Gameforge To Publish KingsIsle's Wizard101 In Europe

Developer KingsIsle Entertainment announced a licensing agreement with German online game publisher Gameforge to localize and release free-to-play MMORPG Wizard101 in Europe. Launched in North America in September 2008, Wizard101 has more than 10 million registered players. Though the client-based 3D game is free to play, it has a microtransactions system and subscription options ($9.95 per month) allowing members to access all of the areas, ranked player versus player combat, extra content, and more. The 'tween-targeted MMO has players creating and customizing student wizards (picking from different schools of magic, like Fire or Death), completing quests in a wizardry school, battling monsters and each other with collectible card game-style duels, raising virtual pets, and more. Wizard101's European launch is scheduled for late 2010. Texas-based KingsIsle Entertainment says this release will be "an important first step" in its strategy to expand the MMO beyond the U.S. market and reach international audiences. "Wizard101 has proven to be a high-quality MMO that appeals to a large audience of all ages," says Gameforge CEO Carsten van Husen. "We are very excited to partner with KingsIsle in bringing this great game to the European market and expand its audience globally."