Neverwinter Launches

There has been so much alpha and beta information available for Cryptic Studios’ Neverwinter over the past year that it’s hard to believe that the Dungeons & Dragons-based MMORPG only just launched today. And that means we have a launch trailer to check out:

As well as a press release to dig into, which briefs us on the game’s first free module, “Fury of the Feywild”:

NEVERWINTER NOW LIVE
1.5 Million Players in Free Action MMORPG from Cryptic and Perfect World
(Redwood City, CA) June 20, 2013 – Perfect World Entertainment Inc. and Cryptic Studios today announced the launch of the highly-acclaimed free action MMORPG Neverwinter, set in the Dungeons & Dragons® Forgotten Realms® universe from Wizards of the Coast.
“Over 1.5 million players have explored Neverwinter during our Open Beta. That’s an incredible turnout of gamers and we are humbled by the support and grateful for all the feedback that has led us to this official launch,” said Cryptic Studios Executive Producer and COO, Craig Zinkievich. “Our game combines the rich setting of Neverwinter with intense action combat and engaging content. With the Foundry, our user-generated content tool, players can also create an endless amount of imaginative quests and campaigns. The exciting part is that we’ve only just begun and already our 1.5 million players, and those millions of new gamers we expect from this launch, can look forward to our first free expansion module, Fury of the Feywild, in the near future. It’s been a long journey, but now the adventure can really begin.”
In Neverwinter, players explore and defend one of the most beloved cities from Dungeons & Dragons as one of five different classes: Trickster Rogue, Devoted Cleric, Control Wizard, Guardian Fighter and Great Weapon Fighter. In addition, players can choose from eight different races: human, half-orc, dwarf, elf, half-elf, halfling, tiefling and drow.
Today’s official launch also marks the live release of Gauntlgrym, Neverwinter’s new twist on level 60 PvP and PvE content, and the profession of Alchemy.
Neverwinter’s first free expansion module, Fury of the Feywild, introduces the new region of Sharandar, three campaign areas, three instances, new enemies, new loot, and a new dungeon. This module also introduces two new professions: Weaponsmithing and Artificing.
For more information about Fury of the Feywild, please visit the microsite at: http://nw.perfectworld.com/module1
For more information about Neverwinter and to begin playing now for free, please visit the official website at: http://www.PlayNeverwinter.com/
ABOUT PERFECT WORLD ENTERTAINMENT INC.
Perfect World Entertainment is a leading North American online games publisher specializing in immersive free-to-play MMORPGs. Founded in 2008, Perfect World Entertainment has published 10 popular titles, including Blacklight Retribution, Forsaken World, Perfect World International and Star Trek Online. The company works closely with its American development teams and partners such as Cryptic Studios, developer of the highly anticipated MMORPG Dungeons & Dragons Neverwinter, and Runic Games, developer of the hit Torchlight series, to provide unparalleled quality of service and game experiences to its players. A subsidiary of Perfect World Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: PWRD), Perfect World Entertainment is headquartered in Silicon Valley, California. For more information, please visit: www.perfectworld.com
ABOUT CRYPTIC STUDIOS, INC.
Cryptic Studios, Inc. is a leading developer of online games committed to delivering the next level of gameplay. Cryptic Studios, Inc. develops AAA titles for PC and is rapidly diversifying its portfolio of games to expand beyond the traditional MMORPG genre. Successfully launched titles include “Champions Online: Free for All”, “Star Trek Online” and “Dungeons & Dragons: Neverwinter.” Cryptic Studios, Inc., a subsidiary of Perfect World Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: PWRD), is located in Los Gatos, CA.
ABOUT WIZARDS OF THE COAST
Wizards of the Coast LLC, a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ:HAS), is the leader in entertaining the lifestyle gamer. Wizards’ players and fans are members of a global community bound together by their love of both digital gaming and in-person play. The company brings to market a range of gaming experiences under powerful brand names such as MAGIC: THE GATHERING, DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, and KAIJUDO. Wizards is also a publisher of fantasy series fiction with numerous New York Times best-sellers. For more information about our world renowned brands, visit the Wizards of the Coast Web site at www.wizards.com.