e-Games, X-Play to hold back-to-back launches of ZX Online, Audition Season

MANILA, Philippines - IP e-Game Ventures Inc. (e-Games) and X-Play Online Games Inc. (X-Play) are holding back-to-back gaming events, respectively, for ZX Online: Journey to Immortality, e-Games’ first Chinese MMORPG title, and Audition Dance Battle Season 2, the leading online music game.

This will happen on March 7 and 8 at the Midtown Atrium of the Robinsons Place Manila.

The back-to-back gaming events are being held to showcase e-Games and X-Play’s synergy and their unique positions as the top tier providers of online gaming entertainment.

On March 7, Audition Dance Battle, the No. 1 online music game, will transform Robinsons Place’s Midtown Atrium into a huge hip-hop party hub as it celebrates its biggest patch yet, Season 2.

The Season 2 patch will give Audition Dance a fresh new look, an enhanced game interface and new animation effects. It will have dozens of new fashion accessories and costumes, a slew of new dance modes, OPM songs, music and pet features.

Audition Dance Battle will be joined by another X-Play title, the country’s most played music game, O2 Jam.

This new event is a follow-up to Audition Dance Battle’s successful second anniversary event, “A2 na! Countdown to Season2” held last Nov. 22 at the same venue.

“This time, with Audition and the X-Play Crew, we expect a better turnout since the O2 Jam community will be joining us. We have prepared a lot of surprises for them. We also invited GMA Kapuso Stars to entertain the players and spice up the event,” said George Royeca, VP for X-Play.  

Season 2 will have Freeplay, in-game tournaments, live contests, raffles and freebies. According to Jason Tomas, assistant product manager and community manager of Audition Dance Battle, the A2 launch is “much bigger, better and bolder compared to its prequel.”  

The event will also be an opportunity for the established O2Jam community to renew their bonds and rediscover the enjoyment of being with the whole casual gaming community.  

“This is part of our programs to strengthen our community. Giving them a venue to hold their EB, free entertainment, and opportunity to meet them face-to-face is one of our ways to give back to them as well. We want them to feel that we are with them, one of them,” Tomas said.

ZX Online goes commercial

On March 8, its e-Games’ turn as it formally announces the grand commercial release of ZX Online: Journey to Immortality.

The same venue will be transformed into Old World China complete with a lion dance and wushu exhibitions. It will be the center of the celebration, as ZX gamers will be treated to a day of fun, activities, contests and entertainment to mark the game’s passage from open beta to commercial stage. It will also serve as the first formal gathering for its growing community.

Based on the popular Internet fantasy novel “Zhu Xian,” this fully 3D online game features mystical Chinese landscapes and sceneries for game players to explore, a full 3D pathing system, evolving pets, and flying weapons.

It also includes mounts reminiscent of Chinese folklore, talisman crafting and cooperative quests and missions.

As ZX Online shifts to its commercial phase, gamers can expect several changes to take in effect within the game such as a higher character level cap, new maps and dungeons, new costumes and more in-game events.

e-Games has also created the Dark and Light Campaign and has recruited Philippines’ Cosplay Princess and local pop culture sensation Alodia Gosiengfiao and her sister Ashley to portray ZX Online’s two major characters, Biyao and Lu Xue Qui. They will represent the Dark and Light sides.

“We envision this program to encourage a greater degree of community participation and as a tool for groups to form greater bonds, where they can actually share the same values and goals on a bigger scale,” says Ivee Feria, product manager for ZX Online. 

By aligning themselves with either the Dark or Light faction, players who belong to guilds (or clans, as they are called in ZX) will be able to enjoy a much more competitive game and will be pitted against each other in upcoming events.

Ed Pasion, e-Games VP for marketing, said that holding these commercial launch events is e-Games and X-Play’s way of thanking loyal gamers for supporting ZX Online and Audition Dance Battle. 

“We want to let our gamers know that for ZX, there will always be new game content every month and the game to be more immersive. Also expect Audition Dance Battle to be more fun and more challenging and prove to be an even better gaming experience,” Pasion said.