Flagship Studios reveals plans for the multiplayer infrastructure for Hellgate: London, their upcoming first-person role-playing game:

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., (August 17th, 2006) Flagship Studios and HanbitSoft, Inc. have announced a new joint venture called Ping0, LLC which will manage all aspects of hosting online games. Ping0 recently entered an agreement with NAMCO BANDAI Games America to digitally distribute, host and manage the online component to Flagship’s highly anticipated title, Hellgate: London.

“Supporting Hellgate: London is just the beginning for Ping0,” said Bill Roper, CEO and co-founder of Flagship Studios. “We fully expect Ping0 to both handle the online components and digitally distribute all of Flagship’s future titles. The company will also provide publishers and developers that want to bring their games online with a solution proven by one of the most highly anticipated titles in the industry.”

The joint venture between Flagship Studios and HanbitSoft represents the strong commitment to online gaming shown by both companies from a development and business standpoint.

“Through Ping0, we will offer a turn-key solution for developers and publishers developing online games, from sophisticated MMOs to casual games,” said HanbitSoft Executive Vice President Tony Park. “Additionally, we are extremely excited about bringing our own titles to new markets through this joint venture.”

The online component created by Ping0 is designed to take full advantage of the latest technologies while offering a solution for bringing many different styles of games into the online arena. The company also provides hosting and management solutions and will be the group responsible for creating the online gaming destination for Hellgate: London.