NetEase unveils gaming pipeline

NetEase, one of China's leading Internet and online game services providers, has shared its pipeline of PC-client and mobile games during the NetEase Games' 2016 Award Ceremony held on December 27, 2016 in Shanghai, China. The company unveiled 29 games during the event, including updates and expansion packs for popular PC-client and mobile games, as well as 14 new self-developed and licensed titles.

NetEase extended legacy titles such as Westward Journey, which has celebrated its 15th anniversary, with games like Fantasy Westward Journey, featuring new characters, new game play and augmented reality (AR) capabilities. Westward Journey: Rage, an action role playing game (ARPG) version, was also introduced, and an upgraded pocket version.

NetEase also announced plans to introduce new expansion packs in 2017 for games such as New Ghost to follow its December expansion pack, which was well received. Tianxia, Heroes of Tang Dynasty, Revelation and Invincible will be getting expansion packs, while Onmyoji is to be released internationally.

The event also highlighted the launch plans for self-developed mobile games including Land of Glory, which is expected to commence open beta testing on December 29, 2016. This epic real-time 3D mobile massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) jointly developed by NetEase Studio F and NetEase's North America office.

NetEase is bringing games from PC to mobile, and vice versa. To extend the success of its PC-client games, NetEase is bringing its legacy PC title Demon Seals to mobile players on iOS on January 6, 2017.

NetEase will also continue to introduce new PC-client games in 2017 that augment its mobile lineup. The company is planning to bring the Minecraft PC version in conjunction with the mobile version release to Chinese audiences. Another PC-client game to look out for is Open Range, a romantic oriental fantasy.

NetEase is also looking into new channels. Twilight Pioneers is NetEase's first virtual reality (VR) title, which was developed based on Google's Daydream platform and released in November 2016.

Other new games discussed at the Award Ceremony included:

• Mist World: expected in the first quarter of 2017, this is a strategic adventure MMO mobile game developed for global audiences. 
• Eternal Frontier is a self-developed mobile RPG-shooting game set on a large alien planet. : It is expected in early 2017.  
• World of Tanks: Blitz is timed for Q217. This is a free-to-play mobile MMO action game, produced by Wargaming, the developer of World of Tanks. 
• Minecraft will begin open beta testing in 1H17.
• Chu Liu Xiang is a martial arts mobile game based on the best-selling martial arts novel series (楚留香系列) by Gu Long. In the books Chu robs the rich to help the poor.
• Index: a 3D anime, comics, games (ACG) Japanese-style RPG mobile game authorised and supervised by Kadokawa, and developed by NetEase Games.
• Apocalypse Alliance: expected in the first quarter of 2017, NetEase's first mobile team-play shooting game will feature a 2.5D overhead perspective and real-time multiplayer shooting action.
• Tribes and Empires: Storm of Prophecy: a 3D-MMORPG mobile game adapted from the TV series under the same name, which will be launched along with the series in 2017.
• Twilight Spirits: a 3D lock-free PC-client action game with massive fighting scenes and a dodging and attacking philosophy.

Said William Ding, CEO and Director of NetEase: "We plan to continue introducing high-quality games throughout the year to thrill current users and attract new players to the enticing world of online games for PC and mobile devices."

Source: NetEase. Graphic for Onmyoji.

NetEase games have seen international success. The company recently revealed that its Onmyoji game had been named the Best Mobile Game 2016 by Facebook, sharing the accolade with Pokemon GO and Clash Royale. The Facebook Game of the Year rankings recognise games that made an impression on Facebook and the players.

Onmyoji features location-based services (LBS), enabling players to interact with others who are nearby. In addition, Onmyoji enlisted popular Japanese voice actors to dub the voices of game characters for a more immersive audio and gaming experience.

According to App Annie, Onmyoji was the highest grossing app worldwide in October. In December, Onmyojii was recognised as a 2016 Top Ten Game on China’s App Store. Onmyoji is also the highest selling app in Australia and New Zealand.