NCsoft sends word that Lineage II: The Chaotic Chronicle, their Unreal-engine MMORPG prequel, is gold:

Austin, TEXAS, April 12, 2004—NCsoft® Corporation, the world’s leading developer and publisher of online computer games, announces that Lineage® II has reached gold master status in North America and will soon be on its way to retailers in the United States and Canada. The official launch date for Lineage II will be April 28.

Lineage II is the visually-stunning prequel to the world’s most popular online game, Lineage. Group with friends, tame powerful dragons, participate in epic struggles and lay siege to majestic castles in this massive medieval fantasy world created with Epic’s Unreal™ engine.

The game will be available at a suggested retail price of US$49.99 and includes the first month of online game play. After the first month, players will be charged a monthly subscription fee of US$14.99. Sixty-day game time cards will also be available at many North American retailers for a suggested retail price of US$29.99.

Lineage II already is enjoying a successful open beta campaign, which began in late March. Tens of thousands have already signed up for the game and are enjoying the spectacular 3D visuals and the intense player-on-player combat that makes Lineage II a hallmark product in the world of massively multiplayer online role playing games.

Players still have time to sign up for the open beta and participate in several challenges and contests created just for the beta test. Free gaming systems, gift certificates, LCD monitors and video cards are among the prizes to be given away. Those who participate in the beta test will not have their characters deleted when the game hits its commercial launch date later this month. More information, including how to sign up for the beta is available on the Lineage II web site, http://www.lineage2.com.