Screens from 'Parallel Kingdom', An Upcoming Location-based MMORPG
posted September 25th, 2008 11:37 AM CDT by Blake Patterson in News, Role-Playing, Upcoming Games, iPhone games, iPod touch gamesFOX's recent launch of the web and iPhone-based Ambush, a location-based, simplistic massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) demonstrates the iPhone's ability to bring a new generation of rich, location-based gameplay to mobile gamers. But it only really scratches the surface of the platform's capabilities in this area. Ambush is a very basic game which uses the iPhone for position tracking but relies upon a desktop game client for the complete game experience.
We're much more excited about PerBlue's upcoming Parallel Kingdom, a MMORPG in development for the iPhone and Google Android handsets. (Actually, the developer refers to it as a mobile multiplayer trans-reality game (MMTRG).) We took a look at this upcoming location-based MMORPG back in March and, however you label it, Parallel Kingdom holds the promise of being one of the most innovative role-playing titles for the iPhone or any mobile platform. The game is played entirely on the mobile device in question, requiring no desktop component of any sort.
Since our initial look, the developer has posted screenshots of the game as played through the Android development environment. Have a look at a few.
Parallel Kingdom is sure to see widespread downloads when it debuts through the iTunes App Store and Android Marketplace. And of course, with a location-based game like this, it's a clear case of "the more the merrier."
Per Blue CEO Justin Beck discusses the game in a short video from the Parallel Kingdom video page.
We will bring further information on this title as it becomes available and an in-depth review once it arrives in the App Store.
September 25th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
I just don't want confused people coming to loot my "castle"!
September 25th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
lol, yeah, I can see the cops getting in on some of the action on this one.
This is definitely my kind of game.
September 25th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
This is a really old video (start of 08), plus this game was developed for the first version Android. I have yet to see any screen updates or anything specific to iPhone
September 25th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
@devin: The video is not new, true, nor are the screenshots of the Android version particularly new. This is just the first we've posted about Parallel Kingdom since the March post and the release of location-based Ambush made for what seems a good time to refresh folks on what looks like a much richer location-based title.
The Android platform is clearly the development lead on this one.
September 25th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Have you heard of mobile dead (www.mobiledead.com). Its a zombie themed game saw them demo at a conference some time ago. Its much more map based and tries to incorporate a story arc.
Last I heard they are building a blackberry version.
September 25th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
I thought this video from their site was kind of hilarious:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahvJbpJBG2g
Anyway, looks promising - though it will really depend on how many other people end up playing.
September 25th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
so if a 'loot' is in a tower, and this tower just happens to be a bank, or a skyscrapper, this would def. clash with real world security as they wont let anyone near or into certain locations…..i would put all my loots, in a vault in a bank…err something
def. interesting..i dunno
September 25th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
also what happens when you live out in the middle of nowhere, you have free rein to build a fortress, when no one will ever see it
September 25th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
@mek: In extremely rural areas, the game would definitely be less playable, true.
September 26th, 2008 at 12:16 am
This looks like it would be fun if they can get a lot of people to get it, but one interesting point in the article is the mention of the Android platform. Is TouchArcade going to be covering Android games (They are, in fact, touch games, right?) Just curious. Regardless, you guys are doing a great job covering the iPhone scene!