld Technology is a middleware platform for the development of Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games and virtual worlds...
to render its vast world, and features music from series veteran Noriyuki Iwadare
Noriyuki Iwadare
is a Japanese video game composer.-Biography:He was born in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. He began to compose video game music after years of being involved with university bands. The first award he won the Best Game Music award, the Mega Drive/Genesis category for Lunar: The Silver...
. Although the game does not require a subscription fee, optional in-game items are only available through paid microtransactions
Micropayment
A micropayment is a financial transaction involving a very small sum of money and usually one that occurs online. PayPal defines a micropayment as a transaction of less than 12 USD while Visa prefers transactions under 20 Australian dollars, and though micropayments were originally envisioned to...
.
Acting as a prequel to the original Grandia
Grandia (video game)
is a role-playing video game developed by Game Arts originally for the Sega Saturn console as the first game in their Grandia series. Initially released in Japan in January 1997, the game was later ported to the PlayStation in June 1999, with an English version of the game appearing on the platform...
, Grandia Onlines story takes place many years beforehand during the "Age of Genesis", a time marked by adventure and exploration. Players can create a character from one of three race: the adventurous and adaptable Humans, the child-like, bushy-tailed Coltas, or the imposing, war-like Ralgas, as they travel the world to unlock the mystery of a strange petrification that has claimed their home village. During gameplay, players interact and battle with others, as well as with computer-controlled partners.
Gameplay
Grandia Online is a massively multiplayer online role-playing gameMassively multiplayer online role-playing game
Massively multiplayer online role-playing game is a genre of role-playing video games in which a very large number of players interact with one another within a virtual game world....
presented using completely three-dimensional environments and characters. Before playing, users must first create a GungHo ID from the game's official website, as well as register an account to be used to log into the game's server. After registration, players must download the game client from either the official website, or install directly from a retail disc. After logging in, players must create a character from one of three available races, whose appearances can be customized in a number of ways, including face, hair, eyes, gender, and initial statistics, which determine a their specific strengths and weaknesses. When entering the game world, a character's appearance may further be customized by obtaining new equipment and using special dyes to alter their color.
Characters are controlled from a third-person perspective, with the camera being completely movable by the user, and basic movement consisting of walking, running, and jumping. The game's user interface
User interface
The user interface, in the industrial design field of human–machine interaction, is the space where interaction between humans and machines occurs. The goal of interaction between a human and a machine at the user interface is effective operation and control of the machine, and feedback from the...
contains a text box for chatting with other players, as well as a mini-map for navigation that shows the location of objects and building in the vicinity of the character. All actions are performed by using a combination of keyboard
Computer keyboard
In computing, a keyboard is a typewriter-style keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches...
shortcuts along with the mouse, and players may customize macro
Macro
A macro in computer science is a rule or pattern that specifies how a certain input sequence should be mapped to an output sequence according to a defined procedure...
commands for single-click movement, communication, or combat abilities through the game's configuration menu, which can be placed on interface's hotbar for later use. A player may interact with static, non-player characters found in towns or throughout the game who expand the game's story and may offer quests that can be completed for helpful rewards. In addition to a main character, players may also be joined by a single, computer-controlled
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is the intelligence of machines and the branch of computer science that aims to create it. AI textbooks define the field as "the study and design of intelligent agents" where an intelligent agent is a system that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its...
partner using the game's Partner System, whose actions can be customized by using the appropriate menu. Players may also group with one another to form a party of up to eight individuals, who each share access to a special chat channel and are able to view each others current status. With each player able to have their own computer partner, the total group size can reach a maximum of 16 characters.
Combat
Combat in Grandia Online takes place in real-time and retains many similarities to previous games in the series, including the Initiative Point (IP) Gauge, which is used for the game's Ultimate Action Battle System. The gauge, represented as a circle, contains icons representing each character in a player's party, as well as each enemy monster currently engaged. The icons move across the gauge to its end, which allows the player to accumulate combo points that can be saved to unleash powerful combination attacks along with other party members. Special combat abilities called Just Commands can be learned by continually using an equipped weapon, and occupy their own specific hotbar that can be quickly used during battle. As players defeat enemies, they gain experience points which go towards gaining levels, allowing a character to become stronger and face progressively more difficult opponents. The number of individuals in a player's party, as well as the use of computer partners and high level differences between characters can all adversely affect experience gain.Plot
Grandia Online is set in a fantasyFantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
world that occupies the same universe as the original Grandia
Grandia (video game)
is a role-playing video game developed by Game Arts originally for the Sega Saturn console as the first game in their Grandia series. Initially released in Japan in January 1997, the game was later ported to the PlayStation in June 1999, with an English version of the game appearing on the platform...
video game, and is set many years beforehand during the fabled "Age of Genesis". All players begin their journey as an escapee from a village that has been mysteriously overcome by a dark force, becoming petrified and unlivable. Meeting with a powerful sorceress named Liete, the player learns that similar events are happening across the world, and an investigation as to its source is taking place. Venturing into the game's world, players travel across the land interacting with playable and non-playable characters to expand the game's story, leading them to numerous locations including the Pulse of Gaia, a blighted land believed to be the source of the corruption, and the homeland of the ancient Icarians, a race known for their prowess with magic. GungHo games plans to introduce new plot points that expand the story of Gaia and the Icarians through regular updates.
Players choose a character based on one of three races who inhabit the world: Humans, a small, bushy-tailed raced called the Coltas, and the imposing, tribal Ralgas. Other inhabitants of the world include the diminutive rabbit-like Mogays, who acts as merchants and guides, and numerous species of monsters and animals that serve as the game's primary enemies. Ruins from past civilizations appear as additional areas, and include opponents such as automatons and robots from a bygone era. As the player venture further into the game, they encounter progressively more difficult enemies and boss characters who require large groups to defeat.
Development
Grandia Online was first announced by Game ArtsGame Arts
is a Japanese video game software developer located in Tokyo, Japan. Originally established in 1985 as a computer software company, they have since expanded their enterprise to produce for a number of game console and handheld systems...
in late 2004 as a collaborative effort between their company and GungHo Online Entertainment
GungHo Online Entertainment
GungHo Online Entertainment is a Japanese videogame corporation. They are primarily known for hosting the Japanese server of Ragnarok Online, as well as their development of Ragnarok DS for the Nintendo DS.-History:...
under the codename "Project: GO". The game was first revealed during a GungHo Games panel at the 2005 Tokyo Game Show
Tokyo Game Show
The , commonly known as TGS, is a video game expo / convention held annually in the Makuhari Messe, in Chiba, Japan. It is presented by the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association and the Nikkei Business Publications, Inc...
in Tokyo, Japan
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, where the company announced that they would be working with Game Arts to bring their Grandia role-playing game series to the PC as a "real adventure-themed MMORPG." Development for the game began shortly after completion of Game Arts' previous endeavor, Grandia III
Grandia III
is a role-playing video game developed by Game Arts and published by Square Enix for the PlayStation 2 console. Originally released in Japan in August 2005, the game later made available in English in North America in February 2006, and is the first main series Grandia title to not appear in the...
, released earlier that year in Japan, and was overseen by GungHo president Morishita Yoshikazu and Game Arts producer Yoshitada Iwata. Inspiration for the game came from Gravity Corporation's Ragnarok Online
Ragnarok Online
Ragnarok Online , often referred to as RO, is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game or MMORPG created by GRAVITY Co., Ltd. based on the manhwa Ragnarok by Lee Myung-jin. It was first released in South Korea on 31 August 2002 for Microsoft Windows and has since been released in many other...
, as well as to fill the need for "Japan's increased demand for online games." The following October, one month after the game's announcement, GungHo announced plans to become a majority shareholder for the Game Arts corporation, turning the company into a subsidiary and making Grandia Online an in-house production. An open beta test period was originally planned for the first quarter of 2006, with the game's final release following later that year, which was pushed back to the following September, and then an undetermined date due to development issues.
GungHo would remain quiet on Grandia Onlines progress until early 2007, when Game Arts announced that the title had been sold by GungHo to online software producer Online Game Revolution Fund Number 1 for ¥
Japanese yen
The is the official currency of Japan. It is the third most traded currency in the foreign exchange market after the United States dollar and the euro. It is also widely used as a reserve currency after the U.S. dollar, the euro and the pound sterling...
2.6 billion, and that development would continue under the game's new name, Grandia Zero. Game Arts would later re-acquire the game's production rights some time later, as well as return the game to its original title, yet development activities remained undisclosed for several months. During this period, industry rumors began to surface that the game may have been cancelled.
In April 2009, news of Grandia Onlines progress was finally made public, with the launch of an official countdown website that opened on April 21, revealing that the game was not only still being produced, but that a new open beta test would be launched the following July. To celebrate the occasion, Game Arts announced they would be re-releasing the original Grandia
Grandia (video game)
is a role-playing video game developed by Game Arts originally for the Sega Saturn console as the first game in their Grandia series. Initially released in Japan in January 1997, the game was later ported to the PlayStation in June 1999, with an English version of the game appearing on the platform...
on Sony
Sony
, commonly referred to as Sony, is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate measured by revenues....
's PlayStation Network download service, as well host a limited, 60-person public test period for a demo of the game the following may in Tokyo's Akihabara
Akihabara
, also known as , is an area of Tokyo, Japan. It is located less than five minutes by rail from Tokyo Station. Its name is frequently shortened to in Japan...
district. The game is to utilize the BigWorld Technology Suite
Bigworld Technology
BigWorld Technology is a middleware platform for the development of Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games and virtual worlds...
, which was previously used in GungHo's Hokuto no Ken Online, and "promises a development solution specifically for scaleable next-gen MMOs and virtual worlds." The company had planned to release the game commercially by the end of Summer 2009, with a final release still pending due to an extended beta period beginning in August.
Audio
| Voice actors | |
|---|---|
| Character | Actor |
| Human (male) | Jun Fukuyama Jun Fukuyama is a voice actor. He was previously represented by Aoni Production and Production Baobab, and is now represented by . In 2007, he won the first Seiyu Awards for the best actor in leading role as Lelouch Lamperouge in Code Geass... |
| Human (female) | Rie Kugimiya Rie Kugimiya is a Japanese voice actress affiliated with I'm Enterprise.Kugimiya's most famous roles include Alphonse Elric in Fullmetal Alchemist, Happy in Fairy Tail, Kagura in Gintama, Nagi Sanzenin in Hayate no Gotoku!, Shana in Shakugan no Shana, Louise in Zero no Tsukaima, Taiga Aisaka in Toradora!, and... |
| Colta (male) | Mariya Ise Mariya Ise ' is a female Japanese voice actress from Kanagawa, Japan. She is affiliated with Across Entertainment.- Voice acting roles :Leading roles in bold.2004* Aishiteruze Baby 2005* Onegai My Melody... |
| Colta (female) | Miyuki Sawashiro Miyuki Sawashiro is a female Japanese voice actress and singer who works for Mausu Promotion.She voiced Puchiko in the English dubbed releases of Di Gi Charat the Movie and Leave it to Piyoko, making her one of the few Japanese voice actors to have reprised a role in English in addition to the original Japanese... |
| Ralga (male) | Yuichi Nakamura Yuichi Nakamura is a Japanese voice actor who is affiliated with Sigma Seven.-2001:* Dennou Boukenki Webdiver , Griffion, Ligaon, Raada* The Prince of Tennis , Ginka Center member 1-2003:* Crush Gear Nitro , Hugo... |
| Ralga (female) | Junko Minagawa Junko Minagawa is a Japanese voice actress affiliated with Haikyo. She is well known for voicing young boys, although she has done "feminine" lady roles, as well as flirtatious women. She has also sang some of the openings and endings of the anime Prince of Tennis as well as vocal tracks and singles for this... |
| Liete | Kikuko Inoue Kikuko Inoue is a popular Japanese voice actress and singer. She has been part of the singing groups DoCo and Goddess Family Club, among others, and is the manager of her voice-acting company, Office Anemone. Inoue tends to play the "perfect girlfriend" or "motherly" role in many series, but she has also played... |
| Nina | Yūko Minaguchi Yuko Minaguchi is a Japanese seiyū from Tokyo who is affiliated with Aoni Production.-Notable voice roles:* Princess Apricot in Bosco Adventure * Yumi in Blue Sonnet * Yawara Inokuma and Kaneko Inokuma in Yawara!... |
| Kachua | Sayaka Ohara Sayaka Ohara is a Japanese voice actress. She is currently affiliated with Tokyo Actor's Consumer's Cooperative Society. She is a graduate of Aoyama Gakuin University's Department of Literature. Her nickname is... |
| Ernest | Atsuko Tanaka Atsuko Tanaka is a Japanese voice actress who works for Ezaki Productions. Her deep and sultry voice is often used to portray villainesses and mature female characters.-TV anime:*Angel Links *Black Cat *Berserk *Cowboy Bebop... |
| Mogay (male) | Mutsumi Tamura Mutsumi Tamura is a Japanese female seiyū from Tokyo, Japan. She is affiliated with I'm Enterprise.-Anime:2007*ef ~a tale of memories~ as young Kyosuke2008*Battle Spirits: Shōnen Toppa Bashin as Toppa Bashin*Blassreiter as Zaza... |
| Mogay (female) | Asumi Kodama |
| Male Merchant | Hayato Nakata |
| Female Merchant | Maki Midori |
Background music for Grandia Online was written by series veteran Noriyuki Iwadare
Noriyuki Iwadare
is a Japanese video game composer.-Biography:He was born in Matsumoto City, Nagano Prefecture, Japan. He began to compose video game music after years of being involved with university bands. The first award he won the Best Game Music award, the Mega Drive/Genesis category for Lunar: The Silver...
, the composer for all previous Grandia titles. The game also features voice acting during certain story sequences that the player will encounter during play, which are provided by several prominent anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
and video game actors including Kikuko Inoue
Kikuko Inoue
is a popular Japanese voice actress and singer. She has been part of the singing groups DoCo and Goddess Family Club, among others, and is the manager of her voice-acting company, Office Anemone. Inoue tends to play the "perfect girlfriend" or "motherly" role in many series, but she has also played...
, who reprises her role as Liete from the first Grandia. Player characters are also voiced, with sound clips used during combat and certain emotes
Emotes
Emotes are a series of picture books, comics and designer toys created by Helen Lau. Each of the characters represents a different emotion. The characters are designed as a new form of play therapy to give children the opportunity to play and interact with others while learning how to identify,...
, and vary by the character's race and gender. Grandia Onlines official theme song, "Earth Trip" by Minami Kuribayashi
Minami Kuribayashi
is a Japanese singer-songwriter and voice actress from Shizuoka prefecture.Her involvement in the game and anime Kimi ga Nozomu Eien, where she voiced the role of one of the characters, Haruka Suzumiya and performed and penned the theme songs and other songs relating to the series, has brought her...
, was released as a single in July 2009, alongside a limited edition version that contains a code which can be redeemed for special in-game items.